The Opening of Pacha New York

Following Ibiza and London, Pacha's world-famous cherries are conquering America. An exclusive report from the unofficial opening of the New York version of the hot club.

On a cold and windy Wednesday evening, the doors of the new Pacha New York club were ready to swing open for the first time for the unofficial opening. The queues on 46th Street were, to put it mildly, intimidating. You got the feeling you were watching some kind of mass frenzy. Three white marquees had been pitched next to the club, and the club's steps were adorned with a cherry-red (right on theme) carpet. It took quite a bit of effort to make my way through the crowd to one of the girls with the guest lists, but once I got inside, I realized those efforts hadn't been in vain.

Although I had once been to the Sound Factory club, which several years ago was located in this same building, I felt as if I were in a real clubber's paradise. Stepping onto the dancefloor, I found myself at the very centre of events, as if at a gathering of all the significant figures of the dance music industry; here were the leading faces of club culture from all over the world, a whole bouquet of celebrities and New York's most glamorous crowd. In the centre of the dancefloor, on platforms, divine dancers writhed in multicoloured geisha costumes. At the turntables, in a DJ booth hanging right in mid-air, Louie Vega – Erick Morillo's mentor – worked his magic. House played all night long, and the crowd, dressed to the nines, swayed to the music with cocktails in hand.

I set off to explore the club. By a bit of trickery I managed to sneak into the mezzanine, where cosy coffee-coloured couches were arranged, and a pleasant amber light illuminated groups of fashionistas sitting around tables laden with vodka and champagne. Passing a cute little bar with a cherry logo laid out in mosaic, I climbed up a level to have a look around there too. My eye was immediately caught by an original balcony: there was a square opening in the floor, surrounded by metal railings – the perfect spot to watch the dancers and the DJ, who was now Pete Tong. I headed toward a bright green corner hidden from prying eyes by muslin drapes. Climbing the steps, I noticed carpet-covered couches with bright green cushions there, and on them people were cosily settled, gossiping and whispering.

Leaving the soft green space, I discovered a room somewhat reminiscent of a mountain ski lodge, with dark orange benches, a ceiling of wooden planks, and yellow lighting that made everything cosy and pleasant. I was about to sit down there, but I immediately had to jump up in astonishment – I spotted a shower! On a burgundy platform stood two steaming shower stalls, and every fifteen minutes charming beauties would run in there in pairs and frolic and dance under the water. A whole crowd of men had gathered around the stalls – some filming what was happening on their mobile phones, others simply watching the dancers' unusual antics. My companion and I managed to grab a table not far from the shower stalls, and we knocked back a couple of glasses while admiring the beautiful walls, decorated with golden lace and butterflies.

Then, on the way to the toilet, my companion noticed a staircase leading up. We took our glasses and set off to explore the attic. Stepping inside, we were struck by the elegance of the room – it looked like the secret abode of a Mediterranean billionaire. In one half of the room stood plump round couches surrounded by dark blue curtains, and an illuminated table looked as if it were made of antique stained glass. On the dancefloor, a charming crowd whirled to the sounds of hip-hop. The DJ booth was trimmed in brown leather, and modular square couches and low tables completed the chill-out interior.

It was already 4 a.m., and we went back down to the main dancefloor, where it was still packed with people. The club turned out to be marvellous, and the party so stunning that you didn't want it to end. Over the weekend the fun could be continued – the club's official opening to the public was set for Friday, with Erick Morillo, and on Saturday the celebration continued with Steve Angello from Sweden.

Before the opening of Pacha New York, Erick Morillo answered a few questions.

Erick Morillo: We tried to combine the tough New York style with Pacha's relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. Add a bit of fairy-tale magic – and there it is: Pacha New York!

EM: Each party has its own design, but they're all united with one another by a single, clearly thought-out idea.

EM: However you like. Generally, each floor has its own DJ booth, but if needed, the music from the main dancefloor can play on all floors.

EM: Of course not! On the main dancefloor everything from house to techno and progressive will play. Upstairs we'll have hip-hop and deep house, and on the lower level – absolutely anything at all! Rock, new wave, booty bass, and more…

EM: There's already a whole list of special parties we're eagerly awaiting. On 16 December we're celebrating the 15th anniversary of Mix the Vibe with Josh Wink and Doc Martin, the next day we've got Angel Moraes and Hex Hector, and right before New Year – Steve Lawler. Carl Cox will light up the New Year's party, and on the first day of the new year there'll be a Saint At Large party with Chris Cox and David Knapp. You see, we'll have the most varied music playing, and there's a great deal more interesting stuff ahead. All the news is on the site www.pachanyc.com.

EM: I'll play at the opening and on 23 December. After that I plan to perform here twice a month.

EM: My music is like hot, torrid, frenzied sex.

EM: Pacha will host Subliminal Sessions, the first of which is precisely the club's opening, and, of course, in due course Subliminal artists and DJs will be frequent guests at the club.

EM: Any of them. At Pacha the main thing is the music and the drive, not sexual orientation.

EM: Yes, and not only because now lovers of dance music have a venue with the best sound and light in the country. Pacha will become a wonderful place where our celebrities, too, will happily relax.