Notes: Shine
285 West Broadway
(Canal at West Broadway)
New York, NY 10013
(212) 941-0900

Shine is built in the former location of the New Music Cafe, a once-popular venue that fell out of favor with local hipsters. Shine hardly does justice to its large space. Smoky darkness establishes the mood as smooth grooves and hip-hop mixes are spun in the background. One of the best features of Shine are the trippy, comfortable couches that line the walls. They're a great place to sit, relax and chat with a new friend.

One can usually find a cabaret show performed on stage not too far from the bar. On the night of our visit, the MC was dressed as a flamboyant bunny rabbit complete with blue sequins. The clientele consists of twenty something Gen-Xers with money and an attitude.

Two mean door people make sure that you pay the ten dollar cover charge. In general, the staff conveys the attitude of it's patrons, making a twenty-minute wait for drinks the norm even when the bar isn't crowded. After a long night at this trendy nightmare, the large, eccentric bunny delicately referred to Shine as, "a place where I can be accepted for the bunny I am." That should say it all.

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