(Photo: Alex Tehrani)

• Merkato 55

  55 Gansevoort St., nr. Greenwich St. ; 212-255-8555

• 1. Jill Demos

  28, Pharmaceutical sales

  �It’s funny getting so dressed up in the daytime, but everyone does it. The guys wear nice shirts, vests, sometimes even jackets. I’ve actually seen people in really, really fancy dresses.�

• 2. Sheryl Simon

  28, Banker

  �I happen to work at a bank that wasn’t bailed out, so it’s nice to let loose. It’s a lot of finance people here, which is a little disconcerting, because it almost seems like people are kind of drowning. That would perhaps explain the debauchery.�

• 3. Peter Barsoom

  38, Hedge-fund manager

  �This is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I’m not normally a big day-drinker�I have to work during the day. Bagatelle has a brunch like this, but I prefer the music here.�

• 4. Ashley Darryl

  27, Interior designer

  �This is a very European type of thing. They turn off all the lights and have sparklers everywhere, and then you leave at 7 p.m. and you’re like, �I’m so confused. Am I supposed to eat dinner? What time is it?’ �

• 5. Meghana Rajadhyaksha

  28, Medical sales

  �I’ve never had hard liquor here; it’s always Champagne or like a rosé wine. I like white wines, and I love rosé. At every table, there’s a couple bottles of rosé. Maybe it’s coming back?�

• 6. Andre Edwards

  24, Asset management

  �I usually have an 11 p.m. rule�I don’t drink before that. But I break it for this party. Tonight I’ll probably be out until 5:30 a.m. I just kind of keep moving; I’m always on my feet. The minute I sit down, I start to lose it.�

• 7. Ritu Kaushal

  31, Finance

  �Last time I was here, I got four numbers, although I don’t really remember their faces. It feels like a fraternity in here, like you can talk to whoever you want or cross any borders. It’s like any typical trendy scene: Once you’re in, you’re one of them.�

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