Socialista - This bi-level West Village establishment draws its inspiration from 1940s Havana—and might be just as hard to gain entrance to as Cuba itself. With former Bungalow 8 doorman Armin Amiri at the helm, it's no wonder they've got border control down pat: only a hand-picked few are able to dance on the black and white marble-tiled floor to the beats of world music and live three- and four-piece Cuban bands. But even the likes of Sting and Giuseppe Cipriani (both of whom are financial backers) must accumulate a hefty $600 minimum tab before plopping down on one of the distressed leather Ralph Lauren couches—here, all are equals (except those who weren't equal enough to get in to begin with), so don't expect any special treatment. If you find yourself turned away, simply turn to the downstairs restaurant and its smallish rustic bar where you can sip organic, sustainable and biodynamic wines and irreverent cocktails, such as the Hemingway (rum, lime, sugar, grapefruit and maraschino) and the eponymous Socialista (vodka, citrus and spiced syrup) surrounded by the same peeling walls and dilapidated chic décor.
