FROM LEFT: The Nightclub at Provocateur; The 18th floor of the Standard Hotel
We all get a little lazy when winter’s blustery cold envelopes the city and trekking all over Manhattan during the average night out seems more like a chore than a good time. Luckily the Meatpacking District is chock-full of venues, which means you won’t have to brave the elements for much more than a block to find what you like.
Provocateur, which opened recently, is the first NYC nightclub specifically designed to cater to a woman’s every desire. Mike Satsky and Brian Gefter’s 7,000-square-foot space is divided up into two separate areas—the Café and the Nightclub—each adorned with feminine flourishes, like a set of Egyptian phoenix wings that span 20 feet and tables themed after rooms from a European dollhouse. The Café features a retractable glass roof, bites from neighboring Japanese pub Tanuki Tavern and cocktails with a healthy twist (antioxidants and other skin-health boosters). The Nightclub, modeled after the look of Madonna’s 1985 “Virgin Tour,” has elegant lavender and black design elements. (Fellas: You’re more than welcome, but you might want to shy away from the drinks containing eyelash-improving vitamins.) The best part? Fifteen separate bathrooms. 18 Ninth Ave.
Finish your evening at the 18th floor of the Standard Hotel (formerly The Bon Bon and The Boom Boom Room), which is situated atop André Balaz’s concrete and glass tour de force. The überchic cocktail lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows that use Manhattan’s skyline as a decorative accent—and allow revelers like Madonna and Bono to ooh and ahh over the breathtaking view. Remember to bring your wallet. Luxuries here aren’t cheap (highpriced cocktails) or easy (one of the toughest doors in the city). 442 W. 13th St., 212-645-7600
