cpnews

King, mentioned as one of the top two or three peeps doing his job, has left Plumm. I caught up with King earlier this week and turned him on to this blog. He just got his first computer and hasn’t... More...

Hey everyone. DBTH here. Yesterday was a pretty exciting day around these parts. You probably didn't read it, but we happen to get a little bit of publicity that wasn't really expected. In fact it was pretty much out of left field. But then again, so is the writer, Ben Leventhal. That's him up there, with his partner, Lockhart Steele (real name). And together they manage the Curbed/Eater empire. Not a bad gig. It was just last Thursday that we were all invited guests for the opening of the Rusty Knot. We even spent some QT together, buying Lock a beer and watching his murse for hours. But while we enjoyed ourselves, Lil BL secretly seethed, desperate to know why anyone dared challenge his authority as the ultimate insider. But the anger and fear is justified. Sitting in that lonely FiDi apartment, seeing Grub Street, Guest of a Guest, and just about everyone else with access to the internet scoop him must drive him batty. Pinkberry, Momofuku and Shake Shack couldn't open enough locations to keep him on the inside. Frank Bruni only only takes him on review dinners every so often. So what is he to do? There was just one solution. Kill the threat. So BenBen dropped the froyo coverage for a bit and became an infantile gossip to out us - hoping the publicity would make us go away. He then let us know: "for what it's worth, steele and i worked this one together, which is to say that it wasn't done willy-nilly."Well that's a relief. And you know we love teamwork. He then followed with some of the wisest words ever typed: "anyway, it what it is. i just gave you more explanation that any one else gets, because you're a friend. don't do the blog if you can't be the guy."That's so sweet of you. Really we're touched. And to think, this is just a hobby. A labor of love if you will. No book deals and no JV's. We never ask for anything and don't get paid. We work hard to bring you this site and think we do a pretty good job. Traffic is growing (see graph), we found a great new contributor, and contrary to Ben's worthless opinion, no one here has tired of the grind. Usually that happens after 3 years, right buddy? We're just gonna keep on plugging away, one post at a time. That's how we do. Have a great weekend, DBTH Photo Credit More...

Yesterday I posted the first half of my conversation with Nur Khan, the Creative Director/Partner of Rose Bar & Jade Bar, the ultra-exclusive bars at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Today we continue and conclude our conversation. More...

Antik is open for business as of tonight - if you are on the invite list that is - and according to reports, there is no bar in the joint. Customers will be ordering all drinks from cocktail servers who will then pop back to a service bar where they will be made. Weird concept, since patrons who enjoy cocktails also enjoy speaking to the knowledgeable mixologists who create them. Call us crazy, but this is probably the final nail in the coffin of New York's speakeasy trend. More...

Our friends at ICrave have been very busy Midtown beavers. First, they design Highbar, the newest roof bar option from Greg Brier at 48th and 8th. Now, they have redesigned the Portland Square Hotel in Times Square and helped transform it into the Sanctuary Hotel. Our friends at Hotel Chatter had some intel on this last year, but when perusing the ICrave site, we came across the mockups for the stylish lobby and bar, which will allow guests to "experience an atmosphere of tranquility and energy within the lobby's intimate alcoves, warming fireplaces, and hip lounge." Sounds cozy, especially if you are in Times Square and want to get a drink and sit next to a fireplace. Look for an opening early 2009. Images courtesy of ICrave More...

A Conversation With The Creative Director/Partner Of Rose Bar & Jade Bar, The Ultra-Exclusive Bars At The Ian Schrager, Julian Schnabel Collaboration, The Gramercy Park Hotel Rose Bar is different; it’s 2pm and an impeccable staff is greeting, straightening up,... More...

As promised, brand new contributor Nicolette from Niolette and the City stops by Touch and lives to write about it. My first mistake of the evening was showing up to Touch at 12:30 a.m. (11:30 p.m. would be ideal). There was a line, I don’t even know if you would call it that, of people arguing their way into the club. Having no patience for this I texted my friend who had a table inside to come walk me in. When I walked to the front of the line the doorman was reprimanding a group of 3 guys for breaking the club world rules- showing up without any girls and one guy was wearing sneakers. The doorman then gave them a 3 second ultimatum to buy a table or get off the line. When it was my turn I told the doorman my deal-whose guest list I was on, me plus 3 girls. He comped me (most likely because I didn’t waste his time, was a girl and knew the rules) but not my three friends who had to pay a $20 cover. When you walk into Touch you can go to your right, a long narrow hallway or to your left where the bar is. Either way leads to the dance floor in the back of the club. My first choice was the long hallway to the dance floor. We stepped onto the dance floor and my initial thought – massive huge orgy without any air conditioning. Everyone was drunk, gyrating to the music and was going crazy. There were a few tables in the middle of the dance floor – not very “VIP†so skip it. Then there is an elevated stage that surrounds the dance floor against the wall with all VIP tables- and every single one was taken. The second floor is exclusive VIP with tables only and you need a bracelet to get upstairs. I did make it upstairs after a group of guys found me and my girls and invited us up for a drink. There I met DJ Omi who was spinning all night long – and is solely responsible for keeping me at Touch as long as I did (that and a few drinks). She played everything from Hip Hop to House to Rock. I would definitely see her spin again, she made the crowd go crazy and have so much energy. Overall Touch wasn’t as bad as my first thoughts were when I walked into the club. The location isn’t my favorite - west 52nd street between Broadway and 8th avenue. Touch is as club as you get - not a bar and not a lounge/club so if that is not your scene you are going to hate it. Would I go back? Yea I most likely will. I would say go with a big group of friends, buy the table (you know they are going to make you), pregame…a lot, and have a good night. More...

Hey everyone. Meet Nicolette. She's relatively new to Manhattan and is having so much fun going out, she decided to start writing about it on her own site, Nicolette and the City. She is going to help us out by covering many places we just can't (or don't want to) get to. Please give her a warm welcome and stay tuned for her first post later today. More...

Guess what? It's back! It's really back. Can you believe it? We know. No, we know. Crazy, right? Caaraaazzzzy. Well, thank the Lord for that. It's been too long. Way too long. Bunny Chow Wednesdays at Cain are back. What's Bunny Chow Wednesday you ask? We don't know either. But they're back, and we couldn't be happier. Look at that flyer - even Danny Masterson is down with the Bunny. Why aren't you? Go have fun, bunnies. More...

Do you love drinking on roofs during the steamy summer months? You do? Great news! A new roof top lounge is opening this May, and you all are invited! Yippee! Here's the rub - it's in Hell's Kitchen. 48th and 8th to be exact. But don't lie, half of you work in midtown anyway so what's the big effin deal? Get over it. Or don't, what do we care? Here's the PR for you: Drink al fresco this summer at Highbar, a new ultra-modern rooftop lounge from Greg Brier (Aspen, Amalia, D'or located in Hells Kitchen. This exclusive iCrave-designed indoor and outdoor venue features spectacular views of the Hudson and offers guests an outdoor experience with all the amenities found indoors—air conditioned areas, dedicated service professionals, and an urban-chic ambiance. Highbar can accommodate 200 guests outdoors and 75 in the adjacent lounge, which is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, DJ booth, and visual elements capable of supporting logos, videos, or even camp-classic films. In addition to award-winning cocktails, Highbar will offer a menu of classics from the grill - all your favorites from a relaxing backyard barbecue. For private events, a separate party menu of passed hoers d'oeuvre's and/or buffet stations is available. When planning your summer events, consider Highbar--the perfect new haute spot for the ultimate cocktail party under the sun or the stars.Classy cocktails and backyard favorites together at last. Pefection! This place is opening in May and seems like a winner. Mark your calendars. More...

A Little Birdy passed along a handy dandy Google Map which shows some of downtown's best eating and drinking establishments. Many of them happen to coincide with our favorites as well, so we figured we would share it with you. It is even updated to include the brand new Rusty Knot. Do take a look and ctrl+d for future reference. More...

With today's headline declaring former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevy (who resigned in 2004 because of a gay sex scandal) had a three way with his wife Dina and an aide, Theodore Pedersen, we finally knock our dear Ashley off... More...

Yesterday I posted the first part of my conversation with Nathan Ellis, the founder of Syndicate, the New York-based public relations firm. We talked about his view of his firm's role, his client The Gramercy Park Hotel, and much more.... More...

Beware ye drinkers who like to wrap up the night with a warm slice of cheesey pizza goodness. With rising wheat, dairy and fuel prices, a slice of New York pizza has jumped again. Expect to pay $2.75 for a plain slice from now on - meaning you will need a bit more money in your pocket at the end of the night to eat away that empty feeling of drunkenness. Photo of a slice of famous Joe's Pizza courtesy of loremipsum/flickr! More...

What is it about Death & Co. that drives the people so crazy? The regulars love it and want it to stay forever. The neighbors hate it and want it gone immediately. And where does that leave us? After visiting several times after it first opened, Death & Co. left us with a bad taste in our mouths. The food wasn't good, the seats were small, and the price point was, in our opinion, too high. We decided to stop going. But after almost a year, we decided to give it a chance. We showed up early in the evening to meet a friend, but when we told the door guard we were meeting someone, we had to wait outside in the cold until the rest of the party arrived. The next guests were told the same thing, saying the bar doesn't seat incomplete parties. Luckily, our party arrived before after a few minutes and we managed to get the last available small table. The other waiters never got in. The room is still dark and well designed. Jazz is still on as background music. The cocktail list is lengthy and varied, with several creative concoctions that were tasty, but took 10 minutes to be delivered to the table. We didn't eat, but the food we saw still came in excessively small batches. The size of the room, the crowd and the music make it very loud and hard to talk. Maybe not the best place to catch up with friends, but then what is it a good place for? We aren't sure. Do we want it be closed? Of course not. But we have our complaints. If it's a cocktail bar with food, then let people wait inside for their group. If it's too small, then allow people to reserve tables. The community issues have Death and Co. walking too fine a line, trying so hard to put it's restaurant foot forward while doing everything it can to operate as one of the most upscale cocktail lounges in town. No one can be everything. Death & Co. deserves a chance to do as it pleases, operating as a full service lounge until 4 AM, 7 nights a week. But that doesn't mean we are going to go. More...

Unfortunately our trip to SXSW this weekend was unexpectedly called off. Luckily, a faithful Little Birdy filed a field report from Austin. There were supposed to be several, but the parties got the best of Birdy, so we have to settle for one. Birdy? Saturday was the last official night of South by Southwest and the festivities closed with a bang. Bands from around the world have performed all week with the festival taking over every venue with a floor and power outlet. And the hipsters were our in force. Think Beatrice Inn times 1000. This little birdy spent most of the evening at Perez Hilton's Perez Says event at the Palm Door and is feeling the effects today. Good news - open bar. Not so good news - open bar choices were 10cane or Navan. The band line-up was solid and there was even a Guitar Hero setup in the VIP. Cisco Adler and Schwaze made an appearance and were scheduled to perform but never did. N.E.R.D. capped off the night and the legendary Larry Tee DJ'ed in between the bands. Chromeo's Dave 1 stopped by late night after their performance down the street. That's what happens when you spend all night at Perez's party. You get f*cked. Anyway, bad Birdy for only 1 report, good Birdy for reporting. Any other stories? Let us know. More...

When you start out in the club biz you’re often very small and unimportant. I liken it to a sapling stealing what little light filters down through the forest canopy. As time goes you grow and spread your limbs, drowning... More...

After the horrific crane accident this past weekend, the Times has an excellent article in memory of Fubar. Lacking fancy cocktails, gimmicks or pretense, Fubar was simply a neighborhood bar, and a much loved one at that. We wish the best for everyone involved. More...

Last week, we took the opportunity to enjoy An Evening at the Rusty Knot, the high end nautical dive bar that Ken Friedman and Taavo Somer quietly opened for business in the old West Space. Walking in, you can't help but feel you've stumbled into the local bar in some rural town in Maine. Busch Beer on tap, box wine on the shelf, Tiki glasses, Spider Bowls, a killer juke box, pool table and furniture crafted from what seems like the remnants of the Love Boat set only enhance the mood. The space is tight, but capacity is only 75 or so, which should render any problems moot. Unless you are stuck outside that is. We stepped in and ordered a Rusty Knot, the refreshing house cocktail made from Rum, house sour mix, and mint, that went down smooth as sugar. A few stools opened up and our party settled down. The Knot isn't only a place to drink and stare at Jersey City. They also got some kick ass bar food. Oysters, peel and eat shrimp, classic shepard's pie, razor clams, giant pigs in a blanket. Bar food to the extreme. The best we had? How about a Chicken Liver, Bacon and Avocado sandwich that scream luxury even as you are sucking down a smooth drinking tap Busch. Aww yeah. The best news is that this can all be yours until 4 AM, 7 days a week. Look out Corner Bistro. Expect desire to experience this to be at a full burn as of tonight, so if you want to go, best get their early. Because once you get a seat, chances are you will be hanging at the Knot all night. Aye Aye. More...

Our latest look at notable nightlife openings More...

Thanks to a fast moving Little Birdy, we can drop some additional intel on the soon to open Antik. According to the LB, "It is the latest creation from nightlife impresarios Larry Kramer and Craig Koenig, the team behind the rustic-lounge Retreat." Now, R&R was not half bad during its short run, but Retreat? We are having trouble coming up with something nice to say. Best to just leave it alone. Overall, impresarios may be a little too strong of a word here. Bonus note: The late M&R bar has also been renovated into King's Cross Tavern, which fancies itself as an English pub of sorts. It's been open for a few weeks now, with some early intel making it sound not half bad. We also hear that they have been letting people upstairs into Antik, even though it's not open yet. Stop by tonight and let us know how it goes. More...

Bowery Row is set for a new addition to its already plentiful nightlife menu. The old Marion's Continental has quietly undergone some interior renovations and is about ready to reopen as Antik. There has been next to no news about this, but the fancy Zagat folks have heard that Antik will be "a 'semi-private' cocktail lounge". Joy. And judging by the logo, we can imagine the bar will have some sort of dark and sexy motif. No word if it is connected to Hostler Burrows Antik Gallery. Most importantly, when does it open? DBTH has heard rumors of Wednesday, March 19th, but that is unconfirmed. Since it's semi-private, we doubt any of us are invited, but we're working on correcting that. Much more to come. More...

Corey Lane and David Graziano are co-owners of Kiss and Fly, the beautiful nightclub, bar, lounge complex in the Meatpacking District. It’s like the hottest joint around and things like that don’t often happen by accident. Located in the old... More...

Corey Lane started out his nightlife career as manager of one of New York's most notable restaurants Bond St. He later went on to manage other notable places including The Park, Bowery Bar and Pink Elephant. Over the years Lane... More...

David Graziano began his career at the age of 19, when he started A Different Perspective, a furniture design company and marble and granite fabrication facility. The Gallery was an instant sensation, drawing hundreds of notable patrons to its popular... More...