Gridskipper

Head through the East Village hot dog haven Crif Dogs to the phone booth on the side to get to this bar that opened last year. Jim Meehan (brother to NY Times food writer, Peter) tends bar, while a hostess manages… those who've made reservations in advance (highly recommended if you're more than a party of two) and walk-ins (get there on the early side if you're willing to chance it). (photo) [link]

There's no (visible) bar at this newly opened, self-proclaimed "semi-private" speakeasy-themed lounge. But there are plenty of cocktail waitresses, who will retrieve your drink order from a hidden bar and will do… it while clad in booty shorts. Housed in the old Marion's lounge space on the Bowery, Antik may have somewhat scary-looking bouncers, but chances are if you're polite you'll have no trouble scooting inside. [link]

Co-owned by Paul Sevigny (brother of actress Chloe), this downstairs West Village space has welcomed seemingly every A-lister under the sun. You'll encounter plenty of 'tude at the door, but unless there's a private… party there won't be a list. Your best bet: tell them your friend is the DJ (of course, it's best that you confirm who in fact is DJing, just in case they ask). (photo) [link]

This is another celebrity-ridden spot, though its location might make you think otherwise. Its palm fronds-filled bar is on the second floor above Soho's Café Bari (on the corner of Broadway and Spring). Mondays… are one of promoter-turned-owner Danny A's more high-profile nights, so try Tuesday-Thursday first. As the owner himself told DBTH, if you look nice, aren't with too many dudes, and are polite, you shouldn't have a problem getting in. If that doesn't work, word has it you can access Upstairs via a back entrance on Spring street (the same one that services Kiosk Kiosk). (photo) [link]

After five years of being shuttered, the subterranean spot, below the Mercer Hotel, is now open for business. Last Friday night it welcomed a bunch… of socialites, who may or may not have been on shrooms, but definitely took turns on the stripper pole. To give it your best shot, head to 147 1/2 Mercer, smile nicely at the bouncers, and walk on through to the industrial freight elevator. Two floors down follow the dark hallway to the end, take a left past the boiler room and then arrive at a heavy red door. One more hallway, and you're there. [link]

This high-end bar was one of the first spots to cause a reservations-only frenzy in recent memory. You need to make a reservation by phone, but the number changes regularly. Your best bet is to find a friend (or… a friend of a friend) that has it. If that doesn't work, try googling Milk & Honey (212). A series of listings will pop-up including former phones like (212) 625-3397 and (212) 625-3387, which are now out of service. (212) 925-8130 is also listed, but there was no answer the last time we tried. You might as well try them all, as numbers may be recycled. Also, some patrons have said that the bar doesn't take names upon your arrival, so if you've got the balls, you've actually got a good chance of slipping in unnoticed and sans reservation. (photo) [link]

Housed in Ian Schrager and Julian Schnabel's Gramercy Park Hotel is the Rose Bar, a celebrity-laden spot. The best way to guarantee entrance is to either get a room at the hotel or find a "friend" who's renting… a room. (Guest staying here are granted entry to all the private bars.) If neither of those approaches work, try coming extra early and batting those doe-eyes as best you can. And bring lots of cash — cocktails are around $19 a pop. (photo) [link]