Times Square and Central Park attract tourists to New York City in droves, but what were the most exciting sights back in the 1950s? Thanks to an old tourist brochure from 1953, we're exploring back in the day versus today, for NYC tourists.

Here's a quick trivia question: How does the leggy advertisement for the Latin Quarter nightclub relate to Barbara Walters? It was run by her father! We doubt that Barbara enjoys being connected back to this notorious club, especially since it embodied the seedy side of Times Square from the late 1960s through 1980s by showing soft-core pornography and being a popular fight spot.

Oh boy but back in the day, especially in 1953 when the lights of Times Square were still glamorous and not all red. Lou Walter's Latin Quarter hosted the big names alongside a little nudie chorus girl show. Think Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle and Mae West. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-18T09:28:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/12/103515/900

If it were up to Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, the economy would bounce back this week in order for the world to embrace his love affair with animal prints, gold, and opulent environments through the opening of his new club in Dubai.

Alas, we awoke this morning to another day of the recession despite his attempts to re-invigorate the economy with pricey alcohol and a return to partying for partying's sake. Following the success of his first Florence club, Cavalli opened his second shindig space attached to The Fairmont Hotel at a cost of $30 million. Here's what you'll find behind its gilded gates: ]]> JetSetCD 2009-05-12T11:51:53-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/6/152317/1799

We would've guessed that the rapid pace of Las Vegas nightclub openings would rapidly fall off this year, but so far Sin City is still popping out shiny new hot spots at a mind-boggling pace.

The latest is XS, which opened New Year's Eve at the new Encore resort, and this is one party spot that's just outright ignoring the whole recession thing. XS--rumored to be the most expensive club ever built--is over-the-top, even for Vegas. The 40,000-square-foot party den includes 30 cabanas surrounding a shimmering pool, while the interior features a lavish, gold-plated design "inspired by the sexy curves of the female body." Speaking of sexy curves, shirts are not required--and definitely not encouraged.

Las Vegas Weekly sums up the space:]]> BS 2009-01-07T09:15:44-05:00 36.1274850 -115.16715 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/2/142050/432

New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress managed to shoot himself in the right leg with a .40-caliber Glock pistol early Saturday morning in what's now exploding into a case about much more than a bumbling football hero packing heat.

The self-inflicted shooting happened at Latin Quarter, a club inside the Radisson Lexington Hotel in Midtown. Hilariously--for anyone not recently shot anyway--the hotel's website says of the club:

Shake a leg, enjoy Chefs Ralph Mercado, Marty Arret and Alex Garcia's "LatAsian" creations at our nightclub, the Latin Quarter.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who's made gun control a major issue of his administration, is pushing hard to get Plax thrown in "the slammer" for violating New York's strict gun laws, which mandate a minimum of 3.5 years for illegal handgun possession. Burress' lawyer says the wideout plans to plead not guilty to both weapons charges he's facing. No matter how a trial may play out, after the incident on 48th Street, Plax will always be remembered as the guy who went to a club at least 34 blocks north of anywhere decent.

Related Stories:
· Latin Quarter [Official Site]
· Burress Reports to Giants for Medical Treatment [NYT]
· Where Is... coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-12-02T14:20:50-05:00 40.7549780 -73.973458 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/14/163454/12

Now that the election's over, Mom's going to start asking you about your love life again. (Or Dad! We support the right of fathers to ask personal questions, too.) Why don't you start a campaign to get the next person who catches your eye to go out with you? Jaunted hint: Why not take them to Vidalia? You can impress them with your insidery know-how, especially if you're between administrations.

Beacon Bar and Grill: Rooftop martinis? Check. $17 pasta specials? Check. Literate guys? Check. 1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW

Rocketbar: This Penn North sporting bar boasts shuffleboard, pool and darts, but in the sport of conversation, you're on your own. 714 7th St. NW

Apex Nightclub: A gay club established enough to be listed in Fodor's, it varies by the night, so take your chances on Hot Asian Guy. 1415 22nd St. NW

Related Stories:
· Something For The Poors At Vidalia [Jaunted]
· Park That Campaign Plane Next To Me [Jaunted]
· Missed Connnections coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a detail from the Mary McLeod Bethune statue: jcolman]]]> egw 2008-11-14T17:00:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/4/174139/311

The rave scene may not exactly be at the cutting edge of pop culture these days, but that means it’s just the right time to take an overly intellectual look at it, right?

German artist Andreas Gursky, known for his enormous color photographs, has turned his lens on Euro club culture, producing a series of tricked-out shots of Euro club kids at Frankfurt’s giant Cocoon Club. The show is ideal for anyone who ever wanted to feel like they were doing drugs in the middle of 5,000 other people, but didn’t want to actually do it.

The raving-as-high-art exhibit opens today at Chelsea’s Matthew Marks gallery, and continues through December 24.

Related Stories:
· Matthew Marks Gallery [Official Site]
· Art coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Matthew Marks]]]> BS 2008-11-05T10:30:07-05:00 40.7489428 -74.005050 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/22/161250/005

The self-proclaimed "classiest night club in town," Harry Denton's Starlight Room remains a perennial San Francisco evening classic. Located on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, the lounge has upscale Rat Pack flashiness and an awesome view of the city.

The bar itself is old-timey and cocktails like Sidecars and Sloe Gin Fizzes are poured with precision. Weekly music nights are hosted by local DJs and given SF's pedigree of turning out world class electronic music artists, there's rarely a bad set.

Almost as famous as the view is the weekly Sunday Drag Brunch. Whether or not you want to cross-dress, every Sunday there are drag entertainers for the afternoon. A true champion of variety, Harry Denton's Starlight Room is the perfect place for a first date, raging party or a Champagne cocktail with your visiting aunt.

Related Stories:
· Harry Denton's Starlight Room [Official Site]
· San Francisco Music Venues Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Thomas Hawk]]]> DanielR 2008-07-23T12:30:21-05:00 37.7889793 -122.40854 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/