09/20/09

rude people not so great crowd

by cebny

We went to this place last night and had such a terrible experience. First we had to pay $20.00 to get in (girls) - p.s: on the website it says it was free. So we get in and the place is somewhat empty and 90% were girls. The bartender was so rude and the drinks are extremely expensive. We were there for not even 20 minutes and we decided to check out another place, and then go back there a little later hoping it would get better. We were expecting to get a stamp since we paid...but they didn't even do that! They said once you are out you can't be back in!!! The place was so bad that we didn't even care, we left and went to Sapphire (which was way better and great staff). Never going back to Element Club and I will tell everybody I can not to waste their money!! It surprises me that there are still places like this in NYC considering the number of clubs in the city. Too bad for them!

• Pros: big place
• Cons: rude people and expensive

09/14/09

Not on A Friday Night

by MissLeal

To be fair, I only went once a Friday night (Reggae night) during Labor Day weekend so its possible I'm not making a fair assesment based on one experience. However, I can suggest that if you do go AVOID at all cost going on a Friday night. The price is WAY TOO HIGH ($30, maybe bc it was the weekend of the West Indian Day Parade but still too damn much) and the place is WAY TOO SMALL. The worse thing of all was the DJ. He was disgusting and obnoxious. I did not pay all that money to listen to some arrogant p huck spew misogynistic, homophobic, anti-anything and anyone non West Indian banter all night long. Kept interrupting the music to talk nonsense and he actually cursed a woman out for NOT letting him feel on her booty. There is nothing "upscale" about this place, I don't care what the website says. The whole no sneakers/no jeans thing is a joke. It was a regular place, with regular folks in typical club gear which there's nothing wrong with that but don't charge me 30 bucks for something I could get for 5 bucks in Queens. On the positive side, the crowd was cool; everyone was just there to party and have a good time and everyone was actually really polite, men and women. But I would never go again on a Friday night.

• Pros: Decent crowd, Party people
• Cons: Obnoxious DJ, Overpriced, Small

07/27/09

Beware Element and Vault are Totally Different!!!

by Peg6247

Okay the problem I have is not with Element per se, it's with that tiny hole in the wall club they have on the side called The Vault. Here's the thing me and some friends contacted Element to reserve a table for a bachlorette party. They confirmed, but said due to a private party in their main room, they were only taking table reservations for the Vault Event. We didn't know the "Vault Event" was this extremely small, ceiling low, hot at hell, one bartender down in the basement club totally separate from Element. It actually felt like we were in a vault. The table reservation was only until 12 and since we got there close to that time and would've had to share the spot - we didn't need to go into "The Vault". It's just that some of us had already gone in and the line for Element was extremely long at that point. My thing is Element should advise that the"Vault Event" is not exactly in there nice big club and let party goers know what they are getting into. I was disappointed to say the least and ready to pass out from a heatstroke for sho! I don't know who with good common sense would venture down into "The Vault". But for why???

• Pros: In Regards to Vault - NONE
• Cons: Vault - Rude Cashier, HOT as HELL and SMALL!!!

03/28/09

Definitely has that "element".

by msdecember

At first, I was put off by the crowd (I like a more mixed crowd) and this just wasn't that kind of place. I was there for a birthday and we did everything that we could to make sure that we got in the club b4 12 (as we were told it would be free).. of course, it wasn't we ended up having to pay $10 each to get in which didn't sit well with me. Then, we HAD to check our coats even though we were going to be in the VIP section where we could have easily but our coats on the chairs somewhere. Since Friday, it was Caribbean music throughout which got old at some point and so I'm glad the DJ was smart enough to throw a few different genres in there. (Only problem with the DJ was that he TALKED way too much which threw off the groove many times). Visually, the place is cool.. the sound system is good..

• Pros: VIP Section
• Cons: Having to pay to get in even on the guest list before 12!

02/25/09

Pricey, but had a great time!

by AngieSays

We came here for my friend's birthday party. They open at 11 and only allow the first 10 people on the party's guestlist in free. We showed up around 11, and were towards the font of the line, but didn't make it in until 11:30 just because they were using stalling tactics. After midnight, you pay $10 once you're on the guestlist

Once you get inside, expect to pay $3 to check your coat. I know some people complained about this, but really, who wants to walk around inside a club with their coat?!

The great thing about the birthday celebration is that we were given a free bottle of house champagne. They do tell you that you can stay in the VIP section as long as no other party does bottle service (you can stay there as long as you want if you buy a bottle).

The good news is that the DJ plays a GREAT selection of music so you don't want to be seated for long!

Advice to the ladies: Go with a group of girls, or better yet, bring some guys. It's a little sketchy sometimes because the gentlemen in the club will pretty much form a circle on the perimeter and just stare at you. There are some who are very pushy and will just come up behind you and start grinding. Not a great situation.

• Pros: Music
• Cons: Cover charge, long wait in line for no reason!

12/27/08

Loved It!

by jizel777

If you're like me and you go clubbing to dance then you will love this place. It is really layed out pefect with the vip mezzanine that overlooks the dance floor and the music is not so crazy loud up there. But when you go down onto the dance floor its like your right in the middle of the sweet spot. The DJ was awesome. He was mixing hip hop with eighties rock and even house. Things I never thought would go together but I couldn't stop dancing. The crowd kept going crazy every time the next song came on. So I would recommend it for the dancing crowd:-)

• Pros: Great dance club!
• Cons: Located downtown (I'm an uptown girl)

10/19/08

My honest opinion

by cisconyc

Seeing all the reviews for the element club I got so interested that I had to check it out just to see what side I would take - a lover or a hater. Turns out I fall somewhere in between. I went on Saturday and this was my experience: Line was really long when I first got there but it moved pretty good. I would say it took me about 20 minutes to get inside. This was normal to me any time I go to a crowded place. I did see them taking people off line because they had baggy pants or T-shirts so there was a dress code and there were lots of signs but I couldn't tell exactly how they decided who got in or not. I paid $20 cover (got there early - I think it goes up later) and had to check my coat. Again, typicall - every big night club I've been to makes you check your coat. I think i know why - if you didn't the place would be full of peoples coats laying everywhere and then people would probably write bad reviews about how trashy the place looks because peoples coats are piled all over. So just a hint - if you are planning to go clubbing, expect to pay a few bucks to check your coat. Sound system was good and music was mix of hip hop, house, rock, and when they started playing full on latin music I realized I was at a mostly latin party. I love all kind of music so this was fine for me but if you are freaked out by this I wouldn't go here on a Saturday. Drinks were normal club prices - I think my beer was $7 and my grey goose was $12 so I'm guessing the house drinks are $8 to $10. Another hint - if you are looking for cheap liquor don't go to a club, go to a dive bar (that's what I do when I want a cheap buz). Inside was just like the pictures with the colored light fixtures and the upstairs balcony but it was a little sloppy from people spilling drinks so my shoes were sticking to the floor all night. So overall I had a good time. I don't know if I would say a great time but there was definitely a real party going on and everyone was dancing.

• Pros: Good music, nice decor
• Cons: A bit crowded and sloppy on the dance floor

10/19/08

Stay Away from this "Downscale" spot..such a RIPOFF!!

by heather522

Ummm to all the people RAVING about this place..its OBVIOUS you have no idea what a classy upscale club is supposed to look like. First of all..you RSVP online and you get there and get stamped and you still get shoved to the back of the line...they KEEP you in line purposely so by the time you get to the cashier it is now coveniently 12:02pm and you are now forced to pay the ridiculous $20 bucks for ladies and $35 bucks for men.Now don't get me wrong money is not an option for me but its the principle of the whole situation. They then claim there is a dresscode but when you get in its clearly untrue because there are bunch of thugs running amuck in hoodies and t's.. oh before I forget there is a "mandatory" coat check which Ithink is tacky..because I should have the option whether I want to check my coat in or not.okay..where was I.... ahhh yes after having my coat checked forcibly for another extra charge per person.here's the icing on the cake..my friend put his $3 bucks for his coat into the tip jar by mistake and he told the coat girl..she prompty told him sorry..this is for tips and refused to give him his money back so he had to put out ANOTHER $3 for his coat(not that hecared..he could afford it but its the PRINCIPLE)...shocking.. I was all ready to hang it up then but they probably have a no refund policy..anyway we pressed on..inside I thought that I was in a metal box..more like a can of sardines...the crwd was not my taste..there was cheap clothing galore(Someone said earlier everyone was well dressed..question where were they..cause I did not see em) then we went to the bar..the drinks were pricey for no reason...I think my other friend payed$10 for two bottles of poland spring water.. the only semi decent highlight of our night was the music...other than that if you want a classy ..good crowd..I suggest you search elsewhere..if you want plastic weaves , cheap clothing and to feel like you are being taken the whole night then be my guest ELEMENT!!

• Pros: music
• Cons: Everything else..pricey drinks..just a ripoff

10/18/08

I love the Friday party - haters stay home!

by sistacherry

I love, love, love this party! I always have a great time. I agree that when people get all worked up and write a bad review it's because they don't know what to expect when they go to a certain party. This is the party that everybody in the caribbean comunity is talking about so it's always crazy at the door and the lines are long and of course they are going to to charge you $35 when there are 500 people in line behind you willing to pay. Tink about it sista - simple supply and demand economics. No one is forcing you to pay. Just go to some dead club with no cover!

Anyway, I was there last night and was coming to write a happy review about my birthday party. The place is so beautiful inside and the crowd is always dressed up and more important HAPPY and dancing. No drama. So anyway thank you to element for making my birthday and thank you for the bottle of champagne and even the sparker. A little cheesy for someone turning 25 but it still kind of makes you feel special :-)

• Pros: Great Caribbean Music!

10/18/08

"Its Called Carribean Fridays"

by balrina02

This was my second time going, in the same month. I love the friday party. For some reason some people have been given bad reviews about it: dont know why? It is exactly what the name says "Carribean Fridays". The crazy thing is how you get these rich kids wanting to try something new and originall and then they complain that its not what they expected. This is the closest thing to a real party left in NYC. It's like being on vacation and checking out the local spot. This party is all about the music, the "carribean crowd", and the crazy dancing which is so gooooood. Stick to what you know if you are not comfortable around different types of ethnicities. What else would you expect when its reggae night, a bunch of heavy metal heads? Overall the music is superb, the drinks are good, and the staff has always been polite and helpfull when ive been there. The only set back is the cover charge if your not on the guestlist $20 for ladies, ouch!

• Pros: Atmosphere, Sound System, Dancing
• Cons: Cover Charge, Parking, Door Line