Silk City sounded to me like the name of some mythical Chinese city. It turns out, the only thing Chinese about it is the intense red lighting that conjures up old memories of Chairman Mao. Aside from the red glare in everyone's eyes, there's nothing communist about Silk City. Located at the corner of 5th and Spring Garden, Silk City Club & Lounge epitomizes the Western capitalist culture. Trendy mid-twenty-year-olds, decked out in expensive clothing, drinking cosmos and martinis, line the bar stools and booths in this cozy little hotspot. The dance floor is no bigger than a Volkswagen Beetle, but soon gets packed once the DJ starts mixing contemporary pop and dance music. By 11 pm, the club is packed with dancers and drinkers having a good time.
The service from the bartenders seemed questionable. Though it's rare to find a bartender in a club willing to take time for the occasional smile, those at Silk City seemed too busy for their own good. Perhaps a victim of its own success, Silk City was too packed to be comfortable and too loud for a reasonable conversation. The d‚cor was simple yet stylish, with strong accents in a few unique lamps and wall hangings. Small tables and booths packed with people lined the edges of the club without a free chair to be found. Get there early to enjoy the ambience, but personal space becomes a luxury during late hours. Perhaps the best part of the Silk City club is its sister diner right next door. Creatively named the Silk City Diner, its doors are open late for those with late night cravings for greasy food and coffee. If driving down Spring Garden at night, it will be hard to miss either the diner or the club, with bright neon signs marking the entrances to both. But don't forget your wallet and yuppie attitude, because you'll get plenty of use out of both in a trip to Silk City.
