SITE: CROBAR
ADDRESS: 1543 N. Kingsbury, Chicago, IL 60622
PHONE: 312/266-1900
WEB SITE: www.crobar.com
VISUALS & VIBE: Crobar Chicago (there are also Miami, New York and Buenos Aires locations) reopened in late 2003 following a complete renovation and redesign that upped the club's cool quotient. The multi-level venue — which features a custom Phazon sound system — has a full production team available for events ranging from company holiday parties to high-end fashion shows.
EVENT AREAS: The 5,000-square-foot, 850-capacity Main Room features four bars, 40-foot ceilings and a 1,000-square-foot Mezzanine overlooking the dance floor; the exclusive Suite offers a private entrance and foyer in addition to its own sound system and DJ booth for private events of up to 175 guests. The Suite and Mezzanine can be combined for events of up to 350 guests.
GUEST LIST: Crobar has served as the site for such events as the premiere of the HBO show “Entourage” and Playboy's 50th anniversary party. VIP visitors spotted at the club include Kid Rock, Tommy Lee and Michael Jordan.
“Companies are tending to allocate less of their budgets on decor, so food presentation has become an important factor in the way we set up events. Unique food stations, as well as our colorful drinks with light-up cubes and custom-named cocktails, have taken the place of traditional decor and themed parties.”
— Arona Martin, director of sales and events
SITE: RUBY SKYE
ADDRESS: 420 Mason St., San Francisco, CA 94102
PHONE: 415/693-0777
WEB SITE: www.rubyskye.com
VISUALS & VIBE: Located off San Francisco's Union Square in a 1890s building that formerly housed a theater, Ruby Skye melds art nouveau architecture, contemporary furnishings and high-tech capabilities. The club offers services such as catering, staffing, and lighting and sound technical support for events including corporate dinners, launch parties, galas and benefits.
EVENT AREAS: The 15,000-square-foot, two-level club features four distinct areas including the Mezzanine, which can accommodate 300, and the 80-guest-capacity Jungle Room lounge. With a total capacity of 905, the entire club can be rented for exclusive events.
GUEST LIST: Recent event clients include Microsoft, Wells Fargo and the San Francisco Ballet end-of-season party.
“We do many corporate events due to our location, decor and quality of our in-house catering and operations. I see themes on occasion and love them; however, most of the time we are chosen because there is no need for additional decor as there are no blank walls or empty areas.”
— Lynda Karpaty, director of sales
SITE: HUSH
ADDRESS: 15625 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094
PHONE: 713/330-4874
WEB SITE: www.hushonline.com
VISUALS & VIBE: Hush's interior features sleek chrome fixtures and colored lighting, VIP skyboxes and concert stages. The club's state-of-the-art technology includes a 192-square-foot video wall, 1,152-square-foot video ceiling, and a spider-shaped motorized robotic truss that creates elaborate light shows above the 1,700-square-foot sunken dance floor.
EVENT AREAS: The 25,000-square-foot, four-level nightclub offers private nooks and conversation areas where guests can lounge on plush velvet couches and armchairs; a 4,000-square-foot outdoor patio is also available for warm-weather occasions. The entire club can be bought out for private events of up to 2,000 people.
BAR STAR: The Hushtini, made from premium vodka, pineapple juice and blue curaçao, is the club's signature cocktail.
“Hush has three different areas, and the size and layout of the venue allow us to have separate parties the same night. In addition to regular parking, there's an annex parking area that holds 350 cars when there's a special event at the venue.”
— Jay Salah, director of operations
