Crashing Fashion Week: Where to Sip in Style!

Crashing Fashion Week: Where to Sip in Style

Posted Tuesday, September 02, 2008 12:00:00 AM on Sheckys.com

What’s that smell in the air—is it fall? No wait—it’s Chanel. Fashion Week descends again on the city Sept. 5-12, bringing iconic designers and all of the taut, long-legged genetic freaks who adore them. But do you really want to try to finagle your way into the lipstick jungle of the exclusive Bryant Park tents? Save yourself from cruel rejection and hobnob with fashionistas (even models and publicists will eat, or at least drink, after a stressful day on the catwalks) at these Fashion Week hotspots. Koi Koi 40 W. 40th St. (6th & 7th Aves.) Midtown 212.921.3330 The always-hopping Koi, located inside the Bryant Park Hotel, is under 24-hour fashion occupancy during Fashion Week. With showings and small events taking place throughout the week in the hotel’s suites (of note is one of our personal faves, Manuel, showing from 3pm-6pm on Sept. 5 in the hotel’s Loft), you can expect to see fashion heavyweights sauntering in and out, day and night. The Eldridge 247 Eldridge St. (Stanton & Houston Sts.) Lower East Side 212.505.7600 Having gotten loads of press thanks to its definitely-not-shy-owner, Matt Levine, The Eldridge is enjoying its 15 minutes, despite being only open Sundays-Thursdays (don’t you know that all the cool kids are in the Hamptons on weekends?). But Fashion Week will force this uber-exclusive lounge to kick open its doors on weekends too. Still, don’t plan on getting a seat at one of the 13 tables unless you’ve got a members’ card or your name is Posh or Gisele. We're betting the scene from the sidewalk will be entertaining enough. Catch-22 4 West 22nd St. (5th & 6th Aves.) Flatiron 212.675.0607 Going for an approach opposite to The Eldridge, Catch-22 has been fairly under the radar since its recent opening, waiting for Fashion Week to open beyond its as-of-now Wednesday-Saturday schedule. That said, with private events being hosted by the likes of Interview magazine and a planned event hosted by Vogue, you can expect the rail-thin to flock to this restaurant-cum-lounge to get their alcohol and grub fix (fittingly, the joint only offers small plates/tapas). Apotheke 9 Doyers St.(@ Bowery) Chinatown 212.406.0400 Located in a former opium den, Apotheke is poised to replace perennial fashion and celebrity favorite the Beatrice Inn as the go-to spot for Fashion Week parties. Meant to recreate the feelings of a 19th century Paris absinthe den (similar to another sure-fire hot spot, White Star), Apotheke is touting some of the city’s most potent liquid accessory, absinthe. Lobby Bar @ Bowery Hotel 335 Bowery (E. 4th & Great Jones Sts.) East Village 212.505.9100 With hip labels like Geren Ford showing at the dimly-lit Bowery Hotel this year, you can expect fashionistas en masse at the hotel’s Lobby Bar and at Gemma next door. Rose Club 758 5th Ave. (@ 59th St.) Upper East Side 212.759.3000 Will Rose Club be the new Rose Bar? Perhaps. The lounge located up The Plaza’s sweeping marble staircase has been attracting models since its inception just a few short weeks ago. Keep your eyes peeled for Keira Knightley—word has it that the British starlet and the production team behind her new film, The Duchess, will be hosting a Fashion Week event in the Plaza’s Grand Ballroom on Sept. 9. ~ Sharon Feiereisen