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Abaya
244 E. Houston St. / Tel: (212) 777-7467
What better year than 2001 to unveil a watering hole that
looks like Stanley Kubrick could have designed it? Designer and partner Peter Sibilia created this vibrant atmosphere with a space odyssey in mind. But the design is only part of
the picture. The tasty tapas fare and cleverly packaged libations--like Barbarella, Odyssey, and Milky Way--complete the picture. Rounding out the formula is the music, featuring
DJs Walter V and Baby Blue. The lounge's twenty-something barflies are of the attractive variation, but not too good-looking as to annoy or intimidate.
Alphabet Lounge
104 Ave. C / Tel: (212) 780-0202
We usually can't spell our names after a night at this upbeat
candy-colored lounge that constantly keeps us out way past bedtime. Maybe it's the chill crowd of locals, artists and club kids grooving to the always-fine DJs and getting buzzed
on cocktails as colorful as the walls.
Aleutia
220 Park Ave. S. / Tel: (212) 529-3111
While you probably won't spot Carrie and Aidan mingling at
the bar, Aleutia did serve as their posh hangout on a recent episode of Sex and the City. But the watering hole is populated by Carrie wannabes, clad in the latest offerings
from Gucci and YSL. Lounging is encouraged on the first floor, with its copper banquettes and over-stuffed chairs, while more serious foodies ascend Aleutia's dramatic
glass-and-chrome staircase to the upstairs dining room. Many of the models, record execs, and Wall Street wonderboys who congregate here leave happy -- either from
the like-minded company or chef Gavin Citron's "Taste and Teasers" menu. Lethal cocktails such as the blood orange cosmo, Aleutian iced tea, and kumquat cooler set the stage
for a night of debauchery. In essence, it's the perfect spot for the whole range of aspiring Carries, Mirandas, Charlottes, Samanthas.
Angel
174 Orchard St. / Tel: (212) 780-0313
When we die and go to heaven, we hope it looks just like
this candlelit bar and lounge, with ethereal blue lighting, round, cloudlike mirrors and otherworldly cocktails like the Angel's cosmopolitan ($8) that will help you break more than a few commandments.
B Bar
40 E. 4th St. / Tel: (212) 475-2220
Everyone is still doing it. Especially on Tuesday nights, when
the Beige party draws the fabulous gays and celebs alike. But any night of the week you're guaranteed the opportunity to drool on your waiter and spill your martini on the most
fashionable. The outdoor garden is one of the best, and two bars means rarely waiting for a drink.
Bar 89
89 Mercer St. / Tel: (212) 274-0989
In addition to its immense, flawless cocktails, Bar 89 also
boasts a unisex bathroom with the only conversation-starter you'll ever need: glass stalls. Sure, the glass becomes opaque when the door is securely latched, but who's paying
attention after three 10-ounce Ketel One martinis? Bar 89 is also a favorite watering hole of the international cell-phone set, i.e., Japanese software moguls with waterproof
business cards (for steam rooms and swimming pools), sub-aristocratic South American playboys and Italian automotive engineers.
Beauty Bar
231 E. 14th St. / Tel: (212) 539-1389
Deb Parker's theme bar is equipped with 60's hairdryers and
chairs, great drinks and a heavy dose of the hip and beautiful.
Brasserie
100 E. 53 St. / Tel: (212) 751-4840
To "see and be scene" seems to be the obsession at
Brasserie, the new luxe restaurant and bar in the base of the Seagram Building. Brasserie features such voyeuristic aids as a bank of LCD video screens perched above the bar,
on which you can watch patrons entering through the revolving doors. In the foyer, there are peepholes in a silky pear-wood wall, and to make your entrance into the
subterranean main room you must gracefully traverse a translucent "look who’s here!" stair plank. The bar consists of one long slab of expensive-feeling stone flanked by stools
made of medical gel that Brasserie’s co-designer Liz Diller points out “won’t stick to your thighs if you’re wearing a miniskirt.”
Glass
287 10th Ave. / Tel: (212) 904-1580
While other nightclubs are pouring millions into high concepts
and outrageous decor, the thinking behind Glass is simplicity. The staff at Glass wax melodic about the bar's Cubist shape and reverently chant the word "modular" over and over
again. But man can't live on floor plans alone, and Glass had become ground zero for fashionistas, hipsters, gallery owners, models, and artists way before it opened in June.
Expect to see Sarah Jessica Parker, Ross Bleckner, Calvin Klein, and John Barlett sipping Brazilian libations such as caipirinhas, pomegranate margaritas, mojitos, and caipruvas.
Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Ave. / Tel: (212) 427-0253
One of the few places where we've seen Harvey's Bristol
Cream ordered on a regular basis, Harlem's infamous jazz club has a swinging front-room bar that's worth the trip uptown. Kate Spade bags, pumpkin-infused martinis and
sushi takeout are nil. Instead, the room is pulsing with spiffy regulars, Motown tunes and deep blue lights.
Man Ray
147 W. 15th St. / Tel: (212) 929-5000
Parisian hot spot Man Ray has finally arrived in Gotham after
months of anticipation. The chicest import from France, this restaurant-cum-lounge is already brimming with cafe society types who can name-drop in several languages. Designer
and architect Miguel Cancio Martin, who was the creative force behind Buddha Bar, Barfly, and Man Ray in Paris has created a bustling bar scene on the ground level, but the
real action happens downstairs on the VIP floor. If the celebrity wattage, trendy design scheme, and Euro-cool vibe don't lure you in, surely Frederic Kieffer's classical cuisine
will. With its sophisticated menu also comes the proomise of no underaged socialites gyrating half-naked on tables to the loud house music. Instead, Man Ray's famous ambient music
will set the tone for deal-making and star-gazing.
Morrell Wine Bar And Cafe
1 Rockefeller Plaza / Tel: (212) 262-7700
This two-level bar features more than 120 varietals by the
glass, from robust reds to crisp Rieslings. The cuisine is pricey, so save your money for the primo vino, then stumble outside and throw up on a tourist for a perfect New York evening.
Opium Den
29 E. 3rd St. / Tel: (212) 505-7344
Dynastic decadence mingles with hip-hop and house at this
plush East Village bar. The lychee martinis are potent conversation-starters, often leading to intensely meaningless discussions in the semi-secluded side room,
which should be sustained for as short a time as possible. If groping on gilded sofas is your thing, wait 'til after the weekend rush.
Pravda
281 Lafayette St. / Tel: (212) 226-4696
With Beluga caviar and oversize vodka martinis, this trendy
mecca of post-communism is the perfect place to spill out your Russian fantasies. Rate your spy potential by how big a lie it takes to get past the doormen. Once inside, head for
the clandestine bar upstairs and accomplish your mission with several decadent vodka concoctions and a cigar.
Remote
327 Bowery / Tel: (212) 228-3889
The singles scene meets the cyber age at the innovative
Bowery bar, which boasts cocktail consoles straight out of The Jetsons. While there are no remote controls at Remote, there are more TVs than on the Max Headroom set. Guests
are encouraged to meet strangers across the slick bar via cameras, video monitors, and, of course, cocktails. Taking the telephone concept to the next level, these 50s-style
consoles enable patrons to send prospective mates short text messages, speak over the handset, and take pictures of each other. Even the bar is wired for fun, with TVs,
buttons, and scrolling messages. This virtual rec room also hosts cutting-edge digital installations featuring new media art every Sunday night. Remote aims to plug in both the gay
and straight sets. Most nights are mixed, but come Tuesdays boys will want to experience Circuit, while the ladies are especially welcome on Fridays. Welcome to cruising in the Digital Age!
St. Nick's Pub
773 St. Nicholas Ave. / Tel: (212) 283-9728
A staple of the Harlem jazz scene, this popular club features
house bands five nights a week, plus frequent visits by legendary local artists. Come on Monday to hear the famed Sugar Hill Jazz Quartet or to sample the legendary fried chicken and beans.
Sway Lounge
305 Spring St. / Tel: (212) 620-5220
The Marrakech-inspired lounge exudes a VIP-room vibe as
impossibly cute boys and girls slouch insouciantly in reserved booths. After 1 a.m. the "No Dancing" sign is given the finger and the perfectly coiffed and connected crowd shakes its
well-toned asses to punk, funk and 80's chestnuts. Be warned: Look snappy, as the velvet rope can burn.
Temple Bar
332 Lafayette St. / Tel: (212) 925-4242
Located just around the corner from CBGB's and Two Boots,
push through the green door marked by a discreet lizard and slip into a make-believe universe of well-dressed, rich-smelling people. The generous martinis, shaken with
top-shelf Tanqueray or black-label Stoli, will keep you afloat all night (or at least 'til the check arrives).
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