Not long ago (just a few days ago actually), the place to be in the city was a speakeasy, a dark and dank basement bar. The kids stayed far away from "the man" -- in nightlife's case, bottle-servicing mega clubs, huge corporate-type hangs, slick bistros, or slick anything. With the recent opening of the now beloved Standard Hotel, we seem to be getting back to the well-rounded Manhattanites we once were. These days you'll find us venturing out from the West Village; some are even crossing over from the Lower East Side to experience the multifaceted Standard properties: the Boom Boom Room, The Standard Grill, and The Standard Beer Garden. Like a family caravan-ing to a Six Flags, we make the pilgrimage and usually end up staying all day at this adult playground. It works to our benefit, since we get the advantage of changing scenery without paying cab fare. As Steve Lewis asked, will most or all new nightlife construction be in the hotels? With that question in mind, it was time to revisit another of the city's package deals: the all-inclusive 60 Thompson, the understated, elegant, and trendy Soho hotel which houses the undeniably chic Kittichai, Thom Bar, and A60. Can other hotels stand up to the new Standard?

I woke up, had my cup, and I dragged a comb across my head, and I read the news today (and yesterday) -- oh boy,about a lucky man who made the grade, and though the news was rather sad, well I just had to laugh ... The Jon B-Mike Satsky URL story had heads shaking and tongues wagging as the blogs took pleasure in what appears to be a lowlife clubland grift. Jon B is by all accounts a very successful club operator with a number of properties and a lot more coming in the near future. He is absolutely dedicated to defining himself as an honest, intelligent, and gifted club/restaurant operator. But the blogosphere is buzzing with negative reports of a below-the-belt hit on Iron Mike Satsky. According to the reads, the Greenhouse gang took the provocateurnyc.com domain and had it direct people to the Greenhouse website. Provocateur is the new spot my designer pal Lionel Ohayon is producing for Mike and partner Brian Gefter. Mike and Brian had a winner over at Stereo before it was shuttered. After my successful mediation last week between Chichi212.com queen Brittany Mendenhall and Unik Ernest, who she called the "MC hammer of nightlife." I was feeling very Bill Clintonesque. I called Jon B and said, "You have your new restaurant, Juliet, named after your mom, with top chef Todd English, and it just seems ridiculous to have this petty game play out online." He agreed and told me to come meet him at Juliet.

Now that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has wrapped up spewing his hilarious bile all over an empty UN general assembly, an important question remains: What's he doing tonight? You don't make the long trek to New York all the way from Iran and not sample a taste of our legendary nightlife. So what does he do? Loiter outside the Gansevoort and blend in with a crew of other blazer-sporting, open-collar-shirted loudmouths? Or does he charm his way in to a private event so he can catch those MisShapes he's been hearing so much about? Even if we don't agree with everything he says, we still want him to have fun. Because if anyone needs to loosen up, it's that guy.

Jack Dakin and Corbin Plays are two Northern California Bay boys who came to New York City to create lounges and restaurants that combine functional design with the cool factor. They ended up working for the likes of Serge Becker, Sean MacPherson, and Eric Goode and on venues such as: Joe's Pub, The Bowery Hotel, Jane Hotel Ballroom, The Park, Dirty Disco, and Duke & Duchess. The duo plans to soon branch out to New Orleans, Dallas, and Philadelphia. We caught up with them before their national invasion.

Amy Gunther of the Williamsburg North skateboard mecca KCDC asked me to do the door at the Art Mosh opening in West Chelsea last night. The event, promoted by PAPER magazine and uber-trendy watch company Nixon, attracted a Jane-worthy hipster crowd. It was pretty much a no-brainer until the space hit its legal capacity and a large crowd of equally important folks got stuck outside. Then it was 3 out, let 3 in, and I had to actually work ... it's been a long time since I had to work a door. Four PAPER interns were on hand to help, as was PAPER's director of events Nicky Balestrieri. A hundred people were in the street and very few were leaving, as free booze and great music from cinematographer, filmmaker, and actor Shawn Regruto kept everybody happy. Oh yes, there was a great photography show as well. I controlled the crowd, whisked the super VIPs in as fast as allowed, and I thought of the problems over at the Jane and other hotspots where only a chosen few will ever get in.

Word comes to me that despite rumors offering every A-list promoter/owner in town the undeniably delicious Boom Boom Room at the Standard Hotel, that hotelier André Balazs and his crew will handle it in-house. A source tells me they were planning to close until mid-October now that Fashion Week is over. That date has been moved up to September 29. As for who is going to run the place, "Kamil Parchomienko will handle the room." My insider says "Kamil used to live in Miami and LA ... he's worked for Andre for like 13 years. They want to do two seatings, 4-9 for small plates and 10-2/3 for late night. Super high-end Rainbow Room/Rose Bar/Windows on the World style $18-25 drinks and DP by the glass. They're still working on the menu. They've got 4 managers, but no promoters. They're going to rely heavily on Andre, the brand, and the space to keep it busy. $18-25 drinks will eventually wear people down, but the room is pretty nice."

The High Line on the west side of New York has earned itself a reputation as a place to check out naked people. It all started with The Standard Hotel, built to straddle the High Line, with its massive pylon base, and also, built with all glass walls that just happen to face the High Line. As people found out this summer, while visiting the newly opened public space, you can see more than just the nice view off of the three-story high High Line itself.

This year, Fashion Week was dedicated to the consumers. Even if Fashion’s Night Out will be known as a huge fiscal flop in retrospect, the overall idea was reinforced by momentous store opening celebrations, and corporations extending access to what has historically been a VIP pony show. American Express sold out of their highly sought after Mercedes-Benz Sky Box seats in record time, a hot ticket that offers AmEx card holders a behind the scenes look at fashion week, bringing experts into a windowed box, much like one you would find in a football stadium, to teach consumers how to consume in what seems like a lesson in ‘high fashion with training wheels.' Likewise, growing retailers like the downtown-meets-uptown-meets-Gwyneth Paltrow label, Generra, opened up shop during the week, settling into in the Meatpacking District, within winking distance of Andre Balazs’ shiny new Standard Hotel. Another newbie to extend brand identity is Douglas Hannant, who pin-pointed their market perfectly, opening in the Plaza Hotel. And, as if to truly trumpet the return of retail, Tommy Hilfiger will open the doors to his breathtaking new 5th Avenue store tonight, with a star studded celebration.

The town is going goo ga ga over The Standard Hotel's Boom Boom Room and, of course, that not a drag at all queen, Lady Gaga. Word comes to me from multiple (usually reliable) sources that the upper tiers of The Standard will have club legends, Nur Khan and Paul Sevigny on board after a few T's are crossed. I think it's two different spaces, but hey, it's only one cab ride. I could call them both and get a denial...so I'll wait for their phone calls and find the truth in their protests—although it does really makes sense as all parties involved would benefit from the fit. Paul has been looking for a place to hang his hat since The Beatrice took a beating and Nur just loves to be on top of the world. Paul has had marvelous success with his Tuesdays and Thursdays at Avenue so it seems he and Nur are at the top of their game right now. The Standard's excellent location and sublime views combined with the smart looks and staffing seems ideal.

● The Standard Beer Garden (Meatpacking District) - The least exclusive of The Standard Hotel's amenities, but still draws a pretty crowd.
● Crudo (Garmetn District) - Refined Latino charmer with nothing crude about it (except the raw bar).