MiamiNights - Miami Night Clubs, Nightlife

God, Mansion is the new Ike Turner. Someone else has come forward saying Mansion bouncers used unnecessary force. Rapper Grandaddy Souf alleges he was basically attacked by several bouncers at Mansion, then stripped naked and then taken outside to be "left to die". Here is the Herald's explanation:

The club was packed with recording artists, but at one point, Watts was separated from his group. A bouncer, who is identified only as John Doe 1, asked for Watts' identification, which the rapper did not have on him.

Watts tried to explain who he was, to which the bouncer responded: ''I don't give a [expletive] who you are,'' according to the complaint. Parks said Watts raised his arms and told the security guard that he didn't want any trouble, but that sparked a brawl.

The bouncer struck him, Parks said, then Watts pushed back.

Suddenly, Watts was surrounded by 10 bouncers who began kicking, punching and stomping him before stripping him of his clothing, according to the complaint. The guards also choked Watts until he was unconscious, dumped him outside and ''left him to die,'' the complaint states.

The incident happened back in 2007 when Grandaddy was in town for the Ozone Awards. I'll admit when I started reading this story I automatically thought, "Here is someone trying to take advantage of Mansion when they are down." But he may have a legitimate case since passerbys took pictures of him bloody and beat up on the ground. The photos were then posted on MediaTakeOut.com.

Why do I feel this may turn a lot uglier for Mansion and its parent company the Opium Group?

Mansion, a group of bouncers and the Opium Group find themselves in a whole mess of trouble after three University of Delaware students say they were beat up by nearly a dozen bouncers after they refused to pay their bill. According to the Miami Herald, the group was told to skedaddle from their table because they needed it for other patrons. The students asked for their bill but when the waitress told them it was $700, they asked to see a physical copy because they didn't agree with the charges. Here is where things get messy:

At this point, a third person came over to the table and asked the students to come into an office in the back, which was filled with roughly 10 bouncers. When the young men again refused to pay without seeing a tab, employees of the club turned physical.

[...]

Sweeney, who is over six feet tall and 200 pounds, was taken to the floor with a choke-hold. After taking a few kicks, he passed out. The bouncers also went to work on Merryman and Costello.

The students then agreed to pay the $700 with a credit card and were told that Costello and Sweeney could go. But the bouncers said they weren't through with Merryman, according to Dennis.

''We're going to teach you a lesson,'' one told Merryman, said Dennis, who did not know what was meant by that.

Sweeney and Costello refused to leave without their friend, and all three took another round of blows. Finally, Merryman was able to barge past two bouncers and out a side door, where he was met by Miami Beach police, who were headed in the other direction.

Opium Group, you should remind your bouncers that they are not the law, not even within your buildings.

Oh and futher proof bouncers aren't the brightest of the bunch -- the whole thing was supposedly caught on video! I mean come on, a few of them had to know a camera was there.

KAPOW!~ More Winter Music Conference madness fo yo ass! This week we bring you the Opium Groups lineup, the "Evil Empire" (In a very good way) of clubs in Miami. Owning some of the most successful venues in Miami Beach the Opium Group lays claim to Prive (ultra lounge), Opium Gardens, Set (ultra lux club) and Mansion (Super Club). The WMC line up for The Opium Group is so large you will have to click the "read more" link at the bottom of this post to get the entire picture. But as a service to you, our loyal occasional readers, I will highlight what in my opinion are the banging events. Leave your thoughts in the comments on The Opium Groups lineup this year.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25th @ MANSION

• MSTRKRFT, Benny Benassi, Boys Noize, Fischerspooner & friends

• Danny Howells Presents Dig Deeper

• STEVE AOKI, DIM MAK & BPM PRESENT BANANA SPLIT @ SET (UPSTAIRS ROOM)
  Steve Aoki, DJ AM, MSTRKRFT, LA Riots, Pase Rock & Eli Escobar, Bloody Beetroots

Swedish House Mafia
• Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso & Steve Angello plus special guest Dirty South. Room 2: Kissy Sell Out, Alex Metric & Burns

• Benny Benassi & Dirty South

Click here to read full article..

According to Herald gossip columnist Lesley Abravanel, the Opium Group plans to continue expanding its brand across the United States. After opening a branch of Prive at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, the company is planning to take over the old crobar space in New York, opening a second Mansion in the city. Supposedly it will look nothing like the Miami one and instead it will go more for the ultra-lounge vibe.

Personally, I'm not a fan of when clubs branch out into other cities. I mean I don't know, it doesn't feel special anymore. I know it's a business and for these companies the bottom line is making money, but at least name it something else. I mean look at Nikki Beach, it's basically the McDonald's of lounges/nightclubs.

• Digi SLR Camera.....CHECK
• Miami Nights business cards.....CHECK
• Flack Jacket.....CHECK
• Eight plus one.....CHECK
• Lawyer.....CHECK
• Get-a-way car.....CHECK
• Grill I bought at the flea.....CHECK
• Prada Ski Mask.....CHECK
• Believable alibi.....CHECK

What could the people over at The Opium Group possibly do to top the Bob Sinclair madness they threw a few weeks ago? I mean really the house was packed, the music was spot on and the atmosphere was shit crazy. Well if it's your flagship clubs 3 yr anniversary you better come out with guns-a-blazing and sho nuff they did. This Saturday, August 4th, Tiesto will be on the decks giving drugfest '07 something worth talking about. Since I got word of this event I have been anticipating the pure and unadulterated insanity that will fill the cavernous space that is Mansion. Also rumored are some special design suprises for the evening. Once again we will bring you a gallery of slightly out of focus DJ shots for your enjoyment. A banging DJ and a face lift, not bad for a 3 year old.