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Well it’s that time of year again…. when NYC has no shortage of short shorts, sugar highs and spooky spots. This year, it’s all about the tunes so, here are my Top 5. Pick your pumpkin patch and listen…

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I see more security guards than bellhops as I walk into the Dream Downtown. The brand new hotel, fronting both 16th and 17th streets at the crossroads of two of New York City’s hottest neighborhoods, is brimming with the kind of cool you normally find in Barcelona or Miami. There’s a famous DJ checking in to my left, two European couples en route from the pool to my right, and a herd of models on their way up to the rooftop bar, PH-D, behind me. Clearly, the Dream Downtown has got it going on. 

The 190,000-square-foot property just got a comprehensive face-lift, a $270 million renovation that has transformed the historic building into a sleek, surreal escape with art installations and live music in the lobby. The hotel was built in 1966, and the original Deco architecture has been suited up with cutting-edge modern art and a chic Bauhaus-influenced design.

The Dream Downtown has 316 loftlike guestrooms with clean-cut interiors. Here, it’s all about the elements. There’s silver everywhere — in the elevators, the light fixtures, even the bedroom walls — cement floors, marble tables and buttery leather chairs. My room is designed in purple and gray, chrome and glass, yet it’s surprisingly relaxed and comfortable. It’s just about the sexiest New York City apartment I’ve ever seen, and there’s even a fully stocked teak bar, just in case the party continues well into the evening. 

I head downstairs to the Beach at Dream Downtown — and it’s actually a beach. There are white and navy lounge chairs, a sandy area, and a pool bar and restaurant. While the pool channels the Côte d’Azur in the ’50s, the rooftop lounge, PH-D, evokes Wall Street in the ’80s with glass walls, dark woods and a powerhouse vibe. And a powerhouse it is. The Dream enlisted nightlife connoisseurs (the men behind TAO Las Vegas/New York) to turn this spacious dance floor into one of the city’s go-to spots.

So it’s a good thing you have a room key.

@

From Long Beach to Le Bain, Fatty Crab to Farmingdale, Flying…. yes, flying. Here’s my month in recap, in two parts…. 
Ready, set…. go!

Stay. Dream Downtown. 
The new Dream Downtown has the best of both worlds. Housed in a 1960s building designed by Albert C. Ledner, it’s situated at the crux of Manhattan’s art, design and nightlife scenes between Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. With a hot rooftop bar, a Miami-meets-Ibiza pool (with lounge chairs set in real sand) and modern rooms with classic Downtown views, you can have your party and a good night’s sleep, too.

 I dare you to be sexier #hotelworship (@ Dream Downtown) http://4sq.com/nnixOT

Hard day at work… @DreamDowntown #nyc http://lockerz.com/s/117876562

Chill Out. Long Beach.
Long Beach Lesson #1: Do not start a fight with a local girl who is most definitely  related to everyone inside the bar; Long Beach Lesson #2: There’s no crying in dancing even if you get knocked in the head… with another head; Lesson #3: The hot guys of New York are hiding beneath the surf; Lesson #4: There’s a rare form of fun to be had in this stop by the beach… the type of fun you imagine to find on a hot summers day with popsicles and sorbet-colored life guard stations. Low-key and relaxed, this seashore spot feels more like Key West than Long Island. So grab a Beach Bagel, chill out by the shore, dance at Cabana…. 

Taking our talents to #LongBeach @theSchabes @JFSica @TheRadler_

@JetsetFarryn: a dance. a headbutt. a drink. a beetle. and a good ol’ fashioned girl fight. #longbeach

Party For No Reason. CO-OP Food & Drink.
In complete truth, I have a thing for bringing people together, especially those people who are taking names around NYC. So, we took over CO-OP Food & Drink, the hot new spot by the Culinary Guerilla Brigade at the Hotel on Rivington for a #PartyForNoReason. Thankfully, Justin Bridges of Tucked LLC captured the chaos. In the house: Greg Minasian of SPREADhouse, Jace aka Grungy Gentleman, Niki Blasina of A Haute Mess, Christina Minasian of Pencey, Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader and the GQ Eye, Austyntatious, Doctor Klein and of course, The Velveteen. Support and Share. Do it. 

We-don’t-need-a-reason-to-party #Party ;) http://lockerz.com/s/119542141 RT @BaseManhattan: @Jetsetfarryn - Whats this thing tonight?

We never have any fun RT @grungygentleman: Just a normal Tuesday with @JetsetFarryn ==> http://t.co/HyfFN5B

Picnic. Bastille Day.
Join your fellow co-workers to celebrate any holiday…. any holiday that will get you out of the office on a hot summers day. Head to Madison Square Park, grab a box of grub (or a burger from Shake Shack) and lounge on the lawn. 

Getting killed in #BastilleDay trivia at @Jetsetterdotcom picnic (@ Madison Square Park w/ 35 others) http://4sq.com/oFRUKf

@JetsetFarryn: #France, you rock. Thanks for baguettes, Montaigne, Ta Douleur, Loire Valley, Belle Epoque, french kissing… and Zidane. #BastilleDay

Dine. Le Mystery Dinner Club.  
I really don’t have enough friends, so I decided to dine with some new ones… Le Mystery Dinner Club. 10 strangers, 1 reservation. The lady-behind-the-dates is not messing around. Don’t worry about the food, dinners are housed in restos like Smith & Wollensky, Bond Street and Mercer Kitchen. Don’t worry about the bill, there’s an easy-to-use one sheet; and don’t worry about kicking off the convo, guests are supplied with mini-bio’s of the other patrons. The result is a delicious meal and a lesson in the age-old art of true conversation. A dinner sans phones? Je ne sais quoi…

12 strangers. 1 dinner… Let Le Mystery Dinner Club begin @theSchabes @BondStreet

Get Fit. Hudson River.
So, I previously reported on the Manhattan Kayak School which gave me a great lesson on how to kill it in a kayak… but let’s be serious - do I really need kayaking instruction? If you’re a pro with a paddle, head to Pier 60 for free kayaking on the weekends. Just don’t go past the barrier, you might end up on freight territory.  

Me. @jhsisk. A rollerblade and a kayak. #perfectcombo #nyc 
http://lockerz.com/s/121146438 
Part Two…. Comin’ at you.  

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Let’s be honest - it’s too hot to be cool in New York City today. So instead of complaining about Celsius, take advantage of some fittingly frosty activities to keep the sweats at bay…. or just perspire on purpose. We won’t judge. And if all else fails, find a frozen margarita. Stat.  

Pool. Dream Downtown.
The recently opened Dream Downtown has a hot bar and an equally cool pool. Situated between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, the Dream is the perfect 5 PM plan. Pretend you’re a guest, or request pool access at the Front Desk…. or be sneaky, just don’t say it was my idea. 

Pops. People’s Pops.
I come from a land of pops-on-a-hot-day-in-summer, so you can imagine my elation when I stumbled on People’s Pops at the Brooklyn Flea. A one-day experiment of tryin’ a make the world a better pop, turned into a full grown business. Sustainably grown, local fruit and herbs, freshly grated ice. Delish. 
 

Fry. Frying Pan.
Set on a salvaged lightship, The Frying Pan is no secret. It’s also not surprisingly my favorite spot for post-work booze and burgers on the West Side. But I have a weak spot for barnacle encrusted shipwreck motifs., what can I say? Note: On a hot-ass day like today, they’re known to run out of beer. So be prepared. 

 

Beach. Beekmans Beer Garden Beach Club.
Grab a cold Sixpoint Lager, sit back on the beach, play some pool, lounge in a hammock…. that’s really all you need to know. Overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, Beekmans bring the beach to the Seaport. Don’t miss out on the oyster and a juicy La Frieda burger. Oh, and did I mention they’re hosting George Clinton next Wednesday? Fact. 
 

Skate. Uniqlo Skating Rink at The Highline.
Talk about catching the breeze in yo’ hair…. Friends of the High Line, thank you so much for the brand new High Line Roller-Skating Rink. Opening Thursday, July 28 to Monday, September 26, 2011, the High Line Rink will be one of the only open-air roller-skating venue in Manhattan, and admission will be free for the first 500 people on the first two days of operation thanks to UNIQLO. I’ve always wanted to be a roller girl… no really, I do.