IT’S time for New York clubgoers to hit the sack.
A slew of new clubs are threatening to turn the city’s nightlife scene into a giant slumber party – and give new meaning to the concept of spending the night in bed.
A handful of lounges currently offer queen-size comfort – the Hudson Hotel garden has Moroccanstyle beds, and hipster lounge Hue, Meatpacking District hot spot Highline and the Midtown rooftop lounge Rare View all offer patrons a chance to bed down.
But never has a New York nightclub ever devoted itself to horizontal partying – and now two such venues are on the way.
Opening later this month in Chelsea is Duvet, a 15,000-squarefoot nightclub where 25 8-by-8-foot beds will share the room with a jellyfish tank, a tapas bar and a massive dance floor.
Not to be caught napping is BED NY, opening on West 27th Street in October, with more than 30 beds sporting zebra wood platforms and goose-down pillows.
On a smaller scale is SoHo’s swanky Green Room, due to open the first week of October, where Godiva girls, butlers and fondue will be offered along with a pair of massive white-curtained feather beds custom-made in Italy.
“Beds equal sex, and sexy things are cool things in a club,” says DJ Cassidy, a New York nightclub fixture, “and I think the beds are going to turn into the dance floors. What sexier place to dance than on top of a bed?”
The sleepy-time trend originated in Miami, where B.E.D. was an instant hit when it opened in 1999.
Many New Yorkers woke up to the allure of bedclubs via an episode of “Sex and the City” last year, in which Carrie and the girls visit a fictional spot where the staff wears sleep masks and pajamas.
“When I saw that episode, I really wanted to go,” said Paula Thompson, a 30-year-old brokerage dealer from Brooklyn, who on a recent night was testing the bed in the new “Hall of Fame” room at Jay-Z’s 40/40 club.
“I didn’t know it was made up, though. It looked so elegant and sexy and fun. I want to go and lounge out and have dinner.”
Nightclub owners, however, run the risk of waking up on the wrong side of the beds.
“It’s very difficult in New York to have beds,” says Alan Philips, co-owner of 17 and former owner of Social Club, which made a failed attempt to make beds the club’s main draw.
“In Miami, people are not wearing as many clothes,” says Philips, who’s no longer affiliated with the club. “But when there are two inches of snow outside, its muddy and you’re wearing boots and a Prada furry jacket, it takes a lot more effort to get into bed.
It’s a lot harder to take off boots than shoes.”
Clubgoers may have their own concerns.
“Personally, I think the idea is interesting – except I have one question,” says Brandon Berger, a 28-year-old ad executive who lives in the Meatpacking District.
“How often do they change the sheets?”
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Bed, booze and beyond
Where to find the plushest, coziest and most chi-chi beds:
* DUVET
(opening mid-September) 45 West 21st St., (212) 989-2121
Partygoers can kick off their shoes and put their bags in the drawers under the 25 beds in this nightclub
and restaurant. The 8-foot by 8-foot beds are comfy enough to lounge on while you hold a cocktail, and sturdy enough to dance on.
* RARE VIEW
303 Lexington Ave. at 37th Street; (212) 481-1999
This lounge atop the Shelburne hotel has spectacular views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings – and
sexy queen-size beds. Stop by after a crazy work day, but arrive early to get a bed. There’s no food, and $12
drinks are served in plastic cups.
* THE GREEN ROOM
(opening the first week of October) 286 Spring St.; (212) 929-8650
This swanky “fondue bistro” will have elevated, 12-person feather beds, equipped with a partition designed to hold a fondue platter. “We will meet any extremes,” promises co-owner Billy Karasik.
* 40/40
6 W. 25th St. (212) 989-0400
The only beds here the stoic gray leather numbers in the newly created “Hall of Fame” VIP room. “It’s not
really a bed feel,” said Giovanni Archondo, 36, an account executive from Forest Hills. “It’s more of a hard couch. You’re not going to take off your shoes here.”
* BED NY
(opening in October) 520 W. 27th St.; [212] 594-4109 http://www.bedny.com
Located in a bi-level penthouse on top of club Spirit, BED NY will have a 360-degree view of the skyline. Guests
are requested to take off their shoes and slip into specially designed slippers. There’s a full dinner menu.
* HIGHLINE
835 Washington St.; (212) 243-3339
Talk about plush: This Meatpacking District restaurant/lounge has three kingsizers that will tempt you to spend
the night. Patrons can enjoy cocktails and appetizers on Lucite trays that pull out of the side of the therapeutic,
white-sheeted beds.
