There’s nothing like ending your night by winding down with a champagne flute in hand as one of New York City’s reining burlesque stars teases with pasties, ostrich feathers, and not much else. Miss Exotic World champion Angie Pontani has been pleasing audiences with her tassels for decades, bumping and grinding throughout the world from Manhattan to Rome. The bubbly brunette was even handpicked by premier Italian aperitif Campari to celebrate their highly publicized 150th birthday and has won over many celebrity fans, including Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. When the tantalizing pinup isn’t strip teasing her way to your heart at DROM’s “Empire Burlesque” on the first Saturday of every month, what does she do for an unforgettable night out? We spoke with Pontani about her favorite hot spots and spending the night with Sting.
Where does the Italian Stallionette like to go for a late night bite?
Angie Pontani: Lately I have been hitting Crif Dog on St. Marks for the Garden State hotdog, which is a hot dog wrapped in Taylor ham with pepperoncini, American cheese, and mustard. This, along with tater tots, has become my post-show treat. When I'm feeling a little more uppity I head to Side Car in Park Slope for oysters.
Admit it, you’re a Jersey girl. What has been your craziest nightlife experience?
Angie Pontani: It's true, I'm not ashamed! My Jersey girl years were pretty tame though.
In fact I really wasn't allowed to go out without my parents or another family member until I was 17. At that time I moved to New York. So with that said, my craziest nightlife experience was when Sting and his misses made a move on me at Bungalow 8 during his private Halloween party a few years ago. It was additionally wild because they were both dressed as jesters. Like a good Jersey girl, I went straight home!
If there was one venue you had to perform at for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?
Angie Pontani: That’s tough. There are so many amazing venues in NYC. Each one offers something different. I love the intimacy of DROM, where my new show, ‘Empire Burlesque’ is playing, but I love the feeling of a rock club as well. I adore performing at the Highline Ballroom. They have a great big stage and the most amazing lights and lighting designer. You feel like a rock star there and I love that. But really, for the rest of my life, one venue? I'd have to open my own place. It would have a running curtain, great sightlines, two spotlights, a curved staircase on the stage, and a little riser that would fit my glass bathtub perfectly. It would also have a ramp to the stage so all the burlesque gals wouldn’t have to be carried or hobble up and down stairs in their gowns!
Say you walk into your favorite bar in New York City. What’s your pleasure?
Angie Pontani: Hendricks and tonic with a slice of cucumber.
What’s one song that’s guaranteed to make you hit the dance floor at any club?
Angie Pontani: My guilty music pleasure is ‘The Club Can't Handle Me’ by FloRida. This is even on my pre-show Ipod mix. I also love to roller skate to ‘Whatever You Like’ by T.I.
