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’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)

The uber-talented owner of IVANAhelsinki, Paola Suhonen, has recently been appointed Creative Director and Editor and Chief a new magazine called ‘Love Contemporary.’   As a celebration to the new gig, she is holding a month long pop-up shop celebrating the launch of Love Contemporary and the debut of an IVANAhelsinki shop in New York. Paola’s line of exquisite clothing and home accessories is on display, as well as ultra luxe love toys and issues of Love Contemporary.

Every Saturday night though out the month, Paola has curated events with the goal of having an Andy Warhol Factory Vibe. The space is filled with retro modern furnishings and accents like printed curtains made from the material used for the IVANAhelsinki bedding.

Live Music by:
Tim Wagner (33hz)
King Jaffe Joffer
Nick Chacona

A Live Performance and DJ set by Trap.Avoid

Complementary wine will be provided.

I am lucky enough to be able to host for the night, and you are lucky to be invited!  We are limited to 150 people, so please RSVP for a spot on the list.

Photo Credit: Gabi Porter for MetroMix

IVANAhelsinki Pop-Up Shop
238 Mulberry Street (between Prince and Spring)
www.ivanahelsinki.com

For those of you Anti-VDay and Anti-Fashion Week, but want to be a little festive, here are some Valentine’s Day themed events for a special edition of this week’s Weekend Lineup.  Prepare to drown your sorrows properly or just get your hookup on.

I will be covering all of Fashion Week and then some.

Be in the loop.

http://twitter.com/downtowndiaries

Thursday

Valentine’s Day Pajama Party Meatup @  The Bell House // 149 7th Street @ 2nd Ave [Gowanas] // 7:00PM + // Cover Alert! $12 advance, $15 door, $20 with speed dating, $7 after 10pm

Non Vday Event: Circa @ The Darkroom (Open Vodka Bar 10-11PM) //  165 Ludlow [LES] //  11:00 PM+

Friday

F♥CK YOU x F♥CK ME by Seasick Mama and Casey RAnderson  @ INVEN.TORY // 237 Lafayette Street @ Spring [Soho] // 7:00PM -8:00PM// RSVP

Nyle’s Fuck Valentines Day Party @ Lake Johnson @ 258 Johnson Ave nr. Bushwick Ave [Bushwick] // 8:00PM +  // Cover Alert! $7

Saturday

Candy Hearts and Saucy Tarts @ Surreal Estate // 5 Thames St btwn Morgan and Bogart [Bushwick] // 8:00PM+ // Cover Alert! $10

Valentine’s Day Massacre @ Savalas // 285 Beadford Ave bwtn S1st and Grand [Wburg] //  11:00PM+

Non Vday Event: Discovery @ Santos // 96 Lafayette St @ Walker [Chinatown]// 11:00PM+ // RSVP

Sunday

Champagne and Lingerie Show @ Agent Provocateur // 133 Mercer Street @ Prince [Soho]// 4:00PM-7:00PM // RSVP

Valentines Dance for Misfits @ Beauty Bar Brooklyn (Open Vodka Bar 10-11PM) // 921 Broadway @ Melrose [Bushwick] // 9:00PM +

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre by Michael T and Justine D @ LPR // 158 Bleecker St @ Thompson [WVill] // 10:00PM+ //  Cover Alert! $10

Looking for more? The Skint has a long list of all sort of VDay shit.