Alma in Williamsburg via RG's camera phone

I almost died today when reading the following in Gothamist:

If you were around Williamsburg’s Southside last night and wondering what those giant swirling searchlights were all about, here’s the answer: The lights were rented to herald the arrival of a new lounge called Alma on Roebling and South 3rd. As you can see, Alma comes fully equipped with velvet ropes, a red carpet, and what appears to be a thick haze of Axe body spray. Conveniently located near the BQE and the Williamsburg Bridge, the lounge also offers VALET PARKING, and is thus clearly poised to become a definitively bangin’ nightlife destination. Our source, local resident Ryan Griffin, didn’t have the stones to venture inside (do you?), but tells us, “I always wanted to live near the meatpacking district—particularly a younger, less rich meatpacking district.” We’ll send an intern over later to get a full report (or lose his/her soul). In the meantime, eat your heart out, Production Lounge!

This is absurd on so many levels.  I used to work with Ryan back in the day which also gave me a good chuckle.   I’ll have to scope out the scene tonight.  It will be cheesetastic.

++++UPDATE++++

Here is the invite for last night’s party.  Don’t feel bad if you didn’t attend.  It was “By Invitation Only”

Want more?! Visit their Facebook page.

Not gonna lie though – I do love Mega 97.9.

via Urban Daddy

The new subterranean lounge, Janis, located underneath the West Vill Italian eatery, De Santos, at 139 W 10th St, opens it’s doors this weekend.  The bar, named after Janis Joplin (who used to rent a apartment in the same building) made waves a few weeks ago when owner Luis Miguel christened the place, “The New Bea.” My oh my is that phrase getting overused. Well, by the looks of things, I can kinda see the resemblance but still… who says that?!

Anyways, Janis will be up and running this weekend for Jane and Beatrice refugees to seek shelter.  Could this be the Cabin of the west side? Or another subMercer/ Beatrice knockoff? Only time will tell, but I think this spot could be a winner.  Janis conveys the intentional no-frills atmosphere…unfinished floors and ceiling, exposed brick walks, and red tufted leather banquettes.  Miguel plans to hire the best of the best when it comes to DJs – creating the ultimate den of debauchery.

Looking forward to scopin out the scene…perhaps tomorrow…

Janis
139 W 10th St (b/w Greenwich and Waverly)

via Last Nights Party

Saturday night is officially the worst night ever to go out in Manhattan.  One area you especially want to avoid is the Meatpacking district.  The weather was warm and the streets were flooded with scantily clad girls (I know its 70 degrees out – but it is still March, not July,) douchey guys, and overall pretentiousness.   Everywhere I looked was a mobscene…and the bridge and tunnel crowd was out in full force.  SL. Provocateur. Even Boom Boom Room had a weird Euro scene outside (PS: Is it just me or is everyone there over 35 or gay… just sayin’.)  All I knew was I had to get out of there – and quick.  My friend and I head over to the East Village cocktail den – Louis 649.  Ahhhh.  I can breathe again!   As I sit there and discover I love Ginger Beer and Dark & Stormy’s are my new drink, I get the text.  Secret Afterhours Party at the Red Bull Space - Josh Madden DJing.  Hallelujah praise Jesus – something to save my Saturday night hell.  I was just starting to think I wasted a good outfit.

My friend and I head over around 3AM, ya know, the normal time to get your night started.  The party was a continuation of the day-long celebration of the new Red Bull Soccer Stadium that opened in Jersey.  People were coming from Avenue in droves.  This was THE place to be Saturday night.  The crowd was a great mix of athletes, nightlife people, and people just down to party. I was a big fan of the space.  The all-white loft space gave off a nice airy vibe – areas with floor to ceiling windows  and casual seating throughout.  This was my first time visiting the space and I must say, I was feeling it.   Plus, how could you go wrong with open bar until 6AM.  I mean really….

After being there for all of about five minutes, a full on dance party erupted.  I took the stage with ithinkyourswell’s Antwan Duncan – my new favorite person – and literally danced my ass off until 6AM.  Josh Madden is one of the best DJs, hands down – he plays a little electro, a little hip hop, a little rock and roll – the perfect blend for dance parties. Honestly, I haven’t danced that hard in a loooonnnng time.

The current state of nightlife is being in the scene and being seen.  Back in the day, you used to go out to nightclubs for the sole purpose of dancing, and hearing great DJs…okay and maybe some drugs were involved, but that’s besides the point. Now, you go out, sit at your fave promoter’s table, get your picture taken, try and get your swag on, and bop your head to the music.  If you dare to dance in the crowd, you’re lucky enough if you can raise your arm for a measly fist pump.  Next time you’re out, take a look around.  Notice if people are actually dancing, and not just doing a little bop or nodding their head -  I mean dancing – getting down, dirty, and fresh with it.  Sweating. Laughing. Cheering to the music.  Unfortunately, it’s all too rare these days.

Anyways, to get your dance on, you can catch Josh at Arjan Write’s Superfraiche Pop Night at The Studio Webster Hall tomorrow. Tickets are $12 and the show starts at 8PM.

Pics can be found here.

It appears Hope Lounge has closed.  The doors have been shuttered for over a week and there are big dumpsters in the outdoor patio.  Not sure if they are just doing renovations or what but I did some digging and the ‘Hope Street Group’ reapplied for their liquor license on February 25th -  it’s still pending.

Hopefully, the venue will be back up and running for summer time.  Love that patio!

Hope Lounge
10 Hope Street @ Roebling

It’s been over a week, and people are still talking about it…success!  As a nightlife blogger, the question of where to have your birthday party is not an easy one to answer.  I couldn’t just have my party at any Joe Shmoe dive bar.  Although, I did slightly miss my annual BK Blowout party. I needed a place where all my friends could go – the door wouldn’t be that big of an issue.  A place where I knew for a fact would have good music – I couldn’t leave anything to chance. And I needed a place that embodied The Downtown Diaries brand – A place where low-brow and high-brow can mix and mingle.

My Birthday fell on a Sunday so it was only natural that GoldBar for Sunday Funday would be the perfect fit.  I also wanted to host an intimate dinner within walking distance for close friends to attend who couldn’t be boozing with me all night because that had work in the morning.  People work? I used to party in the backroom of Cafe Select and always wanted to eat there – so I figured my birthday would be the night.

We started off at Cafe Select, the perfect place for a birthday dinner.  Swiss-themed, it’s quaint and cozy- yet trendy and modern.  As Time Out New York states, “The restaurant’s scuffed retro decor features classic creaky bistro tables and chairs, art posters as wallpaper and an oversize clock that might’ve been swiped from the central train station in Basel.” All-in-all it’s super cute and the perfect place to take people and host large parties. I had ten people and it wasn’t an issue. The staff was extremely accommodating and even hooked us up a little due to the fact they ran out of chicken prior to our reservation.  I have to give a shout out to Ben, Doug, and Orlando for the amazing service and hospitality.    I must recommend the ‘Ski Wasser’ cocktail – I had FIVE! The Hanger Steak and the Affogato for dessert.

After dinner we headed over to GoldBar. At first I was nervous, because the day prior I had come down with a terrible cold, and was afraid I was not going to be able to handle my big night ahead.  However, once we got started the rest of the night was one big blur, although I am sure the copious amounts of booze getting thrown our way had something to do with that. We got there on the early side -around 11:30 and by 12:30 the place was packed.  DJ Theory and Morse Code were on decks.  Chloe Sevigny (LOVE HER,) Emile Hirsh, and Lupe Fiasco were in the house – although some claim Kid Cudi sightings.  Nightlife impresarios, Daniel Koch and Noah Tepperberg also made an appearance, prior to NT throwing a fit after Justin Ross Lee (the self proclaimed ‘jew-jetter’ heir of Lee Jeans) named him one of the ‘Top 10 Most Hated People in Nightlife.’  Honestly, Noah seemed like a really nice guy.

I love birthday parties for the simple reason that is one of the only occasions where you can combine every crew of friends you have and get them in one room.  It’s the best feeling to look around and see all your friends, old and new, hanging out having a good time.  We all partied our asses off, as any person does on a Sunday night, and good times were had by all.  My birthday was a total banger -  I even got interviewed! (leave me love pahlease.) Funday resident photographer and good friend, Kirill Bichutsky, was snappin’ pics all night, while my friends and I rang in 26 in 2010 – the year of the Diary. Much thanks to Jonny Lennon and Gabrielle Richmond for making my birthday one for the books.

All pictures via Kirillwashere and NBC Niteside

Cafe Select
212 Lafayette Street (between Kenmare St & Spring St)
http://www.cafeselectnyc.com/

GoldBar
389 Broome St (between Centre Market Pl & Mulberry St)