Tuesday, November 23, 2010

District 36, Holiday Party Survival Guides and the Politics of Drinking


Nightlife News for November 23, 2010
Complied by Gamal Hennessy

Culture
Music
See the 10 best live music venues of the 21st century according to Flavor wire (Two of them are in New York City)

Politics
Drinking
If Four Loko is wrong, then why is Red Bull and vodka ok? Is it a class issue or ignorace among our politicians?

Prince of the City
Surviving the Nightlife Holiday Marathon
Here are a few tips on drinking, health, money and safety during this year’s nightlife holiday marathon.

New Venues
District 36
We’ve been talking about Midtown becoming an epicenter of New York nightlife all year. Now a new dance club opens just in time for the holidays.


Have fun.
Gamal

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Surviving the Nightlife Holiday Marathon



By Gamal Hennessy


For the nightlife native, going out several nights a week is a normal part of urban living. We hit several venues a week in the same way other people hit Starbucks every day. It’s not something that we put too much thought into.

But December can be taxing even for the seasoned patron. All the different events, from Thanksgiving Eve, to your office party, your client’s office parties, your friend’s office parties, office parties of people you don’t even know, family gatherings, promotional events, New Year’s Eve parties and your own regularly scheduled hustle can take a toll on your time, your sanity, your wallet and your liver. We could all use a little help to digest all the holiday cheer.

I have learned a few techniques while sliding in and out of parties over the past few years. Hopefully some or all of these tips will help you look good in those FB pictures, stay safe and most of all, have fun…

Schedule:
“Eve Events”: Decide on your “Eve events” (Thanksgiving Eve, New Years Eve) in advance, so you can shop around, get tickets in advance and guess how much money you’re going to spend (See the Money section below). Our list of top New York Nightlife Sites will help you figure out where to go

Coordination: Hit up your usual suspects (significant others, clients, friends, family, lovers and other co-conspirators) as early as possible and get their scheduled events into your smart phone (if they decide to invite you, of course). Because you are so popular, you will inevitably be double or triple booked, but the earlier you know what's going on, the more time you have to decline some invitations or plan a whirlwind tour.

Health:
Exercise: It makes sense to reschedule your workouts for earlier in the week during December. Holiday parties tend to fall later in the week and you might not have the energy or the motivation to hit the gym after a night of club hopping. Exercise earlier in the week will help you maintain some sort of consistency in your workout.

Fashion: When getting dressed, keep in mind that you might be moving from freezing street corner looking for a cab to hot crowded dance floor and back again several times in one night. Dress accordingly so you can maintain your sexy without catching pneumonia or passing it to someone else.

Recovery: Give yourself time to recover after a long night. If you have sick days or vacation days left, plan to use one after a particularly heavy weekend.

Rest: If you don’t want to look like something out of the Walking Dead in your FB pictures, remember that Red Bull is not a substitute for actual rest…and Four Loko is no longer an option



Money
Open Bars: Try and figure out which of your events will have an open bar and which ones won’t before you get there so you’re not surprised when the check shows up.

Higher Prices: Keep in mind that some venues add in automatic tips

Added Costs: Remember there are incidental costs beyond just liquor (multiple cab rides, covers charges (or donations to whatever charity the party might be for) and of course Red Bull)



Drinking:
For God's Sake...Eat: Since you already know you will consume large quantities of liquor, it make sense to plan accordingly. If you eat something substantial drinking and/or something light during drinking and your stomach will have something to absorb the liquor you are drinking. Drunkorexia is not a viable long term solution.

2/1 Split: Some of my friends and I utilize the 2/1 split when drinking to modulate our intoxication levels. Basically, we order one glass of water for every two drinks we consume. Advanced natives use a 3/1 split, but if you have 4 or more drinks before you have a glass of water, it probably won’t help.

Hangover Prevention: At the end of the night, I have found that 2 Tylenol and another glass of water before bed prevents most of my hangovers. This might be because the Tylenol reduces swelling of the brain and the water keeps me from getting dehydrated, but you should use the hangover prevention system that works for you.


Safety
Getting Home: While you are out having fun, you also want to make sure that your people get home in one piece. Confirming transportation, “I’m alive” texts at the end of the night and the other general tips for a good club night can be very helpful here.

Female Safety: For ladies, the Tips for Female Safety in nightlife are even more relevant during the holidays. Using ideas like group movement, designated watchers and responsible indulgence can mean the difference between a party and a tragedy.

Attitude:
Have fun: Remember to enjoy yourself. The goal is not to see how many parties you can go to or how much you can drink or any quantifiable measure. The goal is to have fun.

Fanatics: Figure out where the amateurs and fanatics are going to be in your personal list of events. Don’t let them spoil your experience. Decide in advance who you can deal with and who you need to avoid.


Training:
• If you’ve been doing this all year, then all this won’t be new or stressful, but it’s a little late to suggest that now. Keep it in mind for next year though. December will be here again before you know it.



Have fun.
Gamal

Monday, November 15, 2010

NYE, Urban Oasis, Four Loko and Ivy Leauge Hip Hop


Nightlife News for November 15th, 2010

Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Events
New Years’ Eve
Newsflash for all nightlife operators: SLA tightening up the process to stay open past 4 AM on New Years Eve. Apply now

Urban Oasis
Kick off your holiday shopping in style with an exclusive Black Friday trunk show at complete with multiple designers, a heated private garden and music by your truly… http://nynprince.blogspot.com/2010/11/urban-oasis-fashion-event.html

Drinking
Four Loko
The controversial “blackout in a can” is being banned in New York. Let's all celebrate with a big glass of Red Bull and vodka!

New Venues
The Brooklyneer
A Brooklyn beer haven pops up in the West Village. This is for all the hipsters who don’t want to leave Manhattan.

Politics
The New Nightlife Law
Senator Daniel Squadron is still waiting for the NYPD to enforce his new nightlife law.

Culture
Hip Hop Higher Education
On the heels of our hip hop culture article, Yale is releasing a book about hip hop as a modern poetic art form.
Have fun
Gamal

Monday, November 8, 2010

Automatic Tips, The Hurricane Club and Nightlife Television


The Nightlife Report for November 8, 2010
Compiled By Gamal Hennessy

Business
Some Bars Tack On Automatic Tips

DNA Info reports that upscale clubs now include mandatory tips, but the trend goes beyond the New York's eurozone bars.

Music
Masters of the Mix
BET Networks announces a new show about the underground DJs of New York nightlife called Masters of the Mix.

Nightlife New York
Teaser Commerical
A new show about nightlife culture is coming in 2011 from New York Nights. The trailer is ready now. Take a look...

Opening
2nd Floor On Clinton
The new lounge tries to revive the "small, secret, hard to get into speakeasy" trend in New York nightlife.

Opinion
We Love New York
The Village Voice offers 50 reasons why New Yorkers love New York. I particularly enjoy numbers 34 and 38.

Prince of the City
Reviews
Read the Prince of the City Review of the Hurricane Club.

Have fun.
Gamal

Monday, November 1, 2010

Pacha, Santos and the Amateurs of Nightlife


The New York Nights Insider for November 2, 2010
Compiled by Gamal Hennessy

Events
New York Comedy Festival
Get ready for the New York Comedy Festival, which starts on Wednesday, with recommendations from NYC Go.

Pacha Anniversary
The venerable dance club announces a superstar DJ Line Up to Celebrate its 5th Anniversary this December.

Crime
Santos Party House
According to the Village Voice, Santos Party House, Shuttered Since Thursday Over Drug Charges, Will Reopen Tomorrow

Music
DJ Turntables
Panasonic ends production of Technics turntables. DJs worldwide weep openly.

Prince of the City
Amateur Night During the Holiday Season
New York nightlife is full of amateurs during the holidays. Here's how you can spot them, avoid them and enjoy the weekend.

Politics
Hookah Bars
A Brooklyn City Councilman wants to stop new hookah bars from opening in Bay Ridge.

State Liquor Authority
The SLA moves to clean up liquor laws that haven't been changed since Prohibition.

Have fun.

Gamal