The Park, where you can eat play and drink, is located near the heart of downtown Sacramento across the street from 3 Fires Lounge. (Yes, there seems to be a little theme at this intersection of town.) The Play piece of The Park is its Ultra Lounge. On its way to becoming, if not already, Sacramento’s premiere nightclub. If, and not only because, in addition to being perfectly located, it offers dance music AND a dance floor. Something other local lounges seem to have forgotten and, sadly, left out.
Let’s not sell the Lounge short, this place has a lot going on in addition to music and dancing, which are just my favorite parts. Catering to a lot of big, flashy money, Park Ultra Lounge has gone to all extremes to ensure a classy establishment ready to please. Seating is plush. Lighting is decadent. Staff is friendly. Drinks are reasonably priced for the setting (Voss Water – $4; Jameson – $7.25; Sapphire – $7.75). The package is worth the cover. They feature an amazing first bar, but also offer a second and third bar (on the dance floor and patio, respectively) which are fully loaded, unlike some venues which only keep the most-sold bottles stocked. AND, another plus, if for some reason you happen to be sitting — table service. You’re never very far when you find yourself in want, and you don’t even have to leave your conversation.
Still, there’s more. The Lounge sells a range of VIP packages, from reserved over-sized sofas and chairs to private rooms. Each includes a variety of perks, usually well worth the money if you and your group are up for it. The Lounge has plenty of security, including a group of police officers that show up later in the night to keep an eye on things. The Lounge introduces you to a really neat hand washing experience, which has nothing to do with the bloke dispensing hand towels. You’ll have to live it to get it.
Undoubtedly, the Lounge has a dress code, described as upscale. It’s not as stuffy as it sounds, no business casual nonsense and you don’t have to wear a dorky, button-down, striped shirt. I’m not a fashion kid and I managed to gain entrance, which is saying a lot if you’re familiar with my disdain for dress codes. Although, you can imagine, if I’m willing to alter my attire, my look, myself, for a good night out, this place is worth the extra effort.
Which brings me to my final point, and the real reason you’ll find me frequenting the dance floor at Ultra Lounge. The women are gorgeous. Absolutely! (Approaching Q’s in Santa Barbara, CA levels.) It makes the dress code, the cover — the whatever other hangups you might typically have about a place like this — tolerable; for the women. A lot of whom show up with groups who think knowing how to dance is a requirement to getting on the dance floor. Umm…okay. Believe me, it’s not.
Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.