I have a lot to catch up on –especially since I’m only now reflecting on my New Years. Despite popular belief, NYE is generally a HUGE letdown in NYC –it’s cold, you can’t catch a cab, you need to pick your party wisely since bar hoping is next to impossible, so are the bar crowds, the cover charges… and at the end of the day all you’re looking for is that great crowd and perfect midnight kiss.  Usually the only place that can be found is in the movies. Then again, lately it feels like my life is something straight out of one so it should have been no surprise that I had an amazing night. I got to do the girly get ready thing, and go to one of my bestfriend’s apartments (complete with multiple clothing and shoe options), crack a bottle of wine and glam up for our evening out.

I then begin my night at a private party a friend of mine was hosting at the soon-to-be-open-to-the-public bar, Fig. 19.  Opened by the same owners of Home Sweet Home, the new speakeasy is located directly above it at 131 Chrystie Street. When you arrive, you walk up the stairs, go through the NP Art Gallery, and Fig.19 unfolds into a charming bar with exposed brick. Rob Pope from Spoon and Clarke Baechle from The Faint DJ-ed the event and despite being warned not to be the jerk that shows up at 11:30pm trying to get in – I of course was! Fortunately, the bouncer had a sweet spot for me, and before the clock struck 12, I was celebrating with new and old friends, champagne in hand.

After the countdown (miracles of miracle), I found a cab and headed over to the E. Village for the opening party of Affaire. Originally, China 1, owner Andrew Krauss converted the large dual level space into Affaire, an upbeat French restaurant and lounge. Complete with