I’m writing this on less than four hours of sleep so forgive me if my natural spell-check is off… Last night I was invited (along with most of Manhattan) to a fundraiser benefitting UNICEF’s Haiti relief-fund. It was held at Nikki Beach in midtown just a couple of blocks from my work so I took the opportunity to bring some friends over and experience the space.
Nikki in NYC is a sister-lounge to famed Nikki Beach in Miami. It’s also a lot like a teaser of the South Beach club, with lounge beds in a white-washed space with orange accents. The staff, all dressed in white, look like cabana-boys and have that friendly, laid-back island demeanor. They also mixed drinks like the rum factory was in the backyard… all your missing is a bit of sand and bikini-temperatures.
Parties in midtown can bring a really eclectic crowd – this was no different. You have hipsters and wannabes, the over-40 crowd from the surrounding law firms and government agencies, travelers in town on business, and a few young girls in short, sparkly dresses (aka: high-end call girls). The effect is a completely unpretentious affair with a soundtrack that spans salsa, old-school hip hop and top 40 hits.
I suspect the door policy is a lot stricter on regular nights, but if your in the mood for a tropical escape in the middle of Manhattan, it might be worth a rum cocktail at Nikki’s.
www.nikkibeach.com (PS. check out the multiple locations if you’re not in this town)
Tags: benefit, fundraiser, Haiti, midtown, Nikki Beach, relief fund, UNICEF