This new-era mentality is spreading rapidly. The New York City Police Department has reached out to the New York Nightlife Association in an attempt to educate the public on how to protect themselves from the common thieves and hustlers that are always attracted to the distracted, inebriated patrons of nightclubs. An inevitable result of the economic downturn is an increase in crime -- pickpockets and bag thieves will be out in force trying to make ends meet. Most of these suggestions are common sense. What is most significant is that in an age where nightlife provides not only jobs and commerce, and therefore tax dollars, the police are putting out an olive branch in the form of this information flyer and enlisting the aid of NYNA.

One of the significant services clubs provide in these troubled times is a few hours of escape from woes and worries. As an operator, I spent countless hours trying to spot thieves and other punks who preyed upon my clientele. One scam I caught was the couple dancing near to their mark, who had unsuspectingly placed a handbag on the floor while they danced. The con man pretends he's dancing, kicks the bag away from its owner, and the con-woman just walks over to it and out the door. Often a third person would stand ready on the side of the dance floor in case they got spotted and were being chased. He simply acts drunk, gets in the way and gives them time to leave.

With table service, a common scam is an attractive couple joining a table of drunk clubbers, and as the hot girl dances distractingly, the man rifles through pockets of coats on banquettes, or grabs a bag or expensive garment. The music, moving lights, alcohol, and general darkness are the scam artists’ best allies. A couple of girls may start a little fight, and while everybody watches, an accomplice grabs the goods.

When I was designing Marquee, I had a meal at the wonderful Craft restaurant. I dropped a fork, and a replacement was given to me from a drawer built into my table. Light bulbs went off in my head, and I pitched the idea to Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss to put drawers for valuables in the bottom of the banquettes. Jason swears he was at Craft the day before, and he had the idea first -- whatever, but the result was a place to protect your stuff at one of the best-thought-out clubs to date, Marquee. I advise this banquette drawer to my design clients to this day, but the cost -- about $100 for each banquette -- is often deemed too high. Thieves look like club patrons. They are very often well dressed and attractive. In times where you’ve got to pick up every stitch, losing your bag, coat, purse, or wallet is a disaster that can be prevented.