When we’re not writing at Haute Living, we are out and about mingling with New York’s finest at the hottest clubs- we call it research. Here is a list of the most expensive clubs in the United States, with exclusive guests lists, DJs, and $15 vodka sodas. And the only way you’re getting in is if you know the right people.

10. Greenhouse in NYC averages a single tab of $285 a night.

Greenhouse

9. Club XS in the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas averages a single tab of $292 each sinful night.

Club XS

8. Riff Raff’s in NYC averages a single tab of $302 per night.

Riff Raff's

7. Cub Play in Miami averages a single tab of $304 a night.

Club Play

6. The Box in NYC averages $305 per night and research shows that 2 out of 10 guests are bachelors and spend around $245 a night.

The Box

5. Dream Nightclub in Miami averages a single tab of $306 per night.

Dream

4. Dune in South Hampton, N.Y., now known as the Axe Lounge averages a single tab of $356 a night, with patrons being mostly between the ages of 26 and 35.

AXE Lounge at The Dune

3. Club Nikki- Tropicana in Las Vegas averages a single tab of $435 a night.

Club Nikki

2. Provocateur in NYC averages a single tab of $445, with 3 out of 10 patrons being bachelors.

Provocateur

And finally, at numero uno…

Lily Pond- now SL East- in East Hampton, N.Y. averages a single bill of $474 a night. 2 out of 10 patrons are single.

SL East

Source… www.bundle.com

For all the tennis enthusiasts out there currently scouring the Orange County market for a swanky pad that includes a top-of-the-line tennis court, Haute Living is happy to present some of the best estates currently on the market fitted for all your tennis needs just in time for the upcoming U.S. Open.

25201 Berbyhill Drive, Laguna Hills – $4.5 million

This lavish estate sits on 2.2 acres of hillside land and is located in a cul de sac in Nellie Gail Ranch. The French Mediterranean-style home is 7.400 square feet and features six bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a gym, swimming pool, spa, lush gardens and, of course, a tennis court.

11775 Collar Ave., Tustin — $3.25 million

The Tustin Ranch estate was built in 2003 and has 6,000 square feet of living space on more than 2/3 of an acre. The home features views spanning from the mountains to the ocean, 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a pool house, pool, spa, waterslide and tennis court.

28 Boulder View, Irvine — $17.9 million

Set on nearly an acre along the rim of the Shady Canyon golf course, this estate features sweeping views of preserved open space. The home features 6 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, his and her offices, a 800-square-foot home theater, a gym, pool and spa, a customized driveway specially shaped to accommodate exotic, low-to-the-ground cars such as Ferraris or Lamborghinis, a large gourmet kitchen, a caterer’s kitchen and a tennis court.

31646 Peppertree Bend, San Juan Capistrano — $5.45 million

Located up in the hills overlooking the city with a distant ocean view, the gated Chateau Du Mer’s main house features 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a guest or maid’s quarters with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a racquetball court, gym, spa, swimming pool with a bridge and a lighted tennis court.

31761 Peppertreet Bend, San Juan Capistrano — $5.499 million

This 11,000-square-foot French country estate is gated and has ocean views located on 1.4 acres. In 2008, the home had extensive remodel work done and features 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen with limestone counters and walk-in pantry doors imported from France, an indoor pool and spa and a tennis court with some bleacher seating and a viewing gazebo.

Source and Photos: OC Register

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Photo: Swipelife

With the rise in value of the Swiss Franc, Swiss industries, particularly luxury companies and goods, are being outsourced. Residents of Switzerland are choosing to get the most for their money by purchasing imported goods and thus are not supporting local industries. There has also been a significant halt on Swiss exports, as other countries simply cannot afford to compete with the Swiss Franc. Daniel Dreifuss from Maurice de Mauriac watches, the Swiss luxury watch brand, has stated that his company has suffered financial losses due to the lack of money being reinvested into the local economy along with a decrease in the demand for the exportation of Swiss products. If the Swiss exports industry does not pick up soon there may be significant long-term damage done to the greater Swiss economy.

Source: Hodinkee

Haute Time

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Not even an earthquake could stop defending U.S. Open Champion Rafael Nadal or his fans as he made his first appearance in New York to celebrate his appointment as Global Social Responsibility Ambassador for Bacardi Limited’s “Champions Drink Responsibly” campaign at Bar Basque on August 23.

Newly appointed Bacardi USA President Robert Furniss-Roe hosted an intimate reception for Nadal at the popular Spanish restaurant for Nadal to celebrate Bacardi’s latest corporate social responsibility initiative and give fans a chance to see the tennis superstar before he defends his title at the U.S. Open tournament next week.

Over 200 fans came out to support Nadal in the plaza at FoodParc as he spoke about responsible drinking and why he is so proud to be Bacardi Limited’s Champion and to impart this important message to his fans. Nadal said, “It’s important for everyone, especially young people like myself. I love to go out with my friends and have a good time but it is not necessary to drink all night,  it’s more important to come back home safely.”

Bacardi USA President Robert Furniss-Roe added that Nadal is the “perfect fit” for the campaign, “He is inspirational throughout the world,” Furniss-Roe says. “He immediately understood that this was a positive message.”

Following his remarks, Nadal lobbed signed tennis balls into the crowd at the FoodParc below and interacted with guests in a one-on-one photo session.  Guests sipped on inventive mocktails including Nadal’s signature “Rafa Berry Smash” and enjoyed Spanish tapas throughout the afternoon.

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As the Chinese luxury watch market booms, Swiss watchmaker Piaget releases a set of watches that incorporate traditional Chinese symbols and design elements following the lead of Jaeger-LeCoultre, Tissot, Titoni and others.

There is an ever-increasing number of special limited-edition collections being aimed at Chinese buyers in today’s luxury watch market and Piaget is the latest to announce they have an upcoming Piaget Altiplano Dragon and Phoenix timepiece series which is set to be unveiled this December. The luxurious and exclusive collection features the dragon and phoenix – both central figures in Chinese culture and mythology – and includes traditional touches such as cloisonné and enameling.

Nearly every major luxury watchmaker has somehow incorporated a Chinese element into their new designs this year, but some are saying that Piaget’s Dragon and Phoenix series may be the most obvious tribute to the culture so far.

One of Piaget’s Dragon and Phoenix pieces features an 18-carat white gold dial and an astounding 78 brilliant-cut diamonds. The series made it’s initial debut earlier this year during Geveva’s SIHH but according to Piaget, the series will not only be released in China but also in Europe and North America. The official release is supposed to be around December – perfect timing for gifts to get given just before the start of 2012, the Year of the Dragon.

Source and photos: Jing Daily

More than a tight back-hand swing, tennis glamazon Maria Sharapova is a bona fide accessories designer. The exclusive line of handbags and footwear Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan is entering its fifth season and currently features ten shoe designs and eight styles of handbags starting at $148 to $448 dollars.

The line’s best sellers are the Air Bacara Ballet flat. Available in an array of fabrications including hand-painted leathers, velvet, suede, leopard print calf hair, metallic leathers and embossed lizard print — the design is true to its ballerina roots, and features corset lace detailing at the heel and concealed Nike Air technology.

On Sept. 8, the brand will release two special editions of Sharapova’s reported go-to silhouette in gray leather and black suede with bright pink and yellow insoles. The special edition designs are inspired by Sharapova’s “day” and “night” dresses created by Nike for this year’s U.S. Open.

Source: Women’s Wear Daily

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will host its Fifth Annual “Wild About Kids” black-tie gala at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami on November 12. The gala is chaired by Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade Board member S. Shawn Khosravi, president of Bankers Companies.

Guests will enjoy a red carpet welcome to the gala, as well as a cocktail reception, live music, dinner, silent and live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind items, and more. Attendees, including South Florida’s top community leaders, will have the opportunity at the event to sponsor a child through donations. Thegala will be emceed once again by Lynn Martinez, anchor of WSVN’s Deco Drive.

Sponsorship opportunities are available; confirmed sponsors include Verizon, Bacardi and WSVN-TV Channel 7. WSVN-TV is preparing and sponsoring a documentary-style piece, showcasing success stories about a few children in Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, which will run throughout the evening.

Lots of surprises are in store for this year’s attendees. Upon departure, guests will enjoy a signature “Wild About Kids” gala tradition: delicious hot cocoa served in the valet area.

Gala proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. Tickets are priced at $300 per person.

http://www.bgcmia.org.

Martin Scorsese’s new film has undoubtedly generated buzz by fans of his films, The Beatles, or the legendary band’s well-loved “quiet Beatle”, George Harrison – which encompasses quite a percentage of the world’s population. The iconic director’s latest rock documentary is entitled George Harrison: Living in the Material World and is finally set to show on HBO on October 5 and 6.

The high-profile director will take audiences deep behind the scenes of the well-loved musician, featuring numerous intimate interviews with former friends, surviving Beatles, and collaborators. The film also delves into Harrison’s infamous battle with fellow musician Eric Clapton for the love of Pattie Boyd.

After Scorsese’s celebrated work on No Direction Home, the documentary on legend Bob Dylan, as well as his other music-related classics, fans of film, music, or both, have been eagerly awaiting the director’s newest venture.

Click here to see the trailer! (via Yahoo)

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 New York list, click here.

Tucked away in the recently opened Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Imperium is an opulent all-day dining venue which will soon feature a decadent French brasserie-style brunch.

When the restaurant officially launches on 23 September, guests will have the choice to sit inside in a room decked out with high vaulted ceilings and richly ornate chandeliers, or on the outdoor terrace amidst marvelous sea views. There will be also be a live jazz band to accompany exquisitely prepared brunch dishes made with a special emphasis on seasonal produce.

From 23 September brunch 275 AED (with soft drinks); 395 AED (selected house beverages); 550 AED (French champagne).

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

04 453 0444

After all week of saving your carb intake, it’s finally time to splurge. With omlettes, pancakes and baked -goods galore, here are our top five choices for the best restaurants for brunch in New York City.