May 1
...serving up your daily dish.
So Baristanet was in the house at Red Cheetah this past Saturday night. After a gruff ("you here for Rascals?") welcome from a beefy bodyguard type at the door (who somehow missed my sandals), I settled in with a friend at the bar. The bartenders at Red Cheetah are lovely -- personable, prompt with drinks, really nice. When we first arrived things were slow, but after nursing a couple Cosmopolitans, the barstools started to fill in a bit. Around 11:15 or so, I made my way upstairs to where the dancing happens. Except it hadn't happened -- not as yet. A cute guy manning the entrance to the VIP lounge explained that things really didn't start happening until after midnight. Totally understood. After another few minutes, and a chat with another very nice guy named Joe, who explained the mystery of those VIP tables (something like $175 bucks for a group, with a $100 liquor minimum), I waited a little longer for the retro music (think Pet Shop boys) to lure some dancers to the floor. When it didn't happen, I left, and prepared to call it a night, when somehow I wondered -- would things be any different at this hour at the Diva Lounge?
So I grabbed the Barista and we walked down to Diva. The guy guarding the door was letting folks in and noticed us looking at the crowd with interest. Before we could say anything, he said "Would you like to go in and take a look around?" Sure we said, and so we did (without having to pay a cover -- nice touch!).
Talk about your night and day (or in this case night, and night). Diva Lounge was packed (photos above)-- and the crowd was both eclectic -- imagine New 
Jersey's version of a Benetton ad -- and hot(!) with a range of nice looking folks (and some characters like this fun guy, right). People were everywhere -- sitting at tables drinking, by the bar, and most importantly, working it out on the dance floor. It became pretty clear this was where the party was that night. After soaking up the vibe, and enjoying some Shakira and Pussycat Dolls, we left and capped the night off with a late-night snack -- mussels and frites at Epernay -- after getting the "sorry, kitchen's closed" rap at at Mesob and Cuban Pete's. So, there you have it. And how was your evening? Chat now...
May 1, 2006 in The Daily Chat | Permalink
Just curious ?? HOW many people did show up ( that were invited from Baristanet )
Posted by: JT | May 1, 2006 5:57:18 PM
I had a great time, Saturday night
at the Red cheetah.
The bartender downstairs, Thea was
very friendly and made us feel
very welcomed to the club.
I hope they have another barista
night in the near future, I would
like to come back again.
Posted by: John | May 1, 2006 6:48:34 PM
Most clubs don't start hoppin' til 12:30 or 1. Red Cheetah seems to attract a fairly young crowd, which goes out much later. I've been to Diva and the crowd is a little older, which means folks go out earlier and leave earlier. They also have a smaller space (different layout) so it looks crowded easier.
Posted by: Butch | May 1, 2006 10:46:23 PM
Butch --
Don't know about other nights, but on Saturday it was definitely the reverse -- older at Cheetah, younger at Diva. But of course, it was Retro night. On the KTU nights, it may be different...
Posted by: Liz | May 1, 2006 11:10:24 PM
Retro may be different, yeah. I was there on a Friday and there were tons of young guys.
But, it does seem like you guys are sort of picking on Cheetah. It may not be your thing - or even my thing (I liked it as Rascals, when it was slow and you could sit and talk all night!) - but, it's obviously working because they're bringing in tons of people.
Posted by: Butch | May 1, 2006 11:31:14 PM
Iceman, I kind of think butch on this issue is so 5 or 10 or 15 years ago - I mean, earnest discussions about discos? - but steve winwood remains for the ages. Let us be fair here.
Posted by: cathar | May 2, 2006 8:45:20 AM
Butch
Since you are the all-knowing club aficionado please tell us which clubs in Baristaland you think that we would enjoy.
How do you know that "they're bringing in tons of people"? Have you been there lately? Did you go on Barista night? Have you been there lately?
Posted by: lou reed | May 2, 2006 8:49:20 AM
cathar,
point taken. sometimes (some would say often) i stick my foot in mouth going for a cheap laugh.
Posted by: Iceman | May 2, 2006 9:41:20 AM
oh, boiling point, you're so, so, intemperate, you big kid, you. Such a busser! I love it when you act so stupidly envious in public, too.
Posted by: cathar | May 2, 2006 10:28:17 AM
Too bad I missed the big night.
Posted by: Left Of Center, like Suzanne Vega | May 2, 2006 12:43:54 PM
What's odd is that no one has yet described it as a "big night." I haven't even picked up much of an idea as to what attendees thought of the club, the music, the prices (surely this is important), etc.
Posted by: cathar | May 2, 2006 12:59:13 PM
Just want to take a minute to thank all the Barista readers that came out to the Red Cheetah on Saturday night. I believe the count ended up at 45. Seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. You are all more then welcome back at anytime. If you aren't into the dance scene you can sit downstairs at the Martini bar, enjoy a little sushi and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Posted by: Thea | May 2, 2006 2:23:36 PM
I still recall Rodriguez's adamantine stance that under no circumstances would Red Cheetah advertise here. Instead, by having his employee post here, he gets free advertising. Am I wrong in also sensing that Red Cheetah may simply really need the business right about now? Especially with the summer slump that hits non-shore area clubs coming up soon? And should Katie and Mark be awaiting a formal apology for how his service to our country didn't count for much compared to his footgear Saturday night?
Posted by: cathar | May 2, 2006 3:49:57 PM
Hey Cath
I have news for you, I already personally emailed Katie and Mark, they were upset yes, but the door man was just doing his job. By the way I dont see a Diva's ad on here yet they are getting some free advertising as well. Red Cheetah is doing fine and going strong. So give me a break already, stop being so miserable!
Posted by: Thea | May 2, 2006 4:46:27 PM
Thea,
do you realize that you can't discriminate by not letting men with sandals in while you let women with sandals in.
you let the barista in "welcome from a beefy bodyguard type at the door (who somehow missed my sandals)" but kept mark out- a discriminatory act.
if this is how the door man does his "job" you better instruct him.
Posted by: pissant | May 2, 2006 4:56:27 PM
Yes, what's wrong with toes anyway? Why does your doorman have an aversion to said digits? I mean, it's kinda ironic that you let young women inside who are Paris Hilton wannabes, with various body parts on display, but the sight of a man's toes sends you into fits of doom and despair.
Posted by: Miss Martta | May 2, 2006 5:00:04 PM
