It's Thursday, which is the day we politely ask, "What's happening that you can drink?"
Openings and almost-openings:
1. East Village: The former and belovedly divey Hanger bar will debut its lovely new, split-in-two persona next Tuesday. The front area will be a boutique featuring the work of Jake Mueser (crafting bespoke men's suits), and the back area will become Elsa, a pretty little bar (named after ‘20s fashion icon Elsa Schiaparelli) serving elegant cocktails in an intimate and candle-heavy atmosphere. Bonus: The draft beer will flow from an antique sewing machine. Opens Nov. 11. (217 E. Third St. at Avenue B)
2. Park Slope: Belleville Bistro, that cute French restaurant on the corner of Fifth Street in Park Slope, will give birth to a cute wine bar and lounge right next door. Belleville Lounge will serve plenty of wines and beers, plus a small-plates menu (from the kitchen next door). Although the grand opening was planned for this Monday (Nov. 3), Belleville reps claim it'll still take a "couple more weeks" before it's ready for customers. Opens late November. (332 Fifth St. at Fifth Ave.)
3. Meatpacking District: The newest secret underground lounge in the recent spate of secret underground lounges is RDV (short for rendezvous). It's tucked away below French restaurant Bagatelle and filled with all the upholstered animal pelts, oversized plants, oversize art, slick furniture and mirrored surfaces required for finer living. If we started an underground lounge, I think we'd call it PWFGWTMMSS, for Place Where Fools Go to Waste Their Money in Misdirected Self-Satisfaction. Open now for private parties. (409 W. 13 St. between Ninth Ave and Washington. For reservations, call Kiss & Fly, 212-255-1933)
And now for your weekend party buzz...
