There are several cities across America with names that are simply synonymous with partying. Though all of the Big Six locations can be considered great bar and club towns, Las Vegas and Miami evoke images of decadence that give them their identities. More than anything, they are known for their clubs, and differentiating your establishment in either market can be a daunting task when opening a new venue. So, in South Beach, the folks Aero Bar took a new angle—not having any.
A 5,000-square foot ultra lounge nightclub, Aero Bar officially opened its doors in June 2008 with hopes that this intimate space could find a niche amongst the juggernaut that is Miami nightlife. Owner Tony Guerra, himself a well-known club guru affiliated with names such as Bash, Living Room, Opium, Crobar, The Forge, and Amika, designed his new club to be aerodynamic, smooth, and angle-free, both literally and figuratively. With corners throughout, there are no dark corners to hide; the club’s welcoming vibe stems from its physical design.
“It’s all about a futuristic, aerodynamic look,” says Kyle Schnedle, Aero Bar’s general manager. “It’s an oval room, with curved walls. Tony really wanted to make everything friendly and open. In the late 90s and early 2000s, South Beach started getting really arrogant, with stuffy door policies. So When Tony was designing the place, it was meant to be open and friendly, and once you get through the doors and into the club, we don’t have a designated VIP spot. We want everyone to be treated equally and with respect, so we do things a little differently here.”
Sometimes the “no-place-to-hide” concept behind Aero Bar’s design is not what certain clients want, especially when it comes to celebrities who don’t want to be bothered by fans all night. “For example, Brooke Hogan was in last weekend with her entourage and told me she just wanted her space and didn’t want to sign a million autographs all night,” says Schnedle. “So I take some of our security—which is the best on the beach—and I put them in front of her table and just keep things cool. So it’s inclusive, and yet guests can still have their space if they want.”
Schnedle, originally from Washington, D.C., has been in South Beach since 1996 and worked with Guerra at The Forge for several years, which is where their professional relationship began. When Schnedle heard about Guerra’s idea for Aero Bar, he was on board
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