View of Manhattan Penthouse

The unofficial start of the Black Oak Nights weekend is here, which means plenty of young professionals from across the New York City metropolitan area will be looking for a way to break in the weekend in style. Fortunately, the weather might be of some assistance with a bright and sunny Thursday seemingly on the horizon. So enjoy this sunny day and get ready for a night of fun as brought to you by the Thursday Nightlife Rundown for May 13, 2010.

Wine Tasting Class
New York Vinters (21 Warren Street): As the weather gets warmer, there is nothing better than a good old wine tasting class to spice up the summer months. Well, why not put yourself in position to educate yourself on the world of wine? Today, you can purchase a two-hour wine class for just $25, and it’s yours to use at anytime you want to use it over the next two years. So get one, get two or get enough for you and a few friends and get drunk in the name of learning how to get drunk in a more tasty fashion. Get your wine class here!

High Life Thursdays – 6pm
Taj (48 West 21st Street): Get your evening started with a trip to Taj NYC, where the drinks will be flowing, the music will be bumping and the people will be styling well in to the Manhattan night. There’s no cover, no admission and no “resort fee” (sorry, just had to get that off mind after a trip to Miami). Basically, there’s no bullshit when you go to Taj Lounge; just good drinks and good people having a good time. Come celebrate here this Thursday with drink specials galore and plenty of beautiful, black people in attendance.

Fashionable Thursdays – 6pm
Fashion 40 (202 West 40th Street): Hard-working, young, black people will travel from across the New York City metropolitan area to be one of the fashionably late people attending tonight’s event at the oft-populated Fashion 40. You will definitely need to be in a group of a few ladies to get into this party, because Fashion 40 fills up with a quickness. DJ Locorious will work the 1’s and 2’s tonight, making for an urban music atmosphere that will get even the most boring person out of their seat and on Fashion 40’s dance floor. So get off work early if you can tonight, because the spot to be is at Fashion 40, and being fashionably late will leave you with only so much time to have one hell of an evening.

Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Launch – 8pm
Event (414 West 14th Street): You fine drinkers of Belvedere Vodka are obviously familiar with the brand. Well, you will be happy to note that Belvedere is launching something of a variety option to their line of liquor products with the birth of their Belvedere Pink Grapefruit line. This event will feature specialty Belvedere drinks throughout the night as a who’s-who of New York socialites and partiers get their mingling on at this highly private event near Union Square.

Young Professional’s Ball – 8pm
Manhattan Penthouse (80 Fifth Avenue): The 4th Annual Red Ball is an opportunity to be around some very successful, young movers and shakers in New York City. Some 300 people consisting of young financiers, fashionistas, entertainers and doctors will embark upon Manhattan Penthouse tonight to take part in some of the best substantial conversations you will ever hear in New York City. This is a ticketed event with the proceeds gong to the American Heart Association. You can register at heart.org/nycyp.

Afterwork Thursdays – 6pm
Honey Lounge (243 West 14th Street): Ever heard of Monica? I thought so. Well, she’s back and better then ever with her “relatively” new CD “Still Standing.” Honey Lounge will host a listening party for the CD tonight. No, I do not expect Monica to be in attendance, but her people will be their promoting and selling the once-famed artist’s work. Plenty of young, black professionals will be there to cop the new sounds, while enjoying Honey’s array of specialty drinks and food specials. Should be a good time for all involved—especially if the CD is any good.

Related Posts

1. Thursday Rundown: May 27, 2010
2. Thursday Rundown: May 20, 2010
3. Thursday Rundown: April 1, 2010

Big East Tournament – 7pm
Madison Square Garden: One of the best basketball conferences in all of America is playing in your backyard and you probably haven’t even been to a game, huh? Well, get off your high-horse and start watching some quality basketball? If you’re waiting for LeBron James to come to the Knicks before you see some good basketball in the Garden then I would recommend that you don’t hold your breath. But if you want to see high-quality, persevering, emotional basketball in Madison Square Garden, then tonight you need to head over to MSG and watch the Big East Conference’s best four teams duke it out for the right to play in the championship game on Saturday.

Fridays at M2 Mansion – 11pm
M2 Mansion (530 W. 28th Street): It is really going down at M2 Mansion tonight where a few of raps most notable names are supposed to be in attendance tonight. Admission is free for the first 500 ladies that get to the club. Fellas, you already know what the deal is with your cover (“reduced”). As for the music, what do you expect from an event with some of hip-hops biggest names in the building? Nothing but rap, R&B and old school music will be played at M2 this Friday night, so do be prepared to dance.

Taj Fridays – 10pm
Taj (48 West 21st Street): DJ Cre-8 is taking over the turntables at Taj this Friday night, which means Taj is going to be on fire this evening. Everyone is free until midnight, and the 2-for-1 drink special last until 12am, as well. The dress code will be enforced to the “T.” Thus, I suggest you come out in your weekend best and show everyone else up in the process.

Friday Night Takeover – 10pm
Fashion 40 (202 West 40th Street): While Times Square isn’t your typical destination for late night fun on a Friday, you don’t want to miss out on Fashion 40’s weekly end of the week party. While the dress code isn’t super strict, the crowd is as trendy as ever, making it quite difficult to stand out if you come in your everyday work wear. That said, you can show out on the dance floor and stand out in a different way, although you will have plenty of competition as this place gets packed in a hurry. So get there early, and a head start on mixing it up with the hundreds of other young, black professionals that will be in attendance.

Good Life Afterwork – 5pm
LQ (511 Lexington Avenue): Here is one of the few occasions in which Latin Quarters is going strictly urban for the majority of the evening. DJ Notti Cotto will be in charge of the music, which suggests that hip-hop and R&B should dominate the speakers as long as he is on the 1’s and 2’s. Ladies and gentlemen are free until 6pm on the 5-Star Guestlist. From 5pm to 7pm, there will be 2 for 1 drinks and a complimentary buffet. Seeing as how this is an afterwork party, business casual is the dress code. So come correct, or you won’t be able to take advantage of the complimentary birthday martinis!

The House Party – 5pm
Katra Lounge (217 Bowery Street): It’s Friday, which means you have more than your fair share of options for afterwork parties. If the LQ doesn’t peak your interests, then you can try dancing and hookah at Katra Lounge. Admission is free all night, and there are 2-for-1 drink specials up until 8pm. DJ Bent Roc will provide the hip-hop and R&B music throughout the evening. The dress code is not “super strict,” so you don’t have to button up or suit it down to take part in the festivities. Just come as you are from work, sit back, relax, enjoy your hookah, and ease into the night before you hit up your final destination of the evening.

Ladies Night at Providence – 11pm
Providence NYC (311 West 57th Street): The party is on again at Club Providence, where the music will be bumping, the admission charge is nonexistent, and the young adults in the building are going to be sexier than at any other nightclub venue in the Tri-State area. Yes, that’s right! This event is not for the faint of heart. Ladies and gentlemen alike tend to step out to Providence in their best attire. With the weather being a tad bit warmer than usual, you can bet on the fact that the swagger will be turned up even higher this Friday night. So do your best not to stick out a like a sore thumb, and on that brand new attire you’ve been holding on to.

The Nuyorican Friday Night Poetry Slam – 10pm
Nuyorican (236 East 3rd Street): Get some soul in your life this Friday with a little bit of poetry at the Nuyorican. The origins of rap began at places like the Nuyorican, where the battle of words wasn’t used to dismiss one another, but to dismiss society’s wrongdoings as a whole. Well, you can revert back to that more secular time and listen to some of New York’s most notable poets fill up the room with the illest of rhymes, metaphors, similes and some onomatopoeia from time to time as well. Admission is $10, and as you can imagine, the line gets pretty long, so you might want to get there as much as an hour earlier than the 10pm start.

Friday Hip-Hop – 11pm
Pranna (79 Madison Avenue): If you’re thinking about going to Pranna for the food, think again. However, the nightlife there is certainly worth the trip out to the East side. Plenty of young professionals of all colors will be in attendance, making for perhaps the most diverse crowd in all of New York City. And as you can imagine, diversity works! This place really gets it going, and the party gets even wilder as the night progresses into the wee hours of the morning. Admission is free for most of the night, and even usually tends to stay that way after 1am. Either way, if you find yourself in Midtown East with nothing else to do, Pranna is certainly worth the visit.

Related Posts

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Fashion 40, 202 W. 40th Street, NYC

It’s FRIDAY!

Which means it’s time to forget about work, stop talking about the economy, and do whatever the heck you feel like doing! And should that just happen to include hitting up an afterwork happy hour, having dinner with your friends, hitting up the club and then a nightcap at your favorite pizza place—well, then so be it! To help you out with your agenda, as well as the agendas of those with slightly different nightlife goals, here is your Friday Nightlife Rundown for February 26, 2010.

(Many events were omitted due to the extreme weather conditions)

West Side Story – 9pm
Palace Theater (1564 Broadway): Who doesn’t love a good showing of West Side Story? A tale of love, rivalry and culture clashing coincides on the stage of the Palace Theater, bringing back musical scores of yesteryear, along with the great motifs of William Shakespeare. Up and coming young actors Matthew Hydzik and Josefina Scaglione play the leading roles of Tony and Maria. The show is on tonight and runs through at least March 10th. Check out Ticketmaster for tickets and more information.
Friday Night Party – 10pm
Room Service (144 Sullivan Street): Even with the snow on the ground, Room Service is expected to be open for business tonight as one of the best Friday night parties keeps it going. On the 1’s of 2’s is nothing but the best in hip-hop, reggae, R&B and Latin music. Gentlemen are free until 11pm and ladies are free until 1am. I will let you know if anything changes between now and tonight by updating this post before the event is scheduled to start.

Formula 40 – 5pm
Fashion 40 (202 West 40th Street): Once again, I will do my best to update every event in this post before it’s scheduled to happen. But as of now, Fashion 40 is slated to keep the party going tonight with nothing but the music you want to hear. As always, getting into Fashion 40 requires you have a flash of fashion. From 5pm to 10pm, you get 2-for-1 drinks, and there is a full food menu. This is the place to be afterwork. Of course, the snow may have something to say about that.

Four Year Anniversary – 6pm & 10pm
Butterfield 8 (5 East 38th Street): Well, when it comes to snow, you can always count on the bars staying open. Come celebrate the 4-year anniversary of Butterfield 8 NYC, which has been a staple for New York Socialites over the years. Tonight, from 6pm to 7pm, Butterfield 8 is having a free, full open bar along with passed hors d’oeuvres. Then they are going to do it all over again from 10pm to 11pm. Most importantly, it’s free!

Strictly the Best Fridays
BLVD (199 Bowery Street): I will let you know if BLVD is closing its doors tonight, but for now, we can dream, can’t we? Snow withstanding, and if everything goes according to plan, BLVD is one of the few places that’s playing nothing but hip-hop, R&B and reggae all night long! There is no cover before midnight if you let them know you’re on the Nitelife Entertainment list, so get there early…if you can.

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: February 12, 2010
2. Thursday Rundown: February 25, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: Februay 19, 2010

Elevate - 390 8th Avenue, New York, NY

The Weekend is finally here, the weather ain’t so bad, and there is plenty to talk about on the Friday Nightlife Rundown for February 19, 2010. From fashionably late Mardi Gras parties to some of New York’s best weekly events, this weekend’s agenda is full of entertaining, cultural and intellectual events befitting the taste of all of New York City’s young, black professionals.

Tonight’s party agenda for young, black professionals does not have to start at the line to get into the club. Why not begin your night with drinks at a jazz event, a little poetry, and then find your way to the beauty of clubbing in Manhattan?

When Nature Calls – 7pm
Nuyorican (236 East 3rd Street): Nothing beats a Friday night like an evening of live performance at the Nuyorican. Tonight, tomorrow night, and Sunday night, The Impulse Initiative will put on the best theatrical display New York City has to offer. It will run you $15 to $20, but it will be worth every penny for the performer in you. This production is the tale of 7 women that succumb to the calls of Mother Nature and take a very hard stance in a celebration of the power of women. You can find out more and purchase tickets at nuyorican.org.

Friday Night Jazz – 8pm & 11pm
Afroart-Designs (316 Stuyvesant Avenue, Brooklyn): If you are looking for a celebration of Black History Month, Friday Night Jazz is one of the best places to be. The Jeff King Band will perform two sets tonight, taking you way back (before your time for many of you) to jazz sounds of yesteryear from some of the genre’s best saxophonists, pianists and drummers. JazzKing Productions is putting on this event, which means it’s as authentic as it gets and is something no jazz fan will want to miss.

“Made in Jamaica” (Movie)
BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn): I haven’t seen the movie yet myself, and won’t do so until later tonight. Thus, I will give you a brief break from my usual stream of consciousness and present you with this far more articulate synopsis:

A portrait that unveils the leaders of the reggae music movement while showing how reggae has become a worldwide phenomenon. The chronicle includes showcase performances by the top reggae and dance hall artists in the business. Historically, reggae music sprang into life in the ’70s. It was the first time that a third world country had made its voice heard on such a large scale. Instantly recognizable, the reggae sound is a celebration of life itself. Now a new generation of reggae artists has emerged and its fathers are still in Jamaica. But along with the Jamaican music, there has often been trouble in the dance. At the dancehalls, respect is threatened, tempers flare and then gunshots. That was the sadly familiar story of Bogle, the now-legendary figure who invented the dance bearing his name. His funeral was a ghetto-spectacular affair, attracting three generations of reggae and dancehall superstars. – NY Daily News

The High Priestess of Dark alley (Play) – 8pm
Billie Holiday Theater (1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn): Once again, in someone else’s words:

The world premiere of the play “The High Priestess of Dark Alley,” a dramatic comedy about intrusive mother trying to repair her daughter’s failed marriage. The play was written by and is directed by Jackie Alexander.

Satisfaction Afterwork – 5pm
Elevate (390 8th Avenue): Fabulous Entertainment is doing it up afterwork today with free admittance to Elevate. DJ Kool Kid will be on the 1’s and 2’s, and for those of you who haven’t heard of him before, let’s just say you won’t be inclined to complain about the music after this party is over. Yes, he’ll mix in some Soca and Reggaeton, but Kool Kid keeps it fresh all night. And if you don’t like to Salsa, don’t worry about it; you can take a break at the bar where they are serving 2 for 1 drinks and a Black Oak Night first: 3 wings for a dollar! Of course, there will be plenty of other finger foods available to satisfy your afterwork appetite. And they are very open to large groups and will accommodate you to prove it. So email fabulousent2k@yahoo.com and get your co-workers on board for a good way to end the work week.

Good Life Afterwork – 5pm
Touch (240 W. 52nd Street): Hip-hop, R&B, Reggae and 90’s music will put your mind at ease after a restless day and week of work. There is a $20 cover charge, but of course, if you say you are on the John Doe Entertainment guest list, you will get in free before 7pm. From 5-7pm you can enjoy a 2 for 1 top shelf drink special, and there is a free dinner buffet from 5-7pm as well. As you know, Touch knows how to throw a good party, and this afterwork event will be no different.

Carnival with Mario Calegari – 10pm
Pacha (618 W. 46th Street): Getting into Pacha is rarely without cost, but this Friday is completely different. Ladies are free before midnight if you mention the Xplosion guest list, and gentlemen are free before midnight, too! However, you better be dressed to impress, and I recommend fellas have ladies in their party. There will be two different rooms to get down in, with DJ Mario Calegari leading the way in the main room with Top 40’s music, hip-hop and a little Reggaeton. The theme is Carnival, so you can expect a wild time and maybe even a few professional dancers in the building.

Tom Green Stand-Up Comedy – 8pm & 10:30pm
Comix (353 W. 14th Street): For those of you who didn’t make it out last night, I just thought I’d inform you one more time that the hysterical fool of our youth, Tom Green, is performing at Comix tonight. Tickets are $30, plus a two-drink minimum. You can get the tickets at comixny.com. He will have two more performances at the same times on Saturday Night, February 20, 2010.

5 Star Chic Fridays – 11pm
Star Lounge (222 W. 23rd Street): Star Lounge is not the typical place for the urban crowd, but occasionally, on Friday nights, they open up their doors and their music in such a way that any and all young, black professionals will want to come through. With surprise DJs every Friday night, they keep the music fresh while still limiting it to hip-hop, R&B and old school music, with a little Soca music from time to time, as well. Entry is free before 1am if you say you are on the Hollywood Chuck guest list. They are also claiming an open bar, so I’d get there early in case that’s actually true.

Friday Night Takeover – 10pm
Fashion 40 (202 W. 40th Street): Once again, Fashion 40 is doing it up with nothing but the best of New York City’s black crowd in attendance. The door is very, very strict, so if you don’t have your A game on, you better go home and change. There will be absolutely nothing but hip-hop, R&B and old school music playing all night long; so you can leave your Salsa shoes, and any preconceived notions about Latin music, at home. The party officially gets started at 10, but the drink specials for ladies start at 11, so come fashionably late if you want to. Not too late though, as ladies are only free until midnight (with RSVP: fridaynight.takeover@gmailcom), and gentleman are reduced until 12, as well.

Sweet Dreams – 10pm
Club Roam (5 East 19th Street): I thought I would show a little love for the semi-new Club Roam, which is hosting Sweet Dreams tonight. The party is hosted by “Addictive Ladies,” so it sounds so good so far. Entry is free before midnight, and they have an open bar from 10 to 11pm. They are willing to accommodate all birthday parties with a slew of birthday boy and girl packages. As for the music, anything goes with DJ TY Boogie on the 1’s and 2’s, but it suffices to say that he will keep you on your toes all night long with his usual savvy selection of music.

Misty Boyce & Blowoff! – 8pm & 11:30pm
Canal Room (285 W. Broadway): The infamous Canal Room is throwing down tonight with a live performance from an up-and-coming young singer, Misty Boyce. After that, they will get back to their usual ways of partying into the wee hours of the morning with “Blowoff,” which is so heavily planned for that they are actually selling tickets on line for advance purchase. There’s so much going on at the Canal Room tonight, that I suggest you check it out for yourself at canalroom.com.

Related Posts

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Naomi Campbell Fashion Show Benefit for Haiti - Bryant Park: I texted, emailed and called everyone I could for the most anticipated Fashion Week event tonight, and turns out that it is one that everyone can attend—for a price. For a mere $100-$150, you can check out Naomi Campbell’s fashion show at Bryant Park tonight. It starts at 7pm, and anyone who is anyone will be there. You can find tickets at Ticketmaster.com, and if not, they are sure to be on sale by some scumbag on eBay. The proceeds are going to benefit the people of Haiti via the Fashion for Relief charity that Campbell will give the proceeds to. In case you’re wondering what will be on display, Campbell’s show will feature designs from a host of her own hand-picked designers, whose work will be available for purchase sometime in March on Net-a-Porter.com.

Empire Rooftop Fridays – Afterwork
Empire Hotel (44 West 63rd Street): Come join Skyz Da Limit Entertainment at Empire Hotel for one of the city’s best afterwork parties. Here you can sip on your Rum & Coke or your apple martinis while enjoying the view of the Upper West Side with some of your best friends and/or coworkers. Getting in is completely free, so you’re better off skipping out on the last few minutes of work if you’re not trying to wait in line. There will be nothing but hip-hop and house music on the playlist; so rest assure that your weekend wind down music will be in full effect tonight at Empire Hotel.

F♥CK YOU x F♥CK ME
Iven.tory (237 Lafayette Street): Let Fashion Week’s creative intrusion begin! This is going to be one of the most eccentric art exhibits of the month. Seasick Mama is putting on a display that will present the work of Casey Randerson through photo prints, apparel and sleeping fixtures. So what are the subjects of these photos? What else but people having orgasms! That’s right! Randerson took pictures of people having orgasms and made them art. You can take in this “breathtaking” exhibit from 7-10 at Inven.tory.

The House Party
Katra Lounge (217 Bowery): Come to one of Black Oak Night’s old stomping grounds and enjoy what is sure to be yet another beautiful Friday, afterwork party at Katra Lounge. Here you can get your sip on and your hookah on right after work and with 150+ strangers to boat. There is absolutely no cover charge to get in, but you better come dressed correct, because they are going to be very strict at the door. Hip-hop, R&B and 90’s music is all they ever play on Friday nights, with DJ Doc Martin handling the music for an extended period of time, you can be assured that this party won’t grow old, even as it extends from 5 in the evening to 5 in the morning.

Friday Takeover
Fashion 40 (202 W. 40th Street): If you’re wondering where all of the young, black professionals will be at tonight, look no further than Fashion 40’s Friday Takeover just south of Times Square. You do have to dress to impress to get in, but once you do, you will still be overwhelmed by the sexiness circulating this fine establishment. This is a weekly event, and the club goers are pretty loyal to this venue. I recommend getting here early, because they will get funny with the door as the night progresses. Other than that, if you’re looking for a good time, this is the place to be. The music is good every week, the atmosphere is not nearly as snooty as some of the other parties in midtown, and they have a 2-for-1 martini special from 11 to midnight that is sure to get the party going early on.

Strictly the Best Fridays
BLVD (199 Bowery Street): There’s nothing like a happening Friday night at BLVD. Tonight the infamous DJ Norie will be on the 1’s and 2’s; so if you are looking for good music, this is the place to be. There is no cover before midnight if you say you are on the “Nitelife Entertainment” guest list, and you can get some insurance on that by calling 646-294-3455 for an official RSVP. But make sure you don’t show up at BLVD with anything less than your Weekend’s best, because you may get in with your normal attire, but you won’t fit in unless you’ve got your swag turned on.

Fridays @ Providence
Club Providence (311 W. 57th Street): Naturally, you can’t go to Providence and not expect to here a slew of Merengue, Bachata and Reggaeton on the track; however, DJ Chulo is on the 1’s and 2’s, and he plays his fair share of hip-hop, reggae and R&B. Plus, there’s nothing but R&B and Top 40 music on the main floor of the club, where DJ Direct will be on the turntables. Of course, Providence on a Friday will run you; but no more than the usual $20 you’re use to paying elsewhere. However, ladies are free before midnight, and you can get a genuine reduced entry fee if you say you’re on the Showtime Entertainment guest list. Doors open at 10pm.

Touch Me Fridays
Touch (240 W. 52nd Street): What is this? Touch’s 3rd appearance on the rundown this week? Clearly, they’re trying to run this city in 2010, and so far, they are doing a good job. As if the theme of the night isn’t apparent in the name “Touch Me Fridays,” this party is set to be one of the sexiest venues not attached to the variety of Fashion Week parties going on this weekend. DJ Suhel will be running the turntables tonight, which means you will get all of the hip-hop, R&B and classic music you need to have the kind of Friday night you deserve after five days of working for the man all week long.

Related Posts

1. Friday Rundown: February 26, 2010
2. Friday Rundown: March 5, 2010
3. Friday Rundown: March 12, 2010