Aspen Social Club, New York

Despite its proximity to Times Square, Aspen Social Club is a welcoming relief. Designed by Steve Lewis and Mark Dizon, we might as well call it the faux-Aspen winter equivalent to The Brier Group's  faux-Miami summertime hotspot, Highbar. The décor of the eatery cum lounge cum nightspot is spot-on. Designed by nightlife guru turned interior designer Steve Lewis it boasts a gorgeous $100,000 ceramic antler chandelier, a fireplace (ok so it's fake, but it works in setting a cozy mood), and a glass wall etched with tree trunks (surprisingly not tacky). Best of all there's no wall separating Aspen Social Club from the Stay Hotel next-door, so not only is there a nice balance of light and dark, there's two equally well designed spaces (the hotel lobby is full of comfy white leather chairs and lounge tables, a mirrored wall, and animal-inspired artwork), for patrons to spill-over to when they're in need of some light and quieter conversation.