[The famous "Man in the Moon with a Cocaine Spoon,"  from Studio 54. Photo via Disco-disco]. They say change is the only thing that remains constant, and nowhere is that more true than our fair city. Throughout the years, New Yorkers have bid fond farewells to the city’s most venerable and seemingly indestructible institutions: Studio 54, The Plaza Hotel, CBGB, some would even argue Times Square is not the same place it once was. More»

[Doormen Maurizio Ferrigno, Armin Amiri, and Wass Stevens all star in The Wrestler]

We can't help but find Mickey Rourke lovable.  Maybe its because he was such a misfit in the past, or because he still loves to rip it up on the town at 1 Oak and Cipriani Sundays, or perhaps it's that he has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix.  Or maybe it's because he hooked up his nightlife friends (and NYC resident doormen) with parts in The Wrestler.  This isn't to say these guys wouldn't have made it on their talent, but it sure doesn't hurt to get a good referral from Mickey (and he has certainly logged in his time with these guys over the years!)

A quick recap on the doormen, the clubs they work at, and the parts they played: More»

In keeping with our week's theme (the revival of BUNGALOW 8), we would like to take a moment to catch you up on the whereabouts of one of the stars of the old Bungee, Armin Armiri.  Armin's Socialista lounge sent schools of socials swimming to the West Side.  Unlike many of his rivals, Armin chose to make the upstairs room the uber-exclusive, door-managed area, instead of the basement which he made a cafe, open to the mortals.  Oftimes, this is not the case  (think La Esquina, Martignetti's, Kingswood, Butter, subMercer etc.)  And now, word on the street is Armin is ready for a change.

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Let us catch our breath before we begin. Ok, ready, here we go.

We began our night with dinner at La Esquina with Matt Levine. Matt is the owner/designer of Steelo Clothing but we weren't there to discuss clothes. He was excited to tell us about his newest venture, The Eldridge. The Eldridge is the name of the new club that is going to be opening within the next couple of weeks. We know you've all heard this before, but we believe this time it's true, the Eldridge is going to be unlike any club in New York City. The Eldridge is going to be more exclusive and luxurious than anything currently out there. It is going to raise the bar on New York nightlife. And that's all we can say…for now.

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Everyone has a book, everyone is an actor, and now everyone has their own nightclub…According to the New York Observer, It seems that Armin Amiri, famed doorman from Bungalow 8, is going to try and parlay his doorman skills into success as the proprietor of a new café-lounge titled Socialista in the West Village.   The cuisine is described as Cuban infused with an Argentine influence, which we can only conclude is simply a fancy way of saying Mexican food. So how did he get the inspiration for such a venture? "I saw it and I just saw Cuba."   Mr. Amiri, however, has never been to Cuba, nor does he speak Spanish or have any Cuban background to speak of.   He also did not live in the 1940's.   "Back in the old days-you know, the 1940's-when you went out, it was all about respect."  But he does posses a working definition of socialism:

"What socialism really means is, I give you this and you give me that. And as the door goes, I'm gonna bring you into this nice atmosphere; hopefully, you're going to bring your great energy in here. And that's it-that's the only even exchange I want with people.

What is of course omitted in his neo-socialism is the required $600 dollar table expense.  Perhaps most troubling, however, is Mr. Amiri's apparent confusion between Casablanca (i.e. Morocco) and Cuba, as well as the fact that in New York the sun does set, and there are dark cold winters.  "And do you see that light?" (addressing the sun through a pair of tortoise-shell vintage Persols). It's gonna create that Casablanca effect all the time." Lest there be any concern, however, Mr. Amiri will be putting his acting career on hold for now to focus on the task at hand.