Bars are expensive. And people are broke. So it's no wonder in-room service is on the rise these days, with nearly 77% of travelers taking advantage of in-room selections once during their stay. With that in mind, some forward-thinking hotels in cities around the US have amped up an oft-dismissed amenity to keep their guests from straying and spending shiny nickels elsewhere. To keep you and yours in-situ and in-ebriated, these sharp crash pads are offering beefed-up luxury versions of their mini bar. We'll call it the not-so-mini bar. You'll call it your little in-room drinking buddy. Check out a few examples of the haute mini bar done right.

Gansevoort South, the sexy southern version of Hotel Gansevoort in New York's Meatpacking District, is breaking out some great package deals to entice you to come on down and hang by the (gorgeous) pool. There's the "Naughty But Nice" package, which includes such niceties as a bottle of champagne with chocolate covered strawberries, two monogrammed bathrobes and a "mile high intimacy kit" -- a feather tickler, a "personal massager," and three condoms. Though I'm not sure what the "mile high" is in reference to, the "personal massager" sounds like a good deal.

Sure, you could pay to stay and play, but why limit yourself to just one aquatic experience?

1. Delano - Getting past security may be harder than scoring a table at Casa Tua on a Saturday night, but it's well worth it. If waving to a pretend friend on the other side of the velvet rope fails, head to the bar; chances are, spenders will be welcomed. Plan your wardrobe around lounging; no one comes here for dipping.
2. The Shore Club - More modern than tropical, getting into this pool is fairly simple. No special trickery required. Put away your camera; shooting celebrities will get you kicked out.
3. The Setai - Access to this sought-after pool is doable from the outdoor restaurant by the boardwalk. Favorite among the Parisians and hip-hop moguls, Setai is "ze bomb."

Miami nightlife baron Antonio Misuraca on recession-proof nightlife, club doormen as neurosurgeons, and revering both Bill Clinton and the Pope.

What is your weekly schedule? I am one of the local promoters here in South Beach. And the nights I do are as follows: Monday night at Bed’s "Secret Society," which has been going for about seven years. It’s like an R&B and hip-hop party. Wednesday night at The Forge, which is like an international night and has been going for about 15 years; Thursday night at the Gansevoort roof deck, I do a party called "Plunge"; Friday night at Set, which is like a house music night. It has been going for about three years. My latest is "Vanity Night" at LIV in the Fontainebleau Hotel. We just launched that, and— to me— it’s a success.

We tried for a top 10, but settled for 5. After all, we are in recession, people. If Cup O' Noodle and sparkling cider is on your New Year’s Eve menu, may we suggest rolling out a blanket on Ocean Drive and 8th Street for some free-of-charge fireworks viewing. If, however you wanna be a baller, consider the following.

1. The Mondrian Miami hotel is teaming up with Tommy Pooch and Alan Roth to ring in "Recessison," a.k.a. NYE 2009. Two hundred bucks will buy you an entry into the Sunset Lounge, where a 20-piece orchestra will mix with tunes spun by DJ Tavin. Resident eatery Asia de Cuba offers a range of packages depending on your wallet and/or appetite.
2. If you're a reality TV junky, head on up to the Shore Club, where Kristin Cavallari is set to make an appearance. Organized by Skybar and New York’s Tenjune, live performances will include Busta Rhymes, Ron Brownz, and Pras. Mos Def spins while you pay -- $275 to be exact.

What do you do? I’m the Director of Marketing & Events for Rokbar, which means I basically run all aspects of the venue. Mainly I try and provide a nightlife experience alternative to what most Miami clubs have to offer.

What are you planning on doing for Art Basel? I have four nights of parties I’m hosting at Rokbar, so I’m pretty busy with that. Check rokbarmiami.blogspot.com for the events. But some other events and places I will attend are O.H.W.O.W Gallery -- lots of great New York City artists and friends showing there. Wolfgang Roth & Partner Fine Art -- it’s a great new gallery just opened up in Miami, they’re exhibiting David LaChappelle photos. Art Positions -- always one of my must-sees on the beach between 22nd-23rd streets and Collins. N.A.D.A (New Art Dealers Alliance) -- I will definitely be stopping by to see them this year; last year we hosted the opening party together. Visionaire Party -- my favorite party every year!

Welcome back to another year of Art Basel. You've seen our first picks, now check out even more ideas for burning your arty candle at both ends this week. So many shows, so many parties, exhibitions, exhibitions within exhibitions. Whichever of many potential routes you take during these next five days, do yourself a favor and hit up a few of these choice events.

Wednesday, December 3
● Cartier Cocktail Party, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. (2000 Convention Center Drive, 19th Street and Dade Boulevard), 6 p.m. Find someone with a VIP pass and latch on. AB sponsor Cartier tapped filmmaker David Lynch to play interior designer for their acclaimed 4,000-square-foot dome in the middle of the Botanical Gardens. If you’re diced from the cocktail reception, at least try to get inside to see the gold walls, hand-painted carpeting, a film Lynch created for the affair projected onto the ceiling, and specially-designed-for-Basel Cartier jewels abound.
● Honorable mention: “Jesus is My Homeboy” Exhibit, Wolfgang Roth & Partners Fine Art Gallery. 201 NE 39th Street, 2nd Floor, NE 2nd Avenue; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. WWJD. “Shock artist” David LaChappelle exhibits his take on it by juxtaposing Christ himself and bizarre modern settings. This one pushes the envelope – you won’t know whether to laugh or be disturbed. Also won’t be able to get enough.

Sean Patterson says himself, that people want to be around other beautiful people. Lucky guy then, that he gets to be president of Wilhelmina Models, the mega modeling agency which boasts such clients as Ciara, Fergie, and Gabriel Aubry. Here's the prez himself, on his history in New York's nightlife, his picks for the world's most beautiful, and his connection with some guy named Steve Lewis.

Shiny. New. Can we play with it?

1. Florida Room at the Delano - Designer Lenny Kravitz makes old school new again. Super tight entry for live music that shifts to latenight DJ tracks.
2. Gansevoort South - Bringin’ the party to vaunted 1926 landmark. Rooftop pool packs more heat than even the New York original.
3. Pacific Time - Chef Jonathan Eismann finally reopened his famous Pan-Asian haunt. Trendier Design District incarnation trumps Old South Beach version.

In Miami, check out new listings for Anokha (swanky, tasty Indian good for after hours) and Plunge (rooftop infinity pool atop the Gansevoort South). For full restaurant, nightlife, and hotel listings, see our Miami guide.