Nightclub

In a bad economy one of the reliable jobs seems to be restaurant work but could the cocktail waitress soon be obsolete? The Minibar nightclub in Amsterdam offers individual minibars that let patrons serve themselves. You check in with the concierge who gives you access to one of 45 small fridges which is stocked with beer, wine and spirits (there are also special bars just for beer and champagne only). The private fridges are stocked with snacks and you can also order from a delivery menu of fresh sushi and seasonal dishes. It's too soon to say if the concept will catch on and spread.

[via Springwise]

Belvedere is introducing a new super-premium vodka made with nine special ingredients created to "embody the spirit of the night." Belvedere IX (right), which comes in glam-punk style black and pink graffiti-tagged bottle, will initially be available only in select nightclubs.

IX's nine key ingredients are ginseng, guarana, acai, ginger, sweet almond, jasmine, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and black cherry, "blended seamlessly to create a warm and enlivening note on the nose." The ingredients are individually distilled in micro-batches before being expertly blended with 100 proof Belvedere Vodka and artesian water.

IX is described as "bold and intricate with uplifting sweet spice followed by invigorating ginger warmth," and "smooth yet intense, with menthol complexity tempered by sweet almond and jasmine undercurrents," finishing with "a characteristic Belvedere flourish of vanilla and white pepper."

The bottle's distinctive design is the result of a collaboration with artist and fashion designer Andre Saraiva. It's inspired by Saraiva's iconic graffiti seen on the streets of Paris since the late 1980s. Described by Sam Keller, director of Art Basel Miami Beach, as a "social alchemist," Saraiva also co-owns Paris' Le Baron nightclub.

Chris Noth, the actor perhaps best known as Mr. Big in "Sex and the City" was also, until recently, a night club owner. Gawker has the press release that says his Manhattan club, The Cutting Room, is closing down January 13. The press release blames the closing on a rent increase that is more than double the current rent. Noth may try to reopen the club again elsewhere at a later date.

UPDATE: The Cutting Room may have found a new home in Tribeca and could move there soon after closing the current location.

Sugarcane is the latest night club to open on the Las Vegas Strip. Sugarcane opened on Friday at the Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino. The club is located adjacent to SushiSamba's Las Vegas restaurant and will feature samba dancers, geishas, distinctive cocktails and over-the-top interior design. The 4,000 square foot club includes a stage, dance floor and DJ booth made of bamboo, smoked and frosted acrylic, resin and paper. Gold and chocolate brown leather cover wenge wood banquettes and the club's theme is displayed through 4,000 custom-made simulated "sugarcanes" which drop down from the ceiling and contain moving lights that wind through the tubes and rods. Brazilian graffiti artist Felipe Yung ("Flip") has also taken the spray paint can to various elements of Sugarcanes décor.

Continuing the Brazil meets Japan theme, entertainment will include exhibitions of capoeira, a Brazilian dance that incorporates martial arts, samba dancers, geishas, Japanese taiko drummers, models posing as Brazilian soccer players who will juggle soccer balls at the entrance and Sugarcane's in-house dancers. The cocktails also reflect the restaurant's Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culinary roots with drinks such as the Parisian Geisha (vodka, sake, mint and lemongrass), the Figo (Montecristo spiced wine, fig liquor, pear juice and lime) and the Bushido or "Soul of Japan" (shochu, plum sake, muddled plum and daikon beer float). Sugarcane's Cocktail Tree ($70) showcases 12 different drinks (four samples of three different drinks), positioned within the branches of a wrought-iron, sculptural "tree." They also have a large sake collection and offer sake bottle service.

A new nightclub in London, twentyfour: london, is designed to appeal to the high-tech "wouldn't it be great if holodecks were real" side of the population: it has walls that can change and morph into whatever you want them to be, via projection technology. A canyon? You got it. A beautiful beach at midnight? You got that too. Want to ogle models strutting the catwalk? No problem. You can even bring in your own videos and pictures, so it really is "whatever you want."

Other features the high-tech nightclub offer include drinks that notify the bartender when they're empty and interactive experiences like a virtual koi pond.

Via A Luxury Travel Blog

Chicago is cementing itself as a must stop for a foodie's tour of the U.S. The latest tempting offering in the Windy City is La Pomme Rouge. The lavish lounge sets a Belle Epoque scene with soft velvety couches, antique furnishings and a rich and moody color palate. The menu is designed for decadence. There is an expansive wine and cocktails list and a menu of deluxe treats including foie gras torchons with french green lentil, red onion preserve, sauterne gelée, and house-made brioche, a full caviar service, a traditional charcuterie plate, cheese selections and a quartet of oysters garnished with melon granite, Skyy berry mignonette, grapefruit sabayon and caviar-avacado mousse. Unique drinks include the Pomme Pomme, a take on the apple martini using Three Olives green apple vodka, Cointreau and Apple Pucker liqueur topped with a dried apple chip and a serpent ring and the Cafe et Beignet, an evening take on a morning classic that features Starbucks coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish cream and Van Gogh Double Espresso vodka garnished with a miniature donut.

[via Menu Pages]

While the iBar isn't something that many people are likely to have installed in their homes, it may just be the next big design trend for upscale eateries and nightclubs. iBar is an interactive surface system on which any visual content can be projected, including still images and videos. More interesting than that is the fact that the surface uses an intelligent tracking system to digitally keep track of objects on the bar and their position and movements can be tracked with colored lights. The virtual objects can even be interacted with, which would give bar patrons yet another way to entertain themselves.

[via MocoLoco]

The ultra-sleek Quench Bar gives the impression that it was wheeled out of a hip nightclub and brought straight home. Made of brushed and polished stainless steel, the bar's most stunning aspect is the placement of two UV-sensitive panels on the front, which glow under the black light that is hidden just under the bar top. It is set on wheels, with castors to prevent unwanted movement, so it is fully mobile. It has a professional layout, stainless steel sink and a removable drip try in the counter, in case any of your friends are a bit clumsy with their cups. A fridge that is designed to fit behind the bar is included, but it will not travel quite as easily as the rest of the bar, which can be disassembled and reassembled in less than 60 minutes. Price: £4,195.

[via Born Rich]