Manhattan may be one of the only cities in the U.S. where you can live paycheck to paycheck and still rub elbows with the wealthy and fabulous. While at brunch last Saturday with three of my girlfriends we discussed this theory. We've all struggled to make ends meet while living in Manhattan; some of us are still floundering. Yet, at the end of the day it's all about who you know. If you're acquainted with people at the top then you can get invited to some spectacular functions. Sometimes these events are just a night of fun, a good story. However, you could run into the right person and that one gathering may change your whole life.
Later that same Saturday I invited two other friends to accompany me to
Cielo for their 9th anniversary party. I don't typically frequent the Meatpacking District for a night out but I figured I'd mix things up this Saturday. The place was packed and the energy seemed pretty relaxed. Everyone was chillin' and absorbing the electronic lounge-y beats. As my crew and I went to get a drink I ran into a friend. He asked about our plans for the rest of the night and then told us he could take us to a few spots. We had no idea what we were in for.
We left Cielo and he took us across the street to
Anja Bar. The long line down the street was no worry to him. He bumped a few fists and next thing I knew we were swept inside and right into VIP but not before a quick stop for a drink. This beautiful Asian-themed club was enormous and not just by New York standards. There were a lot of people having a great time, yet there still seemed to be room to spare. We got the grand tour, which included a stop at the indoor smoking area that had an open roof so smokers didn't have to leave to enjoy their cancer stick. Although, I'm pretty sure tobacco wasn't the only thing being smoked out there.
We finished our drinks and rushed to the next club,
Tenjune. We strolled down the big blue tunnel and right up to the bar and ordered more drinks and shots. The night was starting to become a blur. The music was pounding and my girlfriends and I were dancing our asses off. The ambiance and the people watching were phenomenal. Everyone was hammered! At this point one of my friends bailed. She had reached her breaking point so the two of us dredged on with our tour guide for the evening.
We hopped in a car toward the South Village and got out at Work in Progress also known as W.I.P. I've heard a lot about W.I.P. since it is just around the corner from
Greenhouse. It was suppose to have an artistic/hipster approach. The venue looked like a warehouse party; except stocked with a bar and DJ. The walls were covered in graffiti and artwork but the music and people seemed to be far removed from the Williamsburg or Lower East Side scene I was expecting. There isn't anything wrong with that though. It was still something different from the average spot.
After W.I.P. my friend and I were finished. It was time to call it quits on this legendary Saturday night. When I woke up the next morning to a wrist covered in stamps I tried to recall every place we went and all the people we met. You never know what kind of fun you can run into while out and about in Manhattan. You may just encounter some interesting people that lead to a great story. That is why I love New York City.
For more Why I Heart NYC with Adrianne Benzion stay tuned to Clubplanet!
