1. Arrive earlyish to Pegu to grab more room at the bar (77 W. Houston St., nr. West Broadway; 212-473-7348). Order a round of Audrey Saunders’s superior martinis (even the olives are chilled!). Limit yourselves to just one before heading out.
2. Take in the hopping bar scene at Jean-Georges’s sleek Soho outpost, the Bar at Mercer Kitchen and order the sea-bass carpaccio and margherita pizzas to prime yourselves for a night on the town (99 Prince St., at Mercer St.; 212-966-5454).
3. When things get rowdy, avoid anywhere you’re likely to get sidelong glances. The Anchor is a newish, unmarked bar with clever, clubby décor, inventive cocktails (check out the chalkboard for the shots of the day), and a cobbled-together dance floor out back (310 Spring St., nr. Greenwich St.; no phone).
4. Next stop: Sway (305 Spring St., nr. Greenwich St.; 212-620-5220). Sure, this Moroccan-themed mainstay gets jam-packed most weekend nights, but who cares once you’re all thoroughly sauced? Skip the overpriced bottle service in favor of shots at the bar or a round of their signature pomegranate-infused Ruby Tuesdays.
5. Wrap up with a nightcap at Thom Bar (60 Thompson St., nr. Broome St.; 212-219-2000) or the hotel’s exclusive-to-guests rooftop bar A60, if it’s warm weather. Crash in a deluxe room in the Thompson Hotel ($699).