Black Oak Nights – New York

Saturday, August 9, 2008

When it comes to Saturday nights, there’s really only two options. One, you stay in, watch the Olympics and Suze Orman on television. Or two, you get out and do something with your life!

8:00 PM – 10th Annual All White Boat Ride, Queen of Hearts
New York, NY 10007
For those of you interested in spending your Saturday on the water, I thought I’d throw this bone out to you all. NiteLife Entertainment is throwing an all-white affair once again, and they want you come out and enjoy the Summer breeze off the water and enjoy the presence of young black professionals from all over the tri-state area. You can get advance tickets for $40, which includes food. Unfortunately, it appears as if it’s a cash bar, so bring your wallet with you if you plan on getting liquored up. Call 646-294-3455 for more information.

10:00 PM – Good Times Saturdays @ Nest
215 W. 28th St., NYC
Ladies are free until midnight, but guys and late arrivals have to pay the 20 buck. For $20, it’s a little steep, and you all know that I’m weary about recommending places that don’t let you in for free, or close to it, but “Good Times Saturdays” at Nest is probably one of the few places that’s work the twenty-spot on a Saturday night full of either free venues. Over 800 people make it out to this venue, and I’m sure they will agree with my opinion full-heartedly. If you check out the pictures for this event, you may even reach the same conclusion from just a few photos. The music is great. The 800+ people are great. And the venue at Nest is at its usual best for this weekly event. So miss this at your own risk.

11:00 PM – A Miracle on 42nd St @ BB Kings Restaurant
New York, NY
I can’t recommend this event enough. It’s one of the best venues on a Saturday night, and it’s been running for a long time. That’s hard to do in New York City, but somehow, they keep getting people to spend there Saturdays at BB Kings, night after night, after night, after night. It’s just amazing the kind of diverse and replenishing crowd they manage to stir up, and makes for a really, really, great party. I’m telling you, my friends and I all love this place and never get tired of it. So if you’re looking for something to do at the last minute, believe me, this is a reliable back-up party that anyone would enjoy.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Today the Olympics start, and since you can’t be in Beijing, why not live it up at these grandiose venues—sans the air pollution…

5:00 PM – Indulge Afterwork Fridays @ Vesta
390 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001
With no cover to get into this extravagant venue, why miss the opportunity? Besides, if you live in New Jersey, Brooklyn, or Harlem and work downtown, you don’t want to have to go all the way back home to the crib before you go tonight. So why not hang around at the Indulge Afterwork party and take advantage of their air conditioning and $5 martinis and cosmos during the 7-8 pm hour. They also have $3 beers, half-price drinks, and a free buffet from 5pm to 7pm, so get there early. It’s a trendy event, but you’ll be in your work clothes already, just make sure you add a dash of sexy to your outfit before you step out of the house Friday morning, because you don’t want to be the only at Vesta dressed like a stiff. And believe me, this is a sexy crowd, full of DJ Kool Aid’s hip-hop fan base, and yet it remains more of chill atmosphere, suitable for socializing and some light dancing. So make sure you make it out to Vesta before you head over to the club, that way you can avoid hopping on the express to Brooklyn during rush hour.

6:00 PM – Afterwok Xperience @ Fashion 40
202 West 40th St, New York, NY
Fashion 40 is right there in the heart of Times Square, so for those of you who work in midtown, this party is nothing but a hop, skip and a jump away from the doorstep of your office. And what’s a better afterwork experience than heading over to a nice club to enjoy one of the longest happy hours in all of Manhattan? From 4pm to 8pm, enjoy half price drinks at Fashion 40 while you bask in the in presence of some of New York City’s biggest movers and shakers. Then again, many of you are NYC’s most impressive young, black professionals, so come enjoy others bask in your presence as well.

11:00 PM – Velvet Rope Fridays @ SpotLight Live
49th & Broadway, New York
Just because you went to SpotLight Live’s event on Thursday doesn’t mean you can’t go again. In fact, it gets even better on Fridays, because people leave the work clothes at home and come out in their nightlife best. There is no cover before midnight for either sex, and ladies get an extra half-hour to get in through the doors for free. And once you get in, you’ll realize that would have paid the full 20-bucks, because the place is definitely jumping with DJ Clue, DJ Cassidy and DJ Goldfinger rotating on the 1’s and 2’s. If it’s your birthday this weekend, make sure you celebrate here, because there is nothing better than the Red Carpet treatment that SpotLight Live shells out for its birthday boys and girls. This is a password event, so you’ll need to RSVP (646.717.4430 or text 646.270.2807) in order to get in for free.

10:30 PM – Privilege @ Strata
915 Broadway Ave, New York, NY
DJ Self and DJ Kaos headline this extremely sexy event that has crowd like none other. Believe me, you’re not getting in the door unless you come dressed correct. That said, it’s well worth the effort, and the price (free before 12), because there’s nothing like the “privilege” atmosphere of Strata on Friday nights ever since this event walked on to the scene. Of course, Self and Kaos will be playing nothing but hip-hop, so be ready to dance the night away like stunting is a habit—if you know what I’m saying…

Thursday, August 7, 2008

It’s Thursday Night…Do you know where the after work party is?

5:00 PM – SpotLight Live
1604 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
The people at Velvet List do it big every summer with the Thursday afterwork parties, and this year’s creation at SpotLight Live is just as grand as those from years past. Ladies on the guestlist (velvetlist.com) get in for free until 7pm, and fellas on the guestlist are only charge $5 until 7pm. On top of that, you’ll get 2-for-1 drinks until 7, and a free complimentary buffet. As for the ambiance, SpotLight Live is one of the best places in New York City. The crowd is full of young black professionals and is also very diverse at the same time. You’ll get mostly hip-hop all night ,with the occasional Latin tune thrown in here and there. Overall, this should be your one-stop destination for Thursday nights. I’ll be there, so why wouldn’t you?