August 6, 2007
What is The Space?
Looking around the web site for The Space, the new private club and concierge service that's opened recently across 9th Street from the Washington Convention Center, you get the sense that its proprietors want you to think it's a stuffy lounge space reserved for the wealthy -- there's the wedding invitation-style scroll fonts, the vague descriptions of what exactly this place is trying to be ("For those who love traveling, living, dreaming and discovering,") and the membership application that asks for credit card details without anywhere disclosing what the fees might be. It's the web design equivalent of "if you have to ask, darling, then you probably can't afford it."
The interior of The Space turns out not to be too pretentious (think partially paint-stripped white ceilings, nice comfy black and white couches, unfinished floors and plenty of rose petals floating in water), but after a conversation and tour with managers and event planners Jodi Silis and Wilmot Mwandanda, it would be easy to come away with the impression that their web site is having the desired effect. When asked about The Space's mysterious billing on the web, they replied that they "kind of like it that way."
So though it's hard to say what The Space definitely is, here's at least a few things about it that are true:
Photo courtesy The Space
>> The renovation of this old carriage house, undertaken by owner Karen Cox, has been tastefully done. You could hold a small, semi-formal wedding reception in the main room, and have a casual drink on the comfortably appointed, rather large roof deck.
>> Right now, The Space is open to the public, but at a date uncertain in the future, it will become open only to dues paying members and their guests (up to three at a time).
>> Drinks are on the expensive side. A Maker's Mark on the rocks is $10. They also plan to serve small appetizers, but no substantial food.
>> Memberships come with access to concierge services from Cox's company, International Life Styles, which offers services like private chefs and personal shopping.
>> The Space offers wireless internet access, and a few business meetings have been held there since it opened.
>> The entire venue can hold up to 150 people.
>> Silis and Mwandanda say that they don't want The Space to be unapproachable, and that anyone should feel free to apply.
But so many unanswered questions remain. How much does the membership cost? They won't say, unless you're willing to fill out a membership application and come in for an interview. What kind of people are they hoping will join? Why, all different kinds of people, of course. And maybe they're sincere -- unexpected visitors to The Space are generally made to feel quite welcome, and Silis and Mwandanda couldn't be nicer. But exactly what different kinds of people are looking to join a private club that offers excellent connections and rates on personal chefs?
The Space is by no means D.C.'s only private club, but it's one of the only ones that hasn't already been in existence for ages, with a well-established membership base that makes additions mostly by recommendations from existing members. Does belonging to a private bar and lounge that hosts concierge services and special events at 9th and N Streets NW appeal to you? Are you curious enough about all the mystery to fill out an application?
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Gads, so we get to look forward to another exclusive and pretentious social club designed to hold D.C.'s rich and effete politicos and celebutards. Joy. Why is it that D.C. keeps trying sooo hard to be like L.A. or Manhattan?
If they're not going to actually give you any concrete information about their policies or pricing, why are you giving these douchebags any coverage at all? Doesn't seem like much more than a bar with a membership policy, to me . . . they should just buy the Late Night Shots membership list and call it a day.
ugh.
I've been. It's nice, comfortable, and the people frequenting the place aren't the uptight people that I find around the rest of this town. I truly think they are trying to do something different and it's appreciated [at least from me]. And I'm considering applying. I'm an architect on a not-so great salary, living in Anacostia..and really enjoyed the last several evenings I've spent there. Quite a diverse crowd: on the opening night I met a DJ, a couple of artists, a couple restaurant owners, a mortgage broker, some neighborhood folk..etc. try it..and if you like it..stay awhile..the deck outside is nice.
I can't wait to apply! Seriously -- this is just what DC needs.
Full Disclosure: I am a friend of Wilmot Mwandanda and have been for years since his time at Soussi. And I've been to The Space about 3 times since it opened.
I'm always amazing by the almost instantaneous attack by many DCist readers on anything that isn't "indie." Clearly the article states that for now it is open to non-paying members, why don't you go down there and check it out?! If you don't like it, then feel free to publish your, at least now, informed comments. Until then, stop slating what you don't know anything about.
And no, I don't think I'll be able to afford to be a member, but you know what, at least I know what I'm missing.
Isn't this the place that hosed the curator who put together the gallery show Supple? He had to move it at the last minute to the Warehouse, am I remembering correctly? If that's the case, I'm not interested in patronizing them.
Word on the street is that memberships are $2500 a year. Don't know if that's true, but I heard it from a couple different folks. I've been to The Space and it's definitely cool.... Love the rooftop deck..... But I don't know how many regular, unpretentious types The Space can attract who can afford yearly dues like that! I certainly can't; and "concierge services" aren't enough to make it worth it to me!
To guest7, yes, this is the place where Supple was originally supposed to be. I asked Silis about what happened and she wouldn't comment beyond that they had a disagreement with J.T. Kirkland, who curated that show.
The Space has been open for some private events since November, but only opened to the public in the form it's in now as a lounge a few weeks ago.
Are you curious enough about all the mystery to fill out an application?
Not even remotely. Looks like the milk bar from A Clockwork Orange.
I can't see this place surviving. The city's "established" membership clubs (ie University Club, Cosmos Club, etc) are all suffering and are struggling to recruit young members, despite the fact that these clubs offer much more (gyms, networking) and many firms pay the membership dues for their employees. Young people, with or without money, simply aren't in the business of "joining clubs" these days.
Besides, for over $200 per month, what exactly does this club offer? A private bar and terrace? A concierge service that provides less than what I can get for free from American Express?
If that's your thing, go ahead and join, but I wouldn't pay a year in advance...
Soussi has the shittiest service of any place on 18th Street. Not so sure I'd want to pay $2,500/year to belong to a place with any connection to Soussi.
Wanna bet the Space will be closed for business within 5 months. It reminds me of when I lived in Hosuton, fake pretension to try to seem cool. I can only imagine what kind of douchebags would join this kind of thing. My predicition is we'll see a few Hummers parked out front. Yikes.
After reading the article and the comments posted about The Space, here is what I have concluded: 1. The Space will not comment on the cost of membership 2. The Space will not comment on how to qualify for membership 3. The Space will not comment on the reason for canceling Supple. What information will The Space provide? I can not fathom how any business would become a success when they refuse to provide any information about who they are or what they are trying to accomplish with their potential clients. Aside from the fact that it is obviously difficult to obtain information about The Space, I would never want to be a member of any location that would cancel my event last minute without an explanation.
I'm not sure why, but this sort of thing totally flies in NY, but here it's just a bit pathetic.
As usual, many of you made harsh comments without even visiting the place. I have known Wilmot Mwandanda for quite a while and was a regular of his at Soussi. Of all the bartenders I've known, he has one of the most loyal followings in DC. There must be a reason.
I, too, was skeptical about the Space at first. I checked it out, and it really is a nice, relaxed environment with a diverse crowd of people. I can't afford the membership, and I hope that won't be what breaks the place. But I urge some of you to check it out. There's nothing pretentious about the spot. I won't go into most clubs and bars in DC for exactly that reason: I hate pretentious b.s. But this place really was warm and welcoming.
dude, if you want me to feel your place is all exclusive and whatnot you might want to provide photos that don't make it look like a set from the IKEA Summer 2007 catalog I just got in the mail.
Seriously, nice throw pillows.
Just a thought...
#16, How can a place be unpretentious while marketing itself with an angle of mystery and exclusivity?
Concierge services, unstated membership policies, unstated membership fees, membership applications and interviews?
How does that square with "unpretentious?"
Sigh. DC is what it is. These lame attempts to mimic NY and LA are as awkward as an amniotic-fluid-soaked newborn colt.
I find it a little odd that they are asking credit card information and not even willing to disclose information on membership rates. That aside I did go there and this is what I thought.
The service was wonderful, the setting very nice. There is plenty of comfortable seating and there is good room for dancing with a DJ that knows how to spin. The rooftop deck is spectacular but the only downside is that we had to keep going down to the first floor to refill our drinks. I would recommend this place for parties and I will recommend that people at least check it out and then decide whether it is worth applying for membership.
Solely from a business perspective I would recommend they keep this an open club. I don't see this place lasting as a membership only locale.
Yeah, but can they get a liquor license as an open club? I don't recall them talking to the ANC about a license, and given their proximity to Shiloh it's amazing they haven't had a fight (they're on the same block as BeBar). I wouldn't be surprised if they're currently serving illegally, banking on their eventually-closed status allowing them to avoid getting a license.
To the various Space apologists:
I personally have an issue with the idea of _exclusivity_ in the club scene. I think the Cosmos Club, and any other organization that prides itself on existing based on the hype of privilege and status to be silly and pointless.
That being said, I don't think its an uninformed opinion to be affronted by the concept of _another_ exclusive club, without necessarily stepping in to check out the new club's inner digs. I'm not ripping on the layout; I'm ripping on the concept.