Aspen Downtown 30 W 22nd St (btwn 5th and 6th ave) Map it
click image to enlarge	Location: Flatiron District Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge Music: Hip-Hop, Rock, 80's

Vibe: Many times, a party results in hazy confusion as to where exactly you are when you wake up (not to mention who’s snoring next to you). In this case, the confusion may start before the haze. A gorgeous mountain getaway (minus the mountain) in New York’s FlatIron district, Greg Brier (Groovejet) and NYC nightlife vet, designer Steve Lewis (Limelight, Marquee) combined talents to pull off the faux-escape Aspen provides. Whether the party you’re planning is a peaceful midweek gathering or a weekend no-holds-barred drunkathon, Aspen can help you do it as close to slope-side as you can get in Manhattan.

Spot: Complete with distressed wood floors, a copper bartop, and deer heads (no worries PETA members, they’re Lucite), you’ll also notice birch trees growing visibly through the windows for a truly Colorado feel. For those looking to be inspired by more than liquid courage, consider the private Gonzo room, a tribute to the late Hunter S. Thompson that includes a grandiose wood table and antler candle holders as well as the writer's quotes splattered on the wall. Although Aspen is better for intimate dinner conversation during the week, the sound system is cranked up Thursday thru Saturday to appeal to those who are more serious about their party habits.

Grub: Aspen features a full menu of globally-inspired tapas if you’re not in the mood to drink your dinner. Smokey bison mini-burgers tap the Colorado spirit, served very rare with cheddar and bacon. A quesadilla melting pot of duck, goat cheese, fresh salsa and sage-walnut pesto also shows some culinary diversity.

The Deal: Sure, you heard friends from high school who moved to Denver for college and majored in “horticulture” talk about how great Colorado is, but Aspen truly does make you feel like you’re Rocky Mountain high right here in Manhattan, and no reggae music is necessary. The walls of foggy forest murals and frosted glass etchings deliver you to a picturesque mountain escape, and the deep semi-circle booths are perfect for your party, whether you’re looking to dine casually with your inner circle or party hard with everyone you’ve ever met (and hopefully some you haven’t).

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