If there ever was a weakness in the Madison scene, it was the absence of a true nightclub. By nightclub, I mean a stylish place where you can dance, listen to top-notch talent spin their magic, and enjoy a few quality drinks.
With a seemingly limitless number of bars, for years people were hoping to see the day when a club finally made its mark. That day has finally arrived with the recent opening of Club Majestic, 115 King St.
Club Majestic is an extraordinary leap forward in local nightlife. Housed in a former vaudeville house and movie theater, the club effortlessly combines futuristic elements and a historic setting.
Much of the former theater shell remains intact. The inside has been transformed into a modern-day wonderland. The main bar is tucked away in the upper corner. Slick and curvy, the bar possesses a space-age, cool type of feeling — especially when combined with colorful lights streaking across the entire space and the sparkle-flash of disco balls.
Theater seats have been replaced with oversized couches, chairs, benches, and cocktail tables, all arranged on five tiers descending toward the stage. Near the stage, where one might envision an orchestra pit, is the first of two dance floors. Rising only a few feet higher, at the level of the former stage, is another dance floor.
The DJ booth is itself a link to the site’s former existence. Made out of the former Majestic Theatre’s concession stand, it places the DJ right in the heart of the action. As Nick Nice, resident DJ and entertainment director, explains, the closer the DJ can be to the crowd, the easier it is to interact and really get the place going.
The most interesting view of the massive space is found on the second floor, directly above the DJ booth and dance floor. Sitting on one of the comfortable couches, the perspective is awe-inspiring, allowing guests a near-complete view of the club.
The second-floor balcony has its own bar, and the mood takes on a slightly different feel. Resembling more an upbeat lounge, the second floor is a perfect escape from the higher intensity found downstairs.
Also upstairs are the three aforementioned balcony boxes, which have been transformed into VIP tables. With a simple reservation, these can be shared with a small group of friends over a bottle of your favorite spirit.
Club Majestic is the first local establishment where you can actually buy a 375-ml bottle of your choice, a style of drinking long popular in Europe and South Beach. The mixers and garnishes are provided, and guests can mix their own drinks to their liking.
Bottles of Stoli, Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Captain Morgan are available for $60. At first glance, this price appears steep. Co-owner Nick Schiavo explains, “There are about 10 drinks per bottle, and it is a lot of fun to enjoy with a small group of friends — it feels special, and in that sense, we are reinforcing responsibility, not abuse.”
Quality drinks are a hallmark of Club Majestic. Their rail spirits are the top shelf at other bars. Stoli, Jim Beam, and Sauza Premium Gold, are just a few of their version of a “rail.” These mixed drinks cost about $7, but they are doubles and served in pint glasses.
House cocktails, such as Cosmos, Long Islands and margaritas, are already pre-mixed and are your fastest bet if you are in a hurry to get back out on the floor. A fourth drink is usually available as well — recently it was the Hurricane, specially made to celebrate the Mardi Gras season. Similarly made as doubles and in larger glasses, the house cocktails are priced at $6.
The club offers an extensive martini menu. Starting at $8, a somewhat standard price for similar bars in the King Street area, these drinks can also be made “Majestic” with a splash of champagne for an extra buck.
Regardless of the drinks, the livelihood of a nightclub depends on its talent and the quality of its sound system, which Club Majestic has in spades.
Nick Nice has coordinated a number of themes into the club’s repertoire. Wednesday nights are called “Exposure,” and are a chance for local DJs to show their skills. “We want to bring DJ culture out in the community,” Nice commented. As another bonus, Wednesday features no cover charge.
Thursday night is likely to bring a large college contingency out to hear the ever-popular DJ Todd Richmann spin his brand of progressive house and trance. The evening is called “Heaven” and features dancers dressed as angels.
“The angels are a great touch — it got the crowd going and is just another different twist the Madison nightlife hasn’t seen before,” Richmann said.
The cover charge on Thursday is $5, and bumps up to $7 on “Fusion” Fridays and “Wiggle” Saturdays when Nick Nice returns to the turntables. Spinning the range from house to club anthems, Nice aims to elevate the energy of the crowd.
“I want to see smiles on people’s faces — I want to blow them away,” he explained.
The first weekend after its opening, Club Majestic did nothing but exceed expectations. According to co-owner Nick Schiavo, “The most frequent thing I heard was, ‘Wow,’ and, ‘Thank you.'”
With a capacity of roughly 500, the nightclub had more than 3,800 guests during the first four days after its opening. With numbers like these, it is safe to say that Madison is ready for the cover charges and lines you might find at a big-city club.
At the same time, Club Majestic remains grounded to its Madison roots. As Richman described, “It has that Madison element of comfort — you can come as you are, you can take your parents, you can take a date — it is that type of place.”
Club Majestic has a magical and dynamic feel. Nick Nice, alluding to Thursday night’s theme, simply stated, “It is heaven, and I’m glad to be here.”
I could not agree more.
Bartime will visit Mondays Bar tonight, Friday, Feb. 28. Mondays is located at 523 State St. Cheers!
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