Bodega Negra, an offshoot of a British concept, opened at the Dream Downtown hotel in February, replacing the former Marble Lane. Its design elements include a copper-penny disco ball, screens made of repurposed Mariachi uniform details and guitars, and banquettes upholstered in reclaimed military tents, animal hide, and traditional Mexican serape textiles. The Mexican eatery seats 108 and provides private dining for 24 guests.
An instant hot spot as soon as it opened in February—Alexander Wang’s fashion week party was at the venue—Gilded Lily is a subterranean bar and club. Guests enter through a black elevator into an interior designed by Roman & Williams. There is a floor embedded with gold glitter, a sunken dance floor, and a massive chandelier that is synced to the music. The 4,000-square-foot space seats 150 seated guests or holds 250 for receptions.
The 761-room Park Central Hotel New York in Midtown West, located midway between the theater district and Central Park, finished a multimillion-dollar renovation from Jeffrey Beers International in October. There is a total of 15,000 square feet of event space including 11 meeting rooms, one boardroom, and a ballroom. The ballroom and adjacent room hold 860 for receptions. In early 2014 the property opened Park Kitchen, a contemporary American restaurant from chef Nathaniel Eckhaus.
Pillars 37 and Pillars 38—two modern, industrial-style raw event spaces—opened in August. Located a block from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the spaces can be combined for more than 8,000 square feet of space. Both spaces have white interiors, high-gloss white floors, and patios. Relish Caterers is the in-house preferred caterer.
The King Cole Bar & Salon at the St. Regis in New York serves Frapin Cuvee 1888, a limited-edition cognac that comes in a Baccarat crystal decanter with a top made of 24-karat gold. Only 1,888 decanters were produced; it's priced at $760 per glass.
Opening this month, Monarch is an indoor-outdoor space on the 18th floor of a Midtown Manhattan building. With Scandinavian decor designed by Natalia Todorova of Gwathmey, Siegel, Kaufman & Associates Architects, the 5,000-square-foot space has floor-to-ceiling silk curtains framing a view of the Empire State Building. Monarch holds 300 guests and is available for buyouts.
