Gossip recently changed owners, and after...

Gossip recently changed owners, and after being closed for several months, just reopened in late November 2014. It underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and it shows. Upon entering, the layout is similar, but it feels like a posh nightclub. The appointments are all top-of-the-line. The doorman and service are exceptional, and the staff really goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. The cover is $20, which may seem steep, but once inside, you aren't really obligated to tip dancers with endless singles, which makes it really a wash to me. There is also a mandatory coat check fee of $3, which can be easily skirted by leaving your coat in the car. Upstairs is a upscale steakhouse with glass walls that look into the club. Drinks have the usual strip club mark-up, but they aren't terribly overpriced. Figure $6-7 for domestic beers, etc.. The girls range from "meh" to gorgeous, with at least a few 8s and 9s (more than most clubs). These girls make $$$, so I expect them to stick around. A few mentioned that they were from Ricks in NYC and liked it here better. Lap dances are out in the open for $20, and the dancers aren't shy about modest touching. Private rooms are very expensive ($400+) for a half hour, so I didn't even consider it. I think the price will eventually come down, but right now they are drawing enough high rollers that they can get away with the huge markup. You can smoke in the club, and they have a private VIP cigar room. Membership starts at $1,500 for the year, but with it you bypass the cover charges (for your entire party), get a free upscale birthday dinner for 4, and it can be shared as long as your group always comes together.

All-in-all, I really like what they've done with the place, and I expect to spend quite a bit of time there. No idea about extras, but I'd guess they are possible, but very tough and expensive to come by, as is usually the case in NY.