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Business • Published June 29, 2023 6:54 pm

Review: Nocturnal Nightclub

By Jay Walker

Neon Sensuality

How does one review a nightclub? Hear me out.

How do my tastes on an entertainment venue differ from yours? Perhaps I prefer the underground, exposed brickwork vibes of a lesser-known jazz club while you prefer the neon-sensuality of the local strip club. So who would I be to tell you whether a new, exciting venue is any good or not?

Well, I would be a nobody. A footnote. An irrelevance. This would be the type of article you would see ‘promoted’ on your Twitter feed, scrolled past without a moment’s thought.

At least it would be were I still a freelancer, whereas I’m reliably informed that some people do still rely on the mainstream media to make up their minds on where they will spend an evening with family and friends. So on behalf of Weazel News, I was sent along to the launch night of Nocturnal – a towering venue in Rockford Hills, right across from the LifeInvader offices.

But you don’t need directions, especially as the sun sets.

Nocturnal casts a striking figure in the skyline as the sun sets on Los Santos. Its purple accented rooftop space (home to an equally striking illuminated dancefloor) draws in the nightlife from miles around (or a few city blocks at least). With a dedicated underground parking garage, there is ample capacity for street crawlers and motorists alike.

Southern Comforts

What struck me first on arrival to the penthouse in the club is based was the grandiose of the almost-royal lobby. Shining cracked marble floors, pristine white furnishings, gold skirting and trim and tremendous city views through vast panoramic windows.

Once I had taken a moment to acclimatize, I was greeted by one of the club’s hostesses of whom I met several throughout the night – all of which I found to be welcoming, helpful and not over-burdening – a key factor.

I was fortunate enough to speak to one hostess, Willow Davis, following the launch. Speaking with a soothing southern accent reminiscant of the last drops of Tennessee Honey Whiskey on a cold winter’s night, Willow spoke of her years of customer service which aided in her suitability for this new role.

Also serving as an EMT as she works towards earning her Doctrate, Willow explained that the owners – Jackson Knight and Yob Llata – have been flexible and encouraging towards ensuring the success of the business and keeping staff morale high.

On opening night itself, I was grateful for the opportunity to speak to both co-owners in their lavish conference suite.

Long in the Making

When I spoke to the co-owners, I got the impression of two people who had worked long and hard to ensure that every finer detail of their launch night would be executed to perfection. Mr. Llata explained that discussions had been ongoing since before finally settling on a location in the first week of May. Both were blown away by the layout of the rooftop space and unable to resist the breathtaking views which present themselves at night draws in.

Knight and Llata were clearly not ready to relax just yet, but their relief just to reach opening night was palpable. They were particularly keen not to repurpose an old venue in the city but to give citizens a brand new experience. It is safe to say that they delivered on that vision.

Whilst not to be drawn on future plans, they did reveal to me their DANCE FOR PRIDE event, due to take place the day after this review goes live – on June 30th. Both no doubt have secret ambitions on long term success and expansion, but for now they’re taking it one month at a time – and without external pressures weighing down on them, why not?

Dusk till Dawn

After just one night on the dancefloor, there is no doubting Nocturnal’s credentials as a new nightlife hotspot.

With an appropriately themed, yet refreshingly varied DJ set, the attendees from a wide range of backgrounds were thoroughly entertained from sunset to sunrise. The striking dancefloor itself, attracting movers and shakers like moths to a flame, is large enough to take on a crowd yet intimate enough to make every strutting venture a nervously exciting experience.

I have visited and reported on the opening of many similar venues during my time in this country, yet it was in Nocturnal that I felt most comfortable mixing with the crowd and even allowing myself to experiment with one or two dance moves which would have sent me in to a hyperventilating downwards spiral in times past.

Rather embarrassingly, I did at one stage take a bit of a public tumble. However, another of the hostesses was on hand to guide me to one of the ample seating areas encircled by trellises and ivy. My bumped head was soon seen to with ice and ego-boosting kind words. The supplementary seating is pleasent, both far enough away from the dancefloor to give the illusion of privacy but not far enough away to feel completely detached from the action.

Arguably, the VIP Lounge down the back of the penthouse lobby is too far removed from the main areas for my liking – but this will be subject to those with the cash to spare for the exclusive experience.

The bar was well stocked and tended to by friendly, charismatic staff. The mix of familiar classics and and cocktails encouraged a wide sampling of what Nocturnal has to offer – though your mileage (and tolerance) may vary.

Night Owls, Rejoice

So what did I, Jay Walker, make of all of this?

The owners sought to bring a fresh take on the nightclub experience to Los Santos – and between the stunning views and the amiable hostesses, I believe that they have achieved just that.

Even as the sun came up and Nocturnal’s inability to keep up the illusion of night time was exposed, the good vibes were not dimished. The music kept playing, the drinks kept flowing and the dancers kept throwing shapes. If anything, the daylight only highlighted the delicate touches that had gone in to designing the open-air space.

I have since revisited Nocturnal on another night to ensure that my feelings and findings were not soley influenced by the hype of launch night. I am pleased to report that I found my subsequant visit – however brief – just as appealing, with the same genial faces and voices there to greet me.

I believe that Knight and Llata have every right to be encouraged by the early direction that their new venture is taking. The layout and setting of the dancefloor is a unique experience in itself that I would encourage any night owl to explore when doors are open.

Just go easy on the headspins.

Jay Walkeris a writer for Weazel News.

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