The Velvet Rope to replace Palma
I know what you're thinking: Not another mega club in the Redwood Trust building (200 E. Redwood St.). I thought the same thing.
So many club owners have tried and failed to open a mega club at that spot. The most recent one was Jon Han, whose Palma/Dubai mini-franchise imploded spectacularly.
I was all set to write off the Velvet Rope, the new upscale club in the Redwood Trust building. But then I poked my head inside and met its owner and managing partner, Tracye Stafford.
Stafford is a hip-hop promoter who has brought acts like Lil' Wayne to town. Remember that hip-hop show at DuBurns Arena in Canton that ended early a couple years ago? That was her ...
Stafford has been throwing shows occasionally at the building for the past few months. She recently decided to make it a dedicated club and concert venue. The grand opening should be in July.
With its purple walls, paintings and new carpeted floors, The Velvet Rope has a cool, comfortable feel. I don't know how much money Stafford put into the place, but from the looks of it, she spent a lot on renovations.
Stafford knows about all the failed clubs that came before her, and she knows how hard it can be to get people out to a high-end joint in this city. She also knows how important security is -- especially at hip-hop shows, which have a history of violence.
If Stafford focuses enough on bringing in big names in hip-hop, if she makes sure there is proper security, if she can consistently fill the place and if her rent payments aren't too high, she might be able to swing it -- for a couple years.
That's a lot of ifs. I'll add one more: If anybody can do it, I'll bet she can.
(Sun archive photo)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
I thought Mel Torme was dead?
Posted by: Sparky | May 29, 2009 4:05 PM
5-1 - close within 1 year.
Takers?
Posted by: Mark Twain | May 31, 2009 10:58 AM
One more thing. For the record, the Lil' Wayne show 'ended early' because it was shut down by the Exec. Director of the Liquor Board (according to the Baltimore Sun).
There was a stampede. Multiple people suffered injuries and were hospitalized.
The promoters, alongside their council, differed responsibility from themselves and the performers, stating that the authorities were, and are, targeting celebrities. Their council is on-record calling this enforcement, "hip-hop targeting."
Yeah, ok.
Posted by: Mark Twain | May 31, 2009 1:34 PM
They can beef up their internal security all they want, but I'll bet 12-1 odds that a stabbing will occur outside the venue within weeks and that'll be that.
Posted by: Evan | May 31, 2009 4:46 PM
Evan,
Considering that Ultralounge is still open, I doubt one stabbing would make much of a difference.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | June 1, 2009 7:07 AM
too true.
Posted by: Evan | June 1, 2009 12:44 PM
I love this club and I believe that this is the best spot for the mature crowd.
The women come dressed to impress
and the DJ'S play what i want to here and they have police for security but with the mature crowd they draw they are never needed.
I look foward to that spot.
Posted by: T.Brown | June 23, 2009 11:19 AM
I love this club and I believe that this is the best spot for the mature crowd.
The women come dressed to impress
and the DJ'S play what i want to here and they have police for security but with the mature crowd they draw they are never needed.
I look foward to that spot.
What is an Irish coin withdrawn from circulation on January 1, 1993?
Posted by: Abject Disaster | June 23, 2009 12:54 PM
the problem in baltimore is that we wont give a person a chance i know trayce on a wrk level and no shes a work- aholic and wont stop til its rite in her city with the support and backing and non-hating of these baltimore folks everything will work out find .im tired of driving to d.c and or philly ,ny etc...just to have fun so please support trayce.
Posted by: s.carter | July 13, 2009 10:00 PM
S. carter,
When you're done your 8-ball, I'd like to introduce to a friend of mine, his name is punctuation.
Posted by: BPD cadet | July 14, 2009 10:58 AM
Jeez...I can't keep up with the name changes at places in Baltimore. Everytime I come back to visit, the spots that I visited before have changed names for the 2nd and 3rd times. It's tough to build a brand/following when the place is constantly turning over. There's something to be said for consistency. *sigh* But that's Baltimore nightlife and one of the reasons I left I guess. Best of luck to the new owners.
Posted by: Sucio410 | July 14, 2009 5:31 PM