Where the Celebs Are in New York

Picture this: You're sipping cocktails in the penthouse of the Standard Hotel: Jude Law on your left, Madonna on your right. Oh, and there's a hot tub in the middle of the bar. Don't forget the glass-floored outdoor terrace with a view of the Meatpacking District from 18 floors up. It may sound dreamy, but getting in can be a nightmare.

This two-story American dining tavern, which is backed by former Waverly Inn chef John DeLucie, is luring A-listers left and right. Turn on your best ?I?m-cool-and-I-know-it? charm and you just may get a table.

It's hard to keep track of all the celeb drama that goes down at this underground dungeon-style lounge, so named for its location beneath the Mercer Hotel. In fact, this is where Kiefer Sutherland attempted to defend Brooke Shields' honor by head-butting a photographer and breaking his nose.

This upscale Meatpacking District restaurant serves up American cuisine to the hottest of the hot. Jessica Simpson and Shannen Doherty have been spotted here, and Lindsay Lohan even chose it as the place to introduce a boyfriend to the fam. After dinner, head over to the uber-swank SL Lounge, which shares a space with the restaurant.

This over-the-top Nolita nightclub truly lives up to its name; every inch is glitzy, glamorous and--you guessed it--gold. P. Diddy has hosted many a party here, and the club is notoriously for well-known celeb sightings.

Only the cream of the crop is granted entrance to the luxurious lounge at the Gramercy Park Hotel, where celebrities happily go unbothered. The Olsen Twins, David Beckham and Penelope Cruz are just a few of the famous peeps known to stop by this posh hot spot.

This intimate Chelsea lounge has been described as ?cuisine with a scene,? but maneuvering your way through its doors could prove to be an almost impossible feat. (If you've seen "How to Make it in America" on HBO, then you know what we mean.)

Keith McNally's classic Meatpacking District bistro has managed to retain its rep as a popular dining destination for celebs and beautiful people since it opened in 1999. Not only did Pastis host the reception for Liv Tyler's wedding, but Kelly Ripa has said it's one of her favorite spots for a family dinner.

After the kitchen closes, this sought-after Nolita establishment becomes a late-night den of iniquity for A-listers and scenesters. Mick Jagger has been spotted 'shaking his groove thing,? and local celebrities like Paul Sevigny are among the regulars.

Not even John, Kate or the other eight could weasel their way into this selective Greenwich Village steakhouse without a reservation. Decorated with walls of celebrity caricatures, Minetta is frequented by some of the biggest stars on the planet, like Jerry Seinfeld, to name one.