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LA’s first power plant is one of its latest hot spots. When The Edison Bar moved into a 1910 building near Harlem Place Alley in downtown L.A. it left much of the infrastructure there intact, including the original boiler, power turbines and much of the piping. Around that industrial facade went mood lighting, low-slung bar, atmospheric dance floor and lots of plush nook for eating, socializing and romancing. The result is beyond cool. Come prepared to stand in line and dress to impress — bouncers won’t let you in wearing hats, sneakers or athletic wear.

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Bangkok's coolest scenes are high above the city.

Bangkok’s glamour set has no fear of heights. Two of the Thai capital’s most chic dining and drinking spots are well above the city: the Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar and Sirocco. The whitewashed Vertigo occupies a former helicopter landing pad on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Sirocco, atop the 65 story State Tower, is the highest open air restaurant in the world. Both draw a chic cocktail-centric crowd. Sirocco is the larger of the two and has the more energetic scene; its Mediterranean restaurant also has the better food. Vertigo is more intimate and so feels more on-top-of-the-world. Show up at both early to claim your seat by the ledge and to give time for the notoriously slow service to get you your drink in time for the sunset.

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