Let’s start with South Beach Miami…

What the Playboy Mansion is to Hollywood, Nikki Beach Club is to Miami. The product of local nightlife royalty, Nikki Beach is actually as hot or hotter during the day as it is at night. Scantily clad men and women gather here on Sundays around 4 pm to see and be seen, but it’s fun to go earlier, lay in the teepees or cabanas, heck, you can even take the kids.  During the day, you’ll find all types.A lush tropical garden area that gradually gives way to the beach portion of the club is lined with tables and teepees. During the day, stylishly casual crowds lunch here sip cocktails and lounge around on chaises. At night, pretty much the same scene takes place. At night, however, the wardrobe shifts. Although it’s almost as revealing as the daytime dress code, fashion is fully forward come nightfall, and, of course, the DJs play a bit louder. This is not an equal-opportunity establishment, so do not fret if you are not able to get past the door. Like it or not, Ferraris are more the rule than the exception at a place like this. Tip: Sunday brunch here is unrivaled, crowds enjoy the pleasing outdoor seating and a spread that includes everything from sushi to omelettes to desserts galore.This is cool….check the Nikki Beach Cam here before you go!   They’ve exploded this franchise out around the world, so check the website for locations such as NYC, Cabo San Lucas, St. Barth’s, Marrakesh and more. 

1 Ocean Dr
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-538-1111
www.nikkibeach.com

Nikki Coconut Grove offers a restaurant, lounge and a street level, European-style deli café.  The décor features Nikki Beach’s custom-made furniture in natural Vietnamese woods, free-flowing white curtains and plush champagne beds and lounge chairs. Monday through Friday between 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. the l’Apéritif Party (happy hour) will cater to young professionals looking for an escape. On Sundays, Nikki Coconut Grove will host a brunch that will include a five to seven course experience and a la carte menu. Hours of Operation: Open 7 days a week
Café Nikki
Monday- Saturday 7PM-12AM Dinner, Bar open until 3AM
Sunday Brunch 11AM-4PM, Bar open until 12AMNikki Coconut Grove:Mondays and Tuesdays: Dinner Special, 7PM
Wednesday: Ladies Night Premiering Wednesday, April 2nd
Thursday: Thursdays in the Grove - 7PM
Friday: Friday Dinner Party with DJ Bruno, 7PM
Friday: l’Apéritif Party (Happy Hour) 4PM – 7PM
Sunday: Sunday Brunch, 11AM - 4PM

Nikki Beach NY:   151 East 50 Street • New York, NY 10022 • Tel: 212 753 1144

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Don’t blink — you’ll miss it!  That’s the entrance that you see in one of the photo’s above.  There’s no visible sign on the exterior of the Violet Hour…pretty interesting.

Wonderfully serene, this stylized speakeasy opened by veteran mixologist Toby Maloney (of Manhattan’s Pegu Club and Freeman’s) emphasizes esoteric liqueurs, homemade bitters, and eight (count ‘em) kinds of ice. A signless door guarded by a costumed gatekeeper opens to reveal three high-ceilinged, crystal-chandeliered ballrooms. The bar stops admitting people once all the high-backed blue leather seats are claimed, so there’s breathing room. The music ranges from classy Rat Pack 1960’s to Waylon Jennings.  More of a comfy, small plate menu of American Contemporary cuisine.  You can call it “relief in a glass”.   Anyone seeking a scene that is loud won’t enjoy their time here. This is an establishment to sit quietly and stare into space with an impeccably made cocktail.   At times, I wish there were more places like this around!  A great relax and rewind place. Great scene, never over-crowded,  a beautiful décor…meet your honey there.  Located in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area.  Oh…and once inside, you’ll spy a framed note requesting bargoers to refrain from cell phone use.  A great way to get totally lost.

1520 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, Il  (opens at 6 p.m.)
Tel: 773-252-1500
The Violet Hour

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In the newly cool Penn Quarter, Citronelle’s casual sister is full of blond wood, illuminated wine racks, and splashes of chartreuse, aubergine, and gold.  It’s too sleek to feel like a bistro. Still, chef Michel Richard’s food is comfortingly familiar—French classics such as onion soup, frisé and lardon salad, and steak frites share menu space with bangers and mash, fish-and-chips, and fried chicken—and the budget-friendly wine list is a welcome surprise. Weekday lunches and happy hours are the best times to spot politicos and D.C.’s elite. 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Tel: 202-626-0015Central Michel Richard

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The irresistible allure of mid-century Miami Beach nightlife returns to the city in The Florida Room at Delano. A dazzling collaboration between Morgans Hotel Group and Kravitz Design, The Florida Room is a modern-day piano lounge inspired by a classic period of South Floridian glamour.The focal point of The Florida Room is a Lucite grand piano which has already been played by music legends like Lenny Kravitz . Sparkling subtly beneath the smoky-bronze mirrored ceiling and custom-designed chandeliers, the piano sets the stage for live performances early to mid-evening and premier international DJ talent into the late night hours.From the custom furnishings to the over thirty exclusively handcrafted specialty cocktails imbued with a Cuban/Latin feel, The Florida Room is intimate and evokes a bygone era while being a thoroughly fresh addition to Miami Beach and the iconic Delano.Door policy at The Florida Room can be a little tough but you know how to work it!  Go on Tuesday nights, as that particular evening draws the hottest and hippest local crowds who want to rock it Roaring Twenties style. 

1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Tel: 305-674-6125

The Delano Hotel

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Downtown in the historic Higgins Building, this Roaring Twenties gin joint is housed in an old power plant. Waitresses wear slinky flapper dresses and serve decadent handcrafted cocktails including Absinthe. Sleek leather sofas encircle ancient artifacts and machinery.  Old black-and-white films are projected on exposed brick walls, to the tune of live jazz or pleasantly scratched recordings of torch singers.  On Thursdays their classic gin martinis are just 35 cents, the price in 1910.   Check their website for current offerings or call for the best nights to be there, since it can be quiet, which can also be good! 

108 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, California

Tel: 213-613-0000

The Edison

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Promising “all the comforts of a club without the dues,” PSC serves up classic cocktails and food in a former barracks on the edge of the Presidio, a former military base in the city’s northwestern quadrant. White-coated bartenders, glass-and-metal storage cabinets, and bare lightbulbs suggest a turn-of-the-century apothecary. Plenty of noise and mingling occurs at the 45-foot marble bar. The menu is simple and very good – click on their link to check it out. Their fried oysters are amazing. Getting there for an early dinner is best.

563 Ruger Street    Tel: 415-885-1888

Presidio Social Club

Cross Street:

Inside Lombard Gate at Lyon Street

Hours:

Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm, Sun 4pm-9:30pm

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The puns begin as soon as you open the cocktail list at Alibi, the loungy space inside Boston’s brand-new Liberty Hotel was once the Charles Street Jail. Alibi plays up its former life, with floors that have markings where the cells used to be, and solid brick walls with prison bars. Despite the dark motif, the space is well lit and cozy, with big open windows facing Charles Street. Popular orders include the sweet Jail Bait, a pomegranate mojito, and truffle french fries with Parmesan—a fine late-night nosh if you can get in.  In our opinion, go early on a Friday and Saturday nights, or after work.

215 Charles Street
Tel: 857-241-1144
Alibi Boston

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This chic, sophisticated bar and lounge located on the mezzanine level offers a vibrant atmosphere in which to linger over views of the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue Bridge.   Cocktail menu from the “liquid kitchen” is very extensive.  No food to be had at Rebar, so for dinner, mosey up to Sixteen on the 16^th floor, which also has a very large, trendy and comfortable bar area. 

401 N. Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60611   Tel: 312-588-8000 

 The Rebar

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Ahhhh a couple of years ago I was stopped in my tracks when both the Plaza and the St. Regis were all but closed for renovations….two of my favorite spots.  This spring 2008, the Plaza is finally opening once again, but my favorite after work spot, the Oak Bar, isn’t scheduled to be open until sometime later this summer.  The Palm Court restaurant is open.  Scheduled to open in May is the new, and what they term elegant, Champagne Bar and a more stylish Rose Club lounge, both located in its new Fifth Avenue lobby.  We’re waiting for the updates so let us know!The Plaza5^th Ave at Central Park SouthPh:  212 759 3000The PlazaThe Plaza Hotel

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If you’re lucky enough to be around NYC or south Florida on the night of one of Steve’s events….GO!  His parties attract a great group of upscale people 30 and over, and a group that numbers in the thousands.  The events occur at a respectable 7 to 11 pm monthly, usually on a Thursday, at a very current, hot venue.  You’ll meet a great group of people and still be home asleep at a respectable hour.  Steve Fox is on the high-end of the love business, and also offers matchmaking services, cruises, and more.  Go have some fun! 

Steve Fox Social Club

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The Campbell Apartment in Grand Central Terminal is truly a spectacular one-of-a-kind space. Formerly the luxurious office and salon of ’20’s mogul John W. Campbell, this fully refurbished space revives the lifestyle of that storied era. The breathtaking interior features intricate architectural details and craftsmanship including extensive woodwork, a balcony, a decorative beamed ceiling, an immense leaded glass exterior window, and a massive stone fireplace. They enforce a dress code, so jeans and sneakers are a no-no.  Subtle lighting and jazz and swing tunes stir a carefree, after-work mood as patrons wait for the trains to the northern burbs.  Live jazz on Saturday nights from 9 to midnight, but compared to the after work scene, it’s rather subdued.In Grand Central Terminal – (enter from Vanderbilt Ave. or go through the upstairs of GCT on the west side and enter.)15 Vanderbilt Ave
New York, NY 10017Campbell Apartment

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From the Bice group, I went to the opening of Bistro Milano and loved the place.  The large modern room with high ceilings is bright, inviting, mirrored and warm. The entire management and service team are true Northern Italians; a rarity at far too many Manhattan Italian eatery’s with the exception of Bice and the Serafina group…they’re all true Italian’s.  The bar is more of a waiting area and has only about 10 seats, but this place is going to be one wonderful hangout during the spring and summer months.  Outside there are lots of tables.  We sampled quite a few dishes and all of them were very good.  A great addition to midtown west.  We don’t know which nights will shake out to be the best to be here, but any nice evening should do.

Theater District
1350 Avenue of the Americas at W. 55^th & 6th

New York, NY 10022     (212) 757-2600

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I know this isn’t about fine dining, but I just can’t help myself. The Mayflower in Washington DC is the hotel where Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York, allegedly had the dalliance that links him to the prostitution ring, the Emperor’s Club VIP.

The Mayflower is one of the largest, oldest, and priciest hotels in DC. Although it’s not as famous as the nearby Willard InterContinental, it’s still well-known as a place that’s popular with politicians and those they attract. Fodor’s calls it a “hallmark of luxury hotels,” it was once the go-to spot for another man with secrets: FBI director and cross-dresser J. Edgar Hoover.

The New York Times ties Governor Spitzer to Mayflower Room 871, like the one shown in the photo, where he reportedly spent the night before Valentine’s Day with “an American, petite, very pretty brunette, 5 feet 5 inches, and 105 pounds” named “Kristin.” He reportedly paid Kristin $4,300 for “train tickets, cab fare from the hotel and back, mini bar or room service, travel time, and hotel” and we’d think a portion of that fee would be for the pleasure of her company. 

In the course of the investigation, Fox News reported that he sent his date back to New York on the slow Amtrak train no less.  Now don’t you think he could have spent a few extra bucks for the Acela?  He also put money down in advance for future visits.

When it came to his choice of room, the Governor wasn’t too extravagant–that’s the “standard room” he chose at the Mayflower. At $400 a night, Spitzer’s digs were among the cheapest the hotel has to offer. None the less, he and “Kristin” would have enjoyed some high thread count sheets and stunning city views.  Governor Spitzer sure knows how to keep it classy! RIGHT. I wonder what they had for dinner?

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Nobu LA just opened today, so we don’t have the scoop on the nights that might be best to be there, but we think almost any night would be interesting.   The latest addition to Nobu Matsuhisa’s & Robert De Niro’s sushi empire is open in LA.   Their celebrated raw fish offerings are certainly there, and so are brick-oven dishes like Whole Roasted Fish with 3 Sauces and Duck Breast with Wasabi Salsa.  Also featured is the chef’s Omakase and Washu Beef. 

     Read the menu at NobuRestaurants.com.  Oh, you go here for the food by the way, even though the portions might seem quite small by most standards, but we’re sure you’ll find a few interesting people at Nobu LA.  They take reservations starting one month prior to your arrival, so plan ahead!

903 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA ph:  310.657.5711

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So, are you ready for some waxing, pedicuring, warm sand, hot sun, mixing it up with buffed bods while drinking a few margaritas?  As reported on Concierge.com, here is their selection of the World’s Sexiest Beaches.  Ranging from the Bahamas to Europe to Viet Nam, the thing we liked best about their reporting was that they scoped out the crowd for us and told us where to go in the evenings too.  We also got some tips on the best places to bunk up at during our beach stay.

    Nothing like being in the right place at the right time, with a little help from your “friends-in-the-know” you know.  So if your pretty painted toes are getting a bad craving for some white sand, go sift through the collection of the Sexiest Beaches.  Read about it here at Concierge. 

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