New York nightlife tries to sell itself as being full of happening people, the coolest music, and always on the verge of the next big thing. Then why do they keep recycling the same tired ideas?

♦ It seems the closure of Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg's Marquee this summer had more to do with a drug-related sting operation than a water main break. [NYO]
♦ Frank Bruni gives one star to Socarrat Paella Bar in today's Times: Although Socarrat's signature dish isn't perfect, it's "better than the paellas…

Last we heard, recently-busted sort-of underground gay party super-hangout Mr. Black wouldn't be back until January. Now they're saying it's coming at the end of November! With like a 500-person occupancy! And a night devoted to Baltimore Club, to which we say, hell yes. It will be somewhere—possibly in the…

Super-gay super-underground nightclub Mr. Black, the scene of recent intense police attention resulting in a drug raid with almost no score, will reopen in January 2008—but not in the space sullied by the coppers. According to an email sent by its proprietor (Mr. Black, obvs!) it'll be finding bigger digs. Until…