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The Cherry Lounge


Stars & dustups at
Harlem club debut

BY JO PIAZZA
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

A new Harlem club may be too popular for its own good.

When the Cherry Lounge opened its doors at 128th St. and Amsterdam Ave. late Thursday, an A-list of stars including Bruce Willis, Lil’ Kim and Sean (P.Diddy) Combs turned up to watch Wyclef Jean perform.

By the time the place reached its 500-person capacity at midnight, punches had already been thrown and several guests were removed.

The trouble came despite the club’s tight security, which includes a nightly roster of 20 guards and metal detectors that were installed at the suggestion of police.

Aimee Walker, 33, didn’t mind the security measures, the men checking her purse or the woman who politely patted her around the hips.

"It’s all part of the game," she laughed. "They’re keepin’ us safe, and all anybody wants to do here is have a good time."

Once Jean took the stage to christen the club with a five-song set, tempers had cooled.

"This is an important thing for the neighborhood, and it’s a great venue," the singer said.

Cherry Lounge is the brainchild of music producer Timbaland and Eytan Sugarman, who decided to capitalize on the absence of a good dance venue in Harlem. They also own Suede, a trendy lounge in Chelsea.

The space may be a great addition to the neighborhood, but folks who live nearby could only peek at the opening night party from a distance.

"This is something we are all into. We don’t have anything up here like this. The closest thing is the Apollo," said Vanetta Dunn, 24, who watched the party from behind a police barricade. "I’ll be going there a lot."

Originally published on September 18, 2004

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Cherry Lounge
454 W. 128th St., between Amsterdam and Convent Aves. (212) 662-0900.

When musical A-listers Timbaland and DJ Clue wanted to create a serious hip-hop venue, they ignored downtown and went to Harlem. The result: an old warehouse that’s been gutted and renovated - and chock-full of cherry wood "with a hip-hop twist," says general manager Seth Harris. An interior design by nightlife legend Steve Lewis of Marquee and Spa fame, a world-class deejay booth (of course) and a stage for live acts promise that famous friends of the owners will be stopping by. The building’s second floor and usable roof could also open later on. Scheduled opening: Sept. 16.

 Source: Daily News