Many have tried to replicate the legendary El Morocco nightclub (Plan B, most recently) but few have actually taken the name. That’ll change when El Morocco opens in Hamilton Heights on June 4 with a VIP party. With the blessing of the family of one of the original owners (for what that’s worth!), Michelle Rodriguez (not the actress) spent the past two years meticulously recreating the old hot-spot via a zebra-print wall and specially carved palm trees, throwing in some plasma screens and a sound-and-light system that would blow the toupee off of Sinatra. “Leopard girls” will work a “leopard room” during Sunday-night gay parties as well as during hip-hop and Latin nights. The 10,000-square-foot space accommodates about 600 and, judging by the lines at the now-defunct Copacabana (the owners of that venue are holding their nights at Columbus 72 while they search for a new space), the place will be packed. Rodiguez already plans to open another 12,000-square-foot club, the Tropicana, in the Bronx in three weeks. Bust out the sequins and cha-cha heels, chicas.
El Morocco, 3435 Broadway, at 145th St.; 212-939-0909, ElMoroccoNYC.com
