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And you thought Mexico was dangerous for tourists (it's not)? The US embassy in Japan is urging US citizens to avoid Tokyo's raucous nightlife district of Roppongi due to a surge of drink-spiking incidents. Apparently, criminals are spiking tourists drinks which causes them to pass out, and when they awake several hours later, they find their credit cards have been stolen. Heavens to Betsy! The embassy reports several cases of drink spiking, but the local police report no known incidents, which is rather contradictory. Either way, DBTH reccomends drinking from a sippy cup or not bringing credit cards out to Roppongi. Safety first!

The Uptown vs Downtown continues, as LX.TV/NBC Local pimps out Bruno Jamais and B.East as the poster children for their respective parts of New York. As always, the Uptown crew wants everyone to know that you really can have fun above 14th Street (dancing!), and the Downtowners represent that they are pushing the boundaries of hip with music, fashion and aesthetic. It's all so episode one of the City. Anyway, don't they know that there are so many other parts of town to have fun in?

The whopper of the Dow 7,000 era, as Per Se is considering adding an A La Carte menu to its normal 9 course tasting menu. A real OMFG moment. OMFG. [Eater] Peter Gatien was banished from his own joint in Toronto. The world yawns. Yawn. [BB] Look out Water Taxi Beach, the Ravel is poised to unleash its 6,500 SF Miami style roof lounge in Strong Island City. Now that the pool parties are gone, is it possible that LIC could be the weekend destination for NYCers? No. [GS]

The recently renovated and much beloved Blarney Stone has a message for McSorley's. BS: Hey. Hey McSorley's. McS: Yeah? BS: You aren't the only bar with a line of Irish enthusiasts. We got a line of our own. McS: Is that two people? BS: Yeah, and they are waiting in a line. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Indeed.

A Little Birdy has kept up with the trials and tribulations of Arthur Kade, the former financial planner turned wanna be model/actor who spends his free time making trips to NYC from Philly. It seems AK found his way back to 1OAK, his fave place on earth, and it reaffirmed his belief that Binn is the single greatest doorman in the history of doors. Arthur says "Binn at 1Oak runs the hottest door since Bungalow, and I have to admit he does an excellent job in making sure the girl to guy ratio is excellent, and the crowd is gorgeous." But Richie and Scott should beware, because Mr. Kade says "If I ever open a lounge, he would be my first hire, because his look and attitude are exactly what makes the club so desirable to the “elite” of New York." And the d-bags from Philly.

One positive trend since January has been the steady drop in airline prices and luxury hotel rooms. Naturally, if people lose their jobs or think a layoff is coming, the travel budget is a natural choice to chop. As the economy has continued to worsen, businesses have also cut their travel budget, which means there is plenty of room in first and business class on prime flights (NYC>London, NYC>LAX). As a result, airlines have restarted their upgrade programs, allowing coach customers to pay extra cash or trade in frequent flier miles to move on up to the front of the plane. This is in stark contrast to 2007-08, when fuel prices were high and planes were so packed that the chance to upgrade was virtually nil. If you have managed to squeeze in a trip or two, keep your ears open at the gate and you may just score some additional comfort and service on the cheap. [WSJ]

Good news - another hidden basement bar has opened in the East Village. YAY! This one is called The Cabin, and is described as "all incandescence and glow," the crowd is "Ex-Strokes and the models who date them rub leather elbows with UK rockers who just hauled gear and ass from the Mercury Lounge". Right. The Cabin is below Pizza Shop on the corner of 7th and Avenue A, and is now open nightly. [via BB]

While we've never been much of a St. Patrick's Day fan, it is one of the biggest alcohol consumption days of the year. Exhibit A - a line of people outside McSorley's at 8:55 AM, waiting for their chance to pound some lights and darks. More fun after the jump!

In a case of Who Still Goes There, the NY Times Brian Stelter sent out the above Tweet on Friday night, proving that 1) the Dark Room is still open and 2) there are some NYCers who still dare to venture into Hell Square on a weekend night.

Last week, DBTH was invited to take a tour of the still under construction Ace Hotel, where construction delays have pushed the opening to April 1st. And while the delays are disappointing, the old adage "good things come to those who wait" certainly rings true. Taking over a still occupied landmark building and then renovating it room by room is no easy task. Ask the Jane folks. So the Ace team is taking its time, and making each room unique, both to existing NYC hotel stock and to each other. We saw the model room, which has been finished for some time. We also checked out one of the $99 bunk bed rooms, which any deal seeker would be lucky to grab while the rate lasts through the year. A Superior King room is spacious and airy, with 2 leather sleeper sofas and a table large enough to hold a board meeting or impromptu dinner party. A most spectacular 1 bedroom suite was still under construction. When finished, the corner room will feature a custom built circular sofa in the living area, a king bed, and killer views into Midtown. And what about the rest . . .

Joe Ahearn thinks most New York concerts are overproduced and exclusive. So he hosts his own shows—all ages, in strange places—about three times a week. More...

A first look at Veloce club, which aims to be "more of a destination than a pit stop". Of course. [GS] Ryan's and Lucy's are both still down for the count [Eater], but we saw with our own very eyes that the Holiday Cocktail lounge will be up and running for business this weekend. Breathe. Did you used to head to 27th Street, hoping to find the rich man of your dreams wasting money on bottles and sparklers? Here's a helpful guide on how to land a richie now that those days are dunzo. [Cityfile]

It's always amusing to see branding gone awry. So we were certainly amused when we discovered the above map, prepared by the architects at ShoP as part of a South Street Seaport proposal for General Growth Properties, breaking New York's many diverse neighborhoods into overly simplified groupings. The East Village is now Hipsters, the Lower East Side/Chinatown is now Cheap Dumplings (ouch) and so on and so forth. The FiDi, where the Seaport is located, is re-branded Opportunity, which ties together nicely with the pending Water Taxi Beach on Pier 17. What do you think about your new neighborhood?

In one of the funnier emails we have ever received, a reader asks: When did Gin Lane on 14th st turn into Scarpetta? Seriously.

Keith McNally's Canadian mistake has one commenter feeling sad: ...Are you telling me Keith McNally doesn't know what bourbon is? The guy is offered $100 million for this incredible business he's built and he makes a rookie error on the menu at his new place? Would be like Bill Gates not knowing what a hard drive is. Ugh. Mr. McNally: for the sake of bourbon lovers across the city--fix your menu. Minetta Shows Some Canuck Love [DBTH]

This day shall be remembered as the "Day When We Discovered Pending Food Websites", as Citysearch launches 3buckbites, Zagat plans a HuffPo style site for food, and the Atlantic gets culinary. [via GS] BBQ returns to 8th Street. In related news, the Walgreens on Astor Place sells out of Immodium and TUMS. Coicidence? Hmmm. [Eater] Park Avenue Winter is offering free dinners and tequila shots to anyone dressed as a schoolgirl as an ode to its appearance on the next Gossip Girl. Really Park Avenue Winter? Really? [UD]

In a conversation with Steve Lewis, M2 and once a week Merkato 55's doorman Matt Oliver on a how a room should look on different nights of the week: I don’t think that a room should look totally different on a quiet night rather than a busy night. I think it should just look quieter. No word if it should taste quieter.

Not to be outdone by its sister publication, VanityFair.com gives us the Madoff Mint, inspired of course by the now imprisoned huckster. Madoff Mint 1 oz. Lucid absinthe 2 oz. pineapple juice Muddled mint leaves Lime wedge Splash of Sprite or 7-Up Muddle mint leaves with lime wedge. Add Lucid, pineapple juice, and ice, and shake briefly. Top with Sprite or 7-Up, and garnish with a mint sprig. Is it wrong to think it sounds absolutely delicious?

Are you sick of bars offering the same old drinks at reduced prices? The New Yorker has come up with some cheeky new drinks to reflect these somber times, including the: Trickle-Down Punch: Let last drops of liquor trickle from spent bottles at recycling center into plastic cup. Serve with shame. Har dee har har. [New Yorker]

Like we said, Hampton, Va was turned into an anything goes hotspot last weekend, as the town was invaded by music fans and those who sought to make money off them. Besides the multiple arrests, a Little Birdy happened to be on the scene and filed a report, saying: the NITROUS MAFIA in full effect . . . the real "parTTAyeeeing" was back the various hotels just within walking distance to the show. I think the Days Inn took the cake for shadiest scene with "wooks" and "mafia" striking deals. Two rival gangs fighting over the nitrous tanks in & around the hotel. At one point around 2 AM, a couple thuggish-looking guys grabbed a tank and sped off with it, while this Tony Soprano guy started screaming his head off. Then, another "capo" looking dude came back 5 minutes later and personally apologized to Tony, and the two had a big public display of reconciliation. Meanwhile a dude who sucked too many balloons passed out and cracked his head open on the sidewalk in front of our room-- there was about a QUART of blood. no JOKE!!! The picture above was taken in the Day's Inn hallway. God help the family that picked this hotel as a place to stay on a weekend drive to see grandma. And for the kid in the blue shirt, 3 at a time? Really?

A little vintage Flyer Follies to kick off this Thursday? Why the hell not, especially when a Misshape is involved. Greg K. has ditched his dark clad partners to host Main Man, a new Thursday night joint with Ryan McGinley at Broadway East. But the straights shouldn't get their hopes up, a PR rep reminds us " main man is a gay party." Just the facts.

Grab your planner: A new batch of recurring music and comedy nights has come to town. More...

Why do the folks running the Merkato 55 Saturday brunch party boast about how much money they are making? Maybe it has something to do with the illegal liquor they are apparently serving! According to a Little Birdy, "Merkato 55 got busted for selling illegal liquor. Meaning they went to jersey and bought liquor." It's well known that booze is cheaper in New Jersey because of the state sales tax, so operators often head across the border to buy in bulk in order to reduce inventory costs. If it's true, Merkato certainly isn't the first to be busted for this crime, and certainly won't be the last. Meanwhile, a second Little Birdy updates us on the news that Megu is circiling the troubled space, saying that "negotiations are still happening."

Whie the debate over how best to spend the $780 billion in Federal stimulus money, Nassau Bar in the Financial District has been quietly implementing their own stimulus package on a daily basis. Patrons are served their domestic brews with whiskey backs by bikini-clad female bartenders, a real stimulating experience.

Behold the Minetta Tavern's extensive cocktail menu and spirit list, featuring what seems like some very tasty, if not expensive, cocktails and a variety of choice liquors. Of particular delight is a special section dedicated to Canadian bourbons, which have taken a backseat to the Americans labels in the past few years. Canadian Club for everyone, courtesy of DBTH! [Via Thrillist]