It’s no longer Easy; it’s simply The Fifth. Based on the long-proven Miami social club scene, The Fifth Social Club combines all the elements demanded by Torontonians who love to indulge in the finest accoutrements that club life has to offer. Formerly known as Easy and the Fifth, the space has undergone a facelift allowing for new elements to revitalize the space.

The venue itself is a solid repackaging of the schematics that made the original so popular in the first place. When you enter The Fifth, you have a few options of enticements from which to choose: The main room is pure club, with a warehouse look and feel that promotes a healthy drinking-and-dancing vibe. Changes in the main room include an inventive concept for the DJ station; now located in the middle of the service bar, the DJ mixes it up alongside the bartenders. A raised level of VIP tables line the outside of the room, keeping the clientele in the mix with a vantage point of all that goes on within its confines. The VIP section is pure bottle service, so be prepared to drop serious dime.

To soften the fabric, the complex throws us Black Betty, a small back area bar with a carefree, Rock n Roll atmosphere, attracting the younger set. Black Betty offers a fun environment with no dress code, making it a good fit for those vintage jeans, some Jack Daniels and a pack of Marly reds. SDR (Sex Drugs + Rock and Roll) has moved their popular Thursday night Rock 'n Roll party here, while the other nights are still getting their footing. The newly decorated room has a cool biker bar vibe that complements the rest of The Fifth.

The reason of the re-packaging of The Fifth Social Club was obviously to lure the well-to-do professional crowd back to the grounds they inhabited a few years ago. The restructured atmosphere allows for a mid-twenties clientele to mingle and dance the night away next to a still-hip, older crowd. I expected to notice some separation between the two but this was not the case. It was a pleasant surprise and allowed for a diverse party experience. I find this is what gives The Fifth a mature yet hip edge.

The Fifth has a long history of treating its clientele without blemish, and because of that, the whole complex sees quite a loyal following, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday night is also a good draw, with a younger crowd, but still upholding the upscale feel; the throbbing music lends itself more to dancing than to talking while the banquettes are built to withstand the heels of girls gone wild. - F.A.