The New York Post reports that TV network Bravo is funding a pilot based on Big Apple nightlife queen Amy Sacco’s re-launch of her legendary Bungalow 8. What was once one of the city’s most exclusive venues has been closed for more than a month, igniting rumors that the club was done, but Sacco is adamant the club is closed for renovations and will re-open.
Kudos to Crystal Head Vodka, which rolled out the red carpet for brand owner Dan Aykroyd Halloween weekend in Las Vegas. The funnyman did several meet and greets with fans while hosting hundreds of top-level executives from around North America. The weekend included the unveiling of the new Crystal Head-wrapped Cadillac Escalade (pictured), a golf tournament at the beautiful Sienna Golf Club and a concert at the House of Blues from Aykroyd and partner-in-bloodline Jim Belushi, who got the crowd going with an energized Blues Brothers performance. Afterward, Aykroyd, Belushi and the gang headed to Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel, where they had reserved the entire second floor patio.
The Wall Street Journal reports that City of Angels nightlife czar Sam Nazarian has been forced to delay plans to expand his plush SLS luxury hotel chain as he negotiates with lenders to extend and revise loans and financing for the properties, which include the already-operating SLS in Beverly Hills, the meant-for-transformation Sahara Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and the former Ritz Plaza Hotel in Miami. In Las Vegas, plans for a new 600-room tower addition have been put on the back burner, while at the corporate office Nazarian’s management team has been downsized by half. While the SLS in Beverly Hills isn’t realizing expected occupancy level or room rates, its flagship restaurant, The Bazaar, featuring cuisine from Spanish chef Jose Andres and design by Philippe Starck, was just named the Restaurant of the Year in Esquire’s list of best new restaurants.
PURE Management Group was Las Vegas’ first nightlife company to announce its New Year’s Eve party plans, which includes the fifth anniversary party for PURE Nightclub. The mega-club that sparked Vegas’ nightlife renewal will celebrate with an appearance and performance by hip-hop mogul 50 Cent while the Black Eyed Peas will hold hosting duties at the Luxor’s LAX and hip-hop artist Shwayze hosts at Treasure Island’s soon-to-be-shuttered Christian Audigier the Nightclub.
Billy Dec, he of Underground nightclub and Sunda restaurant fame and a Nightclub & Bar advisory board member, captured an Emmy last weekend at the 2009 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards for his documentary Journey to Sunda from Rockit Ranch Productions. The documentary, which chronicled his team's Asian travels and Sunda's "evolution," according to his blog, won the regional Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Entertainment Programs – Arts/Entertainment Program or Program Series.