Club XS will close its doors for the last time Thursday, but the spot will reopen after the break under a new name.
Managers will replace XS with a new club over Spring Break to jump-start business. The new club, Envy, will open March 14.
Rick Rosenbluth, 21, general manager of Gator City Sports Grille and Club XS, said the club’s bartenders and drink specials won’t change.
“We want to come up with a brand-new, fresh face,” he said. “It’s going to be a much nicer atmosphere.”
Rosenbluth, a Jewish studies and family, youth and community sciences major, said although the club was doing well, it didn’t have the name recognition he hoped for. XS opened Jan. 1, 2003.
Fans of the club can spend one final night partying at tonight’s farewell event with $95 VIP bottles and free drinks for women.
Once the doors close, Rosenbluth said, the real work will begin.
Painters, contractors and lighting specialists will transform the space into Envy over Spring Break.
Changes to the venue will include a new color scheme, new tops for the bar, a new DJ booth and new lighting.
“It’s not XS 2.0,” he said. “It’s a brand-new, better club.”
Rosenbluth said the VIP section will be redone with new upholstery, mirrors, flooring and tables that will feature a glowing ice bucket for VIP bottles.
UF student James Martingano, 18, said he enjoyed going to XS but agreed it needed a change.
“It really could use some renovation,” the health science freshman said. “It is a good club and it’s a lot of fun. I guess it didn’t really come across that way to some people.”
Other students are skeptical that changes to the club will make a noticeable difference.
Bianca Miller, 21, said she doubts Envy will provide a club experience like those in Miami.
“I don’t expect to be blown away because the renovations are taking less than two weeks,” the animal science senior said. “But I’m definitely curious to see what they have to offer.”
Midtown nightclub XS will close its doors for the last time on Thursday. A new club, Envy, will open in its place after Spring Break.
