Couple's New Year’s Eve Venues

Very few holidays are naturally more romantic than New Year’s Eve, where the objective is to stay up as late as possible, drink alcohol, and watch an array of fireworks, live performances and various other forms of entertainment.

That is why couple New Year’s Eve packages are so popular in New York City on this December 31^st, 2007. It has almost turned into this city’s 2^nd Valentine’s Day, and that means bars and hotels have produced quite the assortment of things for people to buy for that special night with their significant other. Here are a few packages you should consider if you are thinking about taking your loved one (or sex buddy) out on the town:

New York Marriott Marquis Times Square

1535 Broadway, New York, NY

Cost: $899 per couple

Nothing says New Year’s Eve like a night in Times Square. If you choose to dine with the folks at the Marquis, you will get dine in their exquisite restaurant and take in the electrifying view of Times Square and all of the people standing outside in the cold (assuming global warming does not result in a 90-degree New Year’s Eve). They are home to the only revolving rooftop restaurant and lounge in New York City, making the view even more spectacular as the night goes on. While the price is hefty, you will be surrounded in a super-swanky atmosphere, receive a four-course dinner, an open bar and of course, a champagne toast for you and your date!

Grand Bar & Lounge

310 W. Broadway, New York, NY

Cost: $149; VIP: $249

When it comes to formal attire, what is sexier than a masquerade ball? Grand Bar and Lounge are providing the only black and white masquerade party in the city this New Year’s Eve, and believe me, it is not something you will want to miss! Couples can go around meeting new people that they will never talk to again, or they can pretend as if they were having a strange encounter with each other. The price of admission includes your fix of alcohol and a night with DJ’s Language and Lindsey spinning on the 1’s and 2’s. If you want my advice, go with the VIP upgrade. You will get twice the exclusivity that the Grand Bar already provides you that night, and when it comes to couples, exclusivity is always more fun at night.

The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park

Two West Street, New York, NY 10004

Cost: $150 for the 9p.m. seating

Have you seen the scene at Times Square just one too many times? Well, the Ritz-Carlton offers another view that is just as scintillating as the ball drop. At their Battery Park location, you can ring in the New Year while looking over the New York City Harbor and enjoy the show as fireworks are launched to celebrate 2008! In the meantime, you can enjoy a four-course prix fixe dinner that includes Smoked Hudson Foie Gras, Roasted Lamb loin, apple quince chutney and then some. You also will receive unlimited champagne for the night and exclusive party favors that only the Ritz-Carlton can provide. You are also welcome to purchase a room for an additional cost and start the New Year with your own fireworks!

Exclusive New Year’s Eve Parties in New York City - December 21, 2007

New Year’s Eve only comes by once a year and chances are you probably only celebrate 1 out of every 5 the way you are supposed to. Afterall, anything before the age of 21 either wasn’t done right, or was done under the veil of secrecy. There will be several occasions throughout your lifetime where you will have to do something that is more important to your life than being out drinking and partying all night. You may even have to work! Hey! Someone has to make sure everyone else is having good time! Hopefully, you will get paid a ton of overtime for it though!

For those of you who have to work (and I am not one of you, some I jealous), you are probably interested in doing this New Year’s Eve the right way. However, you tell that to yourself every year, and you have yet to do it.

Well, there comes a time in life when you are up for the more expensive taste in life, so why not do it on this yearly occasion? Exclusive events are the big hit in New York City, and the Socialite List has researched a few that will make your entry into 2008 a more than memorable party.

Marquee

289 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY

Cost $175; VIP $300

The hottest club in New York, home to stars, socialites, models and athletes, is throwing yet another wonderful New Year’s Eve affair. With the elegant set up of Marquee and clientele that can’t find at your average club or bar in Manhattan, this is the place to ring in the new year at a level of socializing and partying that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. If you step up your game this year, you can get VIP access to the Skybox level and the VIP Red Room. You get top-shelf alcohol from 9PM to 2AM and plenty of hors d’oeuvres. You also get free access to the after party!

Mars 2112

1633 Broadway, Times Square, New York, NY

Cost: $110, VIP: $175; VIP Table: $200

Underneath the big building occupied by the likes of Viacom and Bank of America, lays a little place where corporate world dwellers come to let loose, and you should too! Mars 2112 is doing it big on New Year’s Eve. Normally, they host celebrity parties and television upfront parties, but for New Year’s Eve, they are taking it to a new level. There will be celebrities, champagne, complimentary after party and a 6 hour top-shelf bar from 9pm to 3am, party favors and a countdown of the ball dropping just down the street! Hors d'oeurves and desserts include chicken fingers, pizza, beef patties, brownies, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

LQ

511 Lexington Avenue, New York City, NY

Cost: $125; VIP: $175; VIP Table: $215

On any given night, you never know who might show up at LQ. But on New Year’s Eve? Come on! The question is, “Who won’t you see at LQ?” Starting at 8 o’clock, you will be blessed with music from DJ Rob Flow and lots of flowing bubbly as well. LQ is known for its dancing, so come prepared to wear out the heels of your shoes ladies and gentlemen, because this place will be on fire come December 21^st, 2007. There will be an open bar, and plenty of great food, including roasted salmon, peppercorn steak and shrimp dumplings. So make sure you make it out to LQ this New Year’s Eve, where you can enjoy party favors, get tickets to a free after party, and eat real food!

New Year's Eve Bars Worth Ringing in the New Year

New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated events of the year. This is the one night throughout the whole year that everybody, of every age, elects to stay up all night and celebrate the clock turning midnight.

Well, you only have but so many New Year’s Eve nights throughout your life, so why waste it sitting up at home, watching Dick Clark or Regis Phillbin countdown the dropping of the ball from Times Square?

Why not just go to Times Square yourself! Or anywhere else in New York City for that matter.

To bring in the year like the true New York Socialite that you are, the Socialite List has a few tips for places that you should check out this New Year’s Eve.

The one thing they all have in common?...Lots of alcohol!

Home/Guest House

532 W. 27^th Street, New York, NY

Cost - $150

For this price, you get admission to into Guest House and to Snitch, two adjacent bars. Guest House is located in the Meatpacking District, and I am not sure there are too many other places in Manhattan where you would rather be on New Year’s Eve. With plenty of stars coming through here throughout the course of the year, you can only imagine what kind of nightlife legends might show up for the New Year’s Eve party. Generally, Guest House plays hip-hop, rock and 80’s music, is packed with people who love to dance and seems to be the meeting place for sexy, sophisticated women in New York. Obviously, there is an open bar, from 10pm to 4am, and there will be plenty of champagne to toast the night away. The club will also provide snacks throughout the night. For just $45 more, you can get the New Year’s Eve VIP service all night.

Galapagos

70 North 6^th Street, Brooklyn NY

Cost: $30 until 1am; $40 for the entire night

If you feel like experiencing a more homely affair, why not head out to Brooklyn and enjoy the likes of Galapagos. You enter the bar via a moat-like entrance that hovers over a reflecting pool. Located in the heart of Williamsburg, Galapagos is full of diversity, and so Brooklynites of all backgrounds flock to this destination to take it all in. With an eclectic array of DJ’s, bands and cabaret acts, spending New Year’s Eve at Galapagos is not a bad way to go. Your $30 gets you a Burlesque show and some complimentary alcohol, and the extra $10 takes you until 8am.

Church Lounge

2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY

Cost $149; VIP $249

Welcome to the Tribeca Grand Hotel, where you can find the Church Lounge located in the atrium of the establishment. With high ceilings and fantastic view of Manhattan, it is a wonder this place is not more of an attraction than it already is. You can even see the ball drop from its location on the 8^th floor. For the price of admission, you’re are certainly taken care of with an open bar, food and one heck of a heck of a time dancing the night away in fashion only befitting the swankness of Tribeca.

Coming To A Neighborhood Near You

It’s nice going to that upscale bar or lounge with your friends, hanging out, drinking it up and dancing it up like it is the end of the millennium. However, at the end of the night, after you have finished popping bottles and toe tapping, you get that bill for those jugs of Patron and those fancy appetizers, and then you remember that $20 cover charge you paid to get in, and all of a sudden, it does not seem worth it.

Then you realize that you could have just went to that local club or bar around your apartment building, and you can’t believe you paid all of that money for leather seats and fake ambiance.

Well, the next time you are in need of some late night, socialite fun, make sure that you pay heed to this list of bars, in a neighborhood near you, that will more that satisfy your appetite for a little nightlife entertainment.

Upper Westside
420 Bar & Lounge
420 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

Remember when you were little and your parents took you buy a bike? Your parents were about to get you that plain old blue thing on the rack, but you wanted that sparkling royal blue one with 10-speed gear, bells, whistles and hand brakes that was out for display. Your parents wound up getting you that blue one off the rack, and you ended up enjoying that bike for the next 7 years and you could not imagine ever having gotten that other thing. Well 420 Bar is like that plain old good bike; it will get the job done while making you forget about that other bar and all of its bells and whistles. 420 has two floors, three bars and hundreds of patrons each day that can make a bar feel like a bar. It is very easy to lose track of time chatting it up with other young, urban professionals, but for drinks that are priced at $5-$7, and one heck of DJ, all of sudden, your plans do not seem so important anymore.

Greenwich Village
R Bar
218 Bowery Street, New York, NY 10012

Located in the heart of the village, R Bar is one of the coolest places you will find in a locale know for being trendy. When you go inside, the interior will make you feel like you just walked into a 70’s rock concert. There are no chic and fancy couches and paintings. Instead, you will find images of Mick Jagger and leather-clad models. The only thing that is hot and sexy about R Bar is the New York singles that go there. There is plenty of space to find you one those sexy singles and dance, talk or make-out to all night. It tends to get rowdy at the R Bar; apparently, people who go there do not seem to adhere to the “don’t get drunk on Wednesday rule” anymore.

Union Square
Underbar
201 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003

On any given Saturday night in New York City, you could pay a big cover and spend lots of money on a bottle of alcohol and a private room at some club or lounge. On the other hand, you could just go to the Underbar, get in free, and take up one of their infamous curtain-enclosed enclaves that offer you and your party all of the privacy you could possibly need. The best part is that you do not have to buy a bottle to sit there. Nevertheless, once you are around all of the sexy men and women, laughing, socializing, grooving and rendezvousing, you will probably want to buy a bottle anyway just to keep up with everyone else! It will get crowded on the weekends, and it is the perfect pick-up spot, because there is only one bar and so everyone who comes through ends up there at least four or five times a night. Therefore, when the woman or man of your dreams stops by at the Underbar, you can’t miss’em!

Socialite List Takes Over New York City!

The Socialite List wants to turn New York City’s nightlife around. It’s about time that somebody put an end to exorbitant cover charges, members-only clubs, and trips to the Hamptons that no one knows about. Sure, if you are already apart of those venues and parties, you might not care that the masses are not at all the parties. However, The Socialite List does care, and we think that everybody in New York City should be able to take part in any and all of the parties in the NYC!

What does it mean to be a socialite?

Many New Yorkers are familiar with popular Manhattan and Hamptons socialites that live on the Upper East Side or in Midtown on Park Avenue, and who hob-nob and drink whine from their high-rise condominiums. But that is not what encompasses a true socialite.

Dictionary.com defines a socialite as “a socially prominent person,” or “one prominent in fashionable society.”

According to that definition, 99% of the people you go out with every night are socialites. And if you love to socialize, party, drink, dance, go to restaurants, watch musicals, attend poetry readings or do any of the other one million things you can do in New York City, well then you are a socialite, too!

And SocialiteList.com wants to make sure that you are doing all of those things with every spare moment of your time. We are informing you of all the upcoming events in NYC. We will also be throwing our own parties, exclusive to anybody who considers themselves a socialite!

So if you’re young, vibrant and ready to take on New York City, sign up for our newsletter so you can be aware of all that this city has to offer and come out to some of The Socialite List’s “exclusive” parties!

I will see you there!

-Social Sarah

Sign up for the "Socialte List: New York City"

Calling all socialites, Manhattanites, club-goers and young professionals of the night!

The Socialite List wants to invite you to join our list of New York City club-goers, entertainment lovers and dining aficionados.

What does being on the Socialite List provide you with?

For starters, every week, you will receiver our newsletter, informing you of all of the events in New York City. You will get the scoop on Upper West Side bars, Lower East side Hideaways, and all of the clubs, restaurants, live music and entertainment events in between.

You will also get first notice of any special and upcoming Socialite List events, parties and outings. The Socialite List will be throwing, promoting and hosting parties at some of the most fun and exclusive nightlife venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn. You will find us in night clubs, on cruise boats in Hudson and at some of the most accommodating and exciting bars and restaurants. And that is not just for Fridays and Saturdays either. We know that as a young professional working in Manhattan, you like to get your leisure whenever you can get it. So if that means having “Afterwork Thursdays,” “Wine and Dine Wednesdays” or “Happy Hour Mondays,” then that is exactly what we will do.

So sign up for the Socialite List today, and you’ll be in the know by tonight!

I’ll see you at the next event, socialites!

Exclusive Bars in the NYC

Exclusivity is something of a mirage in New York City. Often times, you just need to know somebody at the door or be knowledgeable of the online promotion that particular bar or club has posted on their website. In some cases, it will just come down to paying for a good time, but even then the price can be mentally-subsidized if you and your friends are willing to chip in to enjoy some of the more lavish spots in Manhattan. So here are a few of those places for all you socialites to check out, and rest assure, it won’t take more than a little ingenuity or “going Dutch” to get in.

TABLE 50

643 Broadway, New York, NY

There are a ton of places you could go to if you were interested in just a drink and some music off the owner’s iPod. However, if you want music that makes you vibe in your chair and will practically force you to bust a move, then Table 50 is the place you are looking for. It is not the most visually appealing bar in the city, but it does past the eyeball test and the music is usually being pumped out by a Class-A D.J. There is plenty of room to dance and mimic your favorite artist, or you can just sit down and enjoy sounds from ever niche of the music industry. However, I am sure you will want to dance! You can go after work to chill with your friends or co-workers, or you can try to brave the night scene where you might just need to buy a bottle to get in. But if you call ahead and come with friends that should not even be a problem.

A60

60 Thompson Street, New York, NY

Located a top a hotel building, supposedly this place is reserved for members only, and I can neither confirm or deny that since there is a slim chance that civilians can get in on certain nights. In addition, if you and your friends pitch in and get a room for the night, they are not saying no when you try to access this rooftop bar. This spot is a little pricey, but if you are in for a good time and want to meet young, sexy, Manhattanites, you will get your money’s worth here.

Me Bar

17 W. 32^nd Street, New York, NY (Midtown West)

Located on the roof of a midtown La Quinta Hotel in Manhattan, you would not be expected to expect more from this rendezvous point than you do from the hotel chain. However, you would be wrong not to, because Me Bar has been the secret spot for bar lovers in the Koreatown area. With a romantic view of the Empire State Building and the rest of midtown, the Me Bar also has an artistic décor of furniture for your comfortable lounging experience. You can even order in to the bar since they do not offer any food of their own. Delivery, alcohol, plush seating, and a spot with a view…what else could you ask for?

Sports Venues For NFL Sundays

It’s mid-way through the NFL football season and you are already tired of sitting around the house or apartment on Sundays to watch the game. It’s only natural. While buying that NFL Package and that new recliner seemed like a good idea at the start of the season, the truth is you want to be around your friends and strangers to enjoy the game! Going to a sports bar to watch a football game is almost as good as being at the stadium if you go to the right bar. The best part is that you do not have to pay $7 for a hot dog at the neighborhood bar!

Gutter

200 N. 14^th Street, Brooklyn, New York (Williamsburg)

This bowling alley is one of the best spots in Brooklyn, or New York City for that matter, for watching the pros play football on Sundays. For a place that just recently opened, Gutter is pretty old school, offering a collection working men’s beers and stained glass lamps. The prices are pretty old school too with pints of beer and mixed drinks going for as low as $5. The crowd on Sunday’s appreciates a good football game and while you would think their allegiance is to the New York Giants or Jets, you will certainly find more than a fair share of New York football fan dissenters.

ESPN Zone

1472 Broadway, New York, NY (Times Square)

You may be wondering I’m placing a chain-restaurant on a list of sports bars to go to in New York City, but the truth is that the ESPN Zone is home to one of the most authentic New York City sports atmospheres in Manhattan. It is not the uppity place you think it is. Sure, you can find businesses renting out luxury boxes on the third floor, but you can also find people from all five boroughs crowded at the bar high-fiving, yelling at the screen and getting wasted…just like at your neighborhood pub! The food selection also makes this place a great place to watch football, especially with the Tailgate platter where you can get a taste of just about every food that is synonymous with football. Finally yet importantly, there are televisions in the bathroom so you do not miss a play while you are draining all of that alcohol out of your system.

Park Avenue Country Club

381 Park Avenue South, New York, NY (Midtown East)

For a more personable experience, on devoid of the large crowds, the Park Avenue Country Club is the place. With plenty of big screens and a low-key audience, you can enjoy the game and still carry on a conversation with a friend, co-worker, date, or new acquaintance. Plenty of New York sports players come through the club, including Michael Strahan and many of the New York Knicks’ players. The food is great, and you can even throw a party that they will cater for you just to make your experience feel like you are back at the house sitting in that same recliner you purchased before the season started.

Megaclubs Are Still Here New York City!

If you are looking to party like a rock star, you would think that it would be relatively easy to do in New York City. However, the move from all-night rock fests to bars, lounges and late night venues that require guys to wear jackets and ladies to wear dresses do not exactly accommodate the rock star and all of us. While it is nice to see the New York nightlife moving toward a more sophisticated and socially pleasing attitude, there are still those nights when we need to say, “Damn being a socialite, I want to be a rock star!”

Well, New York City Socialites, it is time you let out the inner rock-star in you. Believe it or not, New York City regulations on parties, smoking and occupation have not completely exorcised the Manhattan Mega club from New York’s city limits. There are still a few massive clubs that are filled with nothing but dance space, music and very little room for talking. So get out your dancing shoes and head over to these rarities where you can still get your rock star on.

Webster Hall

125 E. 11^th Street, New York, NY 10003

Of all the mega clubs in Manhattan, Webster Hall is probably the best place for meeting sexy singles. Everyone here is just as hyped up meet people as they are to dance. Webster Hall manages to draw in scintillating singles from all over the New York Metro area, from Connecticut to New Jersey; you will find every suburban dweller under the sun hitting up Webster Hall on a weekend night. Webster Hall is full of different rooms that consist of different types of music, and more interestingly, different types of people. Therefore, if you are feeling mainstream and have no preferences, you can hit up the Grand Ballroom. If you are looking for sexy Latina or Latino, there is a salsa room. In addition, if you want a down Brotha or Sista, there is a hip-hop and reggae room.

Crobar

530 W. 28^th Street, New York, NY

There are several rooms to choose from at Crobar at well, but the only you need to focus on here is the one with the main dance floor. That is where everybody else will be, and you did not go to Crobar to sit on the couch and lounge around. You go to Crobar because you are tired of that! If you are looking for that authentic crazy, Eastern seaboard type of fun, this is your place. You will find people twirling glow-sticks, dancing to mindlessly and nobody intends to leave before 3 o’clock. Why would people leave? With people like D.J. Sasha on the 1’s and 2’s, you would not want to leave either.

Avalon Night Club

47 West 20^th Street, New York, NY 10011

Believe it or not, this place used to be a church. My how the times have changed. Avalon is now host to club going partiers with only one agenda, and it isn’t praising the Lord. I recommend going on a Saturday night. It is an exclusive group of people who get in, so fellas you need to latch on to some sexy young professional women if you even to have a prayer of chance of getting inside. There is plenty of room for dancing, in fact, that is all there is room for, thus there is a whole of it going on. It is pretty hard to find anyone here standing on the wall, so you best be ready to be a true socialite and represent the Socialite List if you do decide to go.

Socialites, These Are the Places to Be This Weekend...And Every Weekend!

Looking for the next big weekend of fun and partying? Well, you could just go to the same old bars and clubs that you always go to, or you could check out some of these places that have their best nights on certain days of the week.

Words of caution: In New York City, the weekend does not start on Friday’s anymore.

Thursdays

Boudoir, 127 Eight Avenue, New York, NY

Boudoir carries a very scintillating crowd of sexy young singles that know that the weekend really starts the day before Friday. Thursdays are the night of the club’s “Life is Beautiful” party, an event that celebrities have attended for years. For you music eclectics, the DJ plays every type of music under the sun, and why not when every type of celebrity musician, from Mick Jagger to Prince, could show up.

Retox, 511 W. 28^th Street, New York, NY 10001

A wonderful spot on the way-way West side of Manhattan. You will never guess that a place in the Meatpacking district could be so nice inside, but it is. Midtown after-workers make their way over to Retox every Thursday for a good time with young professionals looking to let off a little steam. The crowd is very sexy, and you never would have thought that these people were coming from work. However, I suppose that is a good thing, huh?

Fridays

Element, 225 E. Houston St., New York, NY

Element has such a sleek and seductive interior that it only allows people of the same characteristics on the premise (just kidding…sort of). It has three different levels of playground nightlife, some for dancing and some for just lounging around. There is also a special V.I.P. area on the mezzanine level. Element has it all. It can be romantic, crowded, trendy and an alcoholic’s haven all in the same night. It just happens to be that Fridays are the best nights.

Saturday

Star Lounge, 222 West 23^rd Street, New York, NY

NYC meets the Hampton at the Star Lounge. This club’s unique designs are from famous club designer Heidar Sedeki. Nevertheless, it is the club’s clientele that make it such a wonderful spot. Guys get crazy, ladies start playing with the stripper pole and every now and then some guys in costumes just might come by for a little entertainment. Don’t try to get in without looking super sexy and dressed to impress, because you will only embarrass yourself once you get inside.