The Nomad members club, The Ned, has recently been in the spotlight in post-COVID New York City. The club's public figure, Richie Avika, has departed amidst a period of chaos and uncertainty. Since the easing of lockdown restrictions, The Ned has garnered significant media attention, attracting high-profile guests such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Rihanna, P Diddy, Emily Ratajkowski, G-Eazy, and Leslie Jones.
The club, co-founded by Avika along with Ron Burkle and Soho House founder Nick Jones in June 2022, initially seemed poised for success, reminiscent of Avika's previous achievements with the renowned late-night venue, 1Oak. However, The Ned encountered liquor license issues in December, leading to a decline in its momentum.
Avika, who held the position of 'brand and creative director' at The Ned, expressed his passion for envisioning and creating projects but felt limited in his role at the club. He announced his departure to focus on upcoming ventures. Reports suggest ongoing disputes over financial matters between Avika and the club's management.
Members of The Ned were informed in December that alcohol service would be restricted in certain areas of the club, with subsequent updates allowing the resumption of alcohol sales with operational changes. The club's management has not provided a comment on the situation.
Prior to his involvement with The Ned, Avika was associated with establishments like 1Oak and the Butter Group, which included popular venues such as Up & Down. His past collaborations for high-profile events like the Oscars and the amfAR gala have been notable, despite facing challenges such as the eviction of 1Oak in 2022 due to outstanding rent.
Avika's professional relationships, including a contentious split with former business partner Scott Sartiano, have been marked by legal disputes and rivalries. The current developments at The Ned reflect a period of transition and uncertainty for the club and its stakeholders.
