Every week we bring you the news in bar openings and weekend parties, and this is the day we do it. First up: bar openings
1. Chelsea: Not to be confused with Rye in Williamsburg, the well-appointed Rye House is a high-end, American-centric booze den dedicated to thoughtful cocktails and gourmet dishes both large and small. The pedigreed bartenders hail from Freemans and Woodson & Ford, and their drinks, like the Rye House Julep (made with peach-infused Death's Door whiskey, Applejack and mint, $13) and the Orange Blossom Special (made with Overholt Rye, lemon, simple syrup, orange flower water, soda and egg whites, $12), are designed to emphasize small-batch American spirits. Highlights from the food menu include beef Wellington with filet mignon and foie gras, drunken mussels and a pork belly empanada. Union Square, are you hearing this? Open now, and brunch will start Nov. 28. (11 W. 17th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 212-255-7260)
2. Greenwich Village: Romantic forest meets glossy lounge at Veranda, the sexy new hookah lounge serving Mediterranean food and spiced tobacco. Veranda's décor is golden and glowing, with polished ceilings, hanging lanterns and gleaming wood floors. Central pillars are wrapped in twigs (more attractively than it sounds—promise), and a handful of silk pillows are scattered along the peripheral leather booths. Hookahs and flavored water pipes are available in a private space off the main lounge, while booze (beer, wine and cocktails) and food are available throughout. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are late nights, with DJs spinning until 3 a.m. Open now. (130 Seventh Ave. at 10th St., 212-255-3331)
3. Windsor Terrace: Serving beer, booze and nicely priced local snacks in the former Vin Rouge space, South is a cozy—if difficult to Google—bar with saloon-style booths, exposed brick walls and a couple of arcade games squeezed in for kicks. And although owners Paul and Dee Molinar describe it as primarily a beer- and bourbon-heavy spot, they've also given it some Texas love (she's a native) with Lone Star beer and Tito's vodka. Meanwhile, there's six brews on tap and 30 in bottles, with 30 more to come. Open now. (629 Fifth Ave. between 17th and 18th Sts., 718-832-4720)
4. Lower East Side: The LES nightlife scene gets a dose of ‘70s swank in the form of CV, a luxe and intimate 1,500-square-foot bar and lounge. The address was once home to 105 Rivington, and CV harkens back to 105 Riv with its roman numeral name, which also stands for the number of guests CV can hold (vc, very clever). It's a good-looking, vaguely James Bond-meets-Austin Powers space done in deep, chocolately browns and velvets, with plush leather banquettes, a dozen tables and a leather-blanketed bar. While CV's focus is on bottle service and champagne (lots of it!), a specialty cocktail program is also in the works. Look out for celeb DJ nights throughout the year, as well as a late-night menu provided by neighboring LEVANTeast. Open now. (105 Rivington St. between Essex and Ludlow Sts., 646-202-9458)
5. Midtown East: Overlooking The Pond, the rink-side two-story Celsius lounge boasts great views and an outdoor terrace with heated lamps from which to watch skaters passing by from a snug, smug post. The glass-enclosed space takes on a Canadian theme (um, because it's cold there too?), as evidenced by comfort food and toasty cocktails, like the Snowcap (hot chocolate and Kahlua mocha, $10) and Polar Bear Cosmo (Absolut Peach, lychee liqueur, cranberry and lemon, $11). Open now at the east side of the park. (Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd Sts.)
And now for your weekend party buzz...
