We spend so much time trying to get fit for bikini season, and yet some of the best events of the summer aren't the hotel pool parties but the delicious deals at area restaurants.

Take Michy's, for instance, a diminutive, stylish gourmet eatery where, for $33 per person every Wednesday night, you can stuff yourselves on endless servings of Michelle Bernstein's signature fried chicken with a bottomless parade of sides including biscuits and gravy, cole slaw, watermelon Greek salad and a slice of dark chocolate cream pie. Trust us that Wednesdays at Michy's are quite the scene -- and a succulent one at that.

Someone who may not be stuffing her face on fried chicken right now is drag diva Elaine Lancaster, who celebrates her birthday Thursday with a huge party called Hotel Lancaster at Score. Various artists, including Cecilia Paz and Joey Mugica, will showcase their works of art, interpretations of Lancaster, of course, who will not just sit back and be fawned over but will also showcase her pretty stellar DJ skills before DJ Pride takes over. Lancaster insists the party isn't all about her but ``the support system for friends, acquaintances and fellow artists she holds so dear.'' In other words, everyone's welcome. Check in to the Hotel Lancaster starting at 8.

Speaking of hotels, the local ones are probably counting the days until the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl hit Miami so they can switch on the ``No Vacancy'' signs. In the meantime, sports fans are just happy that it's time for football. In honor of our own Miami Dolphins, RA Sushi in South Miami is featuring a Fins Roll, an eight-piece lobster roll with salmon, avocado and spicy mayo. It's normally $12, but if you bring your same-day game ticket stub you'll get two bucks off. Apparently, linebacker Channing Crowder, an RA fan, was the inspiration for the roll.

And while food and drink specials are sure to help the economy, how about the ideal South Beach stimulus package in the form of a high-end gentlemen's club, aka a strip club with bottle service, in the space formerly known as Rumi and O Asian Lounge? That's the rumor we heard, so we went straight to the source, owner Eric Levin, who clarified that the place will not be a gentlemen's club per se but one developed for couples and a mixed crowd. Levin tells us to expect high-level talent, along the lines of Las Vegas/Hollywood burlesque club 40 Deuce. ``It will be much more club oriented,'' he says. Target date unveiling: November..

Open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights is the brand new B&B Lounge at the Burger and Beer Joint, 1766 Bay Rd., featuring ``great tunes, cheap drinks, cool vibe,'' according to owner Buzzy Sklar. Also finally opened after a serious rain delay (no joke -- the restaurant blamed early summer rains for the delay), is Apple, the new L.A.-based restaurant-lounge in the space formerly known as Snatch. Although the restaurant boasts the spawn of a star chef -- Bryan Ogden, son of James Beard Award winner Bradley -- Apple is also banking on its late-night lounge scene, so expect to see a flurry of promoters trying to take a bite out of the action.

For boozehounds on a budget, there may be no better deal than the one offered at The Tides South Beach's La Marea. Cocktails 'Round the Clock works like this: at 2 p.m., drinks cost $2, at 3 they're $3, at 8 they're $8 and, well, the moral of the story is the earlier you start drinking the better it is for your wallet.

Also kicking off on the earlier side is a Sunday party at Halo Lounge called Nice & Soul Sundays featuring classic house, soul and rare disco. Party goes from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. and features DJ Don Diego Escudero.

Another chill party takes place Saturday at the Four Seasons Miami beginning at 11 a.m. and featuring ladies in La Perla swimwear, DJ and cocktail specials. Cover charge is $25; reservations required: 305-381-3037.

Finally, we have to give the Bargain of the Summer Award to Eos at The Viceroy, where bottomless Bloody Mary and Mimosa Sunday brunch will cost you, say, $14 for an entree and get you the endless cocktails, free valet and entry to the fantastic pool party at Club 50. A bikini brunch, if you will, where the fattest thing there is the deal.

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