I just got back from a whirlwind trip to New York to visit my sister…and like most people, I return completely inspired by all the energy that city has to offer. I mostly loved hearing about and hitting different clubs nights. We hit a gay bar called Nowhere where not only was the bartender extra friendly (free shots!), but Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields and ABC’s David Yarritu co-host a weekly there called Runt. The hilarious concept for the night is that it’s for short gay men and the men who love them…one friend who went said all men are given nametags upon arrival announcing their exact height. We also hit the Original Gypsymania at Bulgarian Bar, where, when he’s not touring, Gogol Bordello’s DJ Hutz spins “transglobal debauchery.” Stories of promotional parties held in penthouses and invites to cell phone companies with rock star DJs made the allure of New York that much stronger. It makes you realize pulling off a fresh concept for a regular night is hard work—but when done well, it can really help light up a city. (Of course, the opposite is also true—the Suicide Girl-looking chick gyrating in one LES bar window was as alluring as dog shit on the nearby sidewalk. And lack of interest from bar patrons around her seemed to emphasize the point that that whole schtick has run its course).