New York’s Legendary Marquee Nightclub Reopens After Major Facelift

Marquee New York just emerged from a top-to-bottom renovation, and, once again, it’s the talk of the town. After ten years of giving the city’s rich, famous, and beautiful a place to sip and be seen, the Chelsea megaclub’s owners pimped out the space to give club hoppers a hang where the focus falls squarely on the music.

What was once a multi-room labyrinth that catered to the highbrow bottle service crowd has been resurrected as an all-encompassing open space decked out with 30-foot ceilings (yes, they literally raised the roof), a massive LED wall, and a half-million-dollar sound and lighting system. Patrons—they’re all VIPs now—can let their hair down and vibe out to live musical performances and the most in-demand DJ’s on Marquee’s new stage and expanded dance floor.

At Wednesday night’s grand re-opening, Swizz Beatz and Busta Rhymes hopped on the mic to hype up the crowd while Timbaland, Eve, Selita Ebanks, Tyson Beckford, Marc Anthony, and Akon sipped cocktails and mingled with other bold-faced names. While the stars shone, go-go dancers wearing latex thigh-highs grooved to the beats on elevated catwalks.

Owners Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg hope that the club’s new look and concept will revolutionize New York’s nightlife scene.

“The old Marquee was based on the scene, and the who’s who of New York, while the new Marquee is really about being a music venue,” Strauss tells VIBE. “Having Marquee as one giant room instead of three segmented rooms, as it was for the last ten years, is a testament to the type of talent we’re going to be delivering on the stage.”

Marquee is tight-lipped on who will be added to the club’s musical line-up, but if last night is any indication, patrons can expect beats and drops from the A-list of the EDM world. Pass the Kristal.

--Gerren Keith Gaynor (@MrGerrenalist)