"For the affluent lfestyle"

Hot, Hot, Hot! Cain Luxe lights up New York City.

By Doug Singer

South African born Jamie Mulholland and Brazilian born Jayma Cardoso have been a dominating force in the world of high-end nightlife. Cain Luxe is the newest edition to their Cain Leisure empire, which includes Cain at the Cove Atlantis in the Bahamas, The Surf Lodge in the star studded Hamptons and GoldBar in Manhattan’s TriBeCa.

This steamy new night club on 27th Street in the heart of Chelsea is a decadent playground for the well-to-do. Entrance is by invitation only. If you are not on the guest list, you better look like a seriously heavy roller to breach the velvet rope security. The guests are a virtual who’s who of the international elite. From young royalty to the Hollywood set, this place is hot, hot, hot!

On any given night you may run into Cain Luxe regulars like Mariah Carey, Jeremy Piven, Victoria’s Secret model Andriana Lima, Lindsey Lohan or Alicia Keys. On my visit, I caught a glimpse of A-lister Heather Graham. With an average ratio of eight ladies to each man, this hotspot is a dream for the affluent jet set playboy.

The décor of Cain Luxe is a blend of Parisian inspired decadence and gritty South African vigor. Designed by Rob McKinley, the 5,000 square foot space is outfitted in sheen mohair and brass. The paradoxical design elements of “Paris meets Africa” create a glittering, fantastical playground with an undercurrent of raw, animalistic energy. Faux elephant tusks surround the pillars creating the central focal point, the long, sleek, black stage that houses the main attraction of Cain Luxe, the Raising Cain dancers. A hungrily sexy, yet sophisticated performance troupe of 10 incendiary dancers, driven by choreographer Jonte, famed for the provocative routines she created for Beyonce’s music videos. With bodyguards in tow, the scantily clad sexpots are adorned with leather caps, tiny shorts, suspenders and sunglasses. The fog machines get a good workout as these sirens light up the room.

Fortified with a state-of-the-art sound system, Cain Luxe is equipped with Funktion 1, which allows bass to travel underground. Its undeniable power and pulse hits you in the chest and wakes the inner beast. Cain Luxe also brings in famed DJ’s to spin their custom hits, such as Steve Aoki & Friends, who are a Wednesday night staple.  Other DJ’s include cult favorites such as Felix the Housecat, David Guetta and Stephen Pomponac. The evening I attended, DJ Vanjee was bringing down the house with his eclectic blend of House, Hip-Hop, Techno and Electronica.

To shift the decadence factor into overdrive, Cain Luxe showcases the art of Champagne. The expansive menu includes the most diverse and lavish bottles, such as an exclusive tasting of a 1995 Krug d’Ambonnay retailing for $4,000 and the insanely opulent white gold wrapped bottle of Dom Perignon for $30,000. This is not for the faint of heart, so the city’s first champagne sommelier, educated on the fine art of champagne in France at LVMH’s Vineyards for Dom Perignon, is there to guide you. Dressed in a vintage inspired outfit, complete with a corset and elbow length gloves, she will ease your way into a bottle of the finest bubbly. The economic woes of the US are not present in this room. If you are looking at the prices on the menu, you probably can’t afford it. The cost of a night out could melt your credit card.

In addition to the champagne, patrons can enjoy an extensive list of the finest vodka’s and the inventions of resident mixologist Remi Shabotan, who has created a unique and exciting cocktail menu. Their signature cocktail, The Cain Tusk, includes bourbon, maple syrup, an egg white and lemon drops, and is garnished with a flaming orange peel and a stick of cinnamon.

Cain Luxe is a nod to the glittering heyday of Parisian opulence and in my opinion the ultimate nightclub experience. If you’re ready for an unparalleled night of sensory overload and you can manage to land a spot on the guest list, Cain Luxe is not to be missed.

Fact Sheet:

Address: 27th St. between 10th & 11th Ave.

Dress code: Elegant casual to high fashion.

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