Amy Sacco

One of the most recognizable names in the hospitality industry; Born by ‘word of mouth’ fame echoing round the world. At 30 she made her indelible mark on NYC with Lot 61, pioneering the scene in West Chelsea. Followed by Bungalow 8 (NY/London/Amsterdam); Bette & No.8/The RecRoom and The Regents Cocktail Club (Miami/Aspen/NYC/Montauk) Famous for her “glitterati guest lists” and unusual concepts she has been widely copied around the world. Most recent is the launch of her creative capital Group #CULTof8.

When Lot 61 burst onto the scene in February of 1998, it appeared to be an overnight success; In truth, owner Amy Sacco ascended into nightlife culture one step at a time, first working in restaurants across the Hudson, then attending Johnson and Wales restaurant school in Providence, Rhode Island. The youngest of eight children, she grew up helping her mother cook nightly dinners for family. This formative experience heavily influenced her signature style.

Upon graduating in 1990, Sacco landed a job at famed Manhattan restaurant Bouley, followed with management positions at Lipstick Café, Vong, and Monkey Bar. Her requisite nightclub seasoning came as a short stint at System, but after years of overseeing the creations of others, Sacco decided to introduce her own vision to New York’s bustling restaurant scene: Lot 61.

The former truck garage located in West Chelsea, known more for galleries and leather bars than high-end restaurants, Amy transformed the warehouse-sized space into a modern restaurant/lounge/club/event space. Lot 61 became the one of first New York restaurants with site-specific art, an innovative feature that also referenced the area’s thriving art gallery scene. When another West Chelsea space became available, a smaller one that would accommodate more intimate gatherings and events, she couldn’t resist.

Bungalow 8, based on the famed Bungalows at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles was her second collaboration with the original Lot 61 team: Architect Rafael Viñoly and Interior Designer Diana Viñoly, Art Curator Yvonne Force-Villareal and Executive Chef Arlene Jacobs, has raised the standard in Manhattan nightlife, combining Sunset Boulevard glamour with unparalleled service, additionally launching the first Bespoke Luxury Concierge service for both her famous and infamous guests.

In the spring of 2005, came Bette Restaurant, reunited her with her love of the restaurant world; aptly named after Ms. Sacco’s mother Bette. Preferring the warmth of small, intimate settings, Amy selected West Chelsea’s London Terrace Towers as the home to her 85-seat eatery. Working yet again with her same famed team; the décor was classic, cozy and yet cosmopolitan at the same time.

Following next was a foray into the London nightlife scene, bringing an outpost of Bungalow 8 to the St. Martins Lane hotel, which opened London Fashion week in the fall of 2007. Amy also opened another branch of Bungalow 8 in Amsterdam in 2009.

In 2012 she joined the acclaimed restaurant group LDV Hospitality as the creative director of the first foray into nightlife which has since developed her latest additions including; No.8/RecRoom, Meatpacking, NYC (2013); RecRoom and The Regent’s Cocktail Club, Miami, (The Gale Hotel, South Beach) (2013); The Regent’s Cocktail Club, Gurney’s Montauk (2015); RecRoom Aspen (2015). Soon to open are several more branches of RecRoom and The Regent’s Cocktail Club across the country and London.

Amy has since launched a full time strategic branding, events and consulting firm called #CultOf8; bringing her creative branding strengths and heavy rolodex of contacts to work on special projects throughout the world including:

• Lifestyle consultant for District, a luxury condominium development in downtown New York.
• Creative Branding consultant for EOS Airlines; an all first class 60 flatbed seated airline
• Two years as creative director to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas during their re-branding and expansion.
• Special Ambassador to the United Nations NGO; International Renewable Energy Organization
• Member of the board of directors for ArtProductionFund.org
• Author of the book “Cocktails” by Amy Sacco with Assouline Publishing
• #Bungalow8World which handles International Pop-Ups; Cannes, London, Toronto, Venice, Los Angeles, Miami and Park City Utah to name a few.
• AES Adventure Capital; connecting investors with various projects from renewable energy, fashion, film, hotels, airlines, tech, and science.

Philanthropic:

• www.freeartsnyc.org (Ambassador)
• www.artproductionfund.org (Board Of Directors)
• (United Nations Special Ambassador (NGO))
• www.SolvingKidsCancer.org
• www.OperationSmile.org
• www.WayuuTaya.org
• www.LoveHeals.org
• www.TheNakedHeartFoundation.org
• www.apjnow.com Artist’s for Peace and Justice
• www.urbanzen.org
• www.glam4good.com (Ambassador)

Youtube:

AMY SACCO: Queen of Clubs