If you know nightlife in South Florida, then you’re familiar with some of the major nightclubs located in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. But what comes to mind when you combine a nightclub, Cirque Du-Soleil-style performances, Cabaret-inspired dancers and lightshows? No, were not talking about some spectacle being held at the American Airlines Arena, we’re talking about The Opium Group, the same guys that brought us Mansion, Privé, SET, and Louis. Each of these nightlife establishments are a perfect example of what a true party destination should be, and now, everyone in Ft. Lauderdale won’t have to make the near-hour drive to experience this on weekends.
This week The Opium Group will open up the all-new Opium at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, a nightclub set to bring in all of the aesthetics of their current clubs. Just recently they shut down their Opium Garden/Prive venue, but they wasted no time in taking over the space that was once Spirit Nightclub.
According to their press release, the Opium Group believes that they’ve truly created a venue like non-other in the Broward County area. They’re aiming to provide an over-the-top atmosphere for VIP customers, A-list celebrities, complete with two differently themed rooms, a dance floor that would put Rain’s (Las Vegas) to shame, and numerous exclusive VIP tables for guests looking to go the extra mile.
The theatrical entryway sets the tone for VIP experiences and all the A-listers that will grace the red carpet. Flowering Cherry Blossom trees and a 19th Century wooden Chinese warrior statues flank the entranceway, complete with special effect smoke rising from the base, the true Opium Group touch. The ceilings are adorned with multiple Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and the walls are decorated with lively lithographs of Andy Warhol’s signature pop art.
Just as they have their special room at SET, Opium will feature the French Boudoir Room, a richly adorned space with warm shades of wallpaper and chaise sofas for guests to lounge in. The main room, the grand Shangri-La, has towering golden Buddha statues surrounding it, and Asian silk lanterns hanging above each bar, setting the familiar ambient glow that their other venues have. Their VIP area has been transformed into the ultimate modern-day Indochine retreat, giving the VIP guests a private area where they can have casual conversations while whimsical palm trees and silk lanterns decorate the area. But the real comfort here comes in the form of the chic baby crocodile fabric sofas, where else can you find that?
Party programming seems to already be under way, and although the events aren’t announced just yet, expect to see names like DJ AM, Bob Sinclar, Steve Aoki, and Sasha and Digweed grace the email flyers that’ll be blasted out. We think that Opium will definitely reign supreme at the Hard Rock, as well as Broward County as a whole. It’ll be interesting to see how many people they’ll have driving up to Hollywood rather than driving down to South Beach.
