On the roof of the Night Hotel in NYC. Waiting, looking. Will he show? Is that…? No. How about…? No. They’re just dressed like him. I’m surrounded by people who appear to want to look as unkempt as me, yet I know they spent a whole lot more for it. Like this guy in front of me. I bet his left shoe cost more than my whole wardrobe. How did I get here anyway?
It all started with an email from my friend Amanda of The Lost Girls passing on details about a special after-screening party for the documentary about Hunter S. Thompson documentary called ‘Gonzo’. Among the film-related dignitaries–including Hunter’s son Juan Thompson–listed on the invitation, it was rumored that Johnny Depp might show up. Why? Because he narrated the film.
Of course we all kinda knew in the back of our minds that he probably would not be there. After all, this was not the premiere of the film, just a screening. More than likely, by the time we got there, Jack Sparrow would be waking up to play with his kids in France. Still, who wants to pass up a rooftop party at a swanky boutique hotel? Not me, that’s for sure.
By party time, our original group of curious Johnny seekers had become two, me and my friend Jennifer of The Lost Girls. Upon first entering the lobby of the Night Hotel (132 W 45th St, NYC) we were struck by the dark, almost vampiric décor. Gothic in that Communion Night at the Limelight circa 1990 sort of way.
Large black-and-white photos lined a hard black-and-white lobby with chromed accessories and mirrors all around. The theme continued as we stepped off of the elevator into a (you guessed it) stark black-and-white penthouse.
This boutique hotel is brought to you by the same folks responsible for the nearby Dream Hotel. While Dream looks as though someone misfitted modern, blue backlit decadence into a classic hotel setting, Night appears to have been custom built from the bottom up, inside out. While obvious, it’s not nearly as forced.
