Kings of the Night: Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg

Jason Strauss & Noah Tepperberg

[highlight_text] “Everyone has their own contributions and together we have really been able to create some amazing venues.” [/highlight_text]

The legend of Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss in New York City nightlife lore has been well documented throughout the years. The business partners—best friends since high school—have been impresarios now for more than 15 years, beginning in the early 90s as event promoters. The dynamic duo has taken the party people of the world to Conscience Point in the Hamptons, Marquee in Chelsea, Tao and Lavo in Las Vegas, and now some of the hottest trendsetters in town are calling their newest venture, Avenue in New York, the hippest home away from home.

Haute Living: When did you first become interested in a career in the nightlife industry?
Noah Tepperberg: Age 16, when I threw the Stuyvesant High School cast party for Sing.
Jason Strauss: I was a bartender my senior year of high school on the Upper West Side.

HL: Who taught you the tricks of the trade in this industry?
NT: I learned from going to clubs and bars at an early age and observing what went on.
JS: We promoted and marketed bars throughout college and took a piece of knowledge from every owner/operator that we ever worked for.

HL: What type of crowd do your venues appeal to?
NT: All types, but to sum up in one word I’d say we have a very “cosmopolitan” crowd.

HL: The nightlife industry is always changing. How do you continually attract the attention of an A-list crowd?
NT: Programming great events, great music, and paying attention to the needs of the crowd when they are at our venues.
JS: It all starts with delivering amazing service and being true to a consistent experience, as well as being in tune with trends in music and the lifestyles of the target audience.

HL: There are so many choices for nightlife in NYC. Why should an Haute Living reader go to your venues?
JS: We pay attention to the needs of our customers more than anyone else. Period.

HL: Who is behind the designs of your venues?
JS: It is always a collaboration between myself, my partners, and whichever designer we choose. With Marquee, it was Steve Lewis; with Avenue, it was Lesly Zamor. Everyone has their own contributions and together we have really been able to create some amazing venues.

HL: Other than your own, what is your favorite club/lounge in the city? And around the world?
NT: Lucky Strike in New York, and Pacha in Ibiza.
JS: I’m a big fan of house music and I think both Pacha in New York and Pacha in Ibiza have some of the most talented DJs through their venues.

HL: What is the biggest/most exclusive event that you have hosted?
NT: The annual Jay-Z/LeBron James “Two Kings” event during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
JS: A Madonna concert after-party at the Tao lounge in Las Vegas. She and her dancers came after the concert with their VIP guests and actually performed four to five routines from the show.

HL: Where was the last place in New York that you went for fine dining?
NT: Tavern on the Green
JS: Danny Meyer’s new place, Maialino, inside the Gramercy Park Hotel.

HL: Tell us something about you that no one knows.
NT: I love to eat ice cream.
JS: I’m still very depressed that I never played college football.

HL: You never leave home without…
NT: My BlackBerry.
JS: Vitamins. I am very health conscious and always have them with me.

HL: Describe New York in three words:
NT: Home sweet home.
JS: “Only place to live.” Four words. Too bad!

HL: What’s your favorite pastime?
NT: Baseball.
JS: Playing tennis (clay courts only), and skiing in Switzerland with my family.

HL: What are your predictions for 2010?
NT: I think the world is going to begin a financial recovery in 2010, but it will take five years to get back to where we were five years ago.
JS: In New York and Las Vegas, there will be a real resurgence and following for house music, even more than what we have seen in the last couple years. It’s translating more on the East and West Coasts and venues are becoming more privy to accommodate and cater to that.

HL: Tell us about the craziest moment that took place at one of your venues.
NT: The night that Jay-Z did a one-hour concert at Tao Las Vegas from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.
JS: Every anniversary at Tao Las Vegas redefines the word crazy! Next year will be No. 5!

Scott Sartiano & Richie Akiva

Richie Akiva, a New York native, earned his nightlife stripes as a literal club kid who discovered and developed his passion for creating what he calls “a stage for people to let go of their worries and stress and celebrate their life and all that New York City has to offer.” While originally from North Carolina, Scott Sartiano has called New York home for nearly two decades. After graduating from Columbia in the late 1990s, he was pulled by “the bright lights and the big city,” and found himself thriving as a promoter, which is where he met Akiva. The two partnered in 2002 to open Butter, which is still thriving—quite the lasting power in a fickle industry. In 2007, they parlayed Butter’s success into 1Oak, which they own and operate along with partners with Jeffrey Jah and Ronnie Madra.

Haute Living: What nightlife venues do you currently operate?
Richie Akiva: Butter on Lafayette Street and 1Oak (One of a kind). We are opening two new venues in 2010—Butter NC, an 8,500-square-foot nightclub in Charlotte, North Carolina; and a 50/60s-inspired supper club in the legendary Nell’s space on 14th Street.

HL: When did you first become interested in a career in the nightlife industry?
RA: At a very young age, which happens when you grow up in New York City.
Scott Sartiano: I first became interested when I was offered a job as a promoter at Life nightclub right after I graduated college. Learning the nuances and the science behind the business really sparked my interest and continues to intrigue me.

HL: What type of crowd do your venues appeal to?
SS: We appeal to every type of crowd, but only the best of the best can get in.

HL: The nightlife industry is always changing. How do you continually attract the attention of an A-list crowd?
RA: Scott and I constantly stay ahead of the game and try to be the ones to lead change within the industry. Take, for example, Butter Restaurant, where we created a notable eatery with a celebrity-filled lounge below. I stick to my gut and trust my decisions, and it always pays off.

HL: There are so many choices for nightlife in the city. Why should an Haute Living reader go to your venues?
RA: My opinion is biased; however, our clientele continue to return to Butter because of the amazing food coupled with a night out on the town without having to leave the venue.

HL: Who is behind the designs of your venues?
SS: Steve Lewis designed Butter and our new Supper Club on 14th Street. Roy Nachum designed 1Oak. Richie always adds a lot to the mix and provides design input at all of our venues.

HL: Other than your own, what is your favorite club/lounge ?
RA: Les Caves du Roy in Saint-Tropez, Jimmy’z in Monaco, and Palais Club in Cannes.
SS: Les Caves du Roy in Saint-Tropez, BC in Paris, and Amnesia in Ibiza.

HL: Describe your dream nightclub/lounge project.
SS: I’m building it right now.

HL: Tell us about the craziest moment that took place at one of your venues.
RA: There have been numerous moments where I have had to step back and think to myself, “wow, is this really happening?” It would be impossible to choose a single experience.
SS: The thing about our venues is there are there are always crazy moments but most of those go unpublished. We like a level of secrecy for our customers and ourselves.

HL: Where was the last place in New York that you went for fine dining?
RA: Il Mulino in Greenwich Village.
SS: Morimoto.

HL: Where would we find you on a Friday night?
RA: 1Oak.
SS: If I’m not at Butter, you can find me at 1Oak.

HL: Tell us something about you that no one knows.
SS: I can’t, because then someone would know it.

HL: You never leave home without…
RA: A back-up battery for my BlackBerry.
SS: My BlackBerry.

HL: Describe New York in three words.
RA: Nothing like it!
SS: Everything and more.

HL: What’s your favorite pastime?
RA: Baseball and basketball.
SS: Watching football with friends.

HL: What are your predictions for 2010?
SS: I believe that things are getting back to normal, both with the economy and everyone’s mindset. We have already seen a differencet in vibe and business since January 1, and we believe it can only get better.

HL: Who taught you the tricks of the trade in this industry?
SS: Steve Lewis taught me a lot, and then I learned through my own trial and error.

Eugene Remm & Mark Birnbaum

In 2006, Eugene and Mark teamed up with entrepreneur Michael Hirtenstein to create EMM Group, a hospitality, lifestyle, and management company that operates some of the city’s exclusive and celebrated establishments. The first of these to open its doors to much fanfare was Tenjune, a trendy celebrity-infused haunt in the Meatpacking District. Their success continued with private-event venue EMM Group Estate in the Hamptons, The Chandelier Room at the W Hoboken Hotel, and Abe & Arthur’s. Their latest venue, SL (or Simyone Lounge to those not in the know), took over the former Lotus space in September, and also took over the social calendars of the city’s elite.

Haute Living: When did you first become interested in the nightlife industry? What about it sparked your interest?
Eugene Remm: In high school, I would take the train or the bus into the city and go to all the different raves. We really loved the idea of going out, and the DJs, and the business aspect of it all. Then in college, I worked at the one, hot bar in town. It was very much like a Cheers mentality. The bartenders controlled what went on, and that where I began to learn the industry—the basics of bartending, working hard, working with revenue and the register, taking care of regulars, and bringing in great people so that they would hang out at my bar. On a very small scale, it was like overseeing the college version of New York nightlife.
Mark Birnbaum: When I was a senior in high school, I started throwing after-prom parties. We sold tickets to clubs in New York City and it was the first time I made a little money doing something that was fun. When I went to college, I was promoting parties during the summers and school breaks, and also ran a 22,000-square-foot nightclub. After college, I went into finance, which I hated, but I did it anyway because it seemed like a stable thing to do. But on September 11, I was living across the street from the World Trade Center, and I also lost a friend to cancer at almost the exact same time. Those two events were my wakeup call and I realized life is too short and I was going to do what I wanted to do and hopefully it would all work out.

HL: How would you describe the crowds that your venues appeal to? How do you continually attract the attention of an A-list crowd?
ER: We try to find the best, most interesting people from all different fields. The best way to do it is like a salad where you have a little bit of everything: you have your lettuce, your tomatoes, your chicken, which translates to people from fashion, art, entertainment, and business. Not too much of one thing and definitely not focusing on just one specific type of crowd.
MB: We’ve always said that we can get anyone into one of our venues once. The real challenge is to get them to come back, and so we concentrate on consistency of the product. Hospitality is first, along with the quality of staff and the products.

HL: There are so many choices for nightlife in the city. Why should an Haute Living reader go to your venues?
ER: First and foremost, it’s our service. I think the attitude of ‘you should be honored to be in our venue’ is silly. At Tenjune, once you get past the door, it’s unconditional hospitality.Whether you’re buying one bottle or spending $20,000, we treat everyone with respect and really try to create that mentality where “everyone knows your name.” Keeping a consistent staff and consistent management is a big part of our business. In such a transient city, that’s what keeps people coming back.

HL: Describe your dream nightclub/lounge project:
ER: My dream project would be something that has an amazing view, a unique space with with windows overlooking the entire city or an island. I love tropical places because you always feel like you are on vacation, which makes everyone have a better time.
MB: My dream at the moment, which changes every year by the way, is to go into the next progression, which is to own a piece of real estate like a hotel or a resort and own the food and beverage components. That takes time, and it’s a marathon so we’re just trying to expand slowly and not just for the sake of expanding.

HL: Tell us about the craziest moment that took place at one of your venues.
MB: One of the craziest nights was our first birthday at Tenjune, on June 10. Eugene and I share the same birthday, and it was also Kanye West’s birthday, so he celebrated with us. He performed and sang happy birthday to us. I found that to be one of the most surreal experiences because we were new in the nightclub business and everyone under the sun came and sang happy birthday to us. On our one-year anniversary, when LL Cool J got up and did “Mama Said Knock You Out.” He was one of my heroes as a kid; cut to more than a decade later and he’s on stage with his arm around me. I guess it doesn’t get much better than that.

HL: What is the biggest/most exclusive event that you have hosted?
ER: The opening of Tenjune! We were very young and green and I remember the feeling of walking to Tenjune that night and having no idea what to expect. Puffy hosted the party, Penelope Cruz was there, Jay-Z was there, along with Kanye West. Sharing that with Mark and our entire staff was just a dream. That will forever live in my memory as the most exciting night of my career.

Nur Khan

Ian Schrager is the godfather of nightlife, and Nur Khan is taking notes. Khan is the man behind the Rose Bar and Jade Bar, in Schrager’s Gramercy Park Hotel. Over the course of his celebrated three-decade-long career, he has operated a slew of exciting venues like Marquee Theatre, Wax, Sway, and Hiro, all of which paid homage to his true love: music. His establishments are rooted in the finest service alongside unique and inviting décor, which has led to quite a following of Khan aficionados, who rejoiced upon hearing about his new restaurant, Kenmare, in NoLita.

Haute Living: What nightlife venues do you currently operate?
Nur Khan: The Rose Bar and Jade Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel, and I own a new restaurant that I just built called “Kenmare” in NoLita, which I’m excited about.

HL: When did you first become interested in a career in the nightlife industry? What about it sparked your interest?
NK: In 1990, I converted an old movie theater with a balcony into a live music venue/nightclub in Connecticut, called The Marquee Theatre. It held about 1,500 people and was kind of similar to the old Ritz in New York City. At that time, Ron Delsener was promoting Roseland Ballroom and The Academy Theatre. It was a very special time in the music industry; all these fantastic bands were breaking, such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, etc. These bands were making their first records and touring, so Ron and I would route them from Roseland and The Academy up to my venue. The shows were amazing, and I was having such a great time that I continued to open more bars like Wax, Sway, Hiro, Rose Bar, and now my restaurant Kenmare.

HL: Who taught you the tricks of the trade in this industry?
NK: I taught myself. I do things my own way. It’s a hospitality business. I make a very concerted effort to take very good care of my customers.

HL: What type of crowd do your venues appeal to?
NK: They appeal to people in the fashion, film, and music industries. My customers tend to be very musically literate and open minded, and embrace the fact that I may introduce them to new sounds. Music is kind of my niche, and I don’t mind going in a different direction from other people.

HL: The nightlife industry is always changing. How do you continually attract the attention of an A-list crowd?
NK: I have been taking care of these customers for a long time. I pay attention to their needs, I am very concerned about discretion, and really go the extra mile to look out for my guests, protect them if need be, and make sure they know they are always comfortable and looked after when they are in my hands and bars. My customers are loyal, and I very much appreciate the support they have always given me.

HL: There are so many choices for nightlife in NYC. Why should an Haute Living reader go to your venues?
NK: I like to think I provide a different environment than a lot of the others. Rose Bar for example is an extremely impressive design, with an incredible art collection. You don’t see that in other bars in New York—fantastic design combined with great music and a great crowd.

HL: Who is behind the designs of your venues?
NK: I designed all my venues personally, up until Rose Bar and Jade Bar, which were both designed by Julian Schnabel and Ian Schrager. Fernando Santangelo, who designed Chateau Marmont and the Raleigh Hotel, designed Kenmare.

HL: Describe your dream nightclub/lounge project.
NK: A rock-‘n’-roll venue, with the capability to do live shows spontaneously, maybe with a dance element to it. Cool underground lounges, and maybe do all of them under one roof, which would happen to be my own hotel. One stop shopping for all my guests if they are visiting from out of town, or just want a great place to hang out locally. Great rooms, great restaurants, and great bars, all in my own hotel, where my guests know they would have the utmost privacy.

HL: Tell us about the craziest moment that took place at one of your venues.
NK: If I told you, I’d have to kill you. Out of respect to any parties that may have been involved, I will take those stories to the grave.

HL: Where was the last place in New York that you went for fine dining?
NK: I ate at Raoul’s restaurant last night. I love that place.

HL: Tell us something about you that no one knows.
NK: I moved to China for an extended period of time, and trained in Shaolin Kung Fu with the warrior monks full time—10 hours a day of eating, sleeping, and breathing martial arts. It was the best experience of my life.

HL: You never leave home without…
NK: My BlackBerry, my jewelry, and usually my snakeskin motorcycle jacket.

HL: Describe New York in three words.
NK: Exciting, inspirational, home.

HL: What’s your favorite pastime?
NK: Going on holiday with great friends to great places.

HL: What are your predictions for 2010?
NK: A good year that leads to great things.

HL: What is the biggest/most exclusive event that you have hosted?
NK: I’ve hosted probably every type of event you could think of, but possibly it was President Clinton’s birthday/Global Initiative weekend at the Gramercy Park Hotel, in collaboration with the Rolling Stones and Martin Scorsese.

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.