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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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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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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Steve Fox Social Club

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