LOUNGES

You’ve seen those lush uptown lounges; those enticing, dare-to-enter, hotspots. If you're looking for the Sex and the City lifestyle of glamour and swag we have you covered. While we don’t want you to break the bank, we’re here to ask you to treat yourself, give in to temptation and enter into one of these exclusive UES lounges for star treatment. Go ahead, you deserve it.

5. Bar Pleiades- The Surrey Hotel, 20 E. 76th Street, Manhattan, NY 10021

Strolling seven blocks downtown from the Met you may find yourself in front of the gorgeous Surrey Hotel. Look to the left and you’ll see Bar Pleiades. Fashioned after all that is glamorous- fashion icon Coco Chanel and the decadence of 1930s Art Deco - this is the ultimate display of NYC swank. Walking through the intricately designed wrought iron French doors, you are immediately taken back to a period where the summit of elegance lies in grandeur. Black and beige lacquered alcoves, with a diamond deco pattern, shield the bar and lounge areas for those who love their privacy. The floor to ceiling quilted walls, reminiscent of our favorite classic Chanel purse, help to complete that cozy esoteric vibe. A crystal chandelier hangs above the larger lounge area, which has glass-top café tables surrounded by black damasked chairs. The bartenders match the décor with perfectionism in every cocktail. And for $16-$20 a drink, we would hope so. Recommendation: For the sweet tooth, try the Down By Law. For those who have an exotic flare, try the Singapore Sling.

You know it for its ability to knock you off your bar stool in no time, but you can also recreate that Long Island Iced Tea buzz at home. And you have a couch to rest your eyes for just a few minutes, or hours, that is if you can make it there.

1 ounce vodka
1 ounce gin
1 ounce light rum
1 ounce tequila
1 ounce lemon juice
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
4 ounces cola
ice cubes

In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, gin, rum, tequila, lemon juice and sugar over 3 or 4 ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Strain into a mixing glass almost filled with ice. Add the cola, stir well, and serve. Don't blame us if you slurp your sauce too fast and wake up passed out on the floor at 5:30 a.m.

As of October 21 a pop up restaurant named The Feast will open its doors for three nights only. The restaurant will be a venerable smorgasbord of talent featuring Seamus Mullen in the kitchen and a cocktail menu designed by mixologist Ben Demarchelier. Some of you might remember Chef Mullen from The Next Iron Chef last year or from his history with some of the best restaurants in Manhattan. The man responsible for bringing these two together is Mr. Alan Philips of the Guerilla Culinary Brigade.

This pop-up restaurant will be the second run for Philips whose desire is to provide a truly unique gastronomic experience. The concept of opening and closing in three days adds to the mystique and seduction of the whole experience, as if one is catching a glimpse of something so fleeting it could be a dream. And it might be entirely too difficult to wake up once one sets eyes on the opulent 20’s theme. Both the drink and food menu will reflect the era when innovation was the norm and high society had its own brand of danger.

Ingredients:

Two cups of Campari (a bitter kind of aperitif)

Four cups of orange soda

Directions:

Pour 1/4 cup Campari into each of 8 cocktail glasses. Top each with 1/2 cup orange soda; serve immediately.

Newsflash: it’s not just the men who are out and about carousing in the City of Sin. These days, the ladies are definitely getting in on the action and creating their own (hopefully classy) version of “The Hangover.” Las Vegas is becoming a popular destination for bridal showers, birthday parties and just “get-away-from-the-men” weekend for women.

Once you get your girlfriends together, it’s time to get glammed up and hit the hottest spots in town!

Start off with drinks (and lots of them) at Lucky Cheng’s where you’ll be treated to a 5-star, 3-course dinner from Chef Ken Huff and the ultimate cabaret show (where you can celebrate “a bachelorette party, birthday or recent divorce”) where the audience becomes part of the entertainment! Down some, ahem, liquid courage (or spike your friend’s drink) and be dragged on stage where you can be a Legend, Diva or break out as the next American Idol. While you’re high on laughter, it’s time to hit the clubs and get those mile-high dancing shoes on the floor. Tao continues to be the most popular nightclub in town, and once you get past the snake-like (python, to be specific) lines, you’ll be treated to the sight of decorative buddhas watching revelers as they bump and grind to tunes from some of the world's hottest DJs. If you’re feeling a bit more exclusive and cash is free-flowing, party with the girls in your own private skybox booth where you’ll have access to banquettes, your own mini-bar and even an espresso machine! When it’s time to unwind, head over to one of the trendiest laid-back lounges in Vegas. Celebs on the A-to-D list love Ghostbar, high above the Strip at The Palms hotel, where they can look at 360 degree views of the city or look down at the 55-floor plunge through clear glass panels strategically placed on the outer deck. The atmosphere is chill, the mod style decor is outfitted in bright, funky colors - over-all a great place to loosen up and end this night of debauchery.

There's been a lot of buzz around town about the film that has been labeled "the movie that defines the decade." The Social Network got my wheels turning about the future of media, where we stand now as an industry, and, moving forward, what my responsibility as editor is to you. As we move forward into the most important season in nightlife, I want you to know that I have heard your collective voice and I promise to deliver to you the stories of the people who make our world what it is. You have told me through your interest in our interviews with notables in the nightlife community that you want to hear personal accounts from the mouths of the people who open the velvet rope for you every night of the week here in New York. So, look forward to some witty remarks, inside stories, and an exclusive look at the elite in the nightlife community.

There's already an innate sex appeal to hotels. In New York City, some of the best nightclubs in the world are encased in the most elegant and ornate hotels, offering a unique glimpse into the nightlife culture. Check out our top three picks for hotel nightclubs!

Basking in the glowing lights of The Empire State Building, Epoca is destined to become a new star of the Midtown culinary and social scene. Promised to be a haven for celebrities from around the world, the Friday September 24th Grand Opening begins at 11pm at 136 West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Yaz Band will be playing from 6pm-11pm followed by DJ Marty V in the lounge from 11pm-3am.

Check out a bit about the dream behind Epoca-

"A few months ago, after realizing we actually knew what we were doing the first time out, a business man, an entertainment entrepreneur and a builder with imagination got together again to give NYC yet another place to savor! Led by Entertainment Entrepreneurs and Operators Ele Kauderer and Sagiv Israeli with the design eye & restaurateur experience of Danielle Kauderer and the creation of Sex Appeal by Gary Polistena, Epoca is poised for fine dining and Entertainment success!"

New York nightlife owner Jon B. along with Greenhouse and Juliet Supper Club will be adding a new member to their staff to replace Vegas-bound Megan Gaver. Shawn Kwek will be leaving his position as Director of Promotions at Strike Holdings which operates the nightclub Carnival and will be taking a new role as Director of Marketing with Jon B. and his properties. Through his corporate experience at Strike Holdings, he hopes to bring his expertise to this new role. This move will give Shawn a prime role in the marketing strategies of Greeenhouse, Juliet Supper Club as well as the Sundance Film Festival.

Ever wonder what happened to your favorite nightclub? In New York, names are everything. Here are three places that used to be called something else.