Club NV, located on Rosemary Street, might not give Chapel Hill the night life to rival Miami or New York City, but many locals say it's a better alternative.
Brent Lee, a former UNC student who now owns NV, envisioned something entirely new and different for Chapel Hill when he decided to build the club. "I tried to bring in more of a big city atmosphere -- more flair, more style," Lee said. "I was trying to avoid the beer bar image."
With its swanky decor that even extends to the rest rooms, and its official club dog, Tyler, who donned a new collar for the evening, there's no chance NV could be labeled a beer bar.
Christine Monaghan of 324 Barclay Road left long before the club closed at 4 a.m., but she said it wasn't because she didn't have a good time.
"Personally I got tired of the techno, but I can hang for a couple hours," Monaghan said. "I like the look of the place; I really like the furniture."
Simon Booth, one the disc jockeys Saturday night, didn't have any doubts about the future success of the club.
"Chapel Hill's a growing scene, and people come from Charlotte, Raleigh and Boone," Booth said. "It's new and exciting, and they want to be a part of it."
Allison Lentz, a senior in the Kenan-Flagler Business School and a cocktail waitress at NV, delivered martinis and beer to the tables situated around the dance pit. "I've waitressed for three years, and this is a completely different scene, more fast-paced," Lentz said. "But it really offers something for everybody."
Lee said the line at the door began forming at 10:30 p.m., but the real crowds arrived at 11:30 p.m. with as many as 30 people waiting to pay the $10 membership fee for a sneak peek.
