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- Merkato 55
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55 Gansevoort St., nr. Greenwich St. ; 212-255-8555
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- 1. Jill Demos
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28, Pharmaceutical sales
“It’s funny getting so dressed up in the daytime, but everyone does it. The guys wear nice shirts, vests, sometimes even jackets. I’ve actually seen people in really, really fancy dresses.”
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- 2. Sheryl Simon
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28, Banker
“I happen to work at a bank that wasn’t bailed out, so it’s nice to let loose. It’s a lot of finance people here, which is a little disconcerting, because it almost seems like people are kind of drowning. That would perhaps explain the debauchery.”
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- 3. Peter Barsoom
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38, Hedge-fund manager
“This is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I’m not normally a big day-drinker—I have to work during the day. Bagatelle has a brunch like this, but I prefer the music here.”
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- 4. Ashley Darryl
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27, Interior designer
“This is a very European type of thing. They turn off all the lights and have sparklers everywhere, and then you leave at 7 p.m. and you’re like, ‘I’m so confused. Am I supposed to eat dinner? What time is it?’ ”
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- 5. Meghana Rajadhyaksha
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28, Medical sales
“I’ve never had hard liquor here; it’s always Champagne or like a rosé wine. I like white wines, and I love rosé. At every table, there’s a couple bottles of rosé. Maybe it’s coming back?”
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- 6. Andre Edwards
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24, Asset management
“I usually have an 11 p.m. rule—I don’t drink before that. But I break it for this party. Tonight I’ll probably be out until 5:30 a.m. I just kind of keep moving; I’m always on my feet. The minute I sit down, I start to lose it.”
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- 7. Ritu Kaushal
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31, Finance
“Last time I was here, I got four numbers, although I don’t really remember their faces. It feels like a fraternity in here, like you can talk to whoever you want or cross any borders. It’s like any typical trendy scene: Once you’re in, you’re one of them.”
Best Bacchanal
One of the city’s most debaucherous gatherings takes place, bizarrely, while the sun’s still up on a Saturday. A peek inside the Day & Night brunch party.
From the 2009 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine