By Louisa Cohen

The last time I was hyped up on Vancouver’s nightlife scene was when I was straight out of university working as a hostess; I had become practically nocturnal, and it was a sure bet you could find more booze running though my veins then blood. My friends lovingly refer to it as my “summer-of-sin” I also should mention I was newly single (wink).

I partied my face off for a summer – slamming back the most I could, while wearing the least I could get away with.

Then, I left. I moved to Toronto to ‘mature,’ yada yada yada…and now I am back three years later. I admit I turned my back on this city’s nightlife. I have my fun, but I’ll nearly roll my eyes every time someone suggests we go to a club. I guess I have changed a little too – as I don’t consider my cleavage my first option for an evening accessory. The nightlife scene in Vancouver didn’t seem to grow with my friends and I. Why were 16 year olds and 26 year olds going to the same places?

You can see why I was hesitant to attend another opening, of another apparently different club downtown – better yet, on Granville Street.

Now that I sound like a total hater, I’ll shift gears to neutral – I heard who was behind Barcelona Ultra Lounge and my ears perked. I also happen to be a sucker for anything I can pronounce with a Euro accent. So I sat down with Matthew Schmidt co-owner and Barcelona’s PR man. He’s young, handsome, and well dressed… so I gave him a chance to explain, defend, and champion Vancouver’s newest late nightspot.

SDTC: What is the concept Behind Barcelona? Seeing we are pretty far away from the real place…
The concept was to bring something new and fresh to Vancouver’s nightlife. A warm, well designed room that lends itself to the boutique style clubs of Spain, Las Vegas, Miami, New York and London. Also to focus on great service to local VIP’s and people visiting our great city.

SDTC: How is Barcelona different from its predecessors in the same spot – and other Vancouver nightlife spots?
Before we opened Barcelona; in the ground floor of the Howard Johnson Hotel was a club called “Crush Champaign Lounge.” We totally gutted the room and started from scratch. Our genius up and coming contractor Brendon Willox and designer Kate Walker from Urban Concept Contracting did an incredible job. We wanted to separate ourselves from every other Vancouver venue and get that wow factor when people walk in the entrance. The design is all about flow, echoing rounded edges, great textures and over the top VIP sections… I’m really happy with the way it turned out.

SDTC: Having lived in Montreal and Toronto I know that people are tough on Vancouver’s nightlife scene. What are you guys doing differently that will prevent Barcelona from feeling like another tired spot on Granville Street in about 6 months?
We really focus on people; for us it’s not just about selling drinks. It’s all about great music, dancing and bringing people together. I also feel a really strong point we have at Barcelona is our team. One of my business partners Leo Doueik is from Montreal and brings a lot to the table. Leo has owned a few clubs out there and Barcelona is his first Vancouver project. We also hired the best of the best from local industry people, even having a few come over from clubs in Toronto and Montreal. They really are a great bunch of people that have so much fun doing this. We hope for Barcelona to become an institution-style hang out, a place for people to see and be seen for years to come.

SDTC: Where are your favorites spots in Vancouver to shop, to eat, generally chill at, etc.?
Brunch – Cafe Barney’s, Sunshine Diner and Abigail’s Party in Kits… Dinner – I love to visit my man Frenchy at Joe Fortes… You can also find me at Coast, Salt, Quattro’s and Guu a lot. For Shopping its Holts and Harry Rosen for high end and Main Street for vintage.

SDTC: Can you name the top 3 parties you’ve been to in the past year? Locally, internationally, behind closed doors, whatever..
1) A skybox at Tao in Las Vegas. 2) Rooftop pool at the Radisson in Panama. 3) My friend David Hanson’s home in Cole Harbor… I also love our VIFF opening and closing Galas.

SDTC: Take me through your typical day.
9:00am: Wake up, play some great music, vigorous dental hygiene and a healthy breakfast
9:45am: Read something inspiring.
10:00am: Hit the computer and work from home.
12:00pm Call Mom.
12:30pm: Meet up with my business partners over lunch.
4:00pm: Make a million calls and run some errands… maybe more meetings.
6:00pm: Hit a yoga class or the gym.
7:30pm: Home to shower and get fresh.
7:45pm: Focus on some scripts, sketching or art if I’m feeling creative and chill at home.
8:00pm: (If out) dinner with some of my great friends I love!!!
10:00pm: Stop by Barcelona, spend some time with customers and staff. I then do some intense brainstorming.
11:00pm – TBA: Dance and continue to have the best night ever…

SDTC: Do you realize your DJ booth looks like Lady Gaga’s DISCO bra?! I love it. What’s with all of the disco balls?
I guess it does…That thing has been getting tons of attention. It was inspired from the booth in Cameo down in South Beach, Miami. Ours was actually designed by an aeronautical engineer. And the cluster of disco balls was kind of modern discothèque chandelier design.

SDTC: Being a guy in your mid-twenties, this is a pretty incredible achievement. Do you think you will roll with this for a while, or do you already have your sights set on other projects?
I try to remind people that I would never have been able to do this without my incredible operating partners Derek Anderson, Allan Goodall and Leo Doueik. But yes, I do feel so lucky to be where I am. I have so much fun doing this and I look forward to continuing to work hard, learn and grow from here. We will be giving Barcelona tons of love and attention right now but we do have some other interesting ideas for other hospitality/nightlife business in the works.

I worked in film before this and I would love to one day make a feature film with some childhood friends… Every since I was a teenager all I wanted to do, was make movies and throw parties.

SDTC: What is your favorite outfit to get into for a night at Barcelona…from products to clothes, any rituals before opening?
Ok, now that’s hard…
Simple plain shoes, my Vans by Marc Jacobs or Prada dress shoes. (I hate loud labels.)

Fitted Evisu Jeans from Japan with a belt matching the kicks. A plain white v-neck with a vintage blazer… I also love classic rock tees. And maybe a Burberry scarf with a black pea coat this time of year.

And if I’m dressing up a little more, my favorite suit is a fitted Dolce and Gabbana.

And as for rituals: I spin around three times before opening the door… I’m kidding, no rituals.

SDTC: Anything else you’d like to tell me?
I just wanted to say a huge thanks if I can, to all the people that have been so passionate about partying at Barcelona and spreading the word. The place wouldn’t be the same without the great people that go there.

Hear that folks?! So ya… so he’s a sweetie… and as cynical as I attempt to be, this young gentleman is genuine and so passionate about what he is doing. I attended Barcelona’s grand opening – it was a class act; Fondue, sushi, skanks in booty shorts (okay okay, they were also wearing bowties). Seriously though: the club-going days of my life are, I must admit, almost passé, but for a night of sophisticated debauchery, I will definitely keep Barcelona on my map.

Say it with me… Bar-ce-lo-naaaa ay ay ay ay!!!