Taking his color cue from the black-and-white-striped cabanas Gunnar whips out every year for the V.V.I.P. Section (the venue is divided into three areas: general, V.I.P., and V.V.I.P. cabanas), Yeager went with a black, white, and burgundy palette. He outfitted the general-admission area with gray velveteen ottomans topped with colorful pillows and cocktail tables with silvery or burgundy striped cloths. V.I.P. guests lounged on white shabby chic  couches and banquettes, while the high-rollers who reserved cabanas relaxed on black or white rectangular seating and Barcelona-style lounges. Punctuating and unifying the entire space were giant, Alice in Wonderland-like lamps with red shades. Colorful lighting also added economical pop to the decor, with Flag Systems' cherry- and turquoise-colored uplighting striping buildings on the perimeter and red light illuminating the white plastic bar fronts from inside.

From 7:30 to 9 p.m., V.I.P. guests mobbed hosted bars and Global Cuisine's buffet of salads, chicken and pasta. (Global Cuisine also sold sushi and other snacks all evening.) After 9 p.m., everyone who didn't want to whip out a wallet lined up at liquor sponsor Smirnoff's vodka bars. Also at 9 p.m., '80s punk band Psychedelic Furs played an hourlong set while revelers mingled, played casino games and scouted the silent auction tables. Guests who preferred to make their own music haunted a karaoke lounge, and V.I.P. folk sampled Repicci's Italian Ice and picked up swag bags with Neutrogena body cleansers on their way to the garage.   —Irene Lacher