Chelsea has always had some of the hottest nightlife in town - in the 90's, Chelsea was the decadent playground of club kids who frequented legendary clubs like Twilo and Limelight, and today it is home to celebrity hotspots like Marquee and the popular bars of the Meatpacking District. Its reputation as NYC's gay capital only adds to an already-smokin' scene. But it is also the city's de facto arts district - skyrocketing rent in Soho led artists to establish their galleries in Chelsea, and today there are over 370 galleries open to the public. With endless nightlife and a thriving arts scene, it's no surprise that Chelsea has become expensive - high-end designers like Balenciaga and Stella McCartney all have boutiques here.
Chelsea's art galleries are located west of 10th Avenue, roughly between 18th and 29th streets. New exhibits open to trendy crowds and complimentary drinks on Thursday evenings, 6-8 p.m.
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