Sultans of swank: Pearl

The word "chic" originally comes from the German "schick" meaning "skill, finesse, or elegance." Today, it connotes more of an "unce-unce" beat with ubiquitous, tilting cosmos and the click-clack of pumps across a dance floor. At the Old Port's freshest new club, the Pearl, the word must mean both.

The decor is laid out like Manhattan's finest in microcosm, highlighted with pomegranate reds, copper brick, warm candlelight and whatever delightful color your beverage happens to be. With class to spare, the Pearl can also let its hair down, so to speak, and all of a sudden hosts one of the most crowded weekend dance floors in town when a live DJ is spinning.

The sultans of swank who operate the place have the old school chic down; the Pearl oozes finesse and skill with its smooth operating, especially for being the new kid on the block. But the ever-thirsty Portland club crowd can get its dance on in a hurry when the staff moves the luscious leather couches out of the way. So whether you want to unleash your inner-Shakira after hours, or enjoy a quiet cocktail in upscale environs, the Pearl brings you the kind of chic you crave.

Besides boasting New England's largest disco ball, the Pearl fills a major Portland need by providing a top-notch live jazz every Thursday from 6 - 10. There have been a number of live acts of other varieties, but the jazz, with sultry vocals and stand-up bass, is as good a reason to bring your date here as any. Or roll as deep as you'd like and rock one of the relatively inexpensive VIP sections (each named for and inspired by some of the sexiest cities in the country…"Hey ladies, let's sip mojitos in Miami tonight, sound good?") where you can enjoy the Pearl's spoils with personalized table service and relative privacy.

While the keys, kit and horns do the work, avail yourself of the tantalizing specialty cocktail list ($9 each). The process of devising these delights, says manager Josh, is the area where the staff has its best collaboration and the most fun. The fun, of course, is in part due to how delicious the results of this mixology turn out.

Take the Italian Tailor (Real Espresso Chilled, Stoli Vanilla, Splash of Frangelico, Godiva and Bailey's Irish Cream) or the Pearl Sapphire Martini (Bombay Sapphire, freshly muddled cucumber, lemon juice, splash of simple syrup, and soda). These are seasonally inspired, with a homemade touch, and are a far cry from your Nana's cocktails. If spinning while sitting, take a peek at the Small Plates menu, where the Pearl Plate (Antipasti mix of Italian meats, fontina cheese, roasted red peppers, marinated mushrooms, olive medley, and fire roasted tomatoes served with a sliced, crusty baguette) is an ever-popular option.

Even though Pearl and its arsenal of skilled, showmen DJs has gotten throwing a good party down to a science, it's one of the dressier joints in town. Picture the Roaring 20's with women pinching long cigarette-holders in sequined gowns - only the modern, Portland Maine version of that image. It's open only three nights a week, which allows the staff to really fine-tune the product and create a worthwhile experience. After all, eleg-unce-unce is a tough style to get right, if they didn't have the rest of the week to plan, I'm not sure how they would sustain this Coltrane/Kanye dual-identity for us locals in need.