Maison has started bringing some really great house DJs, I recently saw Dennis Ferrer and Guy Gerber there (on separate nights)... first impressions.. the first time we went to see Ferrer, there was no line up (went early around 11:30) but as soon as we got in, we got in line for 20 min for coat check. I don't understand how putting a coat on a hanger can take any longer than 30 seconds/person, it was ludicrous.
The lighting inside was absolutely insane, it hurt your eyes on the dancefloor with glaring sporadic blue and pink lights shining non stop. Luckily the lights were decent on my second visit, for Gerber.
The drinks are overpriced and the crowd is just really strange... you'll see a lot of pretentious chics wearing fur coats inside (really dude? INSIDE?) and sleezy guys. You can tell that only about 25% of people are actually there for the music/DJs and the rest are there for show or to pick up women.
Bartenders look like they hate their lives, can't even muster a smile. The washrooms are filthy (why try to be upscale when you can't even keep up cleanliness?) Bouncers and bus boys are decent except for this one brown tamil looking dude who literally pushed me out of his way even though he could have walked around me considering how much space there was. He was rude and I tried to keep an eye out for him so I could push him back but no such luck, if I go there again I will find him to make sure I return the favour.
The "men" (more like frat boys) there are bizarre. I would say only about 10% of them are decent. I went there in sneakers both times, when I'm going out to dance, comfort is key. Needless to say, I wasn't dressed to the nines,clearly uninterested in putting out vibes for guys but they kept approaching us - pushing drinks from their bottle service booth, sketchily staring or trying to talk to you. Sure, you want to approach a woman, no harm in that but when someone says no politely once, you really need to back off. I'll have to wear a mumu or something hideous next time I go to discourage any freaks from talking to me, they are way too pushy and douchey!!!
I wish footwork hadn't closed at that location so we could have reputable DJs go to a venue without pretense. Not sure if I'll go again, would have to be an amazing DJ to make me want to go.