Photo: Michael Kleinberg/Courtesy of Syndicate
Taking over Serena’s spot beneath the Hotel Chelsea is Star Lounge, which opened March 9. Owners Charles Ferri and Vekrum Kaushik did away with the nightclub’s former look (bright pink walls and silver palm trees) and opted for a cleaner design and a more neutral color scheme of deep chocolate brown and taupe. Like Serena, Star Lounge is divided into three sections: an area dubbed “Room 100” with framed, backlit silk-screen images of chandeliers and black-and-white prints of the hotel during the 1960’s and 70’s; another with two small platforms (which can be used as stages), a backlit DJ booth, and LED lights inset in banquettes; and a third (pictured) with a retro-style zebrawood bar, padded wrought-iron stools, and oversize sofas. The entire venue holds 150. —Anna Sekula
