A Look INside: Select Lounge

Select Lounge | 415 N Paca Street, Baltimore, MD

Select Lounge opened in 2010 with a mission to "Redefine Nightlife in Baltimore" and, amidst a recent tragedy associated with the venue; it has continued to do just that.

To start, you may have some difficulty finding parking outside of the venue- However, once you approach the line, its smooth sailing. The security is respectful, tactful, and adds to the secure feeling that you feel when you enter the lounge. There's a small lobby area where, in the case you're coming in from the rain, you're able to get yourself together and pay any cover fee they are charging at the time. Up the stairs you go, and you'll enter straight into the dance floor, take a glance at the high sitting DJ booth, and see a sectioned off VIP area/SoundStage.

The bar stretches on the right side of the venue while VIP tables are available on the left, and all the way in the back left corner. I've noticed that you may want to be a bit vocal at the bar, but once you order your drink, the bartenders there will make you some of the best mixed drinks in Baltimore. From the bar, you're able to see every drink that is served as almost everything is visible or sits behind glass- and if you look up you'll see a very posh red lighting above the bar alongside their plasma TVs.

One of my favorite things about this venue is the bathroom. Common bathroom stalls aren't bad- but Select Lounge has individual bathroom stalls where you're enclosed in your own bathroom whenever you utilize them; and the sinks light up different colors.

Overall, this venue is made for upscale events that cater to a diverse and classy crowd. Every time I've attended Select Lounge, I've had a great time- and I intend to party there many nights to come. Stay tuned to InsiderNights.com for more about Select Lounge and Upcoming Events.

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A Look INside: Red Maple

Red Maple | 920 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD

For a long time, Red Maple has been my favorite venue in Baltimore, in terms of creativity and design. It is one of those unique venues where you can tell time was spent to build such an innovative and artistic space. From its name, to its design, the venue makes for such a beautiful and elegant, yet comfortable, setting.

When you approach the entrance of the venue, you see a red illuminating logo (one of the hottest club logos ever) of the venue coming out from the outside of the building. There's a glass door between the outside and inside of the venue, and once you walk up the steps you are introduced to a warm and inviting vibe. To your left above, you'll see a private, balcony-like, table for two in front of a landscape work of art. As you glance downward, you'll see a line of tables next to fireplaces. On the right, is the coat check and a small bar before you reach more steps toward the dance floor and large bar. Upstairs, you'll see a bar that lights up to the right, and to the left another line of tables with beautiful soft-lit candles and posh seating.

As you continue to walk towards the dance floor, you'll walk down into it while passing the DJ booth above on the right and wooden levels for people to party while seeing the entire dance floor below. When you think that's all to see, you'll walk through another glass door, into Red Maple's Outdoor Patio where there's a beautiful Maple Tree and table seating.

This venue is home to many great events throughout the week, and is a place where you're going to want to have private events and private parties where people can truly enjoy the space and be entertained by each other. Stay tuned to InsiderNights.com for more about Red Maple, and its upcoming events.

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A Look INside: Layla Lounge

Layla Lounge | 501 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC

I've been hearing about Layla Lounge in DC, but I hadn't had the pleasure of attending myself until a couple of Fridays ago for a Special Valentine's Weekend Event. Let me warn you- The area is a little suspect and from the outside, the way that the security is aligned out there and how secluded the venue can make you have second thoughts.

However, the inside of the club is really gorgeous. The front door is a glass sliding door and when you enter you enter straight into the dance floor. Normally, I would think this was a little too abrupt for comfort; but, on the contrary, it actually was pretty exhilarating. On your right, you'll see a long bar and sets of tables for bottle service. The dance floor extends into more VIP tables toward the back of the venue.

There was an upstairs to this venue- which I didn't get the chance to check out; but I would love to do so during a classy event (such as the one I attended). Due to the outward appearance of the venue, I believe that many will steer clear from coming out very much so depending on the crowd that comes out. But, I think that with good (maybe spiffier dressed) security, the outside can have more an reflection on the inside- and will draw a greater crowd.

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A Look INside: Recess Lounge

Recess Lounge | 727 15th Street NW, Washington, DC

Upon approach of Recess Lounge, you may miss it, as it is a small lounge located underground off of 15th street underneath a beautiful white building. Take the steps to the right to enter, and you'll find a very posh, quaint club that holds a variety of Nightlife Events throughout the week.

Before entering the club, you'll see the coat-check to your right where you can check your coat for about $4 when its cold outside, and then enter straight into the main floor. There is a very small bar in this venue, as well as a small dance floor, and 4-5 VIP sections around the lounge. But, this doesn't take away from the great bottle and bar service that they have.

I found the lighting above the dance floor to be very creative and appealing - as well as the fact that they have long mirror in the hallway outside of the bathrooms so that you can make sure you enter the dance floor in your best form. The DJ booth sits slightly above the party which centers each event around the music.

Overall, it seems to be a great venue with perhaps a clashing set of events held there, given the venue's attributes. It seems it would cater better to a upscale-only, small, and exclusive crowd as opposed to the normal open-to-everyone party. But, we'll see, lounges are always renovating, expanding, and innovating-- I'm sure there's many great things to come from Recess Lounge.

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A Look INside: Lotus Lounge

Lotus Lounge | 1420 K Street NW, Washington, DC

Walk down the steps and into Lotus Lounge, drop off your coat, and enter the main hallway into Lotus' seemingly endless runway of entertainment. When you enter the main lounge, you can barely tell there's a VIP section at the end of the walk-way. On the right, you'll see a long gorgeously built bar with beautiful lighting. On the left, you'll see tables and furniture where you can make reservations for your guests to enjoy your drinks and party in a more intimate setting.

The lounge literally glows upon entry, and once you get to the end, the VIP section feels like you're in a flower - enclosed and exclusive. Unless you're in the VIP section, you won't get a clear view of the DJ and MC because they are behind the VIP section, which has a very chic and upscale feel to it.

The bathroom was very clean and there was an attendant inside to assist you with a variety of essentials in case you forgot something at home. The staff there is very friendly and the venue is lovely. Check it out for yourself!

A Look INside: Eden's Lounge

Eden's Lounge | 15 W Eager Street, Baltimore, MD

If you are - in the slightest - familiar with Baltimore Nightlife, you have experienced the pleasures of Eden's Lounge. As a frequent visitor of Edens, I have grown to love the vibe of the venue, the events there, and the great staff.

From Monday through Saturday, you can find Nightlife at Eden's Lounge that satisfies your many tastes. From live music to networking events to hot parties - Eden's Lounge doesn't disappoint. It is one of the few venues in Baltimore where you can always guarantee a good time. I've become familiar with the Security there, the staff of bartenders and hostesses, and I can say that you're always taken care of at Eden's Lounge.

When you step up into the door, you are directed inside to the booth where you pay your cover or are directed to coat check to check your coat for about $3. I mention this because its always super convenient to not take out your money in the cold, or outside for that matter. After checking your bag with Security, you'll see a lengthy bar with about 3 bartenders ready to serve you with some of the best cocktails and mixed drinks in Baltimore. You are also usually able to purchase a light order, like my favorite Sweet Potato Fries or wings, until 11pm.

The decor of Eden's Lounge is soulful and sultry. The table areas are all uniquely chic and colorful- and are always changing and upgrading with time to compliment the richness of this venue. Deep reds, clear blues, and shimmery golds are a few of the colors you'll find throughout the venue.

One of my favorite things about this particular venue, is the staff. Everyone is like family at Eden's Lounge - and in turn you feel like you're apart of that family when you enter. There's an easygoing spirit that permeates the lounge and allows you to feel safe and free to have a good time.

On a normal night, you'll find YoYo roaming the club securing bottles for the bottle poppers, and you'll always find a respectful and trendy crowd. Lately, Ne-Yo, Dawn Richards, Black Chyna, Chrisette Michelle, and other celebrities have been spotted at Eden's Lounge events, as well. This lounge is one of the best in the city.

For more information about Eden's Lounge and other venues in Baltimore City, stay tuned to InsiderNights.com - you're premier source of Nightlife in the DMV.

A Look INside : Spot Lounge

Spot Lounge | 1214 18th Street NW, Washington, DC

I recently stepped into Spot Lounge, a fairly new lounge in Washington DC that was previously named Andalu located at 1214 18th Street NW. From the outside, I wasn't sure where to go because there are three entrances to three different lounges with doors right next to each other - one of them being Spot Lounge.

I remember the entrance being black and the Spot Lounge logo reading "Spot" in a funky fabulous label above the door. When you walk inside, there's little space to move about so you and your crew are going to want to be organized at the door and enter straight down into the club. To my surprise, and unlike many venues I've entered, you are lead downstairs into the lounge.

The entire decorum and design of the lounge is very refreshing. There are beautiful art pieces on the walls and you almost feel like you're in actual cave... a very chic cave. Around the corner, before getting to the bar, there is an area where you can check your coats (seasonal) and to the left of it are the restrooms. One of my favorite things about the restroom section is that the bathrooms are separate from this long mirror and sink where you're able to fluff yourself before you head out to the dancefloor.

Finding a spot at the bar may be a bit tedious in a large crowd, but the bartenders are very friendly amidst the hectic environment. Perhaps due to the way the lounge is built - no windows and underground - the music sounds amazing. Though the temperature below ground can get a bit over-heated the lounge has one of those dry ice blowers to cool you off.

My only warning is for those who may have a problem being in tight spaces - this may not be the place for you especially when it gets extremely packed. But, I personally loved the lounge and the people that I met there. It was very entertaining and the crowd was gorgeous.