by Kim G. on The first and last time I attempted dancing lessons was sometime in high school at a restaurant that didn't have enough room for swing (read: newbie). Ten years later, I'm still intimidated by the pressure from a random partner not to mess up, and then that thing called rhythm. Lord help me, I know salsa is easier for the girl, but I cannot follow a guy's lead! There is this resistance, delayed response, awkward laughter, the feeling he thinks of you as a robot and won't look anywhere in your direction, and obvious self-degradation but after you get over all that, it can be pretty fun! At my first salsa lesson here, I learned a little about myself. I need to yield and give up control sometimes, without telling my partner how I think he should do it. Good time for a new year's resolution, wouldn't you say? Thankfully I went with two people that had experience. They filled me in on the etiquette of one's obligation to dance the first time someone asks you (or sit the whole song out). There were a variety of couples there showing off, making for great entertainment on top of the live band. The dancefloor was the perfect size and there was an extra floor up top with a small bar and tables. I thought the lessons themselves taught us more than the basics, but I wouldn't pay $15 to get in without the lesson included. My only complaint about this place is that there is no sign about MINIMUM CHARGE FOR DRINKS. It's $20. They didn't even tell me when I told them I wanted to start a tab, so I found out when I was trying to leave!
by Beverlee Mckinnie on we've been to this club 3 times in the last year or so...everytime my friends and i take a limo, bring about 10-15 heads and have the time of our lives...ive been to many clubs around southern california and vegas, but i honestly have to say the best times have been at the highlands..its simple...get on the guestlist and you're almost guaranteed to have a good time cuz we all know lines are horrible... the music is great, the djs have actual talent, they actually mix the music and dont just play records...the crowd is excellent, very diverse everytime and have never encountered a stuck up gurl which is very surprising, very nice people, the bouncers for the most part arent that rude as other people have said, if you go to highlands and not have fun..you must be with boring people!!
by Debbie K. on Last Saturday night , my friends and I sat on a comfy red hued couch in the large dimly lit lounge at Buddha Bar. It was not so dim that we couldn't make out the fashion sensibilities of our neighbor - a girl who looked remarkably as if she just got off the early shift at Lace. In retrospect, she was probably too matchy matchy to be a real stripper. She had somehow managed to find knee high gladiator style lace up stilettos that were the perfect hue to match her red lace napkin that she had fashioned into a dress. Wow, I didn't think it was possible, but this meatpacking district restaurant/lounge went from brand spanking new to overrun by B&T in less than a month. Buddha Bar is related to the famous lounge in Paris but somehow, something got lost in the translation. The decor is there. It's asian themed, with a huge Buddha that's so en vogue these days. I had a passing recollection of Rob Lowe's office in Thank You for Smoking. "As you can see, Jeff just loves... Asian shit." Glass walled smoking lounge - very cool. Yet, somewhere between the obnoxious door staff and the shiny tops all the girls were wearing, I stopped being impressed. I really wanted more. I wanted the cool electronica music that would transport me to Paris. Nothing made me want to get up at dance, except for the vodka gimlets I was drinking. Drink prices came with the expected hefty markup but man my gimlets were tasty. I would give this place one star, except the drinks were good and the decor was cool. I only went to the lounge - I hear the food is decent. But I think this will probably be my last visit. If you go w/o dinner reservations, prepare for the typical meatpacking door snobbery. But I have to say, really not worth it.
