We Gon’ Make ‘Em Slither Dance to This One, ‘Zilla*: Gorilla Zoe’s Luckie Birthday Bash

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

By Summer Stanley.

As per usual, Luckie Food Lounge is in full swing with a full crowd on Wednesday night. DJ Infamous and co. man the turntables as the star studded, dudded-up crowd bump n’ grind to Nicki Minaj, Lil’ Wayne, and of course, the man of the hour, birthday boy Gorilla Zoe.

The 2009 album Don’t Feed the Animals of this former Boyz n da Hood member crowned the U.S. Rap Chart in 2009, as every car stereo in Atlanta blared the go-hard anthem, Lost, and the hauntingly rhythmic lament, Echo. In the style distinct to rappers of our fair city, surrounded by an entourage sporting t-shirts boasting his name, Zoe celebrates another year of the good life – popping bottles of Grey Goose Vodka, posing for pictures, and enjoying the attention of many a lovely lady.

To the Luckie staff members, many of whom are inveterate to the club since its 2007 grand opening, serving such renowned faces as Jazze-Pha is now customary for a Wednesday night at one of Atlanta’s premiere hip hop hotspots. It is at the same time its exclusivity to the stars as well as its accessibility to them that has culminated the notoriety Luckie possesses today.

Its considerable dance floor expands to an equally-spacious dining room. The high ceilings leftover from the former Mercedes dealership begets an openness that distinguishes the restaurant/club from other similar concepts around town. For Luckie, the combination goes hand in hand. Having sustained respectability in both their Sushi and their American-fare menu, Luckie is equally as passionate about their special events, bottle service, and top-notch wait staff.

By night Luckie’s fish tanks are incandescent highlights to the dark club, and along with the bamboo-lined walls, evoke Luckie’s sleek, sexy style. By day, the tanks are a subtle reminder to the employees of CNN, World of Coca-Cola, and Ernst and Young who frequent the lunch spot, of the Georgia Aquarium located directly across Ivan Allen Junior Boulevard.

The Sky Bar upstairs, formerly limited to VIP guests only, has recently opened up to the public, and possesses a beautiful view of the city. Though not pastoral, watching the sunset reflected off the Ernst and Young building while relaxing on the open-air couches is just as sublime to city-lovers as an endless horizon is to beachcombers. Look beneath you and the glass tile reveals the dance floor from a story below. Inside the covered area, you can shoot a game of pool over a couple of cocktails from the full bar, or even a bite from the menu.

After your next visit to the beluga whales at the Aquarium or for your next ballin’ birthday party, make Luckie your destination and treat yourself to a taste of Atlanta culture and the variety it has to offer. Who knows? You may get lucky and meet somebody who’s somebody.