Last Night at Hea

What VP debate? While you were huddled on your couch, wondering what Sarah Palin might say next to embarrass herself and her party, I was doing what every patriotic American should have been doing: Drinking. Also eating--delicious things like spicy tuna rolls, coconut soup, fried rice, duck and pork belly at East Village newcomer Hea (pronounced "he"), which serves Asian fusion cuisine (and cocktails) in an aesthetically pleasing environment. With low booths and small tables, the lounge-like lower level was ideal for the cocktail hour that preceded last night's press dinner--during which time I guzzled enough lychee martinis to stumble up the steps on my way to the second floor for dinner. Okay, so I missed the debate. But instead, I got a free dinner, a moderate hangover and the respect of everyone smart enough to recognize that free booze is more important than being informed.

More new and notable restaurants here.

Yes, the pint of vodka in your desk drawer is calling your name, pleading for some well-deserved attention. But instead of dipping into your stash at the day's end, head to Blue Owl in the East village tonight at 5pm to celebrate hump day. There's no cover to join the Wonderful Wednesdays fun at this cocktail den. Simply RSVP to thehumpnyc@gmail.com and start sipping specialty and well drinks for $6 a pop, and don't stop until 3am. The guest DJ tonight is Blu Jemz, joining resident DJ's Myles and Lindsey. For more details, just click on the invite to the left. And for similarly awesome opportunities around town, check our list of bar and restaurant deals.

Don't let a little rain scare you from heading out tonight--why stay home when there are so many new places to drink the pain away? This week we review Public Assembly the new (but mostly unchanged) incarnation of the old Galapagos in Williamsburg.

Hits: If you liked Galapagos, you'll love Public Assembly's full slate of weird and wonderful acts, as well as the affordable beers.

Misses: Arrive early in the eve or on an off night, and Public Assembly can feel oppressively huge and intimidating. It's a venue best patronized on packed nights.

Check out our full editorial review of Public Assembly, then peruse other new and notable bar reviews, nightlife news, recent closings and our list of spots that are too new to review (but not too new to get you bombed).

Next week, we'll take you inside Sasha Petraske's new absinthe den, White Star.

Photo courtesy of Bunny Mendelbaum's blog

You used to be an athlete--back when Madonna was a regular, misbehaving pop-tart and you actually paid for music on things called CDs. Now you have things called responsibilities. You're the person you promised you'd never be--the one with a "skill set," who goes to meetings and writes memos. And so, by necessity (if by "necessity" I mean the increasing need to feel numb), you've honed a new talent: Drinking for sport.

Tonight (August 8, 2008) while the "real" athletes parade themselves at the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing, you have the opportunity to showcase your stuff officially at the Beer Olympics. Beginning during happy hour, you can enter the games at The Village Pourhouse (64 3rd Avenue, at 11th Street). The cost of $25 earns you playing beer, which you'll need for events like flip cup, beer pong and quarters. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers and competitors are encouraged to show their patriotism by dressing in their country's colors. So chug some beer, display your finest ping pong ball tossing form and go for the gold. Then laugh at the gymnasts and shot putters on TV, because none among those amateurs could handle more than a six-pack.

Also, in the interest of staying elite, check out our restaurant and bar deals for more ideas on where to booze.

It was quite the scene at the grand opening party for Country Club (formerly Dirty Disco) on Saturday night, which doubled as a birthday party for Gym Class Heroes' musician Travis McCoy. The event drew the likes of Katy Perry (who also happens to be McCoy's girlfriend), up-and-coming rapper Shwayze and his musical collaborator, Cisco Adler, and Simon Rex (aka Dirt Nasty), of MTV / Dyslexic Speedreaders fame--who, it should be noted, is also a co-owner of The Plumm right next door. Country Club's owner, actor Will DeMeo, was also there, and I could have sworn I was on line for the bathroom next to his "Sopranos" co-star Joe Gannascoli (the guy who played Vito Spatafore). The only person who was missing was in fact Travis himself, who was supposedly under the weather.

But the crowd didn't seem to care whose birthday party it was, especially when Shwayze and Adler--best known for his band Whitestarr (which he left earlier this year), his now-defunct relationship with actress Mischa Barton, and his infamous naked photo debacle of 2007)--each grabbed a mic and treated the crowd to an impromptu live performance,  eventually joined by Dirt Nasty. While the rest of the VIPs held down the fort in the elevated stage area, Katy Perry, decked out in one of her signature two-piece jumpers, slipped in quietly and chilled by the DJ booth for most of the evening.

The media was out in full effect, with editors from the "New York Post," "In Style" magazine and other major publications all in attendance (and more than happy to sip on the complimentary bottle of vodka supplied by our hosts). As club launches go, this one was a success. There was no unbearable crowding, no wait for drinks, no skeevy B&T patrons ... no problems of any kind, really. Or at least none while I was there, until around 2am, at which point I realized I was dangerously close to blacking out and headed home.

Will Country Club manage to stay alive though its predecessor failed? We'll have to wait and see. But so far, it seems to be off to a good start.

After 24 years in New York, China Club is no longer, and in its place have sprung three new nightlife wonderlands, albeit it in midtown: Opera, Crest and Eden. This Thursday, nightlife impresarios, scenesters and Bottomless Dish readers have the opportunity to celebrate the grand opening of Eden, the rooftop bar (above), at an after-work debut event sponsored by our friends over at Joonbug.

If, like me, you take great pains to avoid midtown at all costs, be advised that it's in the middle of a major resurgence. In addition to these local favorites, a flurry of new hot spots  have opened in recent weeks, like Highbar, another rooftop spot that's bringing sexy back to what was formerly the least sexy 'hood on the island. And perhaps more importantly, Eden isn't just a trashy Times Square boite geared toward the B&T crowd. In fact, rumor has it that Eden is being run by Scott Sartiano, Richie Akiva, Jeffrey Jah and Ronnie Madra--also known as the crew behind 1 Oak. So if, like me, you can't get in there, maybe Eden will turn out to be the next best thing. Hey, it could happen.

DJ Scott Melkor will be spinning, and there will be free vodka from 5pm to 6pm, courtesy of Trump Premium Vodka--so you know it's gonna be uber-classy. And this is just the first of many a debaucherous after-work party in midtown, because Joonbug is flipping this into a weekly event they're calling St. Tropez Thursdays, which will continue throughout the summer.

The party starts tomorrow at 5pm and ends at 10pm. Don't forget to RSVP.

Lelabar, the sexy, civilized wine retreat on Hudson Street, became a favorite of mine for its vast wine list and mellow atmosphere, but mostly for its upscale selection of snacks. Now in addition to offering charcuterie, cheese and chocolate, patrons can slurp oysters between sips for a buck a bivalve on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Considering places like Pearl, Balthazar and Blue Ribbon charge twice as much--$12 for a half dozen--that's a sweet deal. Suggested pairings: perhaps a sancerre or dry riesling?