John Byrd, veteran barman of The Bedford in Williamsburg, brings the originality and quality of a swanky mixologist-concocted cocktails to Brooklyn’s finest. Byrd started bartending in Boston over fifteen years ago and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. The “ladies and the gays” help him name his creations, and older people are his inspiration. Take, for instance, the Mrs. Dillin (carrot juice, lime, Stoli Ohranj), a cocktail inspired by his 86-year-old grandma, who drinks a Stoli version every day. Bryd’s also the creator of the Brooklyn Barman, providing supplies and tools—custom bar knives, jiggers, bar bags—for the average bartender. He’s the kind of guy you want to sit down and have a drink with, especially if he’s the one pouring them. Check out John Byrd's favorite spots to grab a cocktail in New York City.

Fashion Week is over, and with it, loads and loads of free booze. There are, however, a multitude of events on the agenda this week, some offering the promise of free and/or cheap drinks, some offering a fairly expensive brand of cool, and some offering reasons enough to try sneaking past the door without an invite: just like fashion week. While you'll probably still be clamoring to get into Don Hill's and the other venues that seemed destined for greatness this past week, these special events are worth crashing, dropping cash on, dropping by, or otherwise taking advantage of. And while you may not be able to see Courtney Love perform anytime soon, there are some insane shows scheduled for the music-lovers amongst us.

If you've been to the West 4th Street institution Extra Virgin, then you know Jean Rene Mbeng. He's the animated maître d' who will take your name, tell you it's going to be a 45 minute wait (it's always packed), and then keep you so entertained that you forget your stomach is growling. By the time you sit down, you'll have made a new friend in Jean Rene and forgotten that you waited long at all. Chef Joey Fortunato and co-owner Michele Gaton have a prime piece of West Village real estate with the French-influenced eatery, and depend on Mbeng (who grew up in Lille, France, but originally hails from Gabon and Senegal) to keep the neighbors happy and the clientele returning, which he always does with a smile and a tip of his ever-present hat. More on this neighborhood character after the jump.

Sigh. Will life ever be the same without Lost? All I can say is: Thank god Jack it didn't end in the dead of winter, New York's barren days of no other suitable distractions. With Spring comes a veritable shift in nightlife. Not only are rooftops reopening and patios getting their shine on, people start venturing out into nightlife's brave new world. For those feeling inspired to jumpstart their social life, there are plenty of new offerings vying to be the jumper cables and a reckless jump into the Monday night party scene is a great way to feel out the buzz of summer while everyone waits for the barrage of summer openings and the usual Hampton circle-jerks. Here, some food and drinks news bites and options for a Monday night party

In partnership with the aspirationally driven folks at HBO's How to Make It in America, we're proud to offer you the chance to achieve a personal gold standard by unlocking the exclusive BlackBook Nightlife badge on Foursquare. Make HTMIIA your Foursquare friend, then check into any 3 of 20 possible New York nightlife or dining destinations (restaurants are the new nightlife, you know), and you'll get the shiny new Foursquare badge pictured here. Soon we may provide an even more material motivation to have fun with this, but for now, download the BlackBook Guide iPhone app and start hitting the hotspots. Complete list of eligible joints after the jump.

Lulzim Rexhepi spent time in some of the world’s top kitchens before taking over for Executive Chef Ian Chalmerkittichai at 60 Thompson's Kittichai . From the Mandarin Oriental in Switzerland and the Blue Water Grill to the Four Seasons Hotel and Icon at the W Hotel and Xing, Chef “Lou” has endured every type of culinary experience to help him keep Kittichai’s flavor booming.

Bill Gilroy is one of the industry’s real players. Known as a hardass no-nonsense operator at places like Nell's, Lucky Strike, and Match, he was one of those people always at the heart of well- run, successful places. His word has always been respected and good -- a rarity in a world know for characters who try to get away with anything. Today, Employees Only and the new Macao Trading Co. are predictably making waves, and Bill Gilroy is behind them bringing experience, savvy, and that good word. I caught up to Bill at the Pod Hotel. We sat in his Pod Cafe and enjoyed food from his son Devon, the executive chef.

Sometimes I find myself far away from home. The other day, I was on 51st between 2nd and 3rd . I came to interview nightlife legend Billy Gilroy (Nell's, EO, Macao Trading Co.) and ended up having lunch with Billy, his son Devon, and publicist Alan Rish. We met at the Pod Hotel and ate in the Pod Café. I sometimes forget that Manhattan nightlife isn’t just between Canal and Chelsea and that other types of venues like hotel lounges and rooftops are viable and vibrant alternatives to what is often the same-old same-old of downtown. For me, sitting in this outside, art-oriented space with Billy and the prodigal son -- Devon happens to be the Pod Café chef -- was like a mini-vacation. Years ago, uptowners would flock downtown, but it was rare for a downtown hipster to venture north. Exceptions like the summer parties at Tavern on the Green have always existed, but are still rare. A downtown sensibility in design, service, staffing, and music does find its way into the breeder areas of our town though. The Pod hotel and café recognize that downtown is a state of mind -- and that the boutique hotel, which so often embraces downtown aesthetics, is a worldwide trend.

Dining might be the new nightlife, so then where does that leave nightlife? Could nightlife be the new shopping? Could it be still alive and well, and hiding behind a bandolier of dusty velvet ropes? Our dear Foster's existential breakdown and subsequent pocketbook damage got me to thinking about what everyone else (re: people with jobs other than chronicling New York nightlife) is doing with their free time in Manhattan. I cornered a Wall Street Dude, a New York Newbie, a Hipster DJ, a girl-about-town Socialite, a Fashion Intern, and a Lawyer to see what's going on behind our editorial backs. Turns out actually going someplace isn't a precursor for strong opinions, pro or con. For example:

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