HOME  »  SPECIAL FEATURES  »  INS and OUTS

NIGHT+DAY Ins and Outs (IOs)

Whether you are keeping a dogeared Night+Day guide as your bible to exploring a city, or just relying on nightanddayguides.com, you’re in the right place for the latest and greatest happenings. Herewith are hotels, restaurants, nightlife and attractions that have been open long enough to be tested and earn our recommendation.

July’s Top 5: New Openings

CHICAGO • SUNDA • Restaurant (Asian)
The restaurant’s name refers to a prehistoric land mass that once included most of Southeast Asia; however, everything else about Sunda is rooted firmly in modern times, from the electrifying bar scene (a parade of short skirts and stiletto heels) to the inventive pan-Asian cuisine of Rodelio Aglibot, formerly chef of LA’s Koi. Seats in the dining room (a temple-like space with black bamboo accents) are in short supply, though for those without a re s e rvation, tables tend to open up around 10:30pm. A sushi bar and lounge also serve as scenes unto themselves and offer service from the regular menu. Start small with a plate of braised oxtail pot stickers, and go from there.
Mon–Thu 11:30am–3pm and 5pm–midnight, Fri 11:30am–3pm and 5pm–1am, Sat 5pm–1am, Sun 5pm–midnight.
$$ 110 W. Illinois St. (LaSalle Dr.), 312-644-0500
sundachicago.com

Use IO box to download all updates for CHICAGO.

DC • POLICY • Lounge
Even before you’re out of the car, even before you’ve reached the entrance, it’s clear: Policy is a scene. Tall men in smart-looking jackets (ties discarded) and svelte women in short, flirty dresses spill out onto the sidewalk, while inside the modern brothel-style restaurant, every red vinyl booth and bar stool is taken, every possible place to stand is occupied, and everyone’s sipping lovetinis (chocolate vodka martinis) before heading to the upstairs lounge where DJs spin hip-hop and global electro on weekends. There’s no cover if you reserve a spot online, but Saturday nights require a one-bottle minimum purchase per table of four. Tue–Wed 5–11pm, Thu 5pm–midnight, Fri–Sat 5pm–2am, Sun 11am–4pm
1904 14th St. NW (T St.), 202-387-7654
policydc.com

Use IO box to download all updates for DC.

LOS ANGELES • MY HOUSE • Nightclub
Where else can you spy on celebs making random hookups? Designer Dodd Mitchell has transformed the former Garden of Eden into the ultimate bachelor pad, complete with Jacuzzi, bedroom bar, and more velvet than Barry White’s closet. Past a manicured lawn, enter a sunken living room decked out in come-hither sofas and alligator cocktail tables. A cascading stairway leads to an upstairs master bedroom (VIP area) with a fireplace and leather bed. The outdoor patio is just as luxe and, yes, the hot tub does work. The laid-back attitude doesn’t extend to the tight door, so be prepared to flash some platinum—blondes and/or credit cards. Tue–Sun 10pm–2am
7080 Hollywood Blvd. (La Brea Blvd.), 323-960-3300
myhousehollywood.com

Use IO box to download all updates for LOS ANGELES.

MIAMI • HAKKASAN • Restaurant (Chinese)
Attraction (Art Gallery)
Alan Yau, of the UK’s only Michelin-rated Chinese restaurant, brings haute Chinese stateside at this seductively dim rooftop space of ebony wood, carved teak, and silk lanterns. While exceedingly expensive (the Peking duck appetizer with golden Osetra caviar goes for a cool $195), Hakkasan turns out impeccable dishes such as spicy Assam prawns and crispy Szechuan shredded rib-eye beef. There’s a large menu of New World wines and sake, as well as signature cocktails made from vodka, coconut, lychee juice, and passion fruit. Like all the venues at the dazzling, high-wattage Fontainebleau, Hakkasan attracts celebs and dressed-to-impress locals. Tue–Sun 6pm–close
$$$$ Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Ave. (44th St.), 786-276-1388
fontainebleau.com

Use IO box to download all updates for MIAMI.

NEW YORK • GRIFFIN • Nightclub
When it opened, the party for this sleek club included everyone from Sting to Kate Hudson—a fabulous launch by any standard. Even better is how the club has continued to operate at capacity ever since. The eye-catching interior includes a massive ceiling mirror ringed by glittering disco balls, while a chic crowd fills the packed dance floor. For those with cash to burn, the bottle-service VIP booths are immensely popular. Cocktail masters from Milk & Honey are behind the bar, which means the expertly mixed drinks are more creative—and potent—than at most Meatpacking venues. Mon–Sat 5:30pm–4am
50 Gansevoort St. (Greenwich St.), 646-244-2371

Use IO box to download all updates for NEW YORK.