One of my favorite spots in the city is APT, located in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. Its entrance is unremarkable, nondescript. You might even walk right past, assume it’s the entrance to some frozen beef facility, and quickly change directions toward Brass Monkey or The Standard. However, once inside, the two-story lounge transforms into cozy salon-like room designed with warm tones and eclectic aesthetics. It’s made to look like the inside of a privileged academic’s home, complete with a library, painted portraits, and a bar made of smooth, cherry-like wood. If a dress and heels weren’t the typical fashion, I’d probably see myself wearing a purple velvet smoking jacket and reading glasses while holding a glass of vintage chardonnay.
The vibe at APT is even better. Now, I’m an OG hip hop fan to begin with, so any place catering to those in favor of hip hop’s original roots – jazz, funk, soul, even Latin grooves – it’s the spot for me. DJs like Rich Medina and Questlove spin here, combining hip hop beats with throw back urban classics, all in a mellow, laid-back style.
One DJ I recently discovered spinning at APT is Monk-One, AKA Andrew Mason, original crate digger and founder of Wax Poetics Magazine, the “world’s most respected read for discriminating diggers and intelligent hip hop heads,” according to Fat City Recordings. His beats are insane, if you’re into that awesomely good vintage jazz, soul, and modern up-tempo fusion; makes you want to smoke a cigar while taking in a performance of the Stylistics at the Buena Vista Social Club (hypothetically speaking, of course). I dug it, and I think you will too. Check out his info at:
http://www.myspace.com/thedjmonkone
Info for APT:
Address: 419 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212.414.4245
Hello all! Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Jane, Dubz. J.Dubz, The 9th Planet Wonder, and I’ve been summoned by the powers that be to report on the hot trends popping up in cities worldwide. Currently, I’m calling New York City home, so I’ll be going vogue and checking in every so often with noteworthy mentions of the five borough’s latest “it” people, places, and things. But being the traveling city mouse that I am, I’ll also be reporting the fashion-forward trends in metro areas around the globe. Feel free to ask me questions, give me suggestions for where to go next, or just simply drop me line!
After seeing so many tabloid magazines feature celebrities spending their holiday vacations frolicking on sunny beaches in the Caribbean, I got jealous. I’ve always spent my holidays trying to avoid puddles of brown slush on Manhattan sidewalks while battling freezing weather. So in early November, my friend Danielle and I decided we were going to pretend to be celebrities and escape the nastiness of the nor’easter season by taking a week long trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico following the Christmas holiday, sans paparazzi.
My seven days spent in Puerto Rico were pretty awesome and I definitely took advantage of the culture and the beautiful weather the island had to offer. It was long and arduous work, but I was able to use my observations and create a list of the most happening spots in town. May I present, my list:
Toro Salao – This place was by far our favorite spot for drinks and authentic Puerto Rican tapas. It’s located in Old San Juan in the Calle Fortaleza area, the district’s trendiest dining and night life destination. Danielle and I stumbled upon this gem while cruising the streets, and because it was a long afternoon, we decided to spend it drinking a pitcher of custom-blended white sangria while discussing American politics, religion, and the current state of Israel. We were clearly loud and offensive, and no one seemed to mind, mainly because they were too hypnotized by the yummy food and mind-blowing alcohol placed before them. Following our initial visit, we branded Toro Salao as our favorite bar and even spent our last night here drinking mojitos and tequila shots while polishing off a bowl of gazpacho and Spanish cod croquettes.
Address: 367 Calle Tetuan, Old San Juan, San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: 787-722-3330
Web: http://www.oofrestaurants.com/
Address: Calle Comercio Recinto Sur – Esquina Colon Local H-I
Galleria Paseo Portuario, Old San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: 787-977-1887
Web: http://www.thelatinroots.com
La Concha Hotel/Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel – Both of these hotels, located in the Condado section of San Juan, are amazingly stunning structures hosting only the most luxurious amenities for tourists and locals alike. Yes, both are a bit on the pricy side, but what you get in return is worth the scratch. Each spot features swanky, gorgeously designed lobbies including posh bars and lounges, ocean view balconies, casinos (if you’re willing to drop more dough), and several eateries catering to even the most selective of palates. Danielle and I spent New Years Eve on the balcony of the Conrad alongside Dru-Ha, Noah, and Shucky D from Duck Down Records (http://www.duckdown.com), lighting sparklers for both the Puerto Rican and New York New Years. We didn’t pay the $80 to get into the hotel’s own holiday party, but more people seemed to be enjoying the good time we were hosting. All in all, it was one of the best New Years I have ever had, and the atmosphere was most certainly a deciding factor.
Address: La Concha Hotel, 077 Ashford Avenue, San Juan PR 00907
Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, 999 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: La Concha, 787-721-6090
Conrad, 888-722-1274
Web: http://www.laconcharesort.com/
I have plenty more spots to recommend, but alas, what I don’t have is enough space. If you want to know more about San Juan and the restaurants, bars, museums, and other interesting spots around the area, please send me an email and ask away!
