Lotus Ultra Lounge
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Hours: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Look for other nights to be added soon.
Cover: Cover charges vary from night to night and depend on which floor you visit. Call for details.
Signature drink: Lotus Flower Martini, which is Stoli vodka, Liquor 43, Bailey's Irish Cream and Chambord. If you're feeling saucy, try the Lotus Cosmo, a combination of Grey Goose L'Orange, Grand Marnier, a dash of lime juice, a splash of cranberry juice and an orange wedge.
What to wear: If you've ever been to some of the mega clubs and lounges in Las Vegas, you'll know that fashion is a high priority. Lotus wants clubgoers to follow that same mentality. Close your eyes and think of walking the runways of Milan and you'll have no trouble finding inspiration. For guys, consider fine Italian designers such as Dolce & Gabbana or Armani. Ladies, you already know what makes the guys stare, so stay the course.
The scene: Lotus combines the elements of an ultra-hip South Beach dance club with the design of a sleek Vegas lounge. The first floor is dedicated to dance, with local hipsters who could pass for models shaking their hips to house and breaks. The second floor offers straight-up lounge, with a blend of soulful, down-tempo music, chill-out lighting, and the nocturnal elite enjoying bottle service at private tables.
The crowd: Lotus is a mecca for the the dangerously hip and stylish. Celebrities, pro athletes, models, nocturnal power brokers and successful young professionals will feel right at home.
The scoop: Lotus' powerful backers (rumored to include a former New York Yankee) wanted to change the face of Tampa nightlife with a concept focused on stylish design and impeccable service. With its money-is-no-object attitude and attention to detail, Lotus raises the bar for nightlife in Central Florida.
If you feel a need to dance, the first floor should quench your booty-shakin' appetite. Backlit acrylic bars are located on each wall and mosaic tile columns rise throughout the room. DMX mood lighting accented with a zebra wood frame strikes different colors and patterns behind each bar. A raised level known as a ''spin lounge' will feature national and international DJs, while the sound and light system is top of the line.
Ride the elevator to the upstairs lounge, which is dressed in deep blues and bright yellows. Bars topped with honey onyx and appointed with suede stools give the room that SoBe Art Deco vibe. Plasma TVs glow throughout the lounge and the Italian marble floor shimmers in the light.
If you feel competitive, there's a private room with X-Box and PlayStation 2 game consoles and two 42-inch plasma TVs. Cigarette girls, a table concierge and individual hostesses tend to the five private rooms.
This is a club that spared no expense. Get there early, reserve a table and take in a level of nightlife brand new to Central Florida.
By Doug Van Sant
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