Nestled inside the heart of New York’s historic Diamond Horseshoe nightclub, ensconced below the infamous Paramount Hotel, is the wickedly entertaining Queen of the Night adult dining experience that’ll captivate your imagination and engage your senses while titillating your taste buds. This multi-sensory sensation is a mélange of hedonistic delights that offers a decidedly unexpected dinner theater adventure in the heart of New York City.
While the evening dinner seating for the show is incredibly popular for obvious reasons, I opted for the Saturday 2:30 p.m. brunch matinée replete with breakfast fare served pewter-pattered feast-style.
Whichever show you choose, the Queen of the Night will surely be an experience like none other you’ve encountered, which becomes readily evident the moment you walk into the door, are handed a craft cocktail and escorted arm-in-arm down the winding stairs to your seat by an attractive crew member who ultimately and emphatically advises you to “say yes to everything”—a mantra repeated by multiple other staffers at touchpoints throughout the experience. Here, having a closed mind and saying “no” is simply not an option and, understandably so, as a resistant mindset will definitely undermine your perceptions of the spectacle that’s replete with acrobatic artistry, magic, interpretive dance, music, saucy comedy, fire, gastro gluttony and more as the Queen’s captivating carnival keeps you wholly engaged. I equally advise you say “yes” to it all.
Queen of the Night commences with a brief bar-side reception as guests are being escorted into the intimate nightclub-esque venue. Throughout this process, there’s free-flowing wine and signature cocktails served amid passed canapés and savory appetizers stacked high on silver trays. This as electronic music and interspersed acrobatic artists set an exuberant mood while the masked Queen herself stands hauntingly at center stage in all her glittering glory to greet VIP-level guests in her own enigmatic way.
As a guest of the Queen, you may choose from varied levels of admittance with each proffering fabulous fare over-the-top pageantry. Each adult-only (age 21+) reservation level has unique and memorable features.
The baseline option is the “Gala Reservation” whereby guests are welcomed into the eccentrically-adorned venue and gifted with an alcoholic elixir from the Mad Distillery Bar where tasty hors d’oeuvres are also at hand. From there, Gala guests (and all others) enjoy a sit-down brunch where the concept of portion control is held in high disdain, all served with decanters of wine and other beverages. The brunch menu on the day of my show was traditional breakfast fare, including breads, soft scrambled eggs and an inordinate amount of bacon and large-form link sausage. Fare more than one could ever eat in one sitting. While Gala level includes general admission seating, there is truly not a “bad” seat in the house to take in the wonder and spectacle that is the Queen’s soirée.
The next-level “Premium Reservation” is comprised of all Gala luxuries, however it includes VIP reserved priority seating for the merriment. In addition, a dedicated server delivers premium libations tableside throughout the experience. Indeed, the Queen provides each Premium guest with a “special gift” entitling a virtual river of free-flowing drink options from the Mad Distillery Bar.
The top-tier option is the “Ultimate Reservation” that includes all of the wonder the Premium Reservation affords and adds the opportunity for each guest to relish in elite access to select brunch benefits. This special right of entry provides guests the opportunity to indulge in premium wine and spirits as well as specially-selected fare that’s hand-picked by the Executive Chef. This exclusive option also includes personalized table service to ensure an evening fit for royalty. But, for the truly self-indulgent there’s the “Queen’s Choice” reservation that’s custom-designed to satisfy the authentic desires of the guest.
Wardrobe-wise, as you prepare for this fantastical extravaganza, be sure to “dress to impress” as is the strictly-enforced dress code. Indeed, the Queen’s staff has orders to deny entry to those who are not properly attired. As one can seemingly never be overdressed at this splendid affair, all are encouraged to don their “finest jewels, vintage gowns and swankiest tuxedos”—formal wear fit for a Queen’s court.
Fashionable gallivanting and gastronomic delights aside, the heart and soul of the Queen of the Night show is the entertainment. This tastefully sexy and flagrantly flirtatious variety show features an array of amazingly talented and beautifully costumed performing artists who deliver sensational and provocative stunt, dance, illusion, fire, comedy and other routines that, combined, can be described as controlled chaos in the best possible sense. Madness, but in a good way.
Rest assured that whichever level of entrance that you choose, as a Queen of the Night guest you’ll revel in a remarkably memorable experience.
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“The Luxe List” Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.
Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.
