Sometimes one of the best things after a long day of wheeling and dealing is happy hour at an elegant restaurant bar. And what better way to celebrate the closing of that multimillion-dollar deal than with a stiff drink on special? Here are my recommendations for the Haute 5 Happy Hours that you must check out.

American Fish

We begin with one of the newest restaurants in Vegas, American Fish inside the Aria Resort & Casino. This elegant yet casual dining spot is one of Michael Mina’s newest creations. Inspired from a 19^th-century lodge, it evokes a masculine charm, making it the perfect place to find our favorite moguls. The nightly happy hour is from 5 to 7 p.m. (except when they are closed on Tuesdays). Of course Michael Mina has ensured that every detail is taken care of here, including creating an entire bar program whose philosophy is focused on the classic cocktail of days gone by. The technique for ensuring that perfect drink? Hand pressed citrus, premium small-batch spirits, and glass all around. The menu even begs guests for patience in the time it takes to prepare a tasty beverage, and to consider that American Fish may be lacking on mainstream labels favored with fraternity types (this is a good thing!)

American Fish is located inside Aria Resort, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-693-7223

The Society Bar at Society Café Encore

We never say no to a night at Encore, so with that in mind, I direct your attention to The Society Bar, at Society Café Encore. While many of you already went rushing down there to check out Chef Kim Canteenwalla’s food menu when it was named one of Esquire magazine’s “Best New Restaurants in America” last year, I urge you to also check out the extensive and extravagant cocktail list. Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. The Society Bar aims to redefine our favorite hours of the day with two-for-one mojitos. And these aren’t just any mojitos! The mojito menu includes such concoctions as a Pineapple Mojito made with Appleton Estate, VX Rum, fresh pineapple, spearmint and fresh lime. The Coconut Copacabana and Watermelon Mojito are some of my favs as well. Their Bloody Marys may not be on the happy hour special, but they are to die for too, and well worth a mention here. The $9 tapas menu will help soak up all those spirits.

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-248-DINE

Nobhill Tavern

Next on the list is another Michael Mina hotspot, Nobhill Tavern, inside the MGM Grand. Here they have a late night happy hour every night of the week that will keep you smiling into the wee hours of the morning. Try the Whiskey Cobbler for an unexpected blend of Bulliet bourbon, Luxardo maraschino liqueur and fresh berries. The specialty cocktails start at $8 (beer is $4), but make sure to sit at the bar, the only place to truly take advantage of the happy hour vibe and specials.

Nobhill Tavern is located inside the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702.891.7337

Japonais Restaurant & Lounge

Over at the Mirage, you’ll find Japonais Restaurant & Lounge offering a Lucky Lounge Happy Hour seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seven is not just a lucky number here, it is also the special price for drinks as well as appetizers like tempura shrimp rolls with wasabi tobiko sauce and Black Angus beef sliders. But hey, did you really come here to eat? Well, yes, because the food is divine, but this Haute 5 is all about the drinks. The wine list and sake menu are certainly worth checking out, but making the most headlines is the Floating Orchid, a mixture of Stolichnaya vodka, Cointreau, fresh pear, and lemon juices, garnished with an edible orchid. Cucumber Passion and the Pomegranate Cooler aren’t too shabby either.

Japonais Restaurant & Lounge is located inside the Mirage, 3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 866.339.4566

The Steak House

And possibly one of Vegas’ best, hidden happy hours has to be The Steak House. Here, from 3 to 5 p.m. daily, the cocktails and house wines are half price, meaning that their specialty martinis and margaritas taste that much better on the way down. And while you’re at it, make sure to try the Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and marinated artichoke crostini for $6, oyster shooters for $7, or the “Hot Rock” Prime Rib Au Jus ($5).

The Steak House at Circus Circus is located at 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-794-3767.

We all need a little manufactured “happy” in our lives once in a while and if that happy has to be made of Grey Goose, so be it. Our fair and serene San Francisco is blessed with a lofty share of excellent establishments ready to provide a drink, a snack, and a smile. Let today’s Haute Five show you where cheer and joy live. After all, it’s always happy hour somewhere…and I’ll drink to that!

Cigar Bar

Conveniently located in the heart of the Financial District, Cigar Bar is the perfect after-work stop on any mild spring day. Enjoy $4 drink specials from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in their open-air courtyard while enjoying a cigar from their fully stocked humidor and appreciating a happy, handsome crowd. Food specials, live Latin music, and rustic Spanish-inspired décor make the perfect place to get jovial.

Cigar Bar is located at 850 Montgomery St., 415.398.0850

Nihon Whisky Lounge

What’s not to love about a place with more than 400 choices of single malt whisky?  Doesn’t that fact alone make you happy? It’s also a sexy space with low lighting and sophistication. Are you smiling? Now add in an incredible deal from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. where all drinks (including their luscious Lychee Mermaid) and appetizers are half off. Are you on your way yet? No? What’s stopping you? They have sushi. Good sushi. Half off. GO!

Nihon Whisky Lounge is located at 1779 Folsom St., 415.552.4400

Taverna Aventine

Step into a little Old World history at Taverna Aventine. Inspired by the taverns of ancient Rome, Aventine was built using a 150-year-old sea wall that was an original piece of the SF Barbary Coast. Happy hour here is quite popular given the $4 to $6 drinks, and the gift of a wooden token with each drink ordered. Not just a keepsake, four of these tantalizing tokens equal a drink on the house. Not only does this bar ooze opulence, amusement, and sophistication, but become a member and you can reserve your very own liquor locker to store unfinished bottles, precious cargo, or even your extra tokens.

Taverna Aventine is located at 582 Washington St., 415.981.1500

Waterbar

Waterbar is a must for any seafood-loving happy-hour aficionado. Beyond a breathtakingly beautiful interior and an even more stunningly striking view of our beloved bay, the oysters are $1. Specially prepared oyster-complementing cocktails are $5. Local beer is $3 and featured wine is $5. Stop in Monday thru Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and get in, get happy, get out.

Waterbar is located at 399 The Embarcadero S., (415) 284-9922

The Ambassador

A favorite of our fine mayor, Gavin Newsom, The Ambassador is hip to be happy every day, but gets really swinging on Two Dollar Tuesdays with outrageously decadent deals on food and drink. The loungey, 1940s décor is swank and happening and the bar’s atmosphere is posh without pretense. Stop in for a Makers and a mayor sighting. He really is that haute.

The Ambassador is located at 673 Geary St., 415.563.8192

Shocker.

He announced on his show that if physicians were banned from seeing private patients under the new health care plan, he’ll make a quick exit from the country. The House is preparing for a vote on health care reform this weekend.

“If it passes and it’s five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented, I’m leaving the country. I’ll go to Costa Rica,” Limbaugh said on his WJNO-1290 AM show.

The talk show host’s self-imposed exile comes after urging conservative counterparts to flood rep phone lines opposing the bill’s passage. The Hill reported Tuesday that House lines were near capacity due the large volume of calls. There was also an up in e-mails to lawmakers.

On his Web site, Limbaugh posted toll-free and local phone numbers for the Capitol operator along with the message: “Call the Capitol Switchboard” followed by a list of targeted congressmen. According to Jeff Ventura, a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, call volumes are not expected to decrease before the weekend.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders are begging for the 216 votes needed to pass the final version of the legislation, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. They are diligently seeking to flip some of the 39 Democrats from conservative-leaning districts who voted against the first House version of the legislation in November.

Getting happy isn’t always the easiest thing to do.  Some go for Ben & Jerry’s, some turn to Christian Dior.  Those who lean on their good friend Jose Cuervo know that there’s nothing quite like Happy Hour.  We’ve rounded up happy hours for you before, but there are some that are particularly haute and its high time you broke out of your happy hour rut – because what’s happy about a rut?  Whether you go for some liquid happiness at a discount or for the post-office, loosened-tie people watching is up to you, all we know is that when the clock strikes 5pm, these haute 5 happy hours give Disneyland a run for its money as happiest place on earth.

Akasha

Please nobody tell the powers that be at Akasha that their happy hour starts at 5pm on Eastern Standard Time.  As of now, their happy hour starts at 2pm, runs through 7pm, and generally spreads joy to all who know about it.  The Culver City outpost of organic ingredients and shockingly tasty Sweet Potato Fries offers food and drink at prices like $5 – $7 even when its still light out and your boss could get legitimately mad at you for drinking.  Order one of Akasha’s signature cocktails with the Lamb Sliders and order another cocktail for dessert.  It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Akasha is located at 9543 Culver Blvd in Culver City (310) 845-1700

25 Degrees

When you usually find yourself imbibing at the Roosevelt Hotel, it’s not exactly in an effort to save money.  That was then.  Now, the hotel’s restaurant 25 Degrees, known for their delectable burgers, hosts happy hour from 3 – 6pm where selected cocktails, beer, snacks, milkshakes, and certain wines are half off.  Settle in to one of the mahogany leather banquettes or perhaps find yourself a seat at the bar and order a Guiness Milkshake and a side of French fries and you’ll feel that sneaking sensation called happiness in no time.

25 Degrees is located at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood (323) 785-7244

Copa D’Oro

A large part of Santa Monica’s contingency wakes up at 6am to do one of the following activities: yoga, surfing, trading with New York.  What that means for consuming alcohol is that its got to start early.  At Copa D’Oro the drinking begins at 5:30pm and includes such classic choices as a Dark & Stormy, a Moscow Mule, an Aviation, and an original Daiquiri at $5 until 8pm.  For those who’d rather not have that early conference call with a hangover, there’s wines and beers on the happy hour menu as well as four food options – Ham & Cheese, Turkey, PB&J, and Nutella sandwiches.  Just because you’re early to bed doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

Copa D’Oro is located at 217 Broadway in Santa Monica (310) 576-3030

Wilshire

Wilshire’s happy hour, Monday through Saturday from 5 – 7pm, may not be the cheapest in town, but its up there with the most delicious.  Their specialty cocktails on offer include the Razbo, Tropical Kiss, and a Pomegranate Margarita all for $9 and their dolled up hamburgers (with Point Reyes Blue Cheese and Applewood Bacon) are $12, but order up a $6 glass of wine, with an $8 serving of Mac and Cheese or Kobe Beef Sliders.  Sit inside or indulge in the summer-like weather we’ve been enjoying while other cities slowly thaw.  Play this happy hour whichever way you please, just remember sometimes you have to indulge to get happy.

Wilshire is located at 2454 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica (310) 586-1707

Ciudad

Susan Feniger knows how to get happy.  Her restaurants include Border Grill, Ciudad, and Street and they’re all outfitted with smiling staff, brightly colored décor, and menus that everyone can get excited about.  At Ciudad, in Downtown LA, they’ve got such a fabulous happy hour, you’ll be counting the seconds until it starts at 4pm.  Nothing beats $3 tacos, $5 bites (like quesadillas and empanadas), and drinks for $4.50.  These aren’t just any drinks either – think Mojitos, Margaritas, Caipirinhas, Sangria, and selected beers and wines.  In a city like Los Angeles, it should come as no surprise that one of the most fun happy hours has a particularly Latin accent.

Ciudad is located at 445 S. Figueroa Street in Downtown LA (213) 486-5171

On Wednesday, March 17, art enthusiasts attended a gala preview of the 30th anniversary AIPAD Photography Show at the Park Avenue Armory, an event benefiting the John Szarkowski Fund for photography acquisitions at the MoMA.

The show features a striking range of contemporary and historically significant works from more than 70 international galleries. Some of the artists featured include Lillian Bassman, 19^th-century photographer Eadweard Muybridge, and Leon Levinstein, whose work will be featured in a retrospective at the MoMA in June.

Attendees included patrons of the arts, collectors, and a number of the featured artists. Guests focused their attention and conversations on the art at hand, while sipping Champagne, noshing on hors d’oeuvres, and quietly greeting old friends. Many even adorned festive touches to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Featured artist Rosalind Solomon wore a green silk scarf and photographer Peter Kayafas donned a green bowtie.

Peter Kundhardt, Renate Aller

The AIPAD show runs from March 18 to March 21 at The Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave. For more information visit www.aipad.com

Check the Haute Living events page for more images from the event, coming soon. Photography by Tasha Gordon-Solmon.

Last Friday evening may have been a blustery one here in Miami, but that didn’t hinder the elegance of the private opening of the new Villa by Barton G., which took over the former Versace mansion on Ocean Drive. The 1930s property, formerly known as Casa Casuarina, is home to an event space, restaurant, and boutique hotel, all of which have been upgraded to reflect the signature over-the-top, five-star Barton G. style with which Miamians are quite familiar.

The extremely private opening was an elegant affair that brought out Miami’s most well-connected names, including Sanford Ziff, who was departing at the time I arrived, a little over an hour after the official start time of 6 p.m. (it’s called being fashionably late). I passed under the Barton G. flag flying outside of the third-story bedroom where Gianni Versace once slept, and noticed the new golden “Villa by Barton G.” logo adorning the wrought-iron gates. Civic leaders, philanthropists, big-name media members, politicians, and socialites were in attendance to show their support to Barton G. Weiss, who was greeting guests in the open-air center courtyard. “I am done with the big openings,” Weiss said, “especially after the opening of Prelude,” he said, alluding of the hoopla that surrounded the opening of his signature restaurant at the Adrienne Arsht Center. (There were monkeys and giraffes involved.) Instead, Weiss focused his attention on the restoration process. “We polished every single tile, every stone, everything has been repainted and brought back to the original,” he said.

Over the past five months, the team, led by Weiss himself, has been working around the clock to restore the property to its former, elegant glory. The Miami Herald reported that $1 million has already been spent on the refurbishment process, and the evidence is everywhere. Each stone and tile has been polished, the original artwork adorning the ceilings has been retouched, and the mosaic tile pool is restored.

Weiss mentioned that the boutique hotel’s first guest, who was from the Middle East, had just checked out of the property that morning. Room rates range from around $2,100 to $5,000 a night for one of the 10 rooms, which come with personal butler service—hard to come by in South Florida, setting this property in a category all its own. Amongst the accommodations is The Villa Suite, which was once Gianni Versace’s room, complete with a 9-foot-wide bed, beautifully detailed paintings on the walls and ceilings, and a sitting room for the closet. Each suite is outfitted with Versace fabrics and Frette linens, and even come equipped with Kindles.

The restaurant, which only seats 70 (read: reservations are required), is also now open for business. The lucky few who get into the dining room will be served Barton G.’s signature cuisine off of original Versace dinnerware. If you can’t snag a reservation for dinner, you can try to stop by for the daily afternoon tea, which runs for $30 per person. And rest assured that when you do pass through those gates, you will be entering a luxurious estate that Gianni Versace himself would be proud to call his own.

While Kim Kardashian’s filming for Quick Trim in Miami, things were certainly heating up at the kitchen of the Tupperware Party on 20 West 37th today with New Orleans Saints star Reggie Bush.

With a perfectly chilled glass of Voss Water, I settled in after finding my seat, noted by a personalized black and gray checkered place setting card with a red bow, and Sabrina Chapman in beautifully scrolled in cursive. Seated next to Page Six’s Stephanie Smith, we swapped gossip of our latest events.

Reggie Bush, Tupperware Chairman & CEO Rick Goings, Peter Facinelli

The luncheon was hosted by Tupperware Chairman & CEO Rick Goings, who served as the Head Chef alongside two sous-chefs in training, Reggie Bush and Twilight and Nurse Jackie’s actor Peter Facinelli. The program, which they dubbed “Aphrodisiac Luncheon” focused on teaching—men in this case—how to use Tupperware products and what they could do in terms of preparing food to spice up a romance.

The setting was like a demo filming, the audience in tiered seats facing a staged kitchen. On a tone of lighthearted fun, Goings pulled out a bottle of Cuervo tequila and a shot glass, and the trio was set to go for a fun-filled demonstration.

Menu samplings included Mojo Salsa and Mango-Pineapple Salsa with Blue Corn Chips, Citrus and White Wine Poached Mahi Mahi, and for desert a decadent and delicious Chocolate Cake with Chambord Chocolate Sauce, Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries. All made with the conveniences of Tupperware.

We departed, goodie bags filled with recipes, a lemon lime press, herb chopper, and more. Tupperware was named the design team of the year for 2009 by reddot and I’m certainly excited to try my new products.

For More Information Check out: www.tupperware.com

It can be hard to get your hands on a copy of Haute Living, which is the way we designed it. We don’t offer subscriptions any longer, and our direct distribution model ensures that the magazines only end up in the hands of the most affluent individuals in each of our markets.

This past summer, following the untimely death of superstar Michael Jackson, Haute Living Los Angeles published a special tribute issue. On the cover was a never-before-seen photo of Michael, snapped by Haute Living Fashion Editor Tatijana Shoan, at a private event. For the cover article, I sat down with Al Malnik, the famous lawyer, businessman, and restaurateur whom was one of the few people Michael trusted wholeheartedly, enough so that Malnik was asked to be the godfather of Michael’s youngest son, Blanket. This was only the second time Malnik spoke out following Michael’s passing, and he shared his personal history with the legend with Haute Living in hopes of setting the record straight about the private life of this public figure. He opened up his personal photo archive, and sent us never-before-seen photos of Michael at moments when his guard was down, which we shared with our readers. The issue also includes reflections from a number of celebrities who shared their thoughts on Michael’s passing, as well as Tatijana’s recount of the night she met Michael and took the stunning photo that ended up gracing our cover.

Obviously, interest in this particular edition was very high, so it’s not surprising that one enterprising individual is selling one of the rare copies on eBay. Currently, bids are up to $51 (the cover price was $20), and the auction is ending in a few hours. So if you are not one of the chosen few who get Haute Living delivered to your door, or if you don’t fly private and pick us up in one of the 180 private airports we are distributed in across the country, you can try bidding on this copy. Which gets me thinking: we have some copies in our archives…maybe it’s time for me to try to turn a profit as well.

On Saturday, March 20, the Mandarin Oriental will play host to the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program’s annual gala.

The theme is springtime, so guests should expect to see a bright and hopeful color palette of reds and oranges in the table linens, flowers, mirrors, and chandeliers, transforming the hotel’s ballroom into an explosion of vibrancy. Indeed, no expense will be spared for the 500 guests, comprised of Women of Tomorrow mentors, mentees, and program graduates, as well as Miami’s top VIPs and philanthropists.

Those fortunate enough to be in attendance will be treated to a live performance by Telemundo star and Billboard-nominated actor/singer JenCarlos Canela, as well as the musical stylings of Miami’s own Steve Chase Band. In addition, there will be a live auction managed by WPLG Channel 10’s Calvin Hughes and Neki Mohan, involving more than 100 desirable items from luxury brands such as Prada, Cartier, Neiman Marcus, Sony Ericsson, The Miami Heat, the Miami Dolphins, and many more.

Guests will indulge in specialty cocktails and an elaborate four-course meal designed by the Mandarin Oriental’s executive chef, Didier Pouzier, and a photographer will be on hand to capture all the fabulousness for posterity.

Highly deserving of a celebration, the Women of Tomorrow is a noble cause that inspires, motivates, and empowers approximately 2,000 at-risk young women. Mentees have increased self-esteem, a 90 percent high school graduation rate, and increased academic performance each year they are in the program. Women of Tomorrow has awarded $2.3 million in scholarships to 841 deserving mentees.

“At a time when people all over are losing jobs, it is more important than ever that we provide a way for our girls to receive the skills and higher education necessary to succeed in a modern world,” said founder Jennifer Valoppi. “We are extremely grateful for the continued generosity of our supporters, and are looking forward to an incredible gala.”

This week, we have been publishing excerpts from our interview with John Cooper, the director of the Sundance Film Festival. Just weeks after the festival ended, Cooper sat down with Haute Living to reflect on the success of his first go-round as director. His answers led to Haute Living Los Angeles naming Sundance as the “Hautest Film Festival” in our Premiere Hollywood Power Player Awards. If you haven’t read parts one, two, and three, be sure to check them out. In the final part of the interview, John and I discuss the financial success of Precious, which debuted at the Sundance Festival in 2009 (under the title Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire). The film won top honors at the festival, and was recipient of the Grand Jury Prize: U.S. Dramatic, the Audience Award presented by Honda: U.S. Dramatic, and A Special Jury Prize for Acting. It went on to be a commercial hit, even earning its star Mo’Nique an Oscar. John reflected on the likelihood of that happening for the 2010 winner of the Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic—Winter’s Bone. Read the conclusion to our interview after the jump.