Fiction bartenders (from left) Nathaniel Williams, Dushane White and David Hanson in the Johnnie Walker Lounge. - photo by LeVaughn Flynn

Fact or fiction? Fiction is Jamaica's hippest lounge/club for the cool and trendy.

Well, that depends on who's answering. Tina Matalon, the designated marketer of Jamaica's newest watering hole, believes Fiction is a dose of entertainment truism.

"You can't have this experience anywhere else in Jamaica," said Matalon, who describes herself as a "lounge lover". She declared that Fiction rivaled the exclusive Bungalow 8 in Manhattan, New York, which she has been to, in music, food and décor.

Fiction is located at the hot spot, the Market Place on Constant Spring Road. Craig Powell, one of six partners, said the name came about while brainstorming for a one-word name with the right punch. He finally settled on the name after toying with the title of one of his favourite movies, Pulp Fiction.

The concept of Fiction, however, was developed by Steven Shirley and Kevin Bourke, two other partners, the rest being Gary Matalon, Zuar Jarrett and David Shirley. The idea was to bring the lounge/club vibe that dominates Miami's South Beach and upper Manhattan, to Kingston.

"We're bringing a global feel to Jamaica," added Tina Matalon, who is the marketing manager of Restaurants of Jamaica, and Gary's wife.

"Jamaicans aren't accustomed to the lounge experience and we want to transform them to it."

Three VIP booths

Fiction has three VIP booths which have been booked almost every night since its opening on December 9. Nestled in one corner is the Johnnie Walker Lounge. Its dark walls and plush earth-toned leather cushions lend a mature, sophisticated feel and complements the main area with its bold artwork and psychedelic lighting.

And, of course, there is the full line of Johnnie Walker to choose from. This lounge can be rented for $100,000 to accommodate 40 persons. That includes a $40,000 bar tab and a full-service staff.

The attractively laid-out interior, which was decorated by Lisa Moo (interior decorator) and Dean Kirkland (contractor), was all made from local products.

"The only thing we really imported were the bar stools," Powell noted.

Fiction also boasts one of Jamaica's best chefs, Sara Mair, who was featured on the TV series, Top Chef, on the Bravo network last year. She has satisfied appetites in Miami, New York and across Europe and has created unique dishes for Fiction. Among the Fiction exclusives are the Crispy Bow Tie Pasta, which has become a popular snack. The menu also includes gourmet burgers and shrimp balls drizzled with a Cajun sauce. Matalon said the menu reflects the finer taste of finger food.

"It's classic meets contem-porary," she boasted.

Completing the experience, Matalon said, is the music. There are guest DJs nightly that spin a medley of reggae, alternative and house music.

"When you're here it's surreal and almost imaginative," said Powell.

How about putting that to the test and see if Fiction lives up to its name.

One of Fiction's three VIP booths.