metropolitanreport
A connoisseur's guide to the good life.
Goldbar – Razing the Bar
By Doug Singer
Goldbar is a luxurious creation from the owners of the Cain empire of high-end nightlife. They have designed a lavish, golden den of opulence that is reminiscent of a post apocalyptic Fort Knox.
Located in New York’s fashionable SoHo area, the celebrity rich Goldbar sets the standard by which all nightlife should be judged. This over the top, sexy hotspot is more lounge than nightclub, but don’t be fooled, this place gets so hot that the gold practically melts off the walls.
As you’d expect, at Goldbar, the obsession with gold is front and center. The walls are embedded with golden skulls, creating a macabre, hypnotic perturbation. Heavy gold chains act as drapes separating the bar from the main party area and the arcing ceilings have been painted gold as well. Adorning the walls are gold-framed, lamp-lit oil paintings, which are museum-like renditions of proprietors, investors and even a pair of dogs, whimsically, all sporting gold necklaces. The DJ booth and foyer are covered in classic graffiti, adding an edgy urban feel, but the real masterpieces are the incredibly gorgeous chandeliers and a set of colossal doors that you’ve got to be in the game to get through, as the velvet ropes are extremely tight.
The bar up front is lined with lush captain’s chairs and is an extremely comfortable place to take a breather from the intensity of the main party area. The resident mixologist, Tim Cooper, is truly a magician who is rapidly approaching his own fame. A master of heady elixirs, he has developed a menu of unforgettable drinks.
It would not be a night at Goldbar without diving into the likes of the Highland Nectar (Patron tequila, grenadine, tamarind concentrate, lemon juice and a pinch of chili flakes) or the Lavender Kiss (gin, lavender syrup, lemon juice, topped with champagne). Add to that an elaborate bottle service menu ranging from $225 to $29,000 and you are ready to roll.
The pulse pounding rhythm of D.J. extraordinaire and Goldbar partner Rob McKinley was undeniable. He seems to read his flock like a musical clairvoyant, hitting every possible note, sending the already high-as-a-kite crowd to even more significant elevations. There is no traditional dance floor, but dancing is abundant and partying is the name of the game. The drinks are placed on tables with engraved Latin words that are designed to look like gold ‘love bracelets’ and flank the banquettes surrounding the main room.
The vibe of Goldbar is a lusty den of iniquity. Even the peekaboo uniforms, snugly wrapped around the modelesque cocktail waitresses, are sexy, revealing mini dresses. If you are looking to party like a rock star and you can manage to breach the heavily manned velvet barricade, Goldbar should rise to the top of your hit list.
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