Gold Diggers

Where they'll be partying during Fashion Week

February 2, 2007—Thanks to the semiannual infusion of celebs, industry bigwigs, and, of course, models, there's no better time than Fashion Week to open a bar in NYC. Here's a rundown of the latest contenders for your after-hours attention.

Nolita's GoldBar, from the team behind Cain, is arguably the city's most visible new opening, thanks to ceilings, fixtures, and assorted surfaces gilded and polished to a fine sheen. What's more, 3,000 gold-covered skulls—that's just a few of them, above—have been scattered throughout the space for an effect best summed up as Liberace macabre. The cranial touches, says the club's Steve Kasuba, were "inspired by the catacombs in Paris and the Crypt of the Cappuccini Monks in Rome" (and no, they're not meant to be some sort of twisted commentary on the whole controversy over rail-thin models).

Expect to see a few of the aforementioned at the Star Lounge, nestled under the Hotel Chelsea. The former Serena space has already hosted the Factory Girl premiere after-party and will welcome Zac Posen's crew following his show Thursday night.

And then there's the Box, the Lower East Side spot that hosted last night's Mercedes-Benz kickoff event and will be home to the Edun and Erin Featherstone presentations, as well as André Balazs's birthday party tonight. "This is a great time to introduce a space," says Serge Becker, the New York nightlife vet who's also a principal. "Last season, I introduced my club 205 with events for Y3 and As Four, and once a fashion company says, 'This is one of the new places for the season,' word of mouth takes it from there." Might as well make it official: This is one of the new places for the season.

P.S. Not that everyone's chasing after the new. Marc Jacobs has chosen to host his ever-sceney after-party Monday at Eugene, a—prepare yourself—three-year old club in Chelsea. Well, he always did have a soft spot for vintage.

GoldBar, 389 Broome St., (212) 274-1568, www.goldbarnewyork.com. The Box, 189 Chrystie St., (212) 982-9301, www.theboxnyc.com. The Star Lounge, 222 W. 23rd St., (212) 255-4646.