It’s not the Russian embassy, but Georgetown's L2 Lounge felt like Moscow last night in honor of a promotional event for Russian Standard Imperia vodka. Models wearing strappy red dresses and fur ear-warmers carried trays of caviar and poured shots of the premium vodka, while the entertainment (provided by Occasions Caterers) featured Barynya, a New York-based troupe of traditional Russian performers and musicians, as well as ribbon dancers with glowsticks and hula hoops.
Sasa Nikolic of New York's Susan Magrino Agency, which put on the event with Imperia brand ambassador Kristin Pietrantonio, explained the aesthetic: “It’s very Russian nightclub,” he said. “The idea was to give D.C. tastemakers the feel of Russia.”L2 is normally only available to card-carrying members, but the Cady’s Alley lounge opened its doors for the well-dressed invitees, including Russian Standard executives and guests of sponsor DC Magazine. Since the launch of L2 in November, its owner, Georgetown developer Anthony Lanier, has aimed to make the lounge one of the most exclusive and buzzed-about nightclubs in Washington. Rough brick and stone walls set the tone, contrasting with the ultramodern white cube couches, transparent bar stools, and digital image projections on the walls.
By the end of the night, guests stood elbow to elbow in L2’s three open rooms and by the lounge’s long central bar. Beyond the copious amounts of caviar, the event’s menu, provided by house chef John Johnson, included mini fruit tarts, puffed salmon on toast, and a signature martini with blood-orange puree, lime, Grand Marnier, and, of course, Imperia.
The Russian experience extended even to the sleek unisex restroom. Each stall contained three buttons: One push provided a recorded voice describing the vodka and offering a Russian tutorial of basic phrases, such as “hello” and the ever important “Can I buy you a drink?”
Sasa Nikolic of New York's Susan Magrino Agency, which put on the event with Imperia brand ambassador Kristin Pietrantonio, explained the aesthetic: “It’s very Russian nightclub,” he said. “The idea was to give D.C. tastemakers the feel of Russia.”L2 is normally only available to card-carrying members, but the Cady’s Alley lounge opened its doors for the well-dressed invitees, including Russian Standard executives and guests of sponsor DC Magazine. Since the launch of L2 in November, its owner, Georgetown developer Anthony Lanier, has aimed to make the lounge one of the most exclusive and buzzed-about nightclubs in Washington. Rough brick and stone walls set the tone, contrasting with the ultramodern white cube couches, transparent bar stools, and digital image projections on the walls.
By the end of the night, guests stood elbow to elbow in L2’s three open rooms and by the lounge’s long central bar. Beyond the copious amounts of caviar, the event’s menu, provided by house chef John Johnson, included mini fruit tarts, puffed salmon on toast, and a signature martini with blood-orange puree, lime, Grand Marnier, and, of course, Imperia.
The Russian experience extended even to the sleek unisex restroom. Each stall contained three buttons: One push provided a recorded voice describing the vodka and offering a Russian tutorial of basic phrases, such as “hello” and the ever important “Can I buy you a drink?”
L2 Lounge hosted Imperia Vodka on Wednesday.
Photo: Moshe B. Zusman
L2's long bar, with transparent barstools, was part of the setting for Imperia's D.C. event.
Photo: Moshe B. Zusman
The premium vodka brand was on display in the club's rough but minimal space.
Photo: Moshe B. Zusman
Models circulated the room, pouring shots of Imperia for guests and passing out caviar.
Photo: Moshe B. Zusman
Musicians wore traditional costumes and played Russian folk tunes.
Photo: Moshe B. Zusman
