Drinking & Dancing

OPENING OF PENTHOUSE NO. 1: Dec. 17 By Arina Birstein

Issue 12 December 2, 2004 - February 10, 2005

Newcomers to the Moscow scene might think Penthouse is just a name for luxury real estate or a glossy magazine — but to those who’ve been around since the early ’90s, the name evokes fond memories of a legendary nightclub that played a crucial role in shaping the city’s clubbing business.

On Dec. 17, a new Penthouse nightclub is to open in the Shchukinskaya Stage building at Hermitage Garden, not far from the old Penthouse premises now occupied by Helikon Opera. The new club’s creators — Timur Lansky, Alexander Oganezov (Penthouse, Chaikhona No. 1, Gallery, Shokolad, Jet Set) and the Concept 108 team (Gorky Plyazh) say they are not seeking to make a copy of the original Penthouse. Rather, the point is the revival of a tradition that in its time gave the clubbing movement a vital pulse. The club is positioning itself in the high and medium-high class segments, aiming to be an alternative to First and the Zima/Leto/Osen series.

The Shchukinskaya Stage venue itself is not unfamiliar to newcomers to Moscow’s clubbing scene, having hosted the Efedra project this summer.

With its breathtakingly high ceiling, the club’s interior is sure to make a strong impression. This great vertical expanse is divided by terraces into several levels, each serving a different function: lounge cafe, mezzanine bar, de luxe zone, all facing the dancefloor and connected by staircases. The old brick walls are to be decorated with some kitschy luxury goods such as antique chandeliers, mirrors in massive golden frames, heavy velvet curtains and expensive oak panels. Numerous projectors screening panoramic images on the walls are to allow promoters not only to change the appearance and mood of the dancefloor but also introduce the art of veejaying to local audiences.

Details of the entertainment program were not finalized at press time, but it appears likely that friendly promo groups will be invited for different nights, to introduce an element of unexpectedness and novelty for those visiting the club regularly, to ensure they won’t get bored by acrobats, ballet dancers, lasers and fire shows.