BlackBook

Leave it to Paul Sevigny to start an empirical debate on the ultimate nature of restaurants and bars. His not-even-open-yet restaurant (or is it?) Kenmare has already landed itself on the State Liquor Authority's watch list. They just can't leave the poor guy alone. According to the Daily News, Kenmare's beef with the SLA began when the owners portrayed themselves as a restaurant, which means food will be served, guests will be seated, they'll close early and no one will get naked. But after hosting some of Fashion Week's most exclusive parties, it became clear that none of that was true—except for the food part.

Overheard last night: "Darling! (double air kiss) I feel like I never see you anymore since the Beatrice closed!" "I know, I feel like no one knows where to go anymore!" "That will probably change now that Paul's new place is open." About a year ago in New York, there was a bar with a neighborhood feel, that was actually not in the neighborhood of any of its regulars and eventually pissed off the actual neighbors. This was a bar that people knew to steer clear from if they were avoiding a friend, one they could flock to after fashion events and where they'd inevitably end up whether they wanted to or not. Some felt smug for gaining access, some were just happy to drunkenly sink into a backroom banquette. Some are truly sick of people talking about it, but no one can deny, the Beatrice Inn was a staple part in the New York nightlife diet before shuttering. While Paul Sevigny swears Kenmare, his newest joint venture with Rose Bar's Nur Kahn, is "not a new Beatrice," the all too familiar private party "commitments" the duo made to "friends and family" during fashion week, coupled with the opinions of Beatrice regulars past, seem to point to a second coming.

I came across this photo yesterday on the Purple Diary and didn't much consider the caption: "[Graffiti artist] Andre in front of the soon to be reopened Beatrice Inn, New York." Fans of the shuttered speakeasy have been eagerly awaiting a revival since it was first padlocked back in April.

Sandra Ardito heads sales, marketing and special events for KO Hospitality Management (Cooper Square Hotel, Empire Hotel, Hotel on Rivington, and Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City). We met the hospitality connoisseur at the Cooper Square Hotel to get the scoop on the Hamptons Memorial Day hotspot, the Reform Club Inn (suites and private cottages in Amagansett), working for Ian Schrager, and why we should stay at Cooper Square (besides the fact that it's the location of the Bjork's afterparty tonight).

Damon DeGraff, CEO of DGI Management, on his secret career aspirations, Bermuda, and why Russell Simmons is the man.

Lit co-owner Erik Foss talks about his art, his new bar in Philly with the best name ever, and why the city needs less yuppie cocksuckers.

Rose Bar partner and creative director Nur Khan rocks out with Metallica in his living room, trains with Shaolin monks, holds court at his drinkery, and caps off the night at the Beatrice Inn. Just don’t ask him to sing karaoke.