‘Privilege’d to have a new nightclub

On Friday, Privilege, formally known as Gossip nightclub in Austintown, will open with changes and new equipment that owner Brent Furrie said "will create an innovative night out on the town for its guests."

Furrie, 33, said Gossip was phenomenal, but he and his partners Chris McFall and Sami Awadallah are ready for something new.

The staff at Privilege changed the color scheme of the club and added changes such as open railings with glass block, a new lighting system, a liquid bar and a new Sky Bar Lounge for those 30 or older.

"The Sky Bar used to be the old office space and the bands' lounge area. Now it is a place for people to come and have a good time upstairs," Furrie said.

He added that the lighting system is comparable to their concert lighting system.

"We also have new speakers, and the LED lights in the glass block move to the beat of the music," he said.

Privilege will also serve Martini Brothers food. Furrie said that he's excited to work with owners Joe and Dan Martini from their previous bar in Girard.

The new club will, however, keep some aspects of Gossip nightclub the same.

"We're still doing concerts, and the cover charge is still $3. The Sky Bar has no cover charge," Furrie said.

Previous concerts at Gossip included Snoop Dogg, B.O.B, Seether, Hinder, Buckcherry, Papa Roach and Theory of a Deadman. The concerts are usually Monday through Thursday and cost anywhere between $18 and $52.

Privilege is 18 and over for girls, 21 and over for guys and 30 and over for the Sky Bar.

While proper age is a necessity for admission, the dress code is heavily enforced too.

"You have to dress to impress or you ain't coming in," Furrie said.

No hats, jerseys, sweatpants or cut-off shirts can be worn in the club.

"The name Privilege came from everyone saying it was a privilege to go to Gossip," he said.

Furrie often worked at the door for admission and expressed excitement about opening night.

"Our VIP is basically booked with people coming in from Pittsburgh and Cleveland," he said.

The VIP costs $250 and includes bottle, unlimited mixers, couch cost and tip.

On Friday, Privilege will have 16 bartenders, three shot girls, three VIP hostesses, one beer tub girl and 20 door hosts/floor hosts working. Also, four feature DJ's will provide a full-out show on opening night.

Through his previous work, Furrie traveled the U.S. to check out bars, learning what works and what doesn't. He was formerly employed at Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City, Fla., as a bouncer.

He said he likes having people at his clubs who enjoy staying in Youngstown.

Youngstown State University sophomore Linda Borrelli said Privilege would be pretty awesome.

"The lava bar will be cool. It will be an upgrade from Gossip. I wish it was closer to campus though," Borrelli said.

Sophomore Michael Gordon said he would check it out.

"We don't have too many clubs out here. I think it's a safer environment there too. Hopefully, the music will be better than other clubs," he said.

Other YSU students are unfamiliar with the new club.

"I am from Lisbon, and I don't know anything about this place," sophomore Mark Boley said. "I spend a lot of time in the woods hunting and fishing, but I think it would be cool to go and get my dance on."

Junior Darrial Mickens chooses not to attend these types of clubs.

"I don't party at all because of my religious beliefs," she said.

The painter of the Sky Bar Lounge, Jen Krezeczowski, painted the martini glasses and several wall portraits in the club.

"I love the idea of having an upscale place that is 30-and-over friendly," she said.

Furrie said he's confident about how the population will react to Privilege.

"You'll love this place, I promise," he said.