Books and Booze: powerHouse Library opens at Mansion

Mansion, the new megalounge (read: bottle service heaven) filling the old Crobar space, hopes to add a touch of class to clubbing with the opening of powerHouse Library, tonight at 10pm. The nightlife impresarios behind the venture teamed up with ubercoolisch publishers powerHouse books to create a literary haven from the throbbing beats below. So snag a copy of Bright Lights, Big City and try to counterbalance all those brain cells you would normally lose in a club like this.

Mansion is located at 530 W. 28th St. (10th & 11th Aves.). Doors open at 10pm. (212.629.9000)

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Jaded: Juvenex 24-hour spa

Hiding from the sensory blast of Koreatown, the peaceful Juvenex Spa is the ultimate antithesis to the party-hungry nightlife of NYC. A relaxing women-only retreat during the day, Juvenex transforms into a couples haven from 7pm to 7am. That’s right: Grab your honey and your bathing suit but leave your worries behind as your indulge in luxurious spa treatments at 3am!

After a miserably disappointing night which included waiting in the pouring rain to see Madonna only to be denied at the club, my boyfriend sought to calm my tears (and get us out of the rain) by suggesting we head to Koreatown for some grub and a scrub. After emerging from Kunjip circa 1:30am reeking of Gal Bi, we found the unassuming entrance to Juvenex. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly scuzzy entrance and the suspect elevator! This is Koreatown, where surprisingly opulent bars and eateries hide on each ascending floor. We stepped out of the lift and into a little corner of couples heaven.

We opted for the jade journey,the most popular and cheapest option, giving spa-goers free reign over the facilities for 90 minutes at $65 pp. The spa includes three soaking pools infused with naturals such as lemon and rose, an herbal steam sauna, an ice-cold shower, baked clay, a low-intensity sauna and the pièce de résistance, a jade igloo sauna hailed for its restorative powers. Add a massage or other service to prolong your visit (at an additional cost, of course).

What better way to head to bed than after a night at the spa? Then again, this romantic evening might encourage some more “strenuous” behavior later on. *wink*

Juvenex is located at 25 West 32nd Street, 5th floor. 646-733-1330.

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