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Nightlife

By Cubby

DON’T STEAL THE NIGHT: South Beach night life is being threatened by a small special interest group composed of high-end condominium owners represented by high priced attorneys. This small group is looking to eliminate nightlife as we all know it.  They are continuing to put pressure on the city council to change many of the laws that govern nightclubs, restaurants and hotels and bring in hundreds of thousands of

tourists to this market every year.  The hospitality industry generated over $900 million in revenue last year alone.  As you all know, the hospitality industry in South Beach supports over 5,000 people and their families and is one of the main reasons that people continue to visit South Beach. Those in the industry have been rallying to prevent the proposed changes, which include a 2 a.m. bar closing time and closing of all outdoor venues. Now I understand how the American Indians felt when the settlers arrived and took over. South Beach nightlife is famous world-wide and is the major attraction for tourists. That could all change if these people have their way.

OUT & ABOUT: Friday night the Albion Hotel became a fashion center as designer Kaat Tilley made her Miami debut introducing herself and her beautiful fashions. Drag diva Elaine Lancaster hosted the event which featured food and beverages from Belgium. SEEN: Rudolph, Rod Stagwood (Sun Sentinel), Jose Ortiz with fashion stylist Alexis, and realtor/party boy Tony Cho. Saturday night I returned to the Clinton Hotel for the opening of Pao, the Chinese restaurant housed in the Clinton, and to visit my new best friend Betsy Gonzalez, wife of Simon Nemni the owner of the Clinton Hotel. As reported previously the Hotel is lovely and the food was delish (obviously, since the rain didn’t keep the crowd away). Artist Stuart Stewart said he was very happy that South Beach now has a Chinese restaurant with good food. Among those SEEN: Merle & Danny Weiss, Carl Zablotny, James Davis, and Hope Gainer. 

LATE NIGHT PARTY BOYS: Friday night actors Matt Damon and Greg Kinear, who are currently filming a movie where they play brothers, stopped by Prive for some late night partying. Arriving separately, each with their own entourage, the two actors arrived around 3 a.m. (which means they wouldn’t have arrived at all it the new hours were enforced).

BIRTHDAYS AT BAMBY: Monday night both DJ Shannon and Bamby promoter Mykel Stevens celebrated their birthdays during Back Door Bamby at Crobar. The event brought out a lot of old school South Beach party folks who had no trouble mingling with the very young crowd assembled. Among those seen were South Beach door-god legend Gilbert Stafford & artist Attila Lakatouch (both in town from NYC just for the event), DJ GiGi, Carmel Ophir, Claudia Verela, photographer Tom Grizzle, Scott Hankes, Janet Jorgulesco, Adora, Richard (David Barton Gym), Adrian, and David Marvel.

BEACH SCENE: Friday night (May 2), Michael Capponi, Michael Tronn, Antonio Misuraca and Flute owners Herve Rousseau and James Karpook host the grand opening of the champagne lounge Flute. The band Funkito performs at Rumi every Wednesday night.  They go on at 9:30pm and 11:30pm.  They are a soulful jazz band with a mix of funk and a Latin influence. Check out Betty Ford on Thursday nights at Opium Garden with DJ AM and Mr. Maruicio. After the Flute opening on Friday night stroll over to Prive for the Wilhemina party and party all night. Also on Friday the Maze family presents DJ Stryke (Substance Recordings) & Ralph Falcon (MURK). Dance the night away…

Remember to send all nightlife info, invitations and anything else you think I might like to Cubbysobe@hotmail.com. For more of Cubby’s nightlife coverage check out www.cooljunkie.com. Until next week, see you out.