Skyline Views and Espresso Martinis: Shine Talent Group x LOOP Mag Take Over Daintree Lower East Side
Shine Talent Group and LOOP Mag hosted a stylish rooftop happy hour at Daintree Lower East Side featuring chic fashion and downtown NYC energy.
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa I Photos By: Alison Su
As golden hour melted into the Manhattan skyline on Friday night, the Lower East Side’s chicest crowd floated upstairs to Daintree Rooftop & Lounge for an intimate happy hour soirée hosted by Shine Talent Group and yours truly, LOOP Magazine. The vibe was effortlessly glamorous with just the right amount of downtown chaos- the kind of night where someone is balancing an espresso martini in one hand, passionately debating the best dressed at the Met Gala with the other, and somehow still looking camera-ready from every angle.
Against sweeping skyline views and a cotton-candy sunset over Manhattan, guests arrived dressed to the absolute nines. Think barrel jeans, vintage designer bags, glossy blowouts, tiny sunglasses worn after dark, and enough stacked jewelry to light the entire rooftop without electricity. The Shine girls completely understood the assignment: elevated, polished, but still fun enough to actually dance in later.
Perched high above the Lower East Side, Daintree Lower East Side delivered the perfect backdrop for the evening with panoramic skyline views stretching across downtown Manhattan. As the sunset reflected off nearby buildings and the city slowly lit up below, guests gathered around the rooftop terrace sipping espresso martinis, crisp wine and signature cocktails while taking in one of the most beautiful golden hour scenes in the city. The venue’s lush interiors, candlelit tables and effortlessly elevated atmosphere made the night feel equal parts downtown cool and luxury escape.
The evening brought together an effortlessly stylish mix of creators, tastemakers, talent and friends including Elizabeth Pearson, Angel Edme, Nkenge Brown, Steffie Price, Ester Dobrik, Sierra Mayhew, Jenikka Nuang, Cristina Pignataro, Annalise Stewart, Noelle Gaetano, Shea Gomez, Alexis Kristiana, Brenna D’Amico, Clayton Royal Johnson and Olivia Pentell. The crowd spilled between candlelit tables and the rooftop terrace, stopping every few minutes for hugs, photos, introductions and the inevitable “Wait, where did you get that outfit?”
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THE FOOD
Behind the evening was the powerhouse Shine Talent Group team including co-founder Jess Hunichen, PR Director Taylor Kiesel, Head of Casting Hannah Oemcke, Talent Manager Izabela Stopa and Talent Manager Aubrey Kapala, whose attention to detail and effortless hospitality helped transform the rooftop into one of the Lower East Side’s chicest Friday night gatherings, filled with warm conversation, skyline views and downtown glamour.
Inside, the soundtrack bounced between upbeat house remixes and nostalgic pop anthems while trays of curated bites circulated throughout the space. Guests grazed on delicate beef tartare layered with yuzu kosho, cilantro and prawn cracker, alongside whipped feta focaccia topped with spicy nduja, fig and honey that practically disappeared seconds after hitting the table. Bay scallops paired with green apple salsa, fennel and shallot delivered the perfect fresh bite for spring, while the burrata and heirloom tomato tart with salmoriglio and fennel pollen looked almost too pretty to eat.
Of course, the pickled pepper crostini with feta and baby basil quickly became an unexpected crowd favorite- equal parts salty, bright and dangerously addictive. Somewhere between the second round of espresso martinis and a heated conversation about whether this year’s Met Gala carpet was iconic or confusing, multiple guests could be overheard plotting how to recreate the appetizers at home.
THE GUESTS
And speaking of the Met Gala, no rooftop conversation in New York this week could possibly avoid it. The girls dissected every major look with the seriousness of fashion historians and the energy of a group chat that has been blowing up since Monday morning. Opinions flew across the rooftop all night long. One table passionately defended dramatic tailoring and archival references while another unanimously agreed that after-parties are where the real fashion moments happen anyway. In true New York fashion, everyone had a take.
The beauty of the night wasn’t just the skyline or the aesthetic perfection of it all- though both were undeniably strong. It was the warmth of the room. Despite the polished looks and social-media-ready backdrop, the evening felt refreshingly genuine. Girls hyped each other up in bathroom mirrors. New friendships formed over shared cocktails and mutual favorite designers. Conversations drifted effortlessly from career goals to dating horror stories to summer travel plans in under five minutes.
There’s something uniquely downtown Manhattan about nights like this. The Lower East Side has always thrived on contradiction: cool but welcoming, glamorous but gritty, fashion-forward without trying too hard. And perched above the neighborhood at Daintree, Shine Talent Group and LOOP Mag managed to capture that exact energy. It wasn’t about exclusivity or velvet-rope theatrics. It was simply beautiful people coming together for good conversation, incredible food and a reason to dress up on a Friday night.
As the sun fully disappeared and the city lights sharpened across the skyline, the rooftop settled into that perfect New York rhythm- buzzing enough to feel exciting but intimate enough that every conversation still mattered. Phones flashed for rooftop photos, glasses clinked together for celebratory toasts, and plans for future dinners, shoots and summer parties were already being made before the night had even ended.
For a few hours above the Lower East Side, the city felt smaller in the best way possible. Just a rooftop full of stylish women, endless conversation, flowing martinis and the reminder that in New York, sometimes the best nights are the ones with no real agenda besides showing up looking fabulous and seeing where the evening takes you.
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