Where to go clubbing and dancing? I must admit, it has been a long time since I have stayed awake long after midnight in the Big Apple. For the last couple of years, I’ve blamed it on my little daughter. But let’s be honest. I am usually exhausted after a long day.

For me it works combining dining and dancing. Le Souk is that all-in-one kind of place; always packed why booking is recommended. My good friend, who is an actress in NYC, met her boyfriend there and told me about it.

Two brothers from Morocco have created an affordable Lower East Side restaurant that becomes a Moroccan club at night. You might experience it all - from belly dancers, live drums and more western pop inspired music, it is like being in a hip harem.

Le Souk, 47 Avenue B (at East 4th Street)

Ever wondered what it would be like to party with the stars? This past Spring break I was able to get a taste.

My sister works at the famous Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC. She cocktail waitresses at the swank Rose Bar in her stunning black Narciso Rodriguez back-zippered dress that fits like a glove on all of the modelesque servers. The atmosphere is funky and laid back, with upbeat lounge music playing in the background. The lighting is very bare; the stone fireplace and tiny table candles create the minimal glow. It's as if you're in ancient times reading the drink menu with candelas. Maroon velvet curtains hang down over the doors and plush rose-colored cloth lines all of the booths, seats and comfy royal-like chairs throughout the bar. Surrounding the discerning celebrities and hotel guests are eclectic murals and paintings that mirror their very styles and pull together the overall modish theme.

The drinks are as trendy as the guests. I tried the rose martini, which literally tasted like I was drinking a flower, the incredibly delish fig martini, and my favorite, the vanilla martini, which came with an orchid floating atop. My friend tried ordering a cosmo and the waitress simply would not let her because there were so many amazing specialty martinis to sample. We then finished off the night with champagne, every girl's favorite. And as we sipped on our bubbly we peered over to the table in front of us and spotted Entourage star Jeremy Piven surrounded by a booth of girls. Later in the night we saw Crash star Terrence Howard in a tight suit and hat and Leonardo DiCaprio's model girlfriend Bar Rafaeli. Supposedly a Sports Illustrated cover model was roaming around as well.

So if you're not a celebrity, model or posh hotel guest, just try working it. Up and coming photographers, businessmen and stars saturate the bar, who I'm sure are more than willing to buy some girls a few drinks. And if you're lucky, you may even walk out with a number :)

GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Tel. 212 920 3300 Fax 212 673 5890
http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/
Reservations toll-free (US) 866 784 1300

Yeah Right. As if. In the end of the day sex sells, and now that Bill Cosby has gotten too old to hustle Jello on TV, the smart PR people behind Jello have found new ways of selling their product. Start spreading the word of Jello in the street of the ultra hip underground of New York, and it will spread worldwide.  If you ask a more classic feminist about how much empowerment there is in more or less nude women fighting each other rolling around in sticky Jello infront of dozens of photographers, they might say that this is yet another reflexion of Britney in the American landscape. Are the New York women just so far ahead in their post feminist battle that they could care less what old school feminists think? You are more than welcome to post your own perspective below, as I am sure I am not the only one that would like to know the status of feminism these day.

Beginning in January, average NYC women will be transformed in to costume-clad, hair-pulling, trash-talking, body-slamming feminist fighters, as they face off at Amateur Female Jello Wrestling, live at Arlene's Grocery, with musical guests: energy-filled female-fronted power-pop band The Domestics; cinematic, elegiac and memorable alt-rock trio herMajesty; and Jello's resident cover lover DJ Xerox.

Lighting designer Dana Sterling has been producing monthly Amateur Female Jello Wrestling parties since 2003 at various downtown bars
(currently in residence at Arlene's Grocery).  Sterling and her team consider themselves to be a feminist fight club: a place for women to
have fun in a positive way with other women by tossing, grappling and laughing with each other in a kiddie pool filled with Jello. Before the party, a professional wrestling instructor teaches the ladies WWF-style wrestling moves and safety.  The matches are a mixture of choreographed
fighting and real wrestling moves, and the overall tone of the evening is sports-satire: silly but athletic and sexy.  The competition is won
when a wrestler successfully pins each of her opponents in a series of one-on-one elimination-style no-holds-bar matches.  The event is
equally challenging for the musical guests, who perform the live rock n' roll score to the action in the ring.

"Think the days of female empowerment through mortal combat were over? Think again--as this tongue-in-cheek sporting event brings ready-made deserts back to the ring where they belong." - Time Out New York

 
"Sterling has successfully created a space that gives women permission to forget the hassle of deflecting criticism for their bodies' inadequacies and regress to a time when they felt comfortable being ridiculous. All it took was a creative impulse and the help from a little gelatin." - New York Press

"After the match all the girls felt exhausted, but empowered (like the feeling you get when you watch the 'Charlie's Angel's' movie- watching fabulous females fighting evil and kicking some badguy ass.) Really makes ya wanna be a Rockstar Fighter Chick and change the world!" – Uncoolkids.com

GO DRINK

In New York, it is not cool to get drunk unless you are a frat boy or
depressed Wall Street chap. Here people drink cocktails and do either
prescribed or illegal drugs to fuel the energy of the night. Or at
least, it is exciting to think this when strolling out in the streets
of the night ready to rumble. I would however suggest any ladies to
read or see American Psycho and keep an eye out for
Patrick Bateman types, as there are many of them in the bars of the
city, and I'm not even kidding around. Order drinks suggested by the
bartender or taste some beer from the local breweries like a Brooklyn,
Rheingold or Yuengling and keep a close eye on it.

Back Room

Tim Robbins sometimes invites his pals Penn, Pacino, Pesci, and DeNiro
to his very secret hidden spot on the lower east side. IF you get in, just
sit down, have a your drink in a teacup and act as if you belonged there.
102 Norfolk St.

Lit

Sleazy in all the right ways. With an art gallery curated by the artist/owners/bartenders, dark basement, live music, dj's and kids way too cool for school.
93 Second Ave

Beauty Bar

Basically it's a beauty saloon with a bar set up against one wall and
a DJ in the corner. Their Long Iceland Ice Teas by the pint and a cherry on top, in
combination with the little old lady that sometimes comes in and does
peoples nails, is good stuff.
231 E 14th Street

Max Fish

A Lower East Side institution, Max Fish was around when Ludlow
Street was nothing but dry goods stores and drug dealers. Still a
local bar for artists and one of the ultimate late night pick up
spots. There are changing art exhibitions and plenty of side drinking
entertainment. Take note of the Rita Ackermann window.
178 Ludlow S

Pete's Tavern

Opened in 1864 and thereby the oldest bar in New York is often seen on
TV, appearing in shows like Seinfeld, Law and Order, Sex and the City,
and The Food Network. Good beer and big burgers.
129 E 18th St

Planet Rose

Large amounts of alcohol and singing goes well together. At Planet Rose you can sing Your
song and kiss a stranger, nobody will care or ever know.
219 Ave A
http://www.myspace.com/planetrosenyc   

GO CLUBBING

Clubbing in New York is a lifestyle and way of living. The people of
the NIGHT live their life so they can be splashing it at NIGHT. Essential reading for
a better understanding of New York's Nightlife:
"The Last Party" by Anthony Haden Guest
"Clubland" by Frank Owen
Or read any of Victor Bockris's books on either William Burroughs, Lou
Reed, Blondie, Beat Punks, The Velvet Underground Story or Andy Warhol
where he has given the dirty truth from most of the players in the early New York
underground and club scene.

There is a new generation of clubs in New York that have little to do with
what most have come to think is New York clubbing. With the
introduction of the concept "cabaret license", the flourishing club life was
castrated by Mayor Rudy Guilliani in the mid 90's. If the club did not have a permit,
(and they are hard to get) one could not even stand up when the music was
playing. This could be mistaken for dancing. And dancing is bad and can lead
to degenerate behavior and immoral conduct.
It is suggested to get a myspace account and become friends with the
different DJ's, club kids and club promoters to get updates and
possible guest list to avoid long lines, etc. Start from Amanda Lepore
and go from there. The other way is to go on the club's website and see
if there is a guest list. Most likely you will still not get in for free or
have the velvet rope opened for you, infront of the rest of the line.
Unless you book a bottle service table, showing that you will be a worthy guest.

Some Clubs

LOTUS

Meat Packing District hot spot.
409 West 14th Street NYC
www.lotusnewyork.com

ALMA Parties

The super loving and high positive energy charged Brazilian club
community of New York, with their own brilliant resident dj's, hosts
and visuals In a rather secret looking Sullivan Room.
218 Sullivan Street
www.almanyc.com
www.myspace.com/almanyc

MARQUEE

"Unless the Spirit rover's Mars turn up some real surprises we're
ready to declare Marquee the hottest club in the known universe". -
New York Post
289 Tenth Avenue
http://www.marqueeny.com
Guest list & Table reservations
RSVP@blocgroup.com

HOME

Steve Lewis who was the general manager of Tunnel, LIFE and SPA and
designer of clubs such as Marquee and Butter know clubbing. When he
designs a new club he is so deeply involved with what goes on in New
York in the club scene, that he hits it on the head every time he
comes up with a new concept. Not soon after he saw Johannes Torpe's
Club NASA in Copenhagen, he opened SPA that also had a room very much
looking like the NASA, where generations of Copenhagen kids have partied
Paris Hilton or P Diddy styles.
Home is frequented by many A-List celebrities including Jessica
Simpson, Nick Lachey, Fergie, Lindsay Lohan, Ashlee Simpson, Jessica
Alba, Nicky Hilton, Scarlett Johansson, Derek Jeter, Tara Reid, Sarah
Michelle Gellar and a opening night with DJ Mark Ronson behind his
tools of working it.
532 West 27th Street (Between 10th and 11th Avenues).
For table reservations or to RSVP info@ensmevents.com

Arena

For a Sunday night fever in New York, go to the Asseteria party.
The name Arena brings many back to Junior Vasquez nights at
Paladium that are on a pretty high place on a scale for classic
New York Nightlife moments. The interiors are like a old school brothel.
135 W 41st St (between 6th Ave & Broadway)
http://www.arenanyc.net/

Retox Rock Club

Retox is the brainchild of Anthrax guitarist Ian Smith and club guru
Mike Diamond.
If you are in to rock n' roll and everything about it, including the
hair, leather pants, and go go girls with minimal clothing; Retox is
the place for you my friend.
511 West 28th St btwn 10th & 11th
http://www.retoxrockbarnyc.com/

Hiro Ballroom at The Maritime Hotel

With weekly resident hosts such as Moby, most likely you can be sure this
is a very right spot on the New York clubs scene, as it has been said
that Moby is back in black an up for a fight for taking back the night life of New York.
Moby For President.
16 St & 9 Ave
www.themaritimehotel.com

CIELO

With top international and local DJs—including old-schoolers François
K, Frankie Knuckles and Little Louis Vega--this club located in the
Meat Packing District is
exclusive and hard to get into, but with the right look or attitude in
the door you might have your 15 minutes or more.
18 Little W. 12th Street
http://cieloclub.com/


 

 BURLESQUE has become the hottest thing amongst the young cool New Yorkers. Of course legends like Penelope Tuesdae, Murray Hill, Fancy, FrancO, BOB and Charlene Lanzell has been doing this in a underground manner going back to the late 90's at places like Flamingo East and Windows on The World...but now as has happened to most of the alternative nightlife concepts in New York, it has become hip and the survivors have found a way to make a living on what they are good at.

THIS IS BURLESQUE is a bawdy and bodacious burlesque stage show featuring a bevy of beauties, singers, swinging music, with plenty of strip teasing from the ladies and shtick from Mr. Hill. THIS IS BURLESQUE stars legendary host and renowned comedian MURRAY HILL; the Italian Stallionette and reigning Miss Cyclone ANGIE PONTANI; the tapping tornado HELEN PONTANI; the delinquent darling of burlesque, the fastest tassel twirler from east to west PEEKABO POINTE; THE WORLD FAMOUS PONTANI SISTERS, DOLCE DE LECHE; the sultry songstress MELODY SWEETS; and the "voice" SCOTT RAYOW.

A throwback to the boozy days of speak-easies, Tin Pan Alley, and vaudeville, THIS IS BURLESQUE, is inspired by Ann Corio's 1960 Broadway show, THIS WAS BURLESQUE. In the 1930's, Ann Corio was a big star and top attraction performing to sell-out audiences at the famed Minsky's Burlesque. It didn't last long because of Mayor Fiorello La Guardia's mission to clean up the city. He ran burlesque out of town and Minsky's was shut down for good. After she watched the decline of nightclubs and burlesque in the 1960's, Ann Corio decided to mount her own show, THIS WAS BURLESQUE, to keep the burlesque magic alive.

The show is a perfect fit for Corio's plush, sexy upstairs hide-away showroom, where each table feels like VIP. You'll see the sweat on Murray's brow, the fabric of his polyester suits, and be tickled by tassels and fanned by fan dances. A full dinner and cocktail menu is available all night, the lights are low and the champagne is on ice.

for more info: www.corionyc.com