PHD is located on the 12th floor at Dream Downtown, so you’ve probably already guessed that the view is the primary attraction of this place. Walk outside and you’ll see Hudson River, the Empire State Building and lots of other skyline icons that I don’t remember the name of.
Drinks are Meatpacking-pricey, and some staff members are Meatpacking-rude, but the view is all worth it. The seating areas are for bottle-service only, but usually I would just go there for one drink, take in the view, and then leave.
In the weekends, PHD gets really crowded and if you’re not on the list, a 1-hour wait is not unusual, so arrive early (before midnight) or go through a good promoter. There’s a DJ, but there’s no real dance floor as most of the floor space is occupied by VIP-tables, but people are dancing anyway.
The clientele is primarily tourists, Europeans and European tourists and PHD is more about posing with your drink, than getting to know new people, but once again, the view is well worth it.
Leave your boyfriend(s)/male friend(s)/husband(s) at home or be prepared to be presented with a requirement of a minimum spend per head. It’s nothing unusual for a Meatpacking place, but I just thought I’d let you know.
PHD, Dream Downtown, 355 West 16th Street, New York
