The Collective 1 Little W. 12th St. @ 9th Ave. Map it
click image to enlarge	Location: Meatpacking District Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge Music: Top 40's, Hip-Hop, Rock, and 80's

Vibe:  Trying to mix refined eco-conscious living with healthy inebriation can be tougher than convincing Michael Cera he’s a 22 year old man, not a 13 year old lesbian.  Luckily, there’s a better option than stumbling around the Prius dealership: The Collective is New York’s chic party spot of recycled decorations that seamlessly mixes the tipsy and the polished.

Scene:  Radically different from most Meatpacking haunts, discriminating taste transforms this space of old, discarded materials into a supreme work of modern art.  Far from a junkyard, reused materials made into legitimate works of interest and intrigue fill several living-room-style areas. Expect a substantial crowd of NYC’s young and cultured.

Grub:  Veering away from the typical continues in The Collective’s eclectic menu.  Apps range from truffled deviled eggs to chicken-n-waffles with maple gravy.  Carnivores can look forward to roasted branzino served with spring onions, fingerling potatoes, and blood orange, while herbivores will be pleased to find options such as the grilled watermelon salad with jicama and tatsoi greens covered in a balsamic reduction.  Wash-it-down choices include a bevy of concoctions, from the Robert Maple Roy (Glenlivet 12 year with cherry bitters and maple syrup) to the Modified Moscow Mule (Russian Standard vodka, lime, cucumber, and ginger beer).

The Deal:  Anything but ordinary, The Collective takes scraps of New York’s past and weaves them into one hell of a party locale.  Detail-oriented from the menus down to the exquisitely crafted wood floor, The Collective will leave you hazily wondering what you could be doing with all your old throwaways (best to leave the cell off once the introspection starts).

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