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Community Corner

Party Like a Rock Star

84 Park uses unique and ever-changing ideas to keep the party going.

The lifespan of most nightclubs is short-lived, but so far, has been going strong for two years. And now it's kicking things into an even higher gear with innovative entertainment and theme nights instituted by newly-minted creative director Craig Sasson.

“We’re bringing it to a higher level with a lot of fresh ideas and new events,” club manager Mark Spear told Patch. “A lot of clubs come and go — they change owners, they change names — but I have a feeling we’re going to have a long run here.”

Early innovations included bringing in food from next door and featuring a monthly Brazilian night hosted by Rio 100 Events.

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“We’ve been hosting our events at 84 Park for almost two years now and they are becoming more and more popular,” Frank D'Agostino, owner of Rio 100 Events, said. "Everywhere I go, from Manhattan to New Haven, people that I speak with are familiar with 84 Park and Rio 100 Events. It’s been very exciting for us.”

84 Park bills itself as an ultra-lounge, with attractive waiters and bartenders, high-end décor, a booming sound system and a strict dress code. They also offer bottle service that includes expensive offerings like Remy Martin XO ($500), Patron Gran Platinum ($500) and Johnny Walker Blue ($600).

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But Sasson hasn't stopped there. At 84 Park, he has instituted fashion shows with young designers and an evening called Hair Warz, which showcases the talents of local salons. (He and his father just sold their Stamford hair salon, .) 

And during events and on weekend nights, club photographer Michael Schmidt of Awe Snap circulates the room taking photos that he uploads to his Web site as well as the 84 Park Web site to encourage repeat visitors .

The creative team's latest projects include a DJ battle, where the winner will perform as the house DJ during the Alive @ Five festivities, which takes place just outside the club’s doors. The club is also sponsoring a modeling competition, where the winners will adorn a calendar published by the club.

Other highlights include happy hour specials with a jazz band from 5 to 7 p.m. A gay night on Sundays is also in the works. The club is also considering letting original live bands set up in the club’s underutilized basement space. There's even talk about a raw bar, since the club has no cooking facilities.

“We’re an ultra-lounge, so we want to offer the ultimate experience from the time you step inside the door to the time you pay your check,” Sasson said. “What worked yesterday may not be successful today, so I want to keep pushing the envelope and providing a great experience.”

Perhaps the most unique offering Sasson initiated — in conjunction with former general manager Josh Schwartz, who recently moved to Singapore — is the live Rock Star Karaoke night, where patrons can step up on a makeshift stage and sing rock and pop songs while the band Bliss  — consisting of lead singer Laura Merrill, guitarist Ed Vick and bassist Clint Amereno — performs renditions with uncanny fidelity to the originals.

“This is different than any other gig,” said Merrill. “I’m now doing backup vocals and I’m also a cheerleader, since people sometimes get nervous.”

On Wednesday nights during the competitions, the club drops its dress code and beers cost $3 until 11 p.m. The best singers are given a laminated pass that entitles them to receive two free drinks on subsequent nights and qualify for the final round, where they receive five free drink tickets.

The club has completed three competitions so far and Jon Bon Jovi’s brother, Matt, a co-owner of the club, has donated a guitar signed by Bon Jovi band members, and backstage passes to Bon Jovi concerts at Madison Square Garden and at Mohegan Sun.

Contestants in the current round are vying for an electric guitar emblazoned with the Jack Daniels logo, which sits in a glass case next to the bar.

Producers and employees of NBC Universal Studios around the corner have become regulars. “A ton of us come over all the time,” NBC Universal employee Rob Alesiani, who is not shy about hitting the stage and belting out some high notes, said. “When we go out on Wednesday nights, there’s no question where we’re going — we’re coming here.”

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