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Whiskey Park tries to capture city’s unique vibe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whiskey Park, the new nightclub at the W Atlanta Midtown hotel is being touted as equal parts rock ‘n’ roll and sophistication.
And since the swank space quietly opened last week inside the former Sheraton at Colony Square, the hipster haunt already has attracted former “Project Runway” contestant and Atlanta fashion designer Mychael Knight and Motley Crue skins smasher Tommy Lee, who was spotted quaffing a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne there with friends, including Gnarls Barkley vocalist Cee-Lo.
The nightspot is the latest offering by nightclub impresario brothers Rande and Scott Gerber.
On a recent tour of the space, the Gerber Group’s vice president of design Mark LaValle told us Atlanta’s ever-evolving nightlife scene was taken into consideration when choosing an address for their Atlanta debut.
“Midtown really offers everything we were looking for,” explained LaValle. “The fact that Atlanta is constantly re-inventing itself was a big plus for us. We’re hoping to add something fresh to the city.”
Whiskey Park is divided into a main bar area, a lounge area for crashing, cuddling or dancing, a patio bar with a bird’s eye view of the Mayfair towers across 14th Street and an ultra-exclusive V.V.I.P. area featuring black hardwood floors, red velvet cushions and an advance booking fee.
On the phone from Malibu, Rande Gerber told Buzz his company’s goal is to perfectly merge inventive, elegant concepts with each city’s unique vibe (unlike say, the owners of the now-defunct B.E.D. at The Glenn hotel downtown, who appeared bound and determined to shove South Beach elitism down Atlantan throats).
“I have friends in Atlanta and I listened to them about the kind of place they didn’t currently have but wanted to hang out at. Ultimately, our goal was to build a place for the people who live there. I want the business traveler to feel comfortable and I want the person who lives two blocks away to feel that this is their neighborhood place.”
Gerber is due in town for the W Atlanta’s official grand opening on May 29, but this weekend he’s sending an advance team of one to give him a progress report: his wife, supermodel Cindy Crawford, who’s in town for an appearance at Rooms to Go in Buford.
“Cindy told me she’s planning to drop by Whiskey Park with friends while she’s in Atlanta,” Gerber previewed. “I’m betting she’ll feel right at home.”
Gerber has one more challenge ahead of him this month: The Atlanta grand opening date doubles as his and Crawford’s 10-year wedding anniversary.
“I’ve got to step it up this year, especially since I’ll technically be working on our anniversary,” he conceded, laughing. “I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do yet, but it’s not going to be cheap, I can tell you that!”
RELATED LINKS: Cindy Crawford talks about her Atlanta visit;
Photos: Business models
Sick bay
B98.5 FM morning man Kelly Stevens, who’s been mysteriously off the air for more than five weeks, is in treatment for alcoholism. His on-air co-host Alpha Trivette has now informed listeners that his co-worker is at a rehab facility to grapple with the malady.
The announcement was an unusual admission for the show long known for its lightheartedness. We’re told that Stevens’ co-workers were not previously privy to his off-air struggles. It remained unclear Thursday when or if Stevens would return to the airwaves before July 1, when Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke take over.
Kelly & Alpha, who have had a successful run with B98.5 for nearly a decade, are under contract through the end of the year. Producer Will Gara, who will stay on with former Star 94 morning hosts Steve & Vikki, currently is filling in for Stevens.
Celebrity birthdays
Jazz drummer Billy Cobham is 64. Actor Pierce Brosnan is 55. Violinist Boyd Tinsley of The Dave Matthews Band is 44. Singer Janet Jackson is 42. Actor David Boreanaz (above) (“Bones”) is 39. Political correspondent Tucker Carlson is 39. Actress Tori Spelling is 35.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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