The owners of Reserve are facing some legal troubles, so though the club has reportedly reopened (on weekends only), the phone remains disconnected and the website is down. The guy at the door can be a jerk, cover is never less than $20 on the weekends, there's a $950 cocktail on the menu (the Ruby Red with a real one-karat ruby as a garnish), and about once a month DJ AM (who's more famous for dating Nicole Richie than his skills behind the turntables) plays a set. No, I'm not talking about the latest Hollywood hot-spot; this is Reserve.

Besides being a hotbed for the seeking—particularly those into scoping the tan women and excessively gelled-hair guys—and the DJ sets that sound just like B96 on a Friday night, Reserve is a great place to celebrate a special occasion. On the night we visited there were three birthday parties and at least two bachelorettes walking around with mini-veils on their heads, cocktails in their hands and big smiles on their faces.

Red is the dominating color at this two-level club, and hints of gold and wooden partitions are the perfect accompaniments. The first floor has a long red bar, dark banquettes, white sofa chairs and large fake palms, which give it an Asian feel.

The club goes out of the way to make guests feel exclusive. The list of specialty drinks includes sweet options such as the Mint Kiss ($12), a mix of champagne, cream de mint and cranberry juice, garnished with a sprig of mint. The second floor is the home of the elite—on most nights you can't even get up the stairwell unless you're part of a group celebrating an event or have a table reservation—and as a result, it's a hot-spot for local celebrities and athletes. The clubs' dancers also shake it up here on elevated tables near a large window facing Lake Street, giving everyone outside a cheek-peek while they wait in line. If you hate waiting to get through the doors, try coming during the week, when it's more low-key.

Centerstage Reviewer: Maya Henderson