Barcelona Scottsdale closes for a makeover

At Barcelona. (Credit: Mike Rynearson/azcentral.com)

Photos:

By Megan Finnerty
Metromix

Saturday night is your last chance to dance, drink and dine at Barcelona Steakhouse & Nightclub for at least the next three months.

After eight years, the club is closing to do some extensive remodeling that follows the smaller upgrades undertaken this spring.

Barcelona spokeswoman Lynze Shuman was loathe to give details about what the new concept would look like, but she did promise that the new space would be “completely original” for Scottsdale.

“It's going to be totally new to the area,” she said. “I can't tell you what the changes are going to be, but it's going to be unlike anything in the market right now.”

Barcelona has teamed with Los Angeles-based Dodd Mitchell Design to reinvent the space. The name might be familiar if you've eaten at the Sushi Roku at the W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences, or in Southern California. The interior design firm is also known for reinvigorating the now-buzz-worthy Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, including its many bars and restaurants, namely 25 Degrees, one of which just opened at CityNorth in Phoenix.

Dodd Mitchell has been written up breathlessly in just about every newspaper and magazine from the New York Times to InStyle for the firm's focus on low-lights, intimate spaces and luxury materials, as well as for its commitment to an aesthetic best described as modern-swank-with-money.

Last summer, I stayed at the Thompson Beverly Hills, which had just been made over by Dodd Mitchell, and I can only say that is was the most fabulously, sexy, dramatic, gorgeous space I have ever rested my head in. I slept in a hotel room that couldn't have been more absurdly kinky-chic if Dolce & Gabbana had done it themselves. (Picture foot-wide strips of mirror running from the black quilted-leather wall behind the bed, up onto the ceiling.)

It's fair to say that my expectations couldn't be higher. To better fantasize about the parties you'll throw, or maybe just the cocktails you'll have, at the new-and-improved Barcelona, check out the firm's previous projects at doddmitchell.com.

Look for updates on Barcelona's MySpace and Facebook pages. The reservation line will also remain open for those interested in booking events and being nosy.

Details: 15440 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop, Scottsdale, 480-603-0370, barcelonaarizona.com.