Latest news with #Vegas-style
Time Out
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Legendary celeb hotspot Drai's is finally coming to New York City
Usually it's the other way around: New York restaurants getting cloned in Las Vegas. But now, Vegas is sending one of its own to the Big Apple: Drai's Supper Club, an offshoot of the celeb-loved brand with a three-decade legacy, is making its East Coast debut in Manhattan's Meatpacking District on Wednesday, June 11. And if you're thinking this is just a flashy outpost, you'll stand corrected: It's a full-on reinvention. Founded in L.A. in 1993 by nightlife impresario Victor Drai and frequented by everyone from Julia Roberts to The Weeknd, Drai's built its rep as a see-and-be-seen spot for high-end dining and entertainment. Now, Victor's 31-year-old son, Dustin Drai, president of Drai's Management Group, is bringing the brand full circle with a glamorous New York City location that honors its glitzy West Coast roots while going all in on food, flair and jazz. 'Bringing Drai's to New York City with this supper club concept is incredibly meaningful for me,' Drai told Time Out. 'It's an homage to where our brand began, a return to the sophisticated dining experience that laid our foundation. We're trying to get back to what we were, but with a more modern feel for today.' Set at 244 W. 14th Street, in the former home of iconic club Nell's, the space has undergone a full gut renovation: walls have been opened, ceilings have been raised and the kitchen was rebuilt from scratch. Upstairs, guests will find an elegant dining room with floral-accented chairs, live jazz five nights a week and a menu of French-American classics from Executive Chef Yoo Hyun Suk. Downstairs is a moody lounge with clubby vibes and an evolving cocktail program, with a menu of vintage martinis and espresso flights. 'Food is the biggest component,' Drai said. 'In somewhere like New York, how do you stand out? We wanted the venue to speak for itself with amazing food that's colorful and simple.' Expect elevated takes on Caesar salad, foie gras and a burrata-tomato tart, but Drai is particularly proud of the steak: 'We have the best steak au poivre in the city. It's a big statement, but I stand by that.' Don't let the black-and-gold facade fool you—this isn't a Vegas-style nightclub transplant. It's a primetime date night destination, with blues and jazz floating through the room, big portions, a retro-luxe atmosphere and a vibe that encourages conversation, not bottle service. Or as Drai puts it: 'Come for dinner, then go downstairs to the lounge—one stop.'
Axios
29-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Why weddings are shrinking
Ballrooms are out. "Micro weddings" are in — and they might be smarter, too. Why it matters: Some couples are skipping big weddings to save money and throw a more intimate gathering. By the numbers: The average guest count nationwide was 131 in 2024, down from 184 in 2006, according to data shared with Axios by The Wedding Report. And smaller celebrations, those with 50 guests or fewer, made up 18% of nuptials last year, compared to 10% in 2013, per the research company. What we're hearing: Courthouse ceremonies and parties in cozy restaurants or backyards let couples spend more time with loved ones. Downsizing can also limit stress, plus free up cash for that open bar or unforgettable carving station. Zoom in: Vegas-style chapels and businesses offering curated micro weddings and elopements have opened in Boston, Dallas, Portland, Oregon, Richmond, Virginia and beyond. Reality check: While certain people "just like low-key events," most go smaller to spend less, Shane McMurray, CEO of The Wedding Report, tells Axios. The big picture: Cutting the guest list is the best way to save, with prices for meals, venues, invitations and more usually based on headcount, McMurray says. Pros estimate micro weddings can cost over 50% less than traditional ones. Between the lines: Many brides and grooms-to-be are bracing for pricier nuptials as tariffs stand to hike the $33,000 cost of an average U.S. wedding, according to The Knot, a planning and registry site. Those worrying about their jobs or finances may delay celebrations altogether. The bottom line: No need to invite the roommate you haven't talked to since graduation.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BGT winner calls for U-turn on 'lazy' part of show after major change-up
BGT winner calls for U-turn on 'lazy' part of show after major change-up EXCLUSIVE: Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts says the change-up put in place this year "doesn't help with the diversity and range of acts" and called for a U-turn Simon Cowell reportedly 'gave the green light' to the auditions change-up Britain's Got Talent's first ever champion Paul Potts has urged the show's producers to re-evaluate their choice of auditioning exclusively in Blackpool. This season, auditions were solely filmed at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool unlike previous years where venues, such as the London Palladium, have been used. A source told TV Zone regarding the new format: "The Palladium is such an iconic venue but if you compare the shows in Blackpool to the ones they have filmed in London, the audience is way more up for it there. The auditions resume in the new year and they'll all be filmed up in Blackpool. "Boss Simon Cowell has given the green light to the move and just wants the show to be the best it can be." Paul, 54, has criticised the altered approach to the audition process, describing it as "lazy". When asked if he believes Britain is running out of talent for the show, he shared: "There's absolutely no shortage of talent in Britain, [there's] plenty of untapped potential out there. Article continues below "But the show needs to be more flexible in how it finds and selects that talent. "Just sticking to Blackpool for auditions this year felt, frankly, a bit lazy. I understand that it might have been a cost-cutting idea, even though securing the ballroom wouldn't have come cheaply, however, the limited outreach doesn't help with the diversity and range of acts," he added in association with Sky Vegas. PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 17: Paul Potts arrives at "America's Got Talent: The Champions" Finale at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on October 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by) The tenor has since called for the production team to reverse their decision and "get back out on the road" to "really engage with people" and uncover "fresh, authentic talent". "And like I've said before, if they want to breathe new life into the show, let's do something bold. Make Blackpool a Vegas-style call-back round. Turn it into a proper second stage, not just a shortcut to the live shows," he continued. "That way you can really test and find the best acts." Paul added: "Britain has amazing talent – there's no question. But if we're seeing acts in the semi-finals that are getting three red buzzers, we have to ask, what are we doing? You start to risk the credibility of the show.' Tonight, the last remaining two acts will be selected for the upcoming final. Those who win the public vote and final golden buzzer will join; singers Hear Our Voice, Jasmine Rice, Stacey Leadbetter and Vinnie McKee, comedian Joseph Charm, dance group Ping Pong Pang, guitarist Olly Pearson and LED show act The Blackouts. On how he believes the final is shaping up currently, Paul warned singers about "a real risk" when it comes to song choice. "It's fairly finely balanced at this stage, but there's a real risk, as I've said before, the singers could end up cancelling each other out," he shared. "We've got a couple of crossover singers going through, but some of the repertoire decisions across the board have felt a bit off. I'm all for hearing something fresh and unexpected, songs that haven't been done to death, but it also needs to be right for the artist. It has to showcase their strengths." Article continues below Britain's Got Talent continues tonight at 7pm on ITV and ITVX.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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Axios
13-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
A Vegas-style wedding chapel is opening in Richmond
Lucky in Love, a Vegas-style wedding chapel, is opening in Richmond next month. Why it matters: The downtown chapel will offer all-inclusive same-day weddings and elopements, plus planned micro-weddings — all for a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding. The big picture: Chapel co-owner and licensed wedding officiant Tia Ballard is on a mission to give local couples their perfect day, regardless of their budget, she tells Axios. As a former teacher, Ballard saw firsthand how important strong families were for student success, so she decided to get ordained so she could help create them. "I wanted to build stronger communities this way — by marrying people," she tells Axios. That was four years ago. Since then, she's married more than 500 couples and now does it full time. Elopements are her specialty, but she's done " quickies at Common House," microweddings at local breweries and knot-tying in the woods. Now, with Lucky in Love, she'll "have a home base" and an opportunity to give even more local couples a stress-free, budget-conscious wedding. State of play: The team — Ballard and co-owners Savannah Manzie, a cosmetic artist, and Kasie Murphy, a wedding planner — is in the process of decking out the chapel at 402 E. Grace St. in red and pink with a vintage flair (think velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers). Lucky in Love will only handle the ceremony portion. For any festivities involving food and beverages, they recommend walking a few doors down to Wong Gonzalez, Lillie Pearl, Julep's or Rappahannock. Ballard says she wants to complement the existing businesses, not compete with them. The chapel has space for around 20 guests, plus the happy couple, who just need to get their marriage license from the courthouse in advance. Lucky in Love will handle the rest. Zoom in: Couples can choose from three packages: The "Virginia is for Elopers," which gets you "in and out" and legally married in 30 minutes. The second tier, "Picture Perfect Couple," includes an hour in the chapel and a photographer, with optional flower add-ons from partners Yarrow or Vogue. And "The Jackpot" package includes everything, plus a cake from Pearl Bake Shopee and a sparkling cider toast. By the numbers: Lucky in Love packages start at around $550 for the elopement and top out at $2,500. That's far less than the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. this year, which, according to The Knot, is around $33,000, Axios' Sami Sparber reports — and couples are bracing for pricier weddings following President Trump's tariffs. What they're saying: "People are caring less about tradition. [Couples today] are prioritizing home ownership over big weddings," Ballard tells Axios. What's next: Lucky in Love will open on Friday, June 13.
