As I mentioned, one of my main complaints about this party was its overcrowding. The lack of breathing room made everything (from drinking and dancing to getting to the restroom and coat check) a chore. My party was able to escape this chaos to some degree by reserving tables and sitting in one of the roped off, “VIP” sections of the club. These tables appeared to be reserved for bottle service only, but a full-service bar was also available in this section. It was at this point in the night that my friends and I were forced to endure one of the most ludicrous experiences we have ever had in a club. We had reserved our tables many hours in advance and had ordered several bottles, which were clearly waiting on each table. Despite this, a member of the club’s security staff insisted that each of us give him money in order to access the area containing our already-paid-for bottles. After numerous complaints and nearly ten minutes of waiting, we were finally accommodated. This was a sad occurrence, which I can only hope that China Club will act upon and perhaps use more discretion when hiring employees in the future.

Now that I have expressed my concerns over these matters, I can say that despite the early annoyances, each member of my party enjoyed the rest of the night. The “VIP” area allowed us plenty of space and a noise level that allowed us to converse easily. The music provided by Mike Kaos was a fun mix of both new and old favorites of all genres. My friends and I were glad to hear a mix of music that set a soundtrack to the past few years of our lives.

China Club’s interior, although incapable of holding the amount of people the doormen let in, is very pleasing to the eye. The blue lighting provides an elegant ambience that would surely be appreciated more on a less hectic night of the week. Several lounges and “VIP” areas help to attract a diversified crowd, and allow that crowd to feel at home. The crowd, by the way, does not have the beauty and upscale character found at China Club’s Monday night affair. The style of the clientele varies from very upscale to very casual. The overly casual attire worn by some guests initially gave us a poor opinion of the club as we first approached the door.

China Club’s Saturday night party left me with a lot of mixed emotions. The club’s Times Square location makes it a haven for tourists. This may serve as a turn-off to those who enjoy Manhattan nightlife as much for its residents as its location. The club must also evaluate its staff’s decisions both at the front door and inside the club. This would eliminate the overcrowding as well as prevent incidents such as the one I mentioned earlier. However, the clubs prices were typical if not slightly lower than the rest of Manhattan, and the overall vibe of the club was good. Be warned though, that I strongly recommend reserving a table in one the bottle-service areas if you wish to enjoy any comfort at all. Finally, if you are high on patience and enjoy music that is more mainstream, you are almost assured a fun time. CHINA CLUB, 268 WEST 47TH ST. NEW YORK, NY 10036 .

by Jay Matassa

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Dress	Drink Prices
club gear	$28 for one round

Decor	Size	Atmosphere
classy	mid size	friendly
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