The Basement Lounge

Half a mile away from downtown's go-go rush, the mood changes from raucous to cool as you enter the East Village Arts District. This self-marketed"ultralounge "has polished decor and doesn't feel as much like a meat market as other nightclubs. An attractive crowd in their 20s to 40s come here to enjoy well-made martinis and to dance to melodic hip-hop, soul and '90s pop hits. Appetizers served. (Jit Fong Chin)