GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@SSTARBULLETIN.COM
Dancers fill the room three nights a week at Nick's Ultra Lounge.
Nick’s new
DJ loungeThe restaurant offers
late-night diversions
When The Maze shut its doors in the Waikiki Trade Center for the last time on Aug. 31, many were surprised that the successful nightclub was forced out of business. For Paul Shih, the Maze's former entertainment director, it was something he saw coming and was smart enough to plan for.
"I was preparing" for the closure, Shih said last week while watching tourists walk by on Kuhio Avenue. "(So) I made a deal with Nick's Fishmarket, because it's sitting in a prime location."
Less than two weeks after losing his gig at the Maze, the 30-year-old Taiwan-born club promoter and DJ resurfaced at Nick's, where he set about lining up new promoters for the restaurant's new late-night entertainment schedule.
As entertainment director, Shih is responsible for bringing a crowd to Nick's that might not otherwise think of it as a place to relax with a few drinks.
"The direction that Nick's is going is not a nightclub," he tells me. "It's more like a DJ bar/lounge.
"It's a bar where people can hang out ... if (they) want to dance -- yes, please -- there is a dance floor."
WITH ENOUGH SPACE for approximately 350 people at any given time, the Ultra Lounge doesn't try to be the biggest party on the rock, but if Shih gets his way, it promises to be one of the more cutting-edge places to visit during the weekend. Comparing it to the nearby Wave Waikiki and the W Honolulu at the other end of Kalakaua Avenue, he says that the plan is to "make (Nick's) the first stop."
"The type of clientele that we want is strictly 21-and-over," Shih says. "We're trying to attract a younger crowd to come in and have dinner before staying for the entertainment."
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@SSTARBULLETIN.COM
Waikiki eatery Nick's Fishmarket becomes party central after hours three nights a week. Here Kahea Lyman, left, Melinda Soer, Petar Samac and Rita Jansdottir enjoy drinks, music and good company.
Catering to a more mature, sophisticated and upscale crowd also means bringing in guest DJs and musicians from around the world to provide folks with something different from the competition. Shih is well-suited for the task; he hosts a bi-monthly event in Japan that draws upwards of 2,000 people and features DJs that he's met over the past five years of working as a club promoter.
"You have to keep changing," he explains. "We're not going to bring down mainstream artists ... we're going to bring the underground, up-and-coming artists."
In addition to special guests, other local promoters and DJs will help play a part in trying to make Nick's a successful late-night venue.
On Thursdays, Doorman and Sarah Jane Productions step up to present "The Trend." Fans of Friday night's Wonderlounge at the W will recognize DJ Rayne on the decks; he'll be joined by DJs Archangel, Miklos and Epic.
Fridays are the night for the "Jet Bar" at Nick's, hosted by Georgio Taye and friends. Shih will serve as a resident DJ during this one, along with DJs DB, Billy G, Scottie Soul and rotating members of the Nocturnal Sound Krew.
And on Saturdays, Kaizo Speedgear and Moguls Entertainment come together to put on "Girl's Best Friend," with DJs 45, Mr. I.N.C., Toad-One, PSI and Charles Lee.
All three nights start at 10 p.m., and will expand into the dining area at Nick's once dinner service is through for the evening. The second room is important for Nick's to attract a crowd, according to Shih, because you have to "offer people a choice."
"You have to offer more than one room," he says. "One room can have a DJ playing what people want to hear, and another room can have an up-and-coming underground artist playing what we want to push."
IF THINGS go well during the late evenings at the restaurant, expect the Ultra Lounge to expand a bit. "We are looking to add more nights," Shih said. "But we want to let the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights become more stable."
And with the history of Nick's Fishmarket providing a little more weight for Shih to throw around when negotiating, don't be surprised if the expansion happens sooner rather than later; plans are also in the works to expand the bar at Nick's sometime over the next few months.
"I'm very happy, and the owners are very happy," he says. Local residents can expect "great service and great food ... and with me on board, great music."
Nick's Ultra Lounge
Where: Nick's Fishmarket, Waikiki Gateway Hotel, 2070 Kalakaua Ave.When: 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 21 and over
Info: 591-8277 or nicksultralounge.com
Thursdays: "The Trend," with DJs Epic, Rayne, Archangel, Miklos and special guests
Fridays: "Jet Bar," with DJs Paul Shih, Scottie Soul, DB, Billy G, the Nocturnal Sound Krew and special guests
Saturdays: "Girl's Best Friend," with DJs 45, Mr. I.N.C., Toad-One, PSI and Charles Lee
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calendars and events.
