Vertigo Truly Has Something For Everyone

Like many Seattleites, I often forget there is a world outside of the downtown radius, and more importantly, that while we once gawked at the Eastside's idea of a good time, or lack thereof, it now hosts some of the area's finest restaurants, lounges and nightlife establishments. Not to mention, upon completion of the roughly $400 million mixed-use Bravern project, Bellevue will house some of the most exclusive names in designer retail shops and boutiques in our state. Taking up a whopping 300,000 square feet of space for store fronts alone, this world-class addition will include nearly 50 luxury retailers and restaurants from a variety of famed chefs both local and worldwide, making Bellevue an even more desirable place to visit than the exclusive area already is.

Clearly the brains behind Vertigo did their homework when researching where to open the doors of their posh concept. Upon walking through these very doors, every preconception I may have had went flying out the metaphorical window at record speeds. I was subconsciously expecting an ant and came upon an elephant. As I climbed the stairs in anticipation, I began to hear a very familiar song I happen to love to sing along to, even though my singing voice has been known to evoke the same response as one might have when subjected to the sound of Fran Drescher's laugh. So I decided to abstain from breaking into song for the time being. Regardless, I was one-for-one and I hadn't even hit the front door.

Upon arriving at the entrance, I was immediately greeted by a very cool and official-looking, clipboard-toting door guy and directed to the gentleman who would give me the grand tour of the venue. With a welcoming guy like this on the scene, one can't help but feel elite. I couldn't help but feel like I was among the who's who of the Eastside as I made my way through the diverse swarm of well-dressed party-goers, a crowd that anyone from a soccer mom to a sex kitten could fit right into. Between the swanky, almost romantic dĂŠcor, the stylish crowd and endless options for drinking and dining, this was without a doubt the place to be on a weekend night in Bellevue.

From a group of bachelorettes celebrating their last nights as single women, to off-the-clock, hedge-fund managers still suited up, ties loosened a bit and sipping on scotch, to the urban casual, the crowd at Vertigo was a feast for my eyes. Not to mention it boasted some of the best-looking staff I've seen in a very long time. My bartender, Jessica, was the epitome of who I would want mixing my drinks, male or female. Her teased up hair, perfectly applied face paint and fishnets were all too fittingly topped off with a school-girl-like bow that rested upon the top of her long brunette locks, and she was friendly to boot! "What can I get you?" she said in a voice that I could not so much hear as see, as I quickly read her smiling lips. I thought about ordering something simple so as to leave as little room as possible for the disappointment the city girl in me had so snobbishly been convinced I would encounter on this side of the 520 bridge. However, having been completely wrong up to this point, I figured I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain, and quickly reconsidered. "Why don't you make me one of your signature cocktails," I recited to the sassy lady manning the bar. "Make me your favorite."

It was no surprise to me when the quick-on-her-feet, vodka-pouring vixen immediately reached for a martini glass and went to work. As I hummed to the beats filling the bar area and watched her shake what was going to soon be my drink, a deliciously-crafted, powder-pink cocktail filled the once empty glass in front of me and brought it to life. Just as I was marveling at her ability to come up with something that looked so delectable upon request (without having to buy time by asking me what kind of drinks I typically sip on), Jessica slipped a hot pink glow stick into the now extremely tempting looking concoction, one with my name written all over it. What's the product of Jessica's mean mixology skills? The Naughty Girl. The heavenly combination of X-Rated, Stoli Citrus and Sweet&Sour was all it took to send my night from already great to over the top as the sweet drink hit my glossed lips. A few sips of this magical martini could turn the nicest girls naughty and the naughtiest girls nice. The Naughty Girl is an absolute must, and the perfect accessory for a well-manicured hand.

As if I wasn't impressed before this, I hit the dance floor for a much needed dance-off with my friends under the bright, star-like lighting that illuminated the darkened dance floor perfectly. With resident DJ Trouble mixing an eclectic range of beats from top 40 hits, hip-hop and house to everything in between, everyone is bound to hear something they can show off their best moves to. In fact, on this seriously sexy Friday night, there wasn't a still foot in the place. True to his name, if there is one thing to keep in mind when planning to hit this premiere nightclub, it is that you are bound to get into trouble on the dance floor with the likes of this DJ's beats gyrating all around you. This hipster DJ has no trouble pulling even the biggest of wallflowers away from the chic damask covered walls and straight onto the dance floor. But if you were going to forgo dancing for a night and post up on the side, the beautifully adorned walls of Vertigo would be the place to do it. With music that flows as well as this, anybody can tap into their inner dancing queen or king, as the tasteful yet edgy black-and-white dĂŠcor is practically fit for one.

When I had danced long enough to work up an appetite and my exhausted spike heel-clad feet finally needed a break, I was thrilled at the idea of being able to sit down right alongside the dance floor at one of the elegantly upholstered banquettes. For those of you who hate to miss out on the commotion, fear not; you can continue to drink and dine without so much as stepping away from the scene. There is nothing like the feeling of still being in the mix when you're stuffing a late-night snack in your face. If you need something to wash it down with, Vertigo offers guests the option of popping a bottle of your favorite wine or champagne and drinking it right there sitting amidst all of the action. To top that, there is plenty of seating in the area which makes it a great choice for large groups looking to have a lively meal together. Enjoying your favorite bottle of grape juice right on the dance floor is something hard to come by. This makes it a perfect spot for singles and special occasions alike.

Vertigo truly has something for everyone, and is definitely worth the trip across the bridge, especially as I found out, on a Friday night. The Black Eyed Peas said it best, "Tonight's gonna be a good, good night," which is the song I heard as I walked in and almost sang to. If your night is spent dancing to the beats of one of Vertigo's killer DJs or enjoying any one of the tasty treats adorning the menu, that pop song is bound to ring true for you. With a name like Vertigo, it may lead one to believe there is something to be confused about, but the only thing I found myself questioning at the end of a great night was, "Why in the world did it take me so long to make my way over to check out this posh spot?" This not-so-little gem is definitely one of the Eastside's best kept secrets and well worth the drive.

Vertigo
989 112th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 467-6767
http://www.vertigobellevue.com

Bellevue Nightlife