Now that you’ve had a good two weeks to immerse yourself in 2010, we think you’re ready to know: Bottle service, Ed Hardy and Chelsea mega-clubs are all last decade’s news. But don’t take our word for it… we asked some of NYC's most prominent club owners and promoters for their take on nightlife trends for 2010. So put down that Grey Goose and give this a gander...


KISS THE BOTTLE … GOOD BYE

It's been passé for a while, but at this point, even club owners—the exact people making $480 with every $500 bottle of hooch—are starting to turn on the tippling trend. Says Antonio Fuccio (Principal Owner, Georgica; Director, Quo), "The popularity of bottle service practically put dance floors on the endangered species list in NYC. For about a dozen years, nightlife venues centered their concepts around table service.” Right…paying to sit around at a dance club?

But it looks like 2009 broke folks of that habit. "People never stopped going out in 2009..." says Andrew Wintner (Director of Strategic Marketing, 675 Bar), "...but they are starting to spend money again – just in a more conscious manner. The days of spraying champagne over a room and 'making it rain' are over (thankfully)."

BIG CITY ... SMALL VENUE Though a few see 2010 as the return of the Big Dance Club (primarily people who own one), virtually all agreed that the normally power-hitting NYC nightlife scene is gradually going small ball. Cole Bernard of the Status Group (Red Velvet, The Yard, The Eldridge, pictured) sees “more restaurant and hotels leading the nightlife sect," adding “smaller venues will be the new foundation of the new decade.”  Celeste Fierro, (The ONE Group) concurs, predicting "a move towards the smaller more intimate lounge type spaces serving specialty cocktails with cool seating and a sexy vibe." We're especially excited for that sexy vibe part.

DINE AND DASH ... TO THE DANCE FLOOR The smash success of Abe + Arthur’s and Juliet have fortified a long-bubbling trend: the Supper Club.  Fuccio: "'Supper Club' type venues are definitely hot...these are kind of a Restaurant-meets-Ultra Lounge hybrid. It’s a one stop shop." But even if you don't want to make your dinner an event, you're in luck according to Matt Shendell (Paige Management Group, incl. Dune, The Ainsworth).  "Pubs and comfort food will lead the way for the next four to five years as beers and microbrews become more popular."

ROCK & THE HOUSE  It's not talked about often enough, but music makes or breaks venues. In 2010, look for things to get less loud, according to Shendell, "going towards rock and house music, and away from hip hop."    Rocco Ancarola, (Owner, Pink, nee Pink Elephant) points out that 1OAK "will be changing the formula with a live performance space upstairs and a rock & roll lounge downstairs."   Meanwhile Matthew Isaacs (Owner, CV) anticipates a rise in "lounges that are programmed for European vocal / house music" owing to the opening Provocateur, the impending arrival of Lavo and the enduring popularity of Cielo.

DON'T FEEL LIKE DANCIN'? Yes, bowling sure has been getting a lot of press lately, partly because many see a trend towards more activites-based destinations. Wintner: "A great example is Brooklyn Bowl, where people can eat, drink, listen to live music and obviously bowl..." adding that 675  "has had a lot of success being a place where you can play board games and video games, watch an old movie, eat/drink/dance....and even read a book in the library." This sounds a bit like the jock and the nerd becoming friends, but we'll take it. If sitting and watching TV counts, there's even more good news. Fuccio: "I also think the popularity of Sports Bars will continue to grow in 2010. This can be attributed to the growing number of female sports fans in NYC." Go team!

A FEW OTHER TRENDS If you are already missing that '09 flavor, don't worry.  "Avenue will still be going strong in 2010...(and) M2 will give everyone a run for their money."  (Ancarola) The impending opening of the aforementioned Lavo has some, including Isaacs, predicting "the return of a nightlife scene to midtown."  We won't tell the tourists if you don't. He adds that "graphic t-shirts" will be adorning fewer massive chests in the upcoming year. Uh-oh, between this and the demise of bottle service, will there ever be a second episode of the Ed Hardy Boys?