At this new Downtown club, music is the focus
(Credit: Ian Stark)
(Credit: Ian Stark)
Digs: Upon entry, you're immediately taken to the roomy, if not sparse, main bar space. Though the kicky, pop-art wallpaper grabs the eye, the lighting scheme was so dim it was difficult to pick up on much else, save for the two sumo statues sitting at both ends of the liquor shelf. Farther back sits a mirrored VIP section, sheltered and cropped with simple vinyl seating, with a ceiling beset by small decorated lights. It’s this area where DJs hold court, the booth acting as a roadblock of sorts, separating the "Very Important" from the veritable whatevers. Most of the dancing is done on the stark upper level, equipped with a smaller, more compact bar, a performance stage and wide windows overlooking Seventh Avenue.
Crowd: Downstairs, it was VIP lounging, and the majority of the crowd filled the seats. While there weren't any confirmed celebrity sightings, a serious Fabrizio (Moretti of The Strokes) look-alike hid behind the DJ booth while a dead ringer for Bjorn (of Peter Bjorn and John) was flitting around the fairly well-dressed lot sipping cocktails. But while the first-floor vibe was sedate, upstairs was electric, high-energy and extremely lighthearted—a rare quality these days when it comes to brand-new nightspots. The dance floor was packed with another rarity—an ultra-casual crowd: T-shirts, jeans and sneaks were the norm, yet nobody appeared sloppy (a shallow concern of current nightspots imposing fastidious dress codes). It’s not easy to find lounges filled with folks who just want dance (as opposed to simply wanting to overpay for a bottle of vodka and be seen), and this exuberant crowd didn't stop dancing—or cheering and chanting along with the music.
Sounds: With hip heavyweights behind it, expectations for the music are running high, and it’s safe to say they all were met. Producer and DJ Mark Alan Gray (a regular at Luke & Leroy, as well as at Lotus, Guest House and the Gansevoort Hotel) was better-than-good, spinning a good deal of electro and electronica while throwing in dirty, house and perfectly-placed rock. The second floor booth was manned by GBH residents Alex English and Dmitry, who moved the crowd with a barrage of breaks, old school, mash-ups and current pop. An interesting pair to watch: the super-relaxed English and highly revved-up Dmitry (who was leading the crowd with finger-points and fist-pumping).
Service: Ironically, it was the perpetually packed upstairs bar which offered the more efficient drinking experience, with two attentive and nimble barkeeps, expertly mixing requested cocktails (with a noticeably higher booze/soda ratio than expected). Ordering downstairs at the nearly barren main bar was a bit frustrating, as we assumed that when customers approach—especially when there aren’t many patrons waiting—service would be instantaneous. Instead, the bartender started working on a drink without looking up, mixed it for about two minutes and oddly took a slug before asking for the next customer's order. Of course, the guy could have been having an off-night, and we concluded that the appeal of Le Royale is rooted in its dedication to good music and its hip overall vibe (which they have down pat), so nobody’s fleeing because they didn’t get their vodka tonic fast enough.
Net Results (what folks are saying online)
[JoonBug] ...you can expect great music at Le Royale.
[Shecky's] Good music generally prevents this place from turning into Le Royale with cheese.
[Village Voice] ...the party upstairs offers plenty of room to dance, but also space to sit if you aren't feeling it.
[UrbanDaddy] Equal parts Vegas kitsch and pop art, the new space brings in an upstairs stage and a whole lot of purple
Le Royale
212-463-0700
