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:

WALL STREET DUDE
So, what do you think is hot these days in nightlife?
Minetta Tavern.

Writer-director Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter, Where The Truth Lies) has made a career out of exploring the more extreme emotions triggered by lust, dishonesty, and love. BlackBook spoke with the prolific filmmaker about his latest effort, Adoration, which finds him juxtaposing a family’s troubled history with the cold, modern mediums we use for communication.

In a time when even airlines have scrapped free peanut service, a few righteous New York institutions are keeping their patrons in gratis bar snacks that are a far cry from stale Chex Mix. Almost makes the rising martini costs worth it.

10. Buffalo wings and nachos @ Rodeo Bar (Kips Bay) - Any place where the bar’s made out of a repurposed horse trailer knows the value of free. The kitschy hangout offers wings and nachos during happy hour, Monday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.
9. Truffled popcorn @ Desnuda (East Village) - The tiny ceviche bar has no kitchen, so the chef prepares seafood dishes right behind the bar. The view would be positively torturous without the bottomless paper cone of popcorn to nosh from, seasoned with just enough truffle salt.
8. Tater tots @ Trash (Williamsburg) - The Brooklyn dive is the sort of place that wouldn’t card you as a teenager -- so it’s only fitting that they offer the cafeteria classic. Who knew tots complimented two-dollar PBR so well?

● L'Artusi (West Village) - Italian eatery dell'anima's newer, bigger brother resto.
● Mr. Jones (Union Square) - Japanese-Danish fusion. Also, Japanese with no sushi on the menu.
● Macao Trading Co. (Tribeca) - Call it what you like -- we prefer "Asian-fusion-whatever" -- but Macao's prospects aren't a gamble.

New spots that won’t break ya’…

1. Ippudo Ramen King - Shigemi Kawahara brings super-authentic, super-addictive pork broths to the G.V.
2. Tre - Tweaked Italian amid flickering candlelight. Haute cuisine, trattoria prices.
3. Artichoke Basille’s - Lines out the block for our latest pizza addiction.