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New LES Lounge, The Eldridge, Keeps "Kind of Stealth"
By
John Del Signore
Published Jul 22, 2008
Modified Jul 22, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jul 22, 2008
Modified Jul 22, 2008
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Get excited: There’s going to be an “exclusive” lounge opening any day now on the Lower East Side! It’s called The Eldridge (named for the street it’s on) and it promises to fabulously fill the void left by Luv 24/7, the previous lounge at the address. But what’s going to make The Eldridge sail where Luv 24/7 foundered? Owner Matt Levine tells Grub Street that, for starters, his 13-table room is going to have movie and popcorn nights on Mondays. And it’s going to be closed on weekends, because “as far as the vibe goes, the people who go to the Eldridge, they’re not in the city on weekends.” Other selling points:
- "We’re going to run a very tight door. It’s who you are and who you know. Yes, bottle service is part of the experience, and it involves chocolates!"
- "Mixed drinks will run you $16 to maybe $32 for the Eldridge, which uses Armand de Brignac and real gold sprinkles. Bottle prices are standard — like a bottle of Belvedere is $400."
- To get past the doorman you’ll have to get possession of 400 laser-engraved entry cards that say Guest of Matt Levine.
- "We’re going to have a hospitality consultant that’s going to talk to people and figure out what they need. Their wish is our command. Rather than security guards, we’re going to call them chaperones. Rather than waitresses, they’re table attendants. Rather than bartenders, we’re calling them butlers."
And on and on about Kate Moss and Tom Cruise and chauffeur service via Escalade, all climaxing in Levine’s assertion that “we’re not doing a lot of press. We’re going to be cool because we’re cool, not because we have a publicist doing press for us.” On second thought, the interview actually climaxes with commenter number one, who speaks for all that is noble and just in humanity: “I have never wanted anybody to fail more than this guy. BIG DOUCHE!”
Tagged
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Eldridge
lounge
Lower East Side
private
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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