Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2007 > October > 11 > Entry
Qua launch parties — with sharks
Every club seems to need a water element these days, and Qua, the $2.5 million venue on Fourth Street, invites the passerby with a bountiful flow of liquid tumbling over stones. Right away you realize the patio has been cut out of the building’s facade, creating an almost tropical grotto with its own small, curved bar and nestling areas.
The eye is drawn, however, inextricably downward to the bluish glow of water deeper in the club. Past massive, jeweled columns — plus more bars and niches — one finally glimpses Qua’s aquatic marquee act: The sharks and rays making cursive figures beneath the transparent dance floor in a 7-foot-deep tank.
It’s at once retro — remember tanks tucked underneath dance floors in the ’70s? — and up to the moment, since Austin clubs now compete fiercely for thematic dominance. (Imperia and Pangaea are only the latest entries, along with Qua.) The underwater theme is a tad campy, but also alluring, especially when the crowd is as attractive and multivaried as it was Wednesday night for the second of three opening night parties. (The public is welcome Friday, but you must be 25 or up. No kiddies allowed.)
We chatted with club designer Benny Siegert, who also contributed the distinctive looks for Vicci, Treasure Island and Pure, owner Mike Yassine, who has quietly put together a club empire to rival Matt Luckie’s or Michael Girard’s. My gracious guide for the evening was photographer Bill Noll, who understands what a social columnist is looking for.
I will not be ordering the $4,000 bottle of Cognac, imprisoned behind glass at the rear of the club, which offers a limited bottle service. But I will return to the relaxing vibe, which, we hear, lured Willie Nelson into its underwater lair last night.
Owner Mike Yassine and photographer Bill Noll (to clarify, these are not his amateurish snaps, but rather your columnists’)
Qua’s shark tank, before dancers
The first, brave ones
One of several bars at Qua
One of many niches at Qua
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment Categories: Out
Comments
By Kevin
October 23, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
It is horrible that they are keeping sharks captive in the floor at Qua. Anyone who patrons there is contributing to the slow death of these animals.
By Jay T
October 22, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
I thought bottle service was a dead as Paris Hilton's career?
By Ed Goldstein
October 22, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
You people need to get a grip. Those animals never had it so good. They don't need to hunt or fend off larger predators. I hope the owner isn't cowed by your loudmouth attempt at intimidation.
By John Gonzalez
October 21, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Besides the clubs I have visited in New York, Milano, Italy, France, and Puerto Rico, "Qua" happens to be one of the most beautiful nightclubs I have seen in a long time. Unfortunately "Qua" is also one of the most overpriced tiny clubs I have seen in my lifetime. I predict that those empty booths with the "Reserved" signs will remain empty for a long time if the club owners don't decide to make a change soon. The employees are very pleasant at least. Lets hope it stays that way.
By Derek
October 19, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this
Mmmmm, sushi when they die!
By Oliver
October 19, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this
Regardless of the assurances that the club owners give us saying that this is not damaging to the fish, they are mistaken.
If people think that this environment will not cause stress, and possible death (premature) to these sharks, then they are kidding themselves.
I would like the media in Austin to consult with some Professors in Marine Biology and ask if there would be, and what the potential damage could be to the sharks. I already have done this and was told that it will cause stress, injure, and possibly kill them.
This gimick should never have been allowed to happen. It's lame excuse to suggest that they are doing this to also raise enviromental awareness. Right, very likely story.
Austin wants to be a progressive town. I'm sorry, but animal cruelty for the sake of supposed trendyness doesn't help the cause.
By Jay Xavier
October 16, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Those animals should not be in those tanks. That's cruel and wrong. Boo to Qua. My money will be going to responsible businesses that don't keep animals in captivity.