Honey NYC

Friday is among us, and that can only mean one thing: IT’S PAYDAY! At least for most of you it is. Those of you who get paid on the semi-monthly basis probably already have your money in the bank. Those of you who don’t have the luck of collecting your servant money this week—well, there’s always next Friday! However, to help everyone involved save a little cash during the recession and beat the summer heat, we have a couple of air-conditioned and free-admission events you can take advantage of this Friday night. So leave your money in the bank tonight, because Black Oak Nights is taking care of the bill. Here is your Friday Nightlife Rundown for July 30, 2010.

Summer Fridays – 9pm
Empire Hotel Rooftop (44 West 63rd Street): Even if you don’t get Summer Fridays at your job, act like you do and come through the Empire Hotel for an event that will make it feel as if you didn’t go to work earlier in the day. With sexy people hanging around here all day like they have no care in the world, it would be impossible to mistake any of the night’s guests as hard-working individuals. Of course, they everyone here probably works quite hard, but when you’re knee deep in your fifth margarita and are looking at the New York City skyline with that inebriated clueless look, then it’s hard to take you seriously. Anyway, if you plan on coming through, leave the dollars at home, make sure you bring your dancing shoes, and come out and enjoy nightlife at one of New York City’s finest rooftop bars.

Late Night Eats
The Underground Lounge (955 West End Avenue): We got a little feedback from our “Late Night Eats” entries a few months ago; thus the reason you are seeing it here for the second day in a row. For the music-lover in you that embraces the “later” side of life, how about a lounge that keeps its doors open all night long for some great musical acts. The Underground is a great place to check out some of New York City’s undiscovered talent. With underground sounds bringing down the roof of this place every weekend night, you can be a part of a uniquely, New York experience that puts the “Up” in the Upper West Side. Even if you’re just looking for a bite to eat, The Underground has you covered with a kitchen that stays open late and serves up some really great food. From “Rip-Roaring Crab,” to “Corona Battered Fish-n-chips,” their menu is unlike any other. Don’t worry vegetarians, they have a few non-artery-clogging treats too, including the “Warm goat cheese and apple salad,” as well as the “Baja Mini Fish Tacos” for your pescatarians masquerading as vegetarians.

Pleasure Fridays – 8pm
Promenade (215 West 28th Street): Indulge your wild side tonight with a little bit of dancing and prancing at Promenade tonight, where DJs Wreck and Robbie hit the 1’s and 2’s like two mad men. The hip-hop mashups that will fly off the fingers of these two’s turntables will make for one of the best dancing environments in New York City tonight! However, just because this is a sure-fire dance party doesn’t mean you can get into Promenade looking like a two-bit street dancer. Nah, you’re going to have to freshen-up and get dolled up for this one, because “chic” is the dress code for the night, which means no scallywags are going to get into the building this Friday night. So if you want to party like a rock star at Promenade tonight, make sure you come dressed the part. If you do, and you get there early enough, you may just get in free too!

Grown & Sexy – 10pm
Honey (243 West 14th Street): Let’s not forget about one of our favorite Friday night locales: Honey Lounge! With a groove that can’t set anybody’s mind at ease, Honey NYC is always one of the more chill spots on the Manhattan nightlife circuit. Some of the best DJs often find themselves here on Friday nights, and the young, black professionals that make this place theirs on a Friday are even better. There’s nothing but the best in hip-hop on the speakers, and the best in nightlife on the scene. From drink specials to food that’s not your typical bar stool slop, Honey has you covered from here to Sunday—and by the way this isn’t a bad place to be on a Sunday night either!

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: July 9, 2010
2. Friday Rundown: July 2, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: June 11, 2010

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater

On a beautiful Saturday like today, you definitely need to get your butt outside and enjoy the city that is New York! On today’s rundown, we have events in which you can strip down to your skibbies outdoors and strip down to your skibbies indoors. Either way, we’re helping you beat the heat and enjoy these few months of the year that we call summer in NY. Here is the Black Oak Nights Saturday Nightlife Rundown for July 24, 2010.

Put on the Swimwear [Swimming]
The Astoria Pool (Astoria Park, 19th Street btw Ditmars Blvd. & Hoyt. Ave., Queens):
Who says you can’t go swimming in New York City? While I wouldn’t recommend taking a plunge in the Hudson River, there are a few other “bodies” of water in the Metropolitan area worth doing a few laps in . The Astoria Pool is perhaps one of the most infamous pools in all of New York City. It was used for Olympic trials back in the 1936 and is the biggest pool in all of New York. Instead of Olympic athletes though, the 2010 rendition of the pool caters to socialites, professionals and extremely diverse crowd. Thousands of people, representing the entire spectrum of this diverse population, flock here every weekend. And with its view of the Triborough Bridge, the water, and the beautiful New York City skyline, it’s hard to beat a Saturday, Sunday or any day at Astoria Pool.

Underwear Party? – 10pm
Pacha (618 West 46th Street): This is not for the faint at heart. In fact, this isn’t for those with bad hearts that come as a result of too little exercising. Not to be a “sizist” or anything, but Saturday’s “Underwear Party” at Pacha isn’t for you have hit up more al fresco dinners than you have laps through Central Park this summer. At Pacha, everybody is asked to strip down to their undies and flaunt those six-packs, pecks, legs and bosoms that we all worked so hard on during the winter months. Of course, stripping down to your underwear is far from required; however, those who do get in for free before midnight. If you choose to come in your normal nightlife attire, be warned that you really need to impress the doorman with outfit, and there will be a $10 cover charge to boot.

Open Bar – 8pm
BOOM (152 Spring Street): The quest for a quality Mojito is over—or at least the quest for an endless Mojito is over. Sorry if our labeling was a little misleading; however, tonight’s open bar at BOOM is solely for Mojitos. Of course, I don’t have to tell you fellas what kind of crowd this will draw, so don’t know it until you try. The open bar last only from 8pm to 9pm, so get here early and pound hard during that hour. There’s no cover, there will be an extremely diverse crowd, and did we mention free alcohol? Yeah—I think we did.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – 8pm
Central Park, Rumsey Playfield (At Fifth Avenue and 69th Street): You don’t have to be inside in order to enjoy a performance from the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. As one of Saturdays premiere nightlife events, the Ailey Company is taking their legendary talent to Central Park in celebration of Summerstage’s 25th Anniversary season. Watch young, black dancers do their thing on the stage, as they show us a bit of culture that’s impossible to find on your cable operating system. Summerstage is a free event, so bring every young, black professional you know out to this performance, and perhaps it will inspire you to be a leader in the black community the same way this prevailing company and its dancers have been for so many years.

True Saturdays
Suzie Wong’s (547 West 27th Street):One of New York City’s best black nightclubs is going hard tonight, as Suzie Wong’s opens its doors for one of the premiere parties of the evening. In what is sure to be a black professional-studded event, Suzie Wong’s is going to be on fire tonight, and DJ Big Ben is the one in charge of making the place explode. DJ Big Ben is always on top of his hip-hop, R&B and Top 40 music, and his mashups always have young, black professionals acting out above and beyond what they would want their mothers to see. Enjoy 2-for-1 drinks from 10pm to 11:30, and you can get in free before midnight. This is a jam-packed event, so make sure you are dressed to impress; otherwise, you risk standing outside of the club, and it’s been pretty, damn hot as of late, hasn’t it?

Related Posts

1. Saturday Rundown: May 15, 2010
2. Saturday Rundown: July 3, 2010
3. Saturday Rundown: March 27, 2010

Tracy Morgan

Friday is finally here, and you know what? It didn’t take long for it to arrive! Maybe it’s just because we’ve been so busy taking advantage of Restaurant Week, open bars and chilling on the Long Island City “coastline” that the week just flew by us! Anyway, in case your week wasn’t as eventful as it should have been, let’s try to get you on the right track for the weekend with a couple of events more than worth your while. Here is the Friday Nightlife Rundown for July 23, 2010.

Restaurant Week
Nobu (105 Hudson Street): Nobu is about as “sexy” as it gets when it comes to Restaurant Week. Everybody in their mommas tries to get into this place every night, especially on a Friday when this place goes from mere restaurant to weekend hot spot. Besides its unbelievable cache and cool atmosphere, Nobu does actually serve up some really good food. This popular Japanese-Peruvian restaurant is like good food on steroids, and during restaurant week, the prix fixe menu is nothing to sneeze at either. For an appetizer, you can choose between the Yellowtail Tartare, King Crap Tempura or the Heirloom Tomato Ceviche. Your entrée options consist of Broiled Black Cod, Beef Toban Yaki and Assorted Sushi. And for dessert—well, it appears a Bento Box will suffice you. I will admit, at these prices, you’re probably better off spending your money at nearby pizzeria if you’re looking to stuff your belly. But for one of the most trendy and fashionable experiences you have ever had at a high-quality restaurant, you can’t miss with Nobu.

Strictly the Best – 11pm
BLVD (199 Bowery): Tonight’s hotspot has to be BLVD, where sexy is in full swing this Friday night. I’m telling you, if you are looking for a Friday not spot with more sexy, young, black professionals than BLVD, then you are sure to be out of luck. This party is sure to be full of showstoppers and stunners, as bottles get popped, models do walks, and both ladies and fellas fall over themselves with all of the beautiful people that will be packed into this venue. Tell them you’re on the NiteLife guestlist, and you get in for free before 11. Also, there is a 2-for-1 drink special from 11pm to midnight, so make sure you take advantage of that. And of course, make sure you come dressed correct, because once again, this place will put you and your everyday work clothes to shame if you try to come here with anything other than you Weekend’s best. I’m telling you, for a black nightclub in New York City, BLVD is where you need to be this Friday night and every Friday night. Tell them Black Oak Nights sent you, and have one hell of a good time!

Moth Story SLAM – 7pm
Housing Works Bookstore Café (126 Crosby Street): On a Friday night, what’s better than a good story? Well, you can have 10 stories told to you at Housing Works tonight, when a couple of famed writers read their short-stories for to benefit this New York City venue that helps put people in better living situations. For the price of a $7 ticket, you get to hear some local, New York City scribes read stories all set along a specific theme. They will compete against each other for the most spontaneous and outrageous story. The winner gets a prize, you get a great story, and the people that Housing Works helps benefit get closer to living in a home.

Rooftop Films – 9pm
Brooklyn Tech (29 Fort Green Place, Brooklyn): Of course, maybe a book reading isn’t your thing, and your Friday nights are better spent in front of the silver screen. No! Not your laptop, but at the movies. Tonight’s Rooftop Film is “The Ape,” which was directed by Jesper Ganslandt from Sweden. From Rooftopfilms.com:

Rooftop and the Swedish Film Institute partner to presemt The Ape, an intense and riveting psychological thriller from one of Europe’s most daring new filmmakers. To convey a sense of perpetual disorientation, director Jesper Ganslandt used an unconventional method: the lead actor, Olle Sarri, was never allowed to read the script. Instead he was led to locations and given a set of instructions before the filming of each scene, unaware of the full plot until filming was completed. The result is at turns mesmerizing, disquieting and genuinely harrowing, but never is the film anything less than unique.

Tracy Morgan, Stand Up! – 7:30pm
Caroline’s on Broadway (1626 Broadway): Hey, Tracy Morgan is on fire right now! He’s been on the ESPYs, The Tonight Show, is a part of an award-winning show, and has been on The Daily Show, I swear like 500 gazillion times. Well, now he’s taking his act to Broadway, where he will be do his unusual comic spiel all weekend long. So if you have a few dollars and can hurry and purchase a ticket to Caroline’s small venue, you can see our boy Tracy Morgan being Tracy Morgan without the national television censoring that is typically a part of his comedic nature.

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: July 2, 2010
2. Friday Rundown: May 28, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: May 14, 2010

Park Avenue Summer

It’s Friday! Time to get that paycheck, roll out the door, and get ready for one, sweltering hot Friday in “Manhatta!” Then again, your plans may take you out east to The Hamptons, or up north for greener pastures. Hopefully, whatever you’re doing makes you happy and proud to live in New York City. For those of you without any definite plans, we have a few parties, nightclubs and people that can help make your weekend worthwhile too. Here is your Friday Nightlife Rundown for July 16, 2010.

Restaurant Week
Park Avenue Summer (100 East 63rd Street): Who says you can’t find a good meal on the East Side? Okay, nobody actually says that, but most East Siders would have to agree that the West Side has a more eclectic selection of restaurants. Still, eclectic doesn’t mean better, and Park Avenue Summer is proof positive of that. They are offering the both the Restaurant Week lunch and dinner specials, and they give you more than a mouthful for your $24.07 or $35. Appetizers include the “Butter and Sugar Corn Soup, which taste better than it may sound. For an entrée, you can choose from two gourmet cheeseburgers with in-house potato chips, the free-range chicken, the Dr. Pepper Ribs and several other delectable choices as well. Trust me, once you get there, you will never enjoy a simple burger or ribs in the same fashion. You can thank me later.

Fridays at Club Providence – 10pm
Providence (311 West 57th Street): DJ Ju Crazy will be in control of the music at Providence tonight, which means tonight’s party is sure to be off the chain with incredible music and dancing all night long. DJ Crazy is known for his great mashups that span across all kinds of music, especially meringue and reggaeton. Of course, if you’re interested straight hip-hop and Top 40 music, then you can easily just hit up the downstairs part of the nightclub, where plenty of young, black professionals will hit the dance floor with music that’s a little more customary of our nightlife scene. Either way, get here early, because ladies are free before midnight and there are 2-for-1 drinks from 10pm to 11pm. The entire latino community will be out for this one, so if you want to get down with our latin brothas and sistas, don’t miss your opportunity to do so tonight.

Rooftop Films: “We don’t care about music anyway” – 9pm
The Old American Can Factory (232 3rd Street, Brooklyn): The New York City premiere of “We don’t care about music anyway” is sure to be a stunning and eye-catching documentary for anybody who isn’t aware of the Japanese music scene. This film follows the Japanese music makers and groundbreakers as they turn anything and everything into musical instruments and seem to make poetry out of every noise ever known to man. The film will be screened a top the Old American Can Factory, and given how beautiful the last couple of nights in New York City have been, watching this film outside will be an enjoyable and delightful experience.

Friday Lounge – 10pm
Taj Lounge (48 West 21st Street): Oh, will Taj be popping tonight or will Taj be popping tonight! One of New York City’s best nightclubs/lounges is on the hot seat tonight, as tons of young, black professionals come through to start their weekend off in the right manner. DJ Quiz will be in charge of all the music, and he is nothing but a straight hip-hop and R&B type of dude. Of course, you won’t hear the music if you don’t come dressed correct, because the doorman gets stricter and stricter with every passing week it seems, just because they can. So you’ve been warned! That being said, once you get in, the level of sexiness will probably put you to shame anyway, while the 2-for-1 drinks will subsequently rid of all those inhibitions. Everyone is free until midnight, and the 2-for-1 drinks won’t last all night, so get here early, get your drink on and two-step on, and get your weekend off on the right foot tonight at Taj Lounge.

African Fashion, Music and Photography Rocks 2010 – 9pm
Studio 580 (580 Eighth Avenue): From Amebor.com:

On Friday, July 16th, 9pm – 2am, Mon Utopie Idéale, a boutique public relations firm in New York City, will host the official launch of Rookie Photography and the celebration of African Fashion, Music and Photography Rocks (AFMPR) at a private Manhattan loft… Founded 6 months ago by Wole Onafowora, Rookie Photography recognizes that there is more that meets the eye when it comes to photography. According to Onafowora, what sets his studio apart from others is “the rookie photography studio never shies away from using imagination to produce images that will become a new pulse to something or an inspiration for someone”. Onafowora adds that “Rookie Photography can be seen as the new megaphone for images that incorporate artistic concepts and commercial styles of photography”… AFMPR, a vibrant grassroots campaign aimed at the development and recognition of African art professionals in Fashion, Music and Photography will premiere new images from Rookie Photography’s portfolio book, new designs by three fashion houses—Kreatif Designs, Roshe Dousuah and Studio Alade— and new records by two rising international artists—Kanja “The Afrikan” King and Sheilla “Safari” Akwara.

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: May 28, 2010
2. Friday Rundown: July 30, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: July 2, 2010

The River Cafe

It’s Tuesday, and if you’re reading this, that means you made it through the first day of the week. Don’t worry young, black professionals, you’re only four days away from the weekend, and we at Black Oak Nights will do our best to fill your time between now and then. Here is the Tuesday Nightlife Rundown for July 13, 2010.

Restaurant of the Day
The River Cafe (One Water Street, Brooklyn): Restaurant Week (July 12-July 25) is here, and in the spirit of the Bush/Obama recession (that’s right, I said Obama, too!), I’m listing nothing but restaurants that are partaking in Restaurant Week! So if some fu-fu, 5-star restaurant decided it was too good to give away its food for the mere price of $35 per dinner plate (or $24 for lunch), then to hell with them! Today’s restaurant is The River Café, which is located on One Water Street in Brooklyn. It is a spectacular restaurant, with a view that almost matches the quality of the food. It is located right up under Brooklyn Bridge, and in the fine taste of Brooklynites, the food is amazing. They have everything you could ask for, but being the carnivorous fool that I am, the Colorado Rack of Lamb is the most appetizing thing on the menu to me. Of course, you can give the fondant potatoes or the famed “Lobster and Lobster” a try, as well. Unfortunately, The River Café isn’t offering the dinner special during Restaurant Week, which means you have to come for lunch on a weekday or make it out one of these next two weekends. Either way, the food is worth the time constraint, as well as the trip to Brooklyn if you don’t already live in the county of Kings.

Luxurious Tuesdays – 5pm
Negril Village (70 West 3rd Street): During the summer months there is nothing better than a nice, cold glass of rum punch from Negril Village. Let their sugary, tasty, high-octane mix get you in the mood for an evening full of fun, dancing and Caribbean flare. At Negril Village this Tuesday night, entry is free, the people are live, and the food is always on point. Downstairs, DJ Snap takes control of the music with hip-hop, R&B and reggae music all night long. If you don’t feel like dancing, then you can go upstairs and enjoy some of the best Caribbean food in all of New York City. Basically, you can’t lose at Negril Village unless you don’t go…Wait—did I just say that? You know what I meant!

Takeover Tuesdays – 6pm
Harlem Lanes (2116 Adam Clayton Powell): Who says bowling can’t be fun (besides me)? Well, tell those haters that Harlem Lanes isn’t your typical bowling joint. Sure, you’ve seen the flash and flare that some New York City bowling alleys offer, but at Harlem Lanes, they don’t just have flare, they have our kind of flare. Can I point it out, take a picture, or even describe it to you verbally? No. But you will know it when you see it. This is just one of those events and places where you have to see it to really know what it’s all about. For those of you who have been Harlem Lanes during primetime, you know the good times and atmosphere that I speak of. And for the rare young, black professional living in New York City that hasn’t made their way to Harlem Lanes just yet—what the hell are you waiting for?

New York Philharmonic – 8pm
Central Park (Great Lawn): The weather is now feasible enough to bring your valuables (and your delicates) out into the New York City atmosphere. And what’s more valuable than a multi-thousand dollar piano or violin? Well, the New York Philharmonic will have those items and more as they continue their tradition of playing outdoors and in the park for yet another summer. As if there weren’t enough people illegally spending their nightcaps in the Central Park, the park is allowing people to be there through 10pm. I guess the New York Philharmonic is worth the extra nightwalkers lurking around behind some trees. Although, if I get mugged during my dawn-time jog through the park, I’m coming after the Parks department with sprint-like speed.

MoMA Cocktail Party – 7pm
MoMA (11 West 53rd Street): This invite only party will feature some of the biggest names in art, and if you’re on the list, you’re either one of them, or at least you will get to meet them. Cocktails will be served expeditiously—because why on earth would you want to look at art with out a drink in your hand? On display is a Matisse Exhibition that everyone has been waiting to see. Of course, if you didn’t get invited, then you will have to continue to wait.

Related Posts

1. Tuesday Rundown: July 20, 2010
2. Tuesday Rundown: July 6, 2010
3. Tuesday Rundown: April 6, 2010

Villa Lounge

We do not have the super, sunny weather of the past couple of days, as July starts to look like what June should have been. That being said, weather is no obstacle when you are in pursuit of the good life. In an effort to provide life to you, we have a few things in mind to help you enjoy your Saturday night. Here is your Saturday Nightlife Rundown for July 10, 2010.

Restaurant of the Day
South Houston (331 West Broadway): If there is one thing the New York City restaurant scene could use, it’s a few more “soulful” restaurants below Manhattan’s own Mason-Dixon line. Sure, the Sylvia’s and Amy Ruth’s of the world bring a lot of business to Harlem and the like, but for those of us who work, party and live in midtown or downtown, the soul food category is empty on my Menu Pages search. Well, South Houston is adding it’s own flare to the soul food category downtown, with its variety of southern-inspired treats. First of all, its atmosphere reminds you of a mom-and-pop restaurant in Georgia (for those of you who have been), so right away, you will already have that southern feel. As for the food, dishes like Bacon Wrapped Meat Loaf, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Biscuits and Gravy and even the non-southern cuisine, Chicken & Waffles, make you feel as if you are in the Deep South. Warning! I have no idea who the owners are, and the menu has a few more frills than your typical southern restaurant, but the food does past the test—that I guarantee.

Premiere Saturdays – 10pm
Villa Lounge (735 Second Avenue): If you are looking for a party that really doesn’t stop until “six in the morning”—well, this ain’t quite the place for you. Still, Villa is goes well into the night, longer than most other nightclubs, and I’m sure you will party hard enough here to tire yourself out well before dawn. Several DJs will control the music and the mashups, playing nothing but hip-ho and R&B all night. The dress code is “super sexy,” so my ladies need to come correct, as do the brothas. From 10pm to 11pm you can take advantage of the “sponsored” open bar, and drink to your heart’s delight. And for those of you having birthdays tonight and don’t already have plans, Villa Lounge is a great place to have an impromptu b-day bash for you and your friends.

BBQ Blowout – 5pm
Good Company (10 Hope Street, Brooklyn, NY): There’s really not much to say here other than “Barbeque Blowout!” Chef Sam Mason is cooking up a storm in Brooklyn this evening and wants you to try out some of his favorite outdoor dishes. The cost is $10 a plate, but boy will there be a lot of food on your plate. New York Magazine is partnering with this event, so you can bet that there will be plenty of young professionals in building, trying hob-nob while eating corn-on-the-cob all evening long.

Seductive Saturdays – 10pm
Promenade (215 West 28th Street): For those of you interested in a very sexy affair in which both the ladies and gentlemen will stunt to the fullest extent tonight, then there’s no better place to be than Promenade. Tonight, DJ Fuji will win your musical soul over with his incredible demand of the turntables. I’m telling you, if you’re looking for a straight hip-hop party where you can dance non-stop all night, then DJ Fuji will have you on lockdown well, well past your bedtime. There is a cover charge, but you let them know that Black Oak Nights sent you, you will get in for free before midnight.

Above Manhattan – 9pm
Empire Hotel Rooftop (44 West 63rd Street): No matter what the weather ends up looking like this evening, the party at Empire Hotel is going full-board rain or shine. Don’t worry, they have plenty of indoor space to make sure you don’t get your knew shoes wet. That being said, nothing spices up a party like a few raindrops here and there. If you have enough liquor in you, you won’t feel the rain anyway. So get suited or fitted up, because the dress code here is on par with every other worthwhile nightclub in New York City.

Related Posts

1. Saturday Rundown: July 3, 2010
2. Saturday Rundown: July 24, 2010
3. Saturday Rundown: May 22, 2010

Restaurant of the Day
Café 2 (11 West 53rd Street): Frequenters of MoMA already know this, but some of the best food in New York City comes from the very same spot with some of the best art in the world. MoMA’s “Café 2” is a great place to bring a large group of friends and dine away on some eclectic Italian treats. Executive Chef Lynn Bound has created a delectable menu of seasonal Italian foods that could make even the most robust Roman take a step back after a bite of this Italian cuisine. The food is served at communal tables, there’s an Espresso bar and every thing served to you here is 100% fresh. This place is rarely open (its 7:30 close is its latest close of the week), thus the lines are always incredibly long. But if you get here right at the end of your workday on this July 4th weekend, you probably have a good chance of avoiding the dinner rush. As for the Hamptom rush hour getaway—well, there’s nothing I can do about that.

Providence Fridays – 10pm
Providence (311 West 57th Street): Club Providence is back at it again, for yet another Friday in the Big Apple. Their weekly Friday night party brings out some of the sexiest latinos there are in New York City, and there’s a fair amount of brothas and sistsa in the building as well. Regardelss of your ethnicity, anyone can have a good time at Providence, where the music is as evolving as the people that come through. Downstairs, you can enjoy nothing but the most modern of Top 40 selections, including hip-hop, R&B and the occasional reggae jam. Upstairs, that’s where the latin music comes into play, with all types of merengue, bachata and salsa music on the 1’s and 2’s. So whatever your musical preference, and no matter your ethnicity, Club Providence is the place to be this Friday night, and every Friday night for the rest of the summer.

Summer Rooftop Film Series – 9pm
The Old American Can Factory (232 3rd Street, Brooklyn): The Summer Rooftop Film Series is showing a series of short films tonight at the legendary Old American Can Factory. From Rooftopfilms.com:

In this striking program of short films, self-constructing buildings battle for fidelity, makers of mold-o-form plastic deer muddle their love, and Werner Herzog plays a discarded plastic bag desperately seeking the meaning of existence…Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, philosophers have railed against dehumanization, as machines replaced people in the workplace and technology came to dominate our daily lives. Giant factories churned out poisonous products while chewing up and spitting out replaceable workers. Urban landscapes became increasingly alienating as automobiles and skyscrapers secluded and dwarfed individuals. But who would’ve thought that we’d move so quickly to a post-industrial world dominated by virtual products and cyber-realities? A world with no use for the physical objects of the recent past, and no place for the makers and consumers of formerly quaint and useful materials. We now live in age where we must sentimentalize our trash in order to save ourselves from annihilation by way of abstraction. Amidst the changing landscape in industry, architecture and manufacturing, this dynamic program of short films is about people (and objects) searching for meaning, connection and love.

Fridays at Rebel – 10pm
Rebel (251 West 30th Street): One of New York City’s top hip-hop nightclubs is having one heck of a July 4th weekend blast and Hot 97 will be in the building to make it all the more better. DJ Bobby Trends will be on the 1’s and 2’s with the best hip-hop, R&B and Top 40 mashups in the business, making your entrée on the dance floor that much easier. But if the DJ can’t put you in the mood, maybe he drink specials can. From 10pm to 11pm, the bar is 2 for 1, giving you twice to pony up for the alcohol and get a little tipsy at Rebel tonight. Come dressed to impress, because this place will be packed, so the doorman will have no reason to let you in without full inspection of your Friday night clubwear. There is a cover charge for the guys, but ladies do not have to pay before midnight—just let them know that Black Oak Nights sent you and that you are on the ShowTime Entertainment Guest list.

Pleasure Fridays – 9pm
Promenade (215 West 28th Street): You don’t have to get too dressed up to come through Promenade, where the atmosphere will be a little more laid back, not to mention a little bit looser. Ladies are free all night, and gentlemen are free until 11:30, so get here early, fellas. They have all kinds of bottle specials, so you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time. Just come with your entire crew, sit back, order a bottle, have a little food and make the night work for you at Promenade this Friday.

Super Taj Fridays – 10pm
Taj Lounge (8 West 21st Street): DJ Quiz will have you on the dance floor within minutes of your arrival at Taj. With nothing but the music befitting of a young, black professional, it is going to be hard for even the most tired brotha or sista to sit down or stand on the wall at any given point this Friday night. Of course, if somehow the music doesn’t get you off your ass, then go ahead, sit back, and enjoy a nice hookah, or grab two drinks for the price of one. Either way, you are going to get in the right frame of mind at Taj tonight, whether it’s music or legalized drugs that does it to you, is your own decision.

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: May 28, 2010
2. Friday Rundown: July 23, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: July 30, 2010

Chinatown Brasserie

Weekends never smelled so good! Man, it seemed like a long week. Maybe it was the late nights trying to keep up with both the NBA Finals and the Black Oak Nights agenda that had us missing out on several nights of sleep. Well, you can rest up Sunday afternoon, because Saturday night is no time to recuperate. Here is your Saturday Nightlife Rundown for June 19, 2010.

Milestone VII – 10:30pm
Chinatown Brasserie (380 Lafayette Street): There is no doubt where the young, black professionals of New York City will be come Saturday night. They will all be at Chinatown Brasserie, and if you don’t believe me, just pull up and look at the line around the block for yourself. Every showstopper, ladies man, single-and-sexy female, and high-fluting, black socialite in New York City will be in that line, and you should be too. The party gets going at 10:30pm, and that’s what time you better be there if you don’t plan on waiting in line for an hour. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Get it Now – 11pm
Pink (199 Bowery Street): That’s right! Get it now this Saturday, and get it early! Before midnight, you can take part in an open bar that is open to everybody—not just the ladies! In addition to that, they have 2-for-1 drink specials after the clock strikes 12 and there will be plenty of Reggae music on the 1’s and 2’s. This party will not be for those of you trying to stand on the wall. So unless you’re all about rap, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and dancing this Saturday night, do us all a favor and stay at home.

Epic Saturdays – 10pm
BLVD (199 Bowery): Right next door to Pink, BLVD is getting it on with another legendary Saturday night party. DJ Enuff will be in the house, representing the infamous Hot 97 DJ crew with some of his unique mixes, as well as his mastery of the 1’s and 2’s. The doors open up 10pm, which is when the 2-for-1 drinking begins and mystery and intrigue come to an end. With all of the sexy sure to be walking around at BLVD this weekend, neither man nor woman will leave without at least being visually pleased—the rest is up to you.

Rooftop Films: “Lovers of Hate” – 8pm
Open Road Rooftop (350 Grand Street): My favorite summer event of the season is back at the Open Road Rooftop with a selection of films sure to put you in the mood for making love—or at least that’s the intention. Bryan Powers, from Austin, Texas might I add, has created quite the film with “Lovers of Hate.” The tag line is, “When love curdles, someone has to eat it.” Does it get any better than that? You can check out a complete write up of the film at rooftopfilms.com. http://www.rooftopfilms.com/2010/schedule/16-lovers-of-hate

On top of the World – 9pm
Empire Hotel (44 West 63rd Street): Let’s not make Saturday night harder than it needs to be. All you really need after a long, hard work week are a couple of drinks, some quaint appetizers, good company and a pleasant view of the New York City skyline. Well, the top of the Empire Hotel gives you the one thing on that list that no traditional nightclub in New York City can give you: a Manhattan skyline! Empire Hotel won’t be too crowded, will have a diverse compilation of races and backgrounds, and won’t have the stress that comes along with any other trip to a club in New York City. You do have to dress up a little bit if you plan on getting in—but they aren’t expecting anything too special. A coke and a smile, and you’re half way there.

Related Posts

1. Saturday Rundown: May 15, 2010
2. Saturday Rundown: June 5, 2010
3. Memorial Day Weekend Rundown: Saturday, May 29, 2010