Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, standing at 7 feet tall, towered over the screaming fans at Encore’s new nightclub Memoire as he stepped behind the turntables.
O’Neal — also known as DJ Diesel — was Memoire’s Thursday night act in their weeklong grand opening ceremonies, and he did not disappoint fans with his hour and a half set.
Walking into Memoire, you get the feel of a Vegas nightclub, reminiscent of Encore’s sister casinos in the Sin City. High end, slightly pretentious, with a sultry ambiance and pulsating lights, it’s easy to forget you’re in Everett.
The 8,000-square-foot space was packed with a diverse crowd, from barely 21-year-olds to middle-age parents. Everyone was dressed to the nines, with Memoire enforcing their nightclub attire requirements, and the club was bustling for a Thursday.
The best part by far — the $2 billion Encore spent on lighting and sound.
With a giant stage-to-ceiling LED screen — which was so high-def there was virtually no pixielation — a color changing chandelier and lasers across the ceiling, one felt completely immersed in the club scene.
From the images across the LED screen to the changing lights to the music, it was hard not to be awed. The light shows, confetti and fog were reminiscent of the Vegas Wynn’s XS club.
Playing a solid variety of club songs, oldies and tried-and-true karaoke songs, DJ Diesel killed it. Diesel was completely engaged and it was evident he was having fun, and his hype man was fantastic at getting the crowd riled up.
The sheer size of the club was a downside. While 8,000 square feet seems like a lot, more than half of the club was VIP sections.
The entire second floor as well as multiple roped-off sections downstairs were off limits to the average party-goer. It made the regular sections seem very crowded, which makes one wonder what it will feel like when the club gets more popular and on weekends.
And all that spectacle doesn’t come cheap. Tickets to see Shaq ran about $70 for general admission, VIP started at $500, and it was $32 for two vodka sodas.
Still, Memoire is well worth a visit. The music and lights were captivating, and if Encore’s opening lineup — with acts such as Steve Aoki, DJ Diesel and Don Diablo — is any indication, it has very promising potential to be the entertainment hub it wants to be.
