PRESS

Josephine Unveils New Interior With 'Belvedere Red' Party

KOODETA — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:38:37 +0000

Washington, D.C., hotspot Josephine unveiled its new interior decor last night with the launch of Belvedere Red for a private "Friends and Family" preview event.

Local VIPs, such as Josephine Co-Owner Alain Kalantar, Redskin Edgar Jones, Mayor Vincent Gray's Son Carlos Gray, Celebrity Stylist Paul Wharton, Celebrity Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ayman Hakki, Moet-Hennessy USA's Michelle Desrosiers, Public Bar Co-Owner Tony Hudgins, One Lounge Co-Owner Seth McClelland, Capitol File Magazine Editor-In-Chief Kate Bennett and KStreetKate's Kate Michael made a toast to the lounge's new design.

Co-Owners David Karim and Alain Kalantar closed the venue two months ago to revamp the interior with a chic new modern decor.

The renovation expanded the venues usable space, with the main bar illuminated in shades of lavender, shedding an ethereal glow throughout the venue. Miami-based Designer Mark Lehmkuhl is the creative mastermind behind the redesign, incorporating cutting edge technology and intelligent lighting which pulsates alongside diamond shaped mirrors throughout the lounge.

Josephine co-launched with Belvedere Vodka's newest initiative, Belvedere Red. The RED partnership raises proceeds for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

[Editor's note: Team @Glittarazzi got a table in Josephine's Gold Room Saturday night and had a blast. Great job, guys! -@kellyanncollins]

Josephine
Phone: 202.347.8601
Twitter: @Josephine_DC
Address: 1008 Vermont Ave. N.W.
Website: josephinedc.com

Josephine Co-Owner Alain Kalantar and Public Bar Co-Owner Tony Hudgins

Josephine's new main area

Josephine's New Gold Room

Micha Weinblatt, Sherie Gabriel and Ezra Weinblatt with the Belvedere Girls

Then and Now Cocktailing and Dancing Under K Street

KOODETA — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:25:08 +0000

Every now and again, things just need a face-lift around here. And we’re not talking about the member of Congress you caught on C-SPAN2 last night.

We’re talking about the places you go for DJs and bottles of champagne.

Places like Josephine, the former French-inspired lounge off K Street, now reopened for all your subterranean dance party needs after two months of fixing-upping. Here’s a breakdown:

Then: It used to be a Francophile’s dream, all done up in damask and fleur-de-lis.
Now: It’s a dark and mysterious adult funhouse, all done up in black walls, lavender lights and multifaceted mirrors with embedded LEDs everywhere you look.

Then: Bottle service and more bottle service, including $7,100 cognacs and plenty of champagne.
Now: You can belly up to the new onyx bar (the one with fireplaces behind it) to grab a quick glass of champagne, if you’d rather not be tied down to a table. Also: bottle service.

Then: A plenty loud sound system.
Now: An even louder sound system, plus an expanded DJ booth with national DJs (like Madonna’s guy, DJ Enferno) on Fridays. Other nights, catch house in the main room and hip-hop in the expanded Gold Room.

via URBANDADDY

The New Josephine Lounge in Washington, DC | Examiner.com

KOODETA — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:19:03 +0000

Washington DC club patrons embarked on the Columbus Day weekend seeking a thrill, and like Christopher Columbus before them they had one place to rediscover. The renovated Josephine Lounge.

After nearly three months of closure to reconstruct and redesign a better atmosphere, traditional fans and fresh faces heading to the lounge had no idea what to expect. When Josephine advertised it would be “new and improved,” the result was an understatement. The renovations are absolutely stunning.

The main room space is immensely bigger and sexier. Sophisticated chandeliers dominate the lighting. Plush leather couches twice the size of the original ones make bottle service a true reward for an exclusive client. And if flashing lights goes hand in hand with club music, then Josephine has outdone itself: the newest technological upgrade at the bar and dance floor is miniature LED lights installed inside the shiny mirrored columns.

Aside from the main room, the once relaxed hip-hop room has added another bar to delight with bigger seating and space to move around. Staying in tune with the theme of a French brasserie, Josephine’s bartenders don chic tuxedo outfits that entice customers to play along. Attention to detail has exceeded expectations as the cocktail servers, bartenders, and guest relations security heed well to customer needs. Even the busboys are quick to jump at a spill in the shadowy setting.

If that wasn’t enough, as Josephine headed into a busy and competitive Columbus Day weekend it executed a lineup of DJ talent to wow and amaze. Madonna’s Tour DJ Enferno and house music staple Robbie Rivera glorified the turntables on the first two nights.

Saturday’s vibe was no exception. Smooth Brazilian melodies and deep house from Gerald Thomas + JNH along with a live percussionist melted the crowd into a dark and sensuous atmosphere on the official grand unveiling.

The place to be seen was Josephine. Posh ambiance combined with superb service at this establishment didn’t just make it another venue that renovated. Rather as it had debuted a few years ago, Josephine’s improvements have made a statement on what nightlife should be once again. It has now been further propelled as a top club in Washington bar none.

FAMOUSDC.COM > "Famously Reviewed: Club Brunch

KOODETA — Thu, 05 May 2011 07:15:17 +0000

DC – a mecca for weekend bottomless brunches…

But what if you wanted to take it a step further? You know – lights dimmed, curtains pulled, champagne delivered to your table with sparklers, DJs spinning hot hits, and gals and girls decked out in their Saturday night best dancing on tables. Wait, what? Yep, that’s what I call a party.

Koodeta – this newest party by the management crew at Cities Restaurant and Lounge lasts from 1-6pm and includes really cute bartenders. Bonus: special brunch deal for two of your choice of Veuve Cliquot or Moet Imperial plus a salad and sandwich for each person for $99. I call *that* a winner (even if I couldn’t see to eat. :-p). Here are some shots from my recent adventure there with my girl Brooke Ryan of Mix 107.3.

FamousDC thanks Nightlife Correspondent @BlairDC for sharing her favorite Club Brunch spots.