Tell us a little bit about what’s in store for the pop-up Bungalow 8 at Thompson Toronto.
The hotel has the most tranquil rooftop oasis all day, and so we are looking forward to turning up the heat all night! The panoramic views of the entire city are spectacular, giving it a very special vibe. To me, it’s as flawless as a classic martini, chilled, straight up, and I am just the twist.
You opened No. 8 on West 16th Street earlier in the summer. Who would be your dream party guest list, past or present?
I am already living the dream every night! I get to put on my dancing shoes and frolic with my band of merry revelers. I would have loved to have had Mae West, Coco Chanel, Mata Hari, Cassanova, Babe Paley, Salvador Dali, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Warhol…and that’s just in the private room. I could fill a few clubs with my list.
You’ve compared Toronto to a “mini San Francisco.” What made you fall in love with the city?
My first visit was to TIFF last season when I hosted the CAA party. I had a chance to explore some of the hipster spots.
Are there any films you’re eager to check out at TIFF this year?
I was lucky enough to catch two screenings at the Venice Film Festival this week, The Master , which had brilliant performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams; and the Disconnect with Frank Grillo, Alexander Skarsgard and Jason Bateman, which was so powerful and emotional that it got a 15 minute standing ovation. Unreal. I am looking forward to seeing Argo , The Iceman , Quake , The Pusher , Bad , At Any Price , and Boxing Day .
Where are your favorite spots to eat and drink in New York?
For food, La Promenade Des Anglais in Chelsea, Indochine, Balthazar, The Cookshop, Le Bernardin, Cipriani, and Blue Ribbon are amongst my favorite. For cocktails, I love Zinc Bar, ECC, No. 8 and Pegu.
What’s your favorite place to travel to?
I love London with a passion. Such an elegant city, and full of friends, so it’s like a second home to me.
Where are you just back from?
I just landed from Venice Film Festival where I finished my third annual Bungalow 8 Pop-Up for the Venice Film Festival at the Palazzina G hotel on the Grand Canal.
Where are you yearning to go next?
As I travel so much for work, I am desperate for a long vacation and am hopeful to get two weeks in Australia sometime next year. Although I am positive that two weeks won’t be nearly enough time to explore all of it’s natural beauty.
What’s on your iPod?
Everything from opera, country to classical but majority is funk, soul, blues and rock & roll. I am truly spoiled, as I have a bevy of amazing DJs at my fingertips to make me amazing playlists and keep me current!
What’s your all-time favorite hotel?
The Chateau Marmont. It’s timeless, warm and you can feel the historic glamour all around you. You may even see a ghost or two from the past…but mostly movie stars, musicians and artists are the de rigueur of the day. I love their Bolognese for breakfast in bed and dining on the terrace ends up being an all day and all night affair.
Do you have any check-in rituals when you first arrive on property?
I always use a pseudonym so I can avoid getting the constant wake up “knocks” on the door from friends looking to raid my mini-bar or get me out dancing again! FYI…for all you fabulous nutters, I am no longer using Bette Ford.
What are your in-flight essentials and must-pack beauty items?
Water, Berocca, Wax earplugs, laptop and iPod, Argan oil, which is not only moisturizing but is fabulous for both face and body. I also bring a cashmere shawl, eye mask, neck pillow and slippers…..makes it far more enjoyable. Lastly, Jo Malone travel fragrance spritzers like lavender for sleep time and grapefruit for the wake up call.
Out of all the parties you’ve thrown all over the world, do you have one particularly memorable one?
George Clooney’s birthday party that Giorgio Armani threw for him at Bungalow 8 NYC. We had a fireman deliver his cake with 100 candles on it! John Maher, Fergie and a few others sang for him impromptu, and it was wall super star guests…so many George still speaks about it with amazement and laughter that he was even impressed and surprised that they knew who he was.
What are a few of your style essentials when you travel — what do you constantly find yourself packing?
I am committed to sizing down the weight in my bags. But between jewelry, handbags, shoes and styling products, there is little space for anything else! So one great tracksuit…I love my yoga pants from Boy Meets Girl as they are super long in the legs that you can even throw on stilettos and a sexy t-shirt and wear them out at night to go clubbing! The essential little black dress, a long black dress and few crisp white dress shirts, my favorite GAS Jeans and at least one cashmere jumper.
Your restaurants and nightlife ventures have had consistently great food throughout the years, but do you also enjoy cooking at home? Any signature recipes?
I love to cook for my friends. It relaxes me. And I so enjoy their company outside of work where distractions are as constant as my blackberry going off 24/7. My best dishes are mostly Italian. If my friends would pick, it would be my risotto with wild mushrooms. I won’t dare give out the recipe.
What do you do to unwind from constant traveling when you’re back home in New York?
I live in a gorgeous building with beautiful pool that was built in the 30′s; it is wonderful to decompress with a few laps and then detox in the sauna and or steam room. What I miss most traveling is my Breville Juicer. I even put fresh press juices on the menu at No. 8, as my motto is you to “Detox to Retox.”
Canonized in New York nightlife legend for opening the hit club Bungalow 8, Amy Sacco definitely knows where the party is at. Back on the scene with her latest venture, the chic Meatpacking District spot No. 8 (owned by LDV Hospitality and Bobby Rossi — Amy is is their brand partner in several ventures), Sacco is once again setting her sights on Manhattan and beyond. Just in time for the Toronto International Film Festival, Sacco is installing a “pop-up” Bungalow 8 on the rooftop of Toronto’s sleek Thompson Hotel, ongoing Sept. 6–10. Cheers to that.