Submitted by Snappo Cracckleenpop from Miami

Q: Hi Lesley, What's popping? Do you think Art Basel will be popping? Should I pop over to Miami Beach and Mansion? I can't stand all these people popping their mouths about the nightlife here in Miami. Everyone knows that it's popping hard here. What do you think? I gotta pop over back to work!

Answered 12/03/10 12:26:04 by Lesley Abravanel

A: the only thing popping are the pop rocks these art loving hipsters are sucking on. But yah, Basel is popping....the people watching is better than the art if y'ask me. :) follow me on Twitter for the play by plays... www.twitter.com/lesleyabravanel

Submitted by One tough Granny from Miami Beach

Q: Lesley, I'm not sure if you remember Pantry Pride or Zayre or Jackson Byrons. But those were supermarkets and Dept stores back in the day. We used to go to Lionel Playworld to buy toys. What is up with these kids today and all that texting and Facebooking? The clubs are crazy with this cell phone craze! Arthritis in the thumbs and carpal tunnel is what they are looking for. Do you are Lensly?

Answered 11/24/10 16:23:10 by Lesley Abravanel

A: I grew up in New York....we had Shop Rite but not Pantry Pride..And yes, the arthritic thumbs are very disconcerting...:)

Submitted by Al from Miami

Q: Hi Leslie, so what's hot for tonight? Tonight is the official party night on the eve of Thanksgiving.... looking for trendy place that plays a little hip-hop and house.... specifically Brickell or the Beach, love ya!

Answered 11/24/10 15:44:48 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Steve Aoki is spinning exactly that at Mansion tonight..DJ Ruckus is at LIV...

Submitted by INQUIRING MIND from MIAMI

Q: WOW! You are amazing and incredible at the same time! I have a petition out right now asking the Herald to give you a raise!

Answered 11/19/10 11:58:50 by Lesley Abravanel

A: You're lucky if they give you coupons on Sunday...but go for it. :) Thank you!

Submitted by INQUIRING MIND from MIAMI

Q: Hi Lesley, I want to thank you for answering my previous question to my previous question. Have you been to Eden yet? How was it? Did you like it? Was it what you thought it would be? Did you enjoy the ambiance? Did you go alone or with friends? How are you feeling? What are you doing right now? Thank you again for answering all my questions.

Answered 11/19/10 10:28:58 by Lesley Abravanel

A: I went to eden last weekend. The place is lovely. The ambiance , especially outside in the garden, which has been totally opened up since it was Talula, is resplendent. Food was great. I went with my husband. I'm feeling swell, thanks. Christopher Lee is a talent and we're lucky to have him. I am writing back to you right now. :)

Submitted by Bridget from Miami, FL

Q: I wanted to send you info on an event tomorrow? Can you email me your email address so I can forward?

Answered 11/15/10 08:58:58 by Lesley Abravanel

A: LAbravanel@miamiherald.com

Submitted by inquiring mind from Miami

Q: Lesley, thank you so much for your answer on the lunch spot. How do you like the new place Eden? Thanks. :)

Answered 11/12/10 09:27:37 by Lesley Abravanel

A: sure! haven't been yet. going this weekend!

Submitted by Mel from Fort Lauderdale

Q: Thanks for the previous info. Have you heard anything about O1 (in the space that used to be Pearl?)

Answered 11/10/10 17:28:23 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Sure. No real buzz on 01 whatsoever...it sounds hit or miss, focusing more on the latter..

Submitted by Jon from Naples

Q: Hi Lesley, Is the roof top lounge at Townhouse any good on Saturday night? If not when is it any good? if ever?

Answered 11/10/10 08:44:29 by Lesley Abravanel

A: they're having a big 'reopening' party (private) up there on Thursday to reintroduce the space to the hipsters so I suspect that after that, and now that the weather is not as vile, it should be good on most nights, but for now I'd stick to a weekend night like Saturday, yes, just to be safe until it catches back on and things start happening up there!

Submitted by Mel from Fort Lauderdale

Q: I'm putting together a girls night for a Saturday and need some suggestions. We're in our early to mid 30s...looking for table reservations...room to dance...open format (with an emphasis on top 40, hip hop, rock...rather than house/techno). I was originally thinking SET, but a ton of other suggestions have come up including Mokai, Wall, Louis. Any advice?

Answered 11/09/10 19:07:37 by Lesley Abravanel

A: I'd go with WALL though Mokai, albeit miniature, has a good soundtrack..Louis, too. But those are more loungey. Wall is more of a club scene with room to dance!

Submitted by FAILING MIND from MIAMI

Q: Dear Lesley, I am beginning this paragraph as if I am going to write a book. I hope you are well. I am writing, ah, I mean typing to ask you a question. Hopefully these letters that I type can somehow speak to you. It is my boss's birthday and we were looking for a secluded place in Miami Beach where no lifeguards are around. We would like to sit one on top of each other if possible. Please let me know if know of such a place on earth. Thanks!

Answered 11/09/10 19:06:20 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Flamingo Park sounds like a swell place for you two. :)

Submitted by FRED GARVIN JR. from CHICAGO, IL

Q: I read the Herald on line religiously between my trips to Miami and enjoy your blog! I haven't seen a 'Velvet Underground' column in a long time and miss it! Is it on hiatus, not on line or am I missing something? Thanks!!! By the way, am I the 1001st person to ask you this? Sorry for the persistence but I am having trouble functioning in life without this blog. Help me.

Answered 11/09/10 19:05:52 by Lesley Abravanel

A: no hiatuses, just technical glitches. just follow me on twitter and all will be well in the world. @LesleyAbravanel

Submitted by inquiring mind from Miami

Q: Dear Lesley, how are you? I hope all is well. I am writing to ask you a question. I am trying to find a place that is good for a group to have a birthday lunch. It is for my boss's birthday and the group is the whole office. Do you know of a place that is not too expensive in Miami Beach or Miami that is good for an office group. (We like to sit togehter if possible. Please let me know. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

Answered 11/08/10 10:58:40 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Try Clarke's on South Beach. Great lunch spot.

Submitted by fredgarvin from chicago, IL

Q: I read the Herald on line religiously between my trips to Miami and enjoy your blog! I haven't seen a 'Velvet Underground' column in a long time and miss it! Is it on hiatus, not on line or am I missing something? Thanks!!!

Answered 11/08/10 10:58:20 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Hey Fred--you are the 1000th person to ask me this. I am looking into it. No there's no hiatus. It's in the actual newspaper but seems to take a while to hit the website. Stay tuned, stay patient and thanks!

Submitted by MICHAEL from PORT WASHINGTON, NY

Q: Lesley, I wanted to thank you again for being so kind and answering all my questions. I dont really like any DJ's at Cameo or Mansion. My partner and I and friends are really looking for a gay friendly club where we can let loose. From one Long Islander to another, I thank you again so much for making such a huge difference in our lives. Have you ever thought of working in a hotel as a concierge? You would be perfect! Thank you! Thank you!

Answered 11/03/10 15:21:47 by Lesley Abravanel

A: You never cease to amuse me.

Submitted by MICHAEL from PORT WASHINGTON, NY

Q: Wanted to say thanks so much! That's the perfect list of hot clubs & hotel bars. One last question, any opinion on Cameo & Mansion? I notice you left them out and "coincidentally" they seem to be the ones being pushed by some "VIP hosts" online. Are they worth checking out if we can't get into the others or should they be avoided?

Answered 11/02/10 23:55:57 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Unless either Cameo or Mansion have a particular performer or DJ you dig, I'd focus on the other places. If you do go to either you will still have a fine time but focus on the other places. And beware of those VIP hosts...I'd stick w/ your hotel concierge who will get you on guest lists for free first..

Submitted by MICHAEL from PORT WASHINGTON, NY

Q: Hi Lesley! Thanks in advance for your help, you give the best advice and I've been waiting a long time to ask in order to get the updated scoop. Will be down in South Beach next Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights on a company retreat. Depending on who stays out after dinner, we will be 4 to 8 gentlemen (late 20's to early 30's) going out each night. Would appreciate if you could recommend, for each of those 3 nights, a couple of hot clubs we should plan ahead and make an effort to get into; a couple of "2nd tier" clubs, not quite as "hot" but should definitely be crowded; and a couple of bars expected to be crowded, with no table service required. Thanks! Michael

Answered 11/02/10 22:28:34 by Lesley Abravanel

A: hey Michael--from one Long Islander to another... here are the places you will want to go to: Wall,the club at the W Hotel (guest list) and the bar in the lobby there(usually not a guest list) Mokai (guest list) Louis (guest list) LIV (guest list) brand new at fontainebleau, Arkadia (guest list) The aforementioned are 'top tier' and will cost you $$ and perhaps patience The Florida Room at Delano (sometimes guest list, sometimes not) the lobby bars at Delano and Mondrian (no lists) Bardot (off South Beach, usually no issues getting in, great hipster crowd, music, scene, not pretentious) don't forget restaurant bars..the one at Prime 112 and its neighboring Prime Hotel are superb for scene although usually mobbed..

Submitted by TJ from Miami Beach

Q: Lesley, We need some recomendations for Haloween (besides Lincoln Rd and Coconut Grove). Looking for a fun party, moderately priced for Saturday night. Any suggestions? Saw the one at the Raleigh as an option or the one at the Mondrion. Like to stay at beach, but also saw possibly Tobacco Road.

Answered 10/29/10 06:17:34 by Lesley Abravanel

A: hey check out my column today in Weekend. There are several cool parties going on all over town and some are even free!

Submitted by Debbie Downer from Depression Blvd.

Q: Hi Lesley, I don't like the clubs in Miami they make me feel out of place. Why is everyone always wanting to party? Too many germs in clubs and I don't like dancing. Most men are rude and don't treat me right. Where do you recommend I go where I can have some fun? Wait, on second thought, I might not want to go, I like staying home sometimes and watching my favorite movie, "Sybil" with Linda Blair. It's such a good movie! No wait, I hate it! No, I think it's great! Thanks, I think..

Answered 10/22/10 15:43:40 by Lesley Abravanel

A: If you like Sybil, then no wonder you don't like the mono dimensional club scene. For multiple personalities, I suggest you take in a nice drag show somewhere.

Submitted by GG from Miami, FL

Q: What kind of music does Coco Deville play on Saturday?

Answered 10/21/10 17:46:42 by Lesley Abravanel

A: Everything from Gaga to rock/hip hop mash ups with an emphasis on mixes including Phoenix, MGMT, Passion Pit etc