Please, please, please don't…
HAVE A NIGHT OUT IN THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT

Once the haunt of New York's legendary tranny streetwalkers, not to mention some seriously debauched bars and clubs—we'll draw a veil over the Manhole, shall we?—the Meatpacking District now echoes with the weekend din of tottering, giggling girls; gauche bars and clubs; and drunken "dudes" in striped button-downs. In the daytime, it's another story: We're more than happy to explore the nabe's excellent shopping thankyouverymuch (including Diane von Furstenberg's beautiful store), and we're excited to see how the High Line park will turn out. At least there's a trace of the real meat-processing industry left: An unwary step off the curb, and you could be ankle deep in the old NYC.

Instead…
HEAD TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE, AND KEEP GOING

The L.E.S. was once as obnoxious as the M.P.D., attracting its own share of the bridge-and-tunnel crowd. But now the neighborhood, bound by Chinatown to the south, the East Village to the north, and Soho to the West, is as upmarket (luxe Chloe 81, 81 Ludlow St., 212-677-0067) or as downmarket (dive Home Sweet Home, 131 Chrystie St., 212-226-5708) as you want it to be. For those not averse to exploring further afield, get thee to Brooklyn: Kings County has been crowned the new ruler of nightlife in this town. Grab a cab (yes, they have to take you), start on Smith Street in Boerum Hill or Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, and who knows where you might end up—eating barbecue and drinking beer at 4 am in the Brooklyn Ice House (318 Van Brunt St., Red Hook, 718-222-1865) or making out with some hipster in an Art Deco nook at the K&M bar (225 N. 8th St., Williamsburg, 718-388-3088).—Nicola McCormack

Next: More to explore in New York