CheekyChicago

Upon arrival, The Venue was quickly scoped out by yours truly only a few nights before the site was home to sold-out concerts played by New Kids On The Block. The Playboy Club 50th Anniversary Party transformed the space into a hip and happening dimly lit nightclub, replacing any remnants of the forthcoming NKOTB performances. The stage had been converted into a VIP lounge seating area, decorated with white leather couches, stools and tables used by those lucky (or rich) enough to enjoy bottle service. Strobe lights were constantly illuminating the main floor, stage and catwalk. Brilliant, bright colors projected throughout the room, classifying the party as a milder high-class rave.

To achieve a modern, yet sleek and upscale vibe, the party’s color scheme was a pairing of black and red with white accents embellishing important logos such as the projected Playboy symbol on the walls of The Venue. Professional nightclub go-go dancers were placed in prominent places provocatively dancing and grinding the night away, which in turn enticed the heavily testosterone-populated crowd. Cocktail waitresses donned white bunny tails and tight black corseted “uniforms.” For such a risque and burlesque gathering, the event coordinators managed to achieve a chic and classy atmosphere.

For the convenience of the guests, full service bars were set up in multiple locations on the main floor of The Venue. Attendees were encouraged to dance thanks to DJ OB-One. Although the only dancing that appeared to be happening was that of the various go-go dancers strategically placed around The Venue. Two go-go dancers on the main stage drew the most attention from on-lookers. Gotta give those girls credit…they danced for hours and barely broke a sweat. The ultimate draw of the Playboy Club Party was the competition between ten girls from Chicagoland nightclubs all aiming for the chance to be featured as the next Playboy Bunny.

Contestants and celebrity guests walking the red carpet while posing for media, press and fans kicked off the night’s festivities. The competition was dragged out over the span of a couple of hours to keep the party going strong and the drinks flowing. The interaction between attendees was more entertaining to watch than the lackluster personalities of the contestants on stage. Each finalist only served to bore the audience with their responses to the three judges (including Bridget Marquardt and Chicago Bears player Lance Briggs) – were they hoping to find the most “intellectual” of the Bunny search?

I left that evening successfully content and highly amused. I was very curious after the party about the motivation to become a Playboy bunny and the lifestyle that goes along with the coveted title. The only approach I received was from a man older than my dad who asked me, “Why are you not talking to all the hot, younger guys perusing the dance floor?” My response to him (aka “the dinosaur”) went something like, “I don’t think this is the kind of place I want to find a boyfriend.”