Inside: The Hamilton Room in Birmingham

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The Hamilton Room

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Status: Plenty of clubs claim to be upscale, but the Hamilton Room in Birmingham actually delivers.

“I feel like there is no club in Michigan that really exudes this kind of feel,” says Lisa Palaian, marketing director for the Dali Group, which manages Chen Chow, Quattro and the Hamilton Room. “This is more New York, L.A., even a Miami feel as opposed to Michigan.”

At just six months old, the downtown Birmingham venue near the Palladium, has already developed a following often reserved for more established venues.
 
“The people that come in here, in general, have a little higher monetary earning, are a little bit more upscale,” Palaian says. “I would say established people, but not everyone. I don’t want to pigeon hole us.”

But like any true high-end nightclub, genuine VIP status is purchased. And at the Hamilton Room, the VIP Access Card -- which includes different levels of special discounts, club privileges and other unique offerings -- can be picked up for $1,500 to $4,000.

With the perception of exclusivity comes some misconceptions that the Hamilton Room is a private club, but Palaian ensures that isn't the case and its open for the general public.

The Hamilton Room, which opened in August, does rent out its space on occasion and hosts different private events, but most weeks you’ll find the elegant dark wood and silver doors open Wednesday-Sunday. The 1,500-sqaure-foot venue holds about 250 people.

Gear: “The women that come in here, they know how to dress,” Palaian says. “For men -- it’s no sneakers, no hats, no baggy clothes. We really want everyone looking great when they come in the door. We enforce that, and we don’t really make exceptions at all. We want people to come dressed to impress and have it feel high end. It’s very important to us to protect the brand.”

Mood: There’s nothing simple about the exclusive ambiance the Hamilton Room exudes through its glass columns with etched, back-lit lions or its oversized antique-looking couches and chairs with high-gloss finishes. Though most of the décor -- from the walls, to the sleek chandeliers to the bar tops – is black, the L.A. designer avoided a dark gothic feel by adding different textures and finishes.

Nickel-colored picture frames showcasing black-and-white drawings of men in suits line the walls along with a multitude of mirrors, while clear, glass crystals add some glitz and shine. About a dozen disco balls in various sizes hang over the stained concrete dance floor lit by blue, red, purple and pink lights.

The back area, bathed in the orange glow of chandeliers, has a more lounge feel with flat-screen TVs above the bar and along the walls. The front area is your typical dance club framed by VIP booths. Windows allow those in the raised back area to view the events in the main room, and a DJ booth straddles the two spaces.

Pick me up: Drink prices vary, though you’ll find they’re equivalent to most drinking establishments in and around Birmingham. There are three domestic beers, including Miller Lite, and an import selection that includes Chimay Ale.

With Quattro right upstairs and Chen Chow a two-minute walk away, there’s no need to ever head to the Hamilton Room hungry. Food from either restaurant is also served at the Hamilton Room during its early evening happy hour.

Couples like 29-year-old Sarah Kepic of Birmingham, who came to the Hamilton Room with her husband Pete, and 39-year-old Tracey Pannu of Birmingham, who was clubbing with her husband Paul, dined at Quattro before heading downstairs for some excitement.

Private wine lockers are available, and VIP card holders receive a discount on wine.

Entertainment: The already popular, guest-list only Hush event on Thursdays features DJ Godfather and Mike Scroggs who spin an array of top 40, hip hop and dance. DJ David B takes over the mixing duties on Fridays and DJ CNS provides a wide variety of music on Saturday. Percussions are set up on a small stage behind the main bar.

Eminem’s DJ Alchemist will be spinning tonight (March 26) from 10 p.m.-2 a.m., and cover is $30.

Cover usually ranges from $10 to $20 depending on the night and event.