STAGE has been quietly open for a few weeks now, adding 9,000 sprawling square feet of jugglers, Nicki Minaj parodies, aerialists in unicorn masks, magicians, and more to the nightlife scene at The Alley, located across from Boston Common. The new club celebrates its grand opening this Friday, January 16.
Russ deMariano and Ed Brooks (both from Speakeasy Concepts and The Brahmin) and SJ Torres (Howl at the Moon and Down Ultra Lounge) are behind the new venture, which is meant to evoke a vaudeville feel. Performances continuously take place on four separate stages, and there are also four bars.
Upon entering the venue, guests immediately get to start feeling fancy with a red carpet, velvet ropes, and a secret door that looks like a bookshelf, not to mention top hat-bedecked "Executive Hosts." The path winds through multiple lounges, from the copper-ceilinged Copper Lounge to the curtain-lined Lyra Lounge to the Main Stage VIP Lounge. There's also a DJ Stage VIP Lounge.
The bars feature cocktails with themed names, like the Vaudeville Vixen (Absolut Raspberri, muddled raspberries, sparkling wine) and the Bathtub Gin "75" (Tanqueray, lime juice, simple syrup, sparkling wine).
STAGE is open to the public only on Fridays and Saturdays, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. There's a $10 cover, and table reservations are available. It's also open for private and semi-private events (with catering available). "Dress to impress," bids the club's "frequently asked questions" section, noting that the club is "a very unique and classy nightlife experience" and that entry may be denied "based on appearance."
