Pictures

Nightlife

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You could spend an entire week entire weekend at Andre Balazs' Standard and not get bored. There's the High Line, that defunct railroad track turned pedestrian runway, which runs alongside the hotel. There are the restaurants, which serve eggs from Balazs' chickens upstate and wine from his grapes. But, the most important part to us is the late-night corners of this building, namely the '70s-inspired celebrity den The Boom Boom Room, and Le Bain, the rooftop bar with maybe the most killer views of the city. Did we mention there's a hot tub?

Even if there are bearded band members cooling out in the sexy shadows of the Boom Boom Room in second-skin jeans, we prefer to have some respect, dammit. Dress for this occasion with a capital D. Yes, that stands for drama.

Zero + Maria Cornejo Long Cade Dress, $1,025, available at Shopbop; Mulberry Lily Snowball White Grainy Patent Leather, $850, available at Mulberry; Pierre Hardy Sandals, $711.79, available at Colette; H&M Earrings, $10, available at H&M.

The Standard, 848 Washington Street (at West 13th Street); 212-645-4646.

Photo: Courtesy of The Standard
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Alex Raij serves Basque country favorites at her no-frills clapboard-walled tapas spot. Do order a glass of Txakoli wine to watch the bartender pour it, as tradition requires, from a great height so it splashes about dramatically. Don't mispronounce the name of the restaurant: Chi-KEE-toe. The key to dinner outfits: breathability. But, while this ensemble gives you nibbling room — the way it moves with you as you walk to your table is quite sexy. It's chic in a pants-version-of-a-caftan kind of way.

Stand out against the dark interiors of the space with some in-your-face red accessories — and, don't forget some fashion-forward trousers.

Debenhams Red Storm Envelope Style Purse, $32, available at Debenhams; Wren Shibori Dot Side Zip Pant, $220, available at Bona Drag; Zara Necklace of Chains and Rope with Coloured Stones, $29.90, available at Zara; 3.1 Phillip Lim Embellished Silk Chiffon and Crepe de Chine Blouse, $450, available at Net-a-Porter; Madison Harding Fran Booties, $268, available at Shopbop.

Txikito, 240 Ninth Avenue (between 24th and 25th Streets); 212-242-4730.

Photo: Courtesy of Txikito
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With No. 8, Bobby Rossi and LDV Hospitality (and Amy Sacco) hope to bring The Nightclub (yes, capped for a reason) back to the Meatpacking. Judging by the curved banquettes and the Last Days of Disco vibe in this space — a "replacement" of Bungalow 8 (RIP) — they're succeeding. And... there's food! Good food. So there's something to keep you nourished through all that table-side champagne service.

You want to look like you look all the time. Like you almost kept on that worn-in T-shirt with your leather pants and invited friends over for wine and gossip, but decided to go out at the last minute. Pairing said pants with a ladylike blouse makes the outfit a bit more grownup.

Maison Martin Margiela Trinket Case Double Ring, $445, Available at Shopbop; Raquel Allegra Liquid Satin Long Sleeve Blouse, $435, available at La Garconne; Fallon Veruca Choker, $100, available at Fallon; Aldo Romelia Heels, $90, available at Aldo; Topshop Premium Heavy Weight Leather Look Leggings, $76, available at Topshop.

No. 8, 357 West 16th Street (between 8th and 9th avenues); no phone.

Photographed by Squire Fox
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When Sullivan Street Bakery's Jim Lahey decides to make pizza, you know that dough's gonna be good. But, the toppings — some traditional Roman, some unusual — are equally inspired. Since its opening a few years ago, this spot has stayed at the top of the New York pizza chain, making it the perfect first (or last) stop on your Chelsea barhop tour.

Summer's almost over, so have some fun and stop thinking about it all so much. An everyday bag, your favorite bright skinnies, a nude pump — that's all you need. Plus, one item (in this case, some loud, multicolored earrings) to add some interest.

7 for All Mankind Skinny Jean in Royalty Blue, $169, available at 7 For All Mankind; Coach Legacy Leather Large Duffel, $398, available at Coach; Elizabeth and James Yumi Peplum Top, $285, available at Intermix; Loeffler Randall Tamsin Classic Pump, $350, available at Loeffler Randall; Erickson Beamon Earrings, $480. available at Net-a-Porter.



Co., 230 Ninth Avenue (at Little West 12th Street); 212-243-1105.

Photographed by Squire Fox
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Hidden beneath the Chelsea Market, you'll find the dimly lit Tippler. What is a tippler? "A habitual drinker of alcohol," according to the Internet. And, that's what you'll become upon crossing the exposed brick threshold. Try the absinthe-tinged Screaming Greenie or the Maurauder of 15th Street, which contains tequila, chile, and grapefruit bitters.

This outfit is business up top, party down below: a straightforward collared sheath in a unique color, and then some freaky-deaky wedges. It can take you from work to cocktails to Lord knows where in one fell swoop.

Lulu Frost Beach Break Necklace, $190, available at Lulu Frost; A.L.C. Finley Silk Shiffon Shirt Dress, $465, available at Net-a-Porter; River Island Eager Grey Strappy Platform Wedges, $85, available at ASOS; Matta Dupatta Scarf in Silver, $175, available at Matta; Lulu Frost Cir Cu Drop Earrings, $240, available at Lulu Frost.

The Tippler, 425 West 15th Street (between 9th and 10th streets); 212-206-0000. Photo: Courtesy of The Tippler
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You didn't think we'd end our Chelsea section without a gay bar, did you? Barracuda is for cruising — and for straight wingladies, too. And like all good gay bars, this one's got a killer, pop-tastic playlist (Depeche Mode, Madonna, Britney, Britney, Britney) and a seemingly bottomless supply of vodka (and Red Bull, duh).

It takes some confidence to wear a floor-length, body-hugging tank dress and a sherbet lipstick shade created by Nicki Minaj. This is definitely the place to show it — the boys at the door won't really care what you look like; the boys inside will think you are F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S.

HELMUT Kinetic Jersey Dress, $210, available at Net-a-Porter; Mango Motor Style Suede Jacket, $179, available at Mango; Dannijo Crosby Bracelet, $512, available at Dannijo; BCBG Deva Asymmetrical Open-Toe Bootie, $250, available at BCBG; M.A.C. Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick, $15, available at M.A.C.

Barracuda, 275 West 22nd Street #1 (between 7th and 8th avenues); 212-645-8613.

Photo: Courtesy of Project Publicity
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The bands that rock this joint are as varied as the crowd that's crossed its threshold. It's music, music, and more music — and, dancing. That's what this place is about. Don't mind the slightly sticky floor. There are spotlights. And pianos. And a fish tank, for chrissakes. And, on September 20, there will be Diplo and Santigold, throwing, basically, a huge party, with the folks at Cole Haan. Make moves to the Cole Haan #DontGoHome Facebook tab for the ultimate dance party. Get ready to sweat.

After all the dancing you're about to do, this shirt is going to be donezo by the night's end. So don't spend too much on it...oh, and if you want to wear heels, well you have our permission for that, too.

Hanes Women's Essential Jersey Cotton Crewneck Tee, $8, available at Hanes; Courtney Lee Collection Silver Rex Spike Stud Earrings, $45, available at Max & Chloe; Cole Haan Crosby Suede Envelope Clutch, $148, available at Cole Haan; Rag & Bone The Hyde Jean, $595, available at La Garconne; Cole Haan Sabrina Loafer, $218, available at Cole Haan.

(le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street (at West Broadway); 212-505-3474.

Photo: Courtesy of (le) Poisson Rouge
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Corner Bistro has been serving up hamburgers and cheeseburgers —and that's about it — for a very long time. Oh yeah, and beer — a no-nonsense selection of six beers on tap, plus Guinness and hard cider in cans. CB's neon red sign, glowing at the corner of Jane Street and West 4th, is like a north star for college students and boat shoe-clad prepsters by day, and drunken revelers in need of sustenance by night (it's open until 4 a.m. and was the go-to post-Beatrice spot). Are the burgers the best in town? No. But slung in front of you on paper plates as you squeeze into a booth or a stool in front of the huffy bartender on hand, noshing on one is a true New York experience. Plus, you'll be so tipsy they'll taste like the best thing on earth. Trust us.

We're guessing you came here from somewhere else. So, throw a cardi over that silky something, roll up the sleeves, and get to grubbing.

Sophomore Black Silk Romper, $276, available at Bona Drag; Rebecca Minkoff Woven Bright Affair Clutch, $330, available at Rebecca Minkoff; Mango Light Washed Denim Jacket, $69, available at Mango; Madewell Two-Tone Flatstack Platform in True Black, $198, available at Madewell.

Corner Bistro, 331 West 4th Street (at Jane Street); 212-242-9502.

Photographed by Sara Haile
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After the legendary Don Hill passed in 2011, so did his eponymous bar. In the 1990s, it was THE place for the nightlife set and for bands like LCD Soundsystem, Iggy Pop, and the Strokes. "Don Hill really rocked," wrote Michael Musto in his Village Voice obit. This September 13, Don Hill's will reopen for one night only for the appropriately named Chelsea Dance Party. Cole Haan, who's footing the bill, has a killer lineup planned, including DJ Chelsea Leyland, and the party don't stop 'til four in the morning. Click over to the Cole Haan #DontGoHome Facebook tab for this one-night-only rager that will earn you major bragging rights.

Who said rock 'n' roll can't be sassy? Surprise concert-goers by donning a beaded frock, just tame it with some downtown boots. And the bag is big enough to survive work, play, and (possibly) sleepover.

French Connection Arrow Beading Dress, $238, available at French Connection; Cole Haan Chelsea Double Platform Pump, $428, available at Cole Haan; Cole Haan Crosby Shopper, $348, available at Cole Haan; Guerlain Terracotta Kohl Kajal, $36, available at Sephora; BCBG Max Azaria Leather Spike Necklace, $78, available at BCBG.

Don Hill's, 511 Greenwich Street (at Spring Street); no phone.

Photo: Courtesy of Don Hill's