VELVET UNDERGROUND
In clubland, it's all a matter of good taste
Posted on Fri, Mar. 28, 2008
BY LESLEY ABRAVANEL
We wanted to start this column with an April Fool's joke, but since that's too far away to think about -- well, Tuesday at least -- we decided to get serious instead and imagine a South Beach sans free vodka, rum, gin, absinthe, moonshine and, to make matters worse, a clubland devoid of special appearances by a cornucopia of D-list celebrities relying on these alcohol companies for a free trip to Miami Beach.
Blasphemy!
Or is it? It's about time celebrities came down here on their own dime for a change and helped to stimulate the already troubled economy. And as for a ban on liquor companies, well, we're sure Snapple and the endless list of juices, flavored vitamin waters and assorted elixirs would jump at the chance to start doing prohibition parties. But what's a party without some washed-up reality star, really?
A foodie would be foolish to pass up on the opportunity to gorge at the bar at Bourbon Steak, which is now featuring a rolled cigar menu and even truffled popcorn for those who don't want to indulge in the pricey beef.
In more food news, for those who like to kick off the weekend on Fridays with a three-martini -- or three-hour -- lunch, consider the launch of Grass Restaurant & Lounge's The Grass Is Always Greener on Friday Series, hosted by Ocean Drive Magazine and featuring the restaurant's new lunch menu from noon to 3 p.m. Friday, a spring fashion preview from Rebel Miami and the Heel Shoe Lounge and, sit down for this one, a free cocktail with every lunch. Yes, it's lunch, but it's also Friday! Even better news for the brazen, this lunch takes place Tuesday through Friday. For reservations, call 305-573-3355.
On Monday night, rapper Trina is celebrating the launch of her new album, Still The Baddest, at Opium Garden with a little help from her friends. Missy Elliott will host the pink carpet affair with Keyshia Cole, Thomas Jones, Lala and Brian McKinney; cocktails will be provided by Roberto Cavalli Vodka. Doors open at 11 p.m.
And while pink carpets may be kitschy, for something really unusual check out the Jockstarzz Fashion Show benefiting the Kevin Everett Foundation at 10 p.m. Saturday on the sands of Lummus Park at 10th and Ocean. The grand finale of Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach, the irksomely spelled Jockstarzz Fashion Show will take NFL players off the field and put them on the catwalk, all in the name of helping spinal cord injury patients.
Among the players planning to strike a pose: Everett, himself a victim of spinal cord injury; Baltimore Raven Antwan Barnes, New England Patriot Brandon Merriweather, Minnesota Viking Bryant McKinnie and Buffalo Bill Roscoe Parrish. Tickets are $175-$250 but benefit the former Buffalo Bills player's charity -- it's worth it alone to see Everett's miraculous recovery right up there on the runway. Call 305-588-7304 for tickets.
Not quite finished yet but opening soon is Cozy, a swank new piano/tapas/dessert bar in the space across from Joe's Stone Crab on Washington Avenue. Owned by La Piaggia's Robert Pascal, Cozy is going to be just that, with a healthy dose of chic mixed in for good measure, not to mention Pascal's usual brand of jetsetter meets hipster meets Miami crowd.
Hip in a different way is The Vagabond, which is now open at 30 NE 14th St., Miami, much to the delight of anyone who sports or appreciates angular haircuts, thick black glasses and who lives and breathes for live music. Although its infancy phase will be seized by WMC DJs and artists including Groove Armada and Crystal Method Friday night and John Digweed with Hernan Cattaneo Saturday night, you'd be, well, a fool to miss out on the place at some point during your own nocturnal vagabonding.
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