Nightlife News Roundup, January 16th, 2012

by Courtney McGowan · January 16, 2012

    Recently revamped eatery Acme dispels rumors of a downstairs nightclub, new dad Jay-Z gears up for the 40/40 club reopening, XIX shutters, residents rally against a new bar opening in Murray Hill and so much more in today's nightlife news. - - - - - - 1. NoHo's Acme, the formerly-Cajun eatery that closed it's doors last spring after 25 years in the biz, has re-opened as a sleek new lounge- just don't expect any dancing.

    "The downstairs will 100 percent not be a dance club. We have NO idea where anyone got that," says an Acme manager."Downstairs will have cocktails and a bar, and you can have parties there, but to be compared to Kenmare or Merkato 55 was pretty grating."

    Now tell us how you really feel. [GrubStreet]

    2.  Jay-Z, a.k.a. the father of the Second Coming Blue Ivy, will attend the grand re-opening of his 40/40 club this Wednesday. The former Flatiron hot-spot reportedly went under massive renovations, costing close to a cool $10 million. Alex Rodriguez and other A-List athletes from the Yankees and Giants are all on the coveted guestlist, which is naturally invite-only. [AMNY]

    3. XIX officially closed it's doors this past Saturday.

    NY Nightlife tweeted: XIX closed last night with @DJManero718 @DrekMartinez @DJVitale @Meldebarge @DJJapancakes

    R.I.P. XIX, until you open as something else in about two weeks. [@NYNightlife]

    4.  Sasha Petraske, owner of Milk & Honey and Little Branch, wants to open a "quiet" bar in Murray Hill and residents are not having it. Midtown's Community Board 6 demanded Petraske abide by their "close by 2 a.m." rule, and he refused.  Petraske still plans on appealing his case for a civilized, and seemingly silent drinking establishment at 33rd and Lexington.  [DNA]

    5.  The latest drinking craze? Bone Luging. People in Portland, Oregon are allegedly using split marrow bone to shoot liquor.  Patrons first eat the marrow, then use the bone as a slide for their Sherry, Manhattan or Madeira.  [TastingTable]