Martini glasses filled with exotic-looking drinks swirl and clink as young people lounge around wooden tables and drape themselves across plush arm-chairs and benches. Music thuds across the make-shift dance floor. The dim lighting and contemporary décor contribute to the atmosphere, and one can’t help but feeling that something magical could happen this night.
No, this is not a scene out of MTV’s reality drama The Hills. It is Spark Restaurant and Lounge, the newest addition to Provo’s growing night scene. Located at 86 N. University Ave., Spark offers lunch, dinner, late-night drinks and snacks and a buzzing social scene. But don’t worry Cougars; Spark is a completely non-alcoholic establishment.
The sleek downtown feel of Spark minus the alcohol is refreshing after months of winter lockdown in Provo’s lifeless night scene.
On event nights such as last weekend’s Mardi Gras Masquerade, Spark rolls out the red carpet. Complete with velvet ropes, a long line, and a guest list pulled from Facebook, Spark becomes an exclusive club.
Besides paying the $10-$15 cover charge (depending on whether one was on the Facebook list or not), guests were required to wear formal attire and a Mardi Gras mask. If you did not have a mask, you were forced to buy one at the door or you would not be admitted. It seemed as though the “bouncers” took pride in turning customers away and letting those admitted know they barely scraped in, as if Spark were doing them an enormous favor by accepting their business.
While I applaud Spark’s business model and marketing scheme, I think it is a little extreme. It is as if they are trying to convince people their business is cool by turning customers away. Although it was fun to get out for the weekend and see what Spark is all about, I doubt I’ll be going back.
Monday, March 2, 2009
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