Mad Men

Hey, Maddicts, Make It a Mad Men New Year's Eve!

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Fans of Mad Men who happen to live in or be passing through New York City have the option of celebrating New Year's Eve in Mad Man style, since some of the watering holes and swank restaurants highlighted in the series still exist today.

1. PJ Clarke's: 915 Third Ave., at 55th St. (see map)
Spotlighted in Season 1, Episode 8, "The Hobo Code," this is the burgers-and-beer joint where the Sterling Cooper staff celebrates Peggy's ad copy for Belle Jolie. Just hope that no one comes up to you like Pete and says, "I don't like you like this." That would spoil the fun.

2. Sardi's: 234 W. 44th St., between Broadway and Eighth Ave. (see map)
This restaurant remains a showbiz staple, so you'll be representing for Jimmy and Bobbie Barrett (who lunched here in Season 2, Episode 5, "The New Girl") and Elisabeth Moss (who's currently starring in Speed-the-Plow, on Broadway). Be decadent like Bobbie and order the steak tartare.

3. Roosevelt Hotel: 45 E. 45th St., between Madison and Vanderbilt Aves. (see map)
The Roosevelt made several appearances throughout Season 2 (Episode 10, "The Inheritance"; Episode 13, "Meditations in an Emergency"), because it doubled as Don's home when Betty kicked him out. In Season 1, Episode 8, "The Hobo Code," the hotel restaurant played host to a very different type of drama when Sal shared a drink with client Elliot Lawrence. Might we recommend the sambuca con mosca, which, as Sal explains, has espresso beans that represent health, wealth, and happiness. That's a good New Year's Eve wish.

4. The Pierre: 2 E. 61st St., between Fifth and Madison Aves. (see map)
In Season 1, Episode 6, "Babylon," Don takes Rachel out to lunch, ostensibly to seek her advice on his Israeli-tourism client. (Her response? "I'm the only Jew you know in New York City?") As for drinks, he's having an old-fashioned; she's having coffee. Order one of each tonight.

Maddicts on the West Coast have a couple of options, too.

1. Trader Vic's: 9876 Wilshire Blvd., at Santa Monica Blvd. (see map)
This Pan-Asian institution has changed a lot since it was first founded, in 1934, expanding to locations all over the globe. The original site, in Beverly Hills, is still there, and, while it never makes an appearance in Mad Men proper, it does get a mention when Pete and Don are in Los Angeles in Episode 11, "The Jet Set."

2. Kate Mantilini's: 9101 Wilshire Blvd., at Doheny Blvd. (see map)
How could we not include the great Kate Mantilini's, in Hollywood? This restaurant has artwork celebrating the series as its primary decor and was featured on AMCtv.com several months back. Read an interview with the owner and learn whether she considers herself a Peggy or a Joan.

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.....John.....This is a great article. You have obviously done your homework, and it was fun reading all the celebratory options.

Happy New Year!

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I'll drink to that Dry Manhatten! Excellent article to keep the Mad Men fire burning. Thank you, AMC for acknowledging your fans. You have an outstanding crew that makes this blog one in a million!! Happy New Year's and a hearty "Cheers" to all of your actors and staff. ;o)

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