Owners of the Hilton garden inn revive the fading glory of the cabaret club, and islanders are singing their song

By Jessica Jones-Gorman • Photos by Amessé Photography

When Lois and Richard Nicotra built the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield more than a decade ago, they wanted to bring something different to Staten Island’s already bar-and club-soaked Friday nights. After all, there were plenty of fist-pumping DJs and happy hour drink specials for young and single borough residents, but virtually nothing for the dinner-and-dancing crowd. So, as their hotel empire grew and expanded, an intimate but impressive cabaret venue was included in the plans.

“Cabaret is a venue that Lois and I have loved for years; we used to frequent the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel and the Carlyle. I probably should have been born in the 1920s or ’30s because I really appreciate great music with great lyrics,” Nicotra said. “So when we introduced our cabaret venue at Lorenzo’s, we wanted to recreate the nightclubs of that era and really bring back a dying art.”

Inspired by iconic supper clubs like the Copacabana and Latin Quarter, Lorenzo’s Cabaret is a two-tiered entertainment space with a capacity of 250 and a history of hosting acts that vary from single performers to 19-piece bands.

“Its’ ironic that here on Staten Island, we are keeping this art form alive,” Nicotra said. “Most of Manhattan’s major cabaret venues have now closed, but here, it’s thriving.”

Nicotra attributes his venue’s success to an “unbelievable sound system” and the thoughtful planning that went into the room’s construction.

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“We put so much steel in the ceiling that there would be no need for columns, so no matter where you sit, you’ll have an unobstructed view”

Industry greats like Lucie Arnaz, Rita Moreno, and Lainie Kazan—all of whom have performed in the space—told Nicotra that it’s the best cabaret venue in the city.

“Where else can you come, have dinner, and see all of these wonderful performers?” he asked.

The space, which debuted in May of 2006, started out true to cabaret roots: acts like Billy Stritch and Ann Hampton Callaway were some of its first shows, and when the Staten Island audience responded well to livelier gigs from Louis Prima Jr., the Duprees, and the cast of Beatlemania, a broader mix evolved.

“Lately people have really flocked to the tribute shows,” Nicotra added. “We’ve featured a Bee Gees show, a Billy Joel tribute…even a Rod Stewart impersonator. Last week we had a Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand show that was billed as the ‘concert that never was.’ There’s something about that music that just transports you to another time.”

The theater has also hosted Grammy, Emmy, Academy and Tony award winning performers, though one of the most magical performances came courtesy of Lucie Arnaz.

“She is the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, so in that show she shows family films and home movies of herself and her family in the swimming pool and eating dinner at the dining room table,” Nicotra said. “When at the end she sings an emotional rendition of ‘Leader of the Band’ and as a tribute to her father takes out the original straw hat he wore on ‘I Love Lucy’ and sings to it, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”

Cabaret shows start at 9:30 p.m., but ticket holders are encouraged to schedule dinner for 7:30 so that they can finish dinner and dessert before the show. Tickets are $40 per person, plus the cost of dinner. Premium seating can be reserved for $55. There are also hotel cabaret packages available for $185, which include two tickets and an overnight stay. •

Lorenzo’s Cabaret
1100 South Ave. / 718.477.2400 x5 / lorenzosdining.com
The Cast of Beatlemania – July 18
The Duprees – August 8
The Association – September 19
The Australian BeeGees – October 17
Tribute to Chicago – November 14
Christmas in Tuscany with Giada Valenti – December 12