Basement-level Jilly’s Retro club, the disco-drenched Viagra Triangle standby, has been renamed, revamped and repackaged as SYN. The owners hope to lure in a younger, sexier crowd who will “synergize” with the older, monied set that frequented the original club.
Think never the twain shall meet? Last weekend saw a mix of both types of Gold Coast nightcrawlers, perhaps brought together by a common taste for retro dance hits, cushy seating, martinis and implants.
Once Inside: The small, low-ceilinged room offers metal-beaded curtains, chick-pea-colored couches and hardwood floors. Two bars–with butt-friendly, melon-hued barstools and requisite illuminated shelves–flank the space; two small champagne rooms occupy the corners. The dance floor is overhung with a black pleather canopy that curves down into banquettes. The multi-textured look seems to be the hallmark of Slick Design and Manufacturing, which recently pulled off new lounge Y. Here, however, the disparate materials and colors–electric-orange drink tables, marble floors, shag carpeting, stain-resistant seating–seem more mish-mash than harmonious. And there’s no excuse for the ceiling: We’ve seen better paneling in suburban basements.
Drinks: Bartenders push a list of signature cocktails–called the Seven Deadly Syns ($12 each)–but we preferred the refreshing Sweet Sensation, a blend of Skyy Citrus vodka and DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple with a splash of sour and soda ($9). There’s no bottle service, but you can choose from a selection of lovely bubblies.
Crowd: A people-watcher’s wet dream: cigar chompers, muscle dudes, yuppie tourists, drunk moms and suburban hotties. Chances are that babe you just spotted is one of the eager waitstaff.
What to wear: Whatever you wore to Gibsons is fine. We spotted tight club shirts on the younger guys, sharp suits and shiny shoes on the older ones. Women sport leather pants–regardless of age–status handbags and Kangol caps.
Music: The ’70s disco hits and ’80s pop classics (think the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”) are infectious dance-floor packers.
