In little more than a week, the eyes of the world will turn to Denver for the Democratic National Convention. Just blocks away from the Pepsi Center,Suite 200(1427 Larimer St.) will be waiting, champagne bottles at the ready.
Tonight is the grand opening of the latest nightclub from Lotus Concepts mastermind Francois Safieddine. And it’s no coincidence that the Suite’s doors open just in time for the convention.
“The convention is a huge reason why Larimer Square wanted to complete the package, for the tourists coming in,” says Safieddine of his new neighbors. “They want to offer them an option for a nightclub.”
With crowds of A-listers expected to descend on Denver, Safieddine is hoping Suite 200 is high on their handlers’ lists as a place to unwind, a place that meets the night life standards of the celebs’ usual hangouts.
“The service is going to be impeccable,” he says. “That’s our focus. The clubs in Denver have been unable to deliver such a product in comparison to L.A. and in comparison to Las Vegas.”
Though he owns three other clubs in LoDo, he insists that Suite 200 will set itself apart from those properties — and from Denver’s club scene — with its emphasis on keeping customers content.
“(We) offer a special experience that people expect throughout the process, from the time they get approached by our VIP hostesses … to the follow-up approach that we have.”
For Safieddine, the club’s Larimer Square location is key to maintaining an upscale atmosphere.
“It’s like if you have a Chanel store,” he says. “You can’t open it in a mall in Aurora or Lakewood.”
While Suite 200’s door policy will be similar to Lotus’ other clubs — no to a cover charge, yes to appropriate club attire — Safieddine expects that the menu will ensure the “right” crowd shows up.
Meaning, bring your credit card and be prepared to use it. “It’s a different price range in terms of the bottle service,” Safieddine says. “The products we’re going to be offering here, we have additional things that will justify why it’s more expensive: fresh juices; instead of pop being in big pitchers, it will be in individual bottles; we’ll be offering assorted chocolates and strawberries.”
But talking about Suite 200 doesn’t excite Safieddine as much as just being in the space. On a quick tour last week, he happily showed off some of the club’s finer touches: tons of comfortable seating, a VIP area that can convert from a private room to part of the club and little hidden drawers in the tables for stowing a purse or setting up bottle service.
Safieddine even carefully calibrated the distances between couches and the heights of the tables for maximum comfort.
“We’ve become a destination city,” says Safieddine, “and with that there’s a huge need for a responsible, upscale, sophisticated night-life concept that doesn’t end at 10 or 11.
“That’s how I get inspired, traveling around and seeing how things are,” he says. “I feel that people are ready for that right now.”
Tonight’s grand opening, hosted by “America’s Next Top Model” winner and VH1 star Adrianne Curry, is by invitation only. “Modelista,” Saturday night’s party, is open to the public. Call 720-560-4433 to make a reservation.
Up all night.
Got the need for speed? Then stop by Tryst’s (1512 Larimer St.; 303-629-0544) fourth-anniversary party tonight and Saturday, where Red Bull is free all weekend.
Of course, they probably mean for you to mix the caffeinated concoction with something sleepier, like Skyy Vodka — Skyy infusion cocktails are $4 tonight. Party on!
