You'd like to sit down? That'll be $550 please.

So my holiday party for work was this past weekend. They decided that since last year they went the conservative, safe-yet-elegant route of having the party at the Hyatt on the bay, this year they would appease the younger employees with a super "hip" shindig at the brand new bar downtown called the Stingaree. Our party was pretty exclusive, in the sense that we reserved the 1st floor of the very large bar from 6-9pm, and at 9 they were opening the doors to the general public for the first time ever. So we got a nice taste of this place, which is 3 floors: a ground floor with huge bar, waterfalls, seating booths, etc., a mezzanine which overlooks the 1st floor, and a top floor outside rooftop, complete with another large bar, private cabanas, private booths, more waterfalls, and a fire pit. We had a great time when the place was to ourselves, not counting the fact that drinks ranged from $7 to $19 depending on what you asked for. This place is obviously making every attempt to be the premiere, exclusive, high end bar/club in Southern California. Barring the overpriced drinks, the food was delicious, ambiance fantastic, and DJ excellent. Overall a nice time, especially since we spent a majority of the evening up on the roof in one of the private cabanas. Since we were the only people there, they didn't seem to mind us inhabiting one of these "exclusive" reserved locations, since it wasn't until 9pm that they started charging for them. Going rate? 2 bottle minimum, $275 per bottle. And that's the cheap liquor. Needless to say they booted us from the cabana as soon as the rich and trendy people started showing up at 9 o'clock. I can't believe they actually paid that much to sit there. And keep in mind, for that price you get not a single sexual favor...not even for the $2000 VIP card you can buy, which grants you instant access and 10% off all future tabs. The sidewalk outside the entrance was lined with Lamborghinis, Ferraris, sugar daddy's, hoochie mamma gold diggers, and filthy rich trust fund kids (I watched from the rooftop as one guy, no more than 28, pulled up and got out of his yellow Lamborghini Gallardo) waiting to get in. More open-collared shirts, chest hair, and silicone than I've ever seen outside of Hollywood. The likes of Junior Seau and David Justice, among others, were also there. Star studded, spectacular, and WAY out of my price range. Many of us either just went to the dance floor or left once it started getting crowded. The worst part is that the bar ropes off ALL seating on ALL 3 floors unless you reserve it (minimum $550 for any booth or cabana), so if you're poor, or just sensible, you have to stand. It was a really cool place to experience, but trendy is an understatement, and with a $20 valet fee, $20 cover charge, and a Grey Goose and vodka going for $18.50, I'm glad I got to go for the Holiday party cuz my broke ass won't ever be back there.