Socialista: 100% Capitalista
Posted at 10:12:13 PM in Bar buzz, Bar openings, West Village nightlifeby Justine Goodman
Perhaps by now you have read or heard about Socialista (fab photo at left by Neubie via Flickr), the West Village Cuban restaurant/lounge and the latest addition to New York's already over-saturated class of shamelessly (shamefully?) exclusive New York hot spots.
I should preface this story by saying that as a policy, when Citysearch writers and editors visit a location to be reviewed, we remain anonymous in order to insure that we aren't receiving special treatment. But in some instances, as with Socialista, we have no choice but to call in advance and identify ourselves as being affiliated with Citysearch--after all, we can't very well review a place we can't get into.
After having read that there was an email address for securing a reservation at former Bungalow 8 bouncer Armin Amiri's new club du jour, I decided that before calling to say, "Hi, I'm the new nightlife editor at Citysearch, and I'm short and I'm blond and I'm coming to pay you a visit this weekend," I would first try my luck as a regular person. So I sent a message from my personal email account requesting a reservation for the weekend.
Here is the automated reply I received:
This is NOT a confirmation email.
We have received your reservation request;
If we are able to accommodate you we will reply with a confirmation email as soon as possible.
Please keep in mind that the restaurant does not take reservations for parties less than 10 people. A large portion of the restaurant is reserved for walk-in guests.
Thank You,
Socialista
With my deadline looming, I decided I had no choice but to call and identify myself--fully aware that they may have scoffed at me all the same.
I had the pleasure of speaking with a reservationist--who casually commented that he "hated" the writer I was sending, after assuming, in error, that he was talking to someone other than the writer. He insisted that "upstairs is by personal invitation from the owner only," but I did manage to secure a res for a table downstairs the same Friday night.
I've saved the details of Socialista itself (which occupies the space formerly known as the club Salon) for the full Citysearch review, but I will say that I half expected to be turned away at the door. Instead, I was escorted to a fabulous table, where the service was as good as the ambiance and the drinks were better than the food--a good example of why we prefer to remain anonymous whenever possible. It soon became clear that they had assumed I was a food critic; and I had assumed that once I was at the restaurant, gaining access to the upstairs lounge would be a reasonable task. Unfortunately, we were both wrong.
After dinner, when I introduced myself to the manager--a walking New York City nightlife stereotype, from the fedora on down--and asked to see the upstairs lounge, I was told, "Sorry, sweetie, but we're filled to capacity up there, it's just really crazy up there right now, so if you could come back another night, that would be great."
Sure, I'll be back another night, very soon--when it's the club formerly known as Socialista.
wow. a cuban restaurant in the west village with an exclusive guestlist and a bungalow 8-esque, holier-than-thou attitude. i'd rather be in guantanimo bay.
Posted by: formerlegalintern | September 12, 2007 at 11:39 AM
If you keep writing reviews this good, I'd be happy to take your photos anytime.
Sadly, Socialista is no neighborhood bar. And it will only get more annoying as all the idiots and tourists return from the Hamptons. Luckily, the West Village is full of better restaurants with more interesting people.
Posted by: David Neubert | September 12, 2007 at 08:30 PM
what a city where you can get famous by being a f*cking doorman. they make about 10 bucks an hour u know. still I bet the upstairs had some hot chicks and at the end of the day, that's all that matters...hallelujah holla back
Posted by: Ed Steenham | September 13, 2007 at 06:22 PM
I live around the corner from Socialista.
you were confused.
the downstairs restaurant is not "exclusive" and doesn't have a door policy. anyone can walk in.
the upstairs (as you discovered) is a different matter....and has a completely separate entrance.
Posted by: Nathan | September 14, 2007 at 02:34 PM
this place is awful. the only thing it has going on for itself is the decor. nothing else.
Posted by: lindsay | November 01, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Good to see others share my perspective of the place.
I wrote up my own review at: http://driftreality.com/2007/11/17/socialista-a-new-york-city-bar-that-sucks-it/
Posted by: Drift Reality | November 17, 2007 at 04:22 PM
I say if you're looking for that exclusive, sexy Cuban, great drinks flowing all night kind of vibe then, Socialista is it! The decor is amazing, the food is impeccable and the drinks are out of this world.
Posted by: 19-90 | September 28, 2008 at 10:48 PM
I say if you're looking for that exclusive, sexy Cuban, great drinks flowing all night kind of vibe then, Socialista is it! The decor is amazing, the food is impeccable and the drinks are out of this world.
Posted by: 19-90 | September 28, 2008 at 10:49 PM
How do you look for information for your blog content?
Posted by: ForexTeacher | March 28, 2009 at 09:38 AM