Ronnie Madra & Jeffrey Jah
Hailing from Canada and Guyana respectively, Jeffrey Jah and Ronnie Madra have made quite an impact on New York nightlife. In 2007, they partnered with Scott Sartiano and Ricky Akiva of Butter to open 1Oak—One of a kind—a $3 million venue that epitomizes the term “haute spot.” The club is filled to the brim with the most elite crowd of revelers on a nightly basis, and this success allowed the partners to pay back 110 percent of their investments in just one year—in the midst of a pretty rough economy.
Haute Living: What nightlife venues do you currently operate?
Ronnie Madra: 1Oak
Jeffrey Jah: I currently own 1Oak, as well as Café de la Musique, in Florianopolis, Brazil. I will also be reopening my old lounge, Double Seven, as well as The Lambs Club restaurant at The Chatwal hotel in New York City.
HL: When did you first become interested in a career in the nightlife industry? What about it sparked your interest?
RM: I first became interested of the industry as a doorman and then a DJ. After those, I became interested in producing events. Becoming a club operator was just a natural progression.
JJ: While I was growing up, I would always throw loft parties around Toronto, and I would visit New York City on the weekends; Area nightclub and The Garage blew my mind. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be a part of the nightlife industry.
HL: Who taught you the tricks of the trade in this industry?
RM: I learned from the best—Eric Omores, Mark Baker, and Steve Lewis.
JJ: It’s safe to say I learned on my own. I started as an alternative promoter, and I went against the big operates. It was only after I had earned respect within the industry that I started to work with the bigger establishments.
HL: What type of crowd do your venues appeal to?
RM: While our clientele have high net worth, we cater to the individual because we are trying to create an eclectic and original atmosphere every night.
HL: The nightlife industry is always changing. How do you continually attract the attention of an A-list crowd?
RM: We are always looking to reinvent ourselves, and we try to never stay in one place in the industry. We are always wearing many different hats and trying to change nightlife.
JJ: I spend a lot of time building relationships with designers, artists, writers, directors, and musicians. My partners and my personal relationships across all industries keep the big stars coming back to us, since they feel connected to us and are like family.
HL: There are so many choices for nightlife in NYC. Why should an Haute Living reader choose to go to your venues?
RM: If you add up the time that my partners Richie, Scott, Jeffrey, and I have been in the nightlife business, it totals 45 years of experience, and that speaks for itself. We are always trying to provide the highest quality of service and the best experience—that is our motto.
HL: Who is behind the designs of your venues?
RM: The four partners are 100-percent involved with the design of our venue. Our designers are concerned with the form, as they should be; however, we are more concerned with form and functionality simultaneously, and that’s why we work closely with them—to make sure our visions are accomplished and brought to life.
HL: Other than your own, what is your favorite club/lounge in the city? And around the world?
JJ: Milk & Honey, in New York; Amnesia, in Ibiza; Vida Solymar, in Mykonos; L’Avenue and the bar at Hotel Coste, in Paris; Groucho Club, in London; the bar at the Principe de Savoia, in Milan; Ku De Ta in Bali; Conferia, in Sao Paulo; Quattro in Miami; and El Bar at Faena Hotel, in Buenos Aires.
HL: Describe your dream nightclub/lounge project.
RM: It would be an indoor-outdoor restaurant/club on the pier in Chelsea, with a dock for boats.
HL: What is the biggest/most exclusive event that you have hosted?
RM: I can’t pick just one, but if I had to pick my favorites, it would be the CFDA party we hosted, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and the Oscars’ viewing party last year.
HL: Where was the last place in New York that you went for fine dining?
RM: My apartment, where I cook for my friends.
JJ: Daniel, I love it there!
HL: Tell us something about you that no one knows.
RM: Why would I do that? I want to keep it a mystery!
JJ: I love to snowboard.
HL: You never leave home without…
RM: My BlackBerry and a great attitude!
JJ: My sanity.
HL: Describe New York in three words.
RM: Energy. Access. Diversity.
JJ: Very full on!
HL: What are your predictions for 2010?
RM: I hope to create multiple franchises and expand an already amazing business that I love being a part of.
JJ: I wish I had a crystal ball that I could use to answer this one! However, I hope to see a lot more love and understanding in the world.
