A new season is upon us and new beginnings are nearing; maybe shedding that extra layer of clothing, perhaps purchasing the latest handbag or springing for the trendy new do you’ve been too afraid to try. These typical winter-to-spring rituals are sure to edit the scene. But, for those of us hit by dire economic constraints, why not try something a little less costly this spring – ditch your crew and make friends with a celebrity. Think about it. Subsidized dinner dates, hand-me-down designer threads, and at the very least, a great party; these New York City hangouts will connect you to the paramount of celebrity existence.
#9 NYC Celeb Hotspot
RDV
409 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10013
Though abbreviated for ‘rendezvous,’ this under-the-radar, under Bagatelle hotspot comes up all but short on celebrity. With its hip, chic mix of classical Victorian and Modern Art, it comes at no surprise that this nightclub attracts a similar cache. Hosting various industry events, most recently for 2009’s New York City fashion week, this venue is typically rife with model types. And where there are model types, there are usually a few working models in the mix: Le Call, for one. And where there are models, there are inevitably C-listers that desperately want to be seen with them: David Schwimmer and Josh Lucas. (Sorry, Dr. Ross Gellar. You know we will always love you and your dinosaur toys.) Fashion week or not, this lavish, subterranean dwelling attracts great names.
#8 NYC Celeb Hotspot
Tenjune
411 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10014
Up for a challenge? Tenjune is it. One of the doormen from this New York City nightclub has been said to even turn away celebrities such as Entourage’s Kevin Connolly. (So much for a bro-code, right?) The Meatpacking District has a reputation for difficult doors and Tenjune is nowhere near an exception. This vicinity is habitually teeming with all walks of celebrity vying for a way in. Affixing your name (next your new celebrity friend’s name, of course) to the never-ending list will definitely increase your chances of entrance, but will not guarantee it. Side note: This club hosted Britney Spear’s birthday party in 2008. Need anything more really be said?
#7 NYC Celeb Hotspot
Rose Bar
2 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10010
When it comes to this posh New York City lounge, the question to ask is: What celebrity hasn’t been to Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel …at least 3 or 4 times? The answer: not the Olsen twins, Chace Crawford or David Beckham. Hell, Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn Beckham have most likely had a late night at Rose Bar. Point is; Rose Bar is the place of places in New York City. Ask anyone; the intriguing drink menu is as sweet as its floral repute implies. Word on the street is that Calvin Klein model Jamie Burke has been known to show up for a round of Pool or two. Lessons anyone?
#6 NYC Celeb Hotspot
Chloe 81
81 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002
Pegged, by many, as the Lower East Side’s counter to the West Village’s Beatrice Inn, Chloe 81 is semi-secretly situated beneath the restaurant, Canasis. Chloe 81's walls covered with cream-white tiling, glowing as if shellacked with a splash of Dom Perignon, provide a richly serene juxtaposition to the blood-red leather couches where Lindsey Lohan is said to camp night after night. The beer is reasonably priced for the select status that Chloe 81 claims. However, it is hardly the reason for Lohan’s frequent appearances. If not for the scene or the cheap beer, go to catch the bar-closing fight that will inevitably keep the tabloids speculating of another SamRo/Lohan split.
#5 NYC Celeb Hotspot
Lit Lounge
93 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
This New York City, East Village hangout, though dark and dingy, boasts a repertoire of an impressively low-key celebrity crowd – Franz Ferdinand, Keane, the Strokes and the White Stripes have all hosted parties here. Lit Lounge is also home to Fuse Gallery, an actual, exhibiting space since 2002. If swaying to sounds beside photographer, Ryan McGinley or Leo Fitzpatrick becomes far too unpretentious for your liking, at least there will be art on the walls to blindly criticize for the remainder of the evening.
#4 NYC Celeb Hotspot
Goldbar
389 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
Even if you ain’t one, you will feel like one, once allowed past the heavily guarded gates of this glitzy and entirely exclusive West Village bungalow. The interior’s plush, velvety blues and golden hues are sure to delight your senses. Spotted here on any given night are New York City’s industry types galore… ala the Hills’ Olivia Palermo or Lia Sophia’s Dani Stahl. If these ladies aren’t high enough on your celeb list, try your luck at getting in when Diddy hosts one of his out-of-this-world soirees at Goldbar.
#3 NYC Celeb Hotspot
The Eldridge
247 Eldridge Street
New York, NY 10002
Model types, socialites, celebrities, oh my! The Eldridge is a fantastic New York City spot to rub elbows with an off-beat, eclectic mix of the elite, and more recently, a great place to have your belongings pawned. And, not by riffraff that slink through the door – ahem, Paul Johnson Calderon. Whichever end of the material spectrum you find yourself on, owner or thief, The Eldridge has your name and many celebrity’s written all over it. Lydia Hearst, Aubrey O’Day and Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi have been spotted at this Lower East Side locale.
#2 NYC Celeb Hotspot
The Box
189 Chrystie Street
New York, NY 10002
Run by the progeny of Oscar Hammerstein I, co-writer of South Pacific and The Sound of Music, (…admit it, as a youngster, you secretly wished to be one of musically talented Von Trapp children, no? Just me?) this Lower East Side dine-in theater/speakeasy attracts the serious craft-types. With Rachel Weisz, Julia Stiles and Jude Law as some of the venue’s board members, it is hard to imagine a lesser known crowd in attendance. If it’s not the famous actors that chill at this New York City den, then it’s definitely the actors who think they are famous; which could be almost as entertaining.
#1 NYC Celeb Hotspot
Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002
There is no place in New York City that does celebrity quite like The Stanton Social. This Lower East Side destination is known for its delectable tapas and imaginative, alcoholic inventions, as well as the notable names it attracts. (I.e. Jessica Alba and Cash Warren) Opened in 2005, it is still almost impossible to get a reservation at this tri-level, late-night scene. The space, with innumerable, closely-situated tables to accommodate around 200 guests, may find you sitting on top of a celebrity, rather than near one. (Pending celebrity appearance on any given night, arguably, a win-win situation.)
