The Sixth Borough: The Hottest Hoboken Openings in 2010

Hoboken is rapidly becoming the "New" New York. Since the opening of the W Hotel and residences last year, the town has definitely attracted a posher clientele and has become the destination for New Jersey Nightlife. And, there's no doubt that town favorite, Buddy Valastro, continues to draw in some of the tourist population of New York with his hit show, Cake Boss. But, like any growing city, business owners are beginning cultivate fresh and innovative hotspots to serve Hoboken's ever-growing clientele.

Things are always changing. So out with the old, and in with the new Hoboken hotspots of 2010.

VILLAGE POUR HOUSE

There's no better place for a beer and burger than Hoboken, New Jersey! With its laid back, jeans and a football jersey atmosphere, it's the perfect place to kick back after work or on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Already open in convenient Midtown and Downtown areas in New York City, the Village Franchise owners finally got the location right! Instead of waiting in long lines at The Shannon or McSwiggen's you could walk right down the street to Pour House. Unlike most of Hoboken's bars, it features 300 plus capacity and some of the rarest, foreign beers in the world.

Located at 205 First Street.

W

It's official, the luxury hotel and residence franchise, open in all major cities across the world, has found its next big city, Hoboken, New Jersey. W Hoboken features a flashy club with astounding views of the New York Skyline, the decadent dining at Zylo Steakhouse, the indulgent Bliss Spa, and a destination shopping spot for the latest fashion must-haves at the W Store.

Located at 225 River Street

200 LOUNGE

Hoboken, a town made for the out-of-college dive bar drinker, is about to meet it's match. 200 Lounge features renowned DJ's from around the country who are featured at some of the best nightclubs in New York City.

What to expect? On any given Friday or Saturday night, expect the hottest beats, sizzling violin featurettes, champagne sparklers and bottle service from some scantily dressed attendants. But, it is one of the only places that charges more than $5 to get in.

Located on 200 Washington Street

1 REPUBLIC

I tried the truffled mac & cheese with marscapone and goat cheese - I thought I died and went to comfort food heaven! Recently opened in November 2010, this bar is a great new hangout on Washington street. With its pool table and dart boards, it's a perfect setting for an after work gathering with friends.

STACKS

As soon as the bars in Hoboken close, you can suddenly catch you fellow party-goers under harsher, florescent lighting as they order they're 3am meal - it's quite entertaining actually. But, utterly turned off by late night runs to Johnny Rockets, McDonalds, or Cluck U Chicken, I recently ran into late night heaven at Stacks. This pancake haven hosts a large range of belgium waffles, breakfast snacks, and, of course, their delicious pancakes for your late night snack attacks!

Located at 506 Washington Street

MIDTOWN AUTHENTIC

Rory Chadwick, the owner of Hoboken's Midtown Authentic, knows what women and men really want; high end designer fashion at affordable prices. As a frequenter of many New York consignment shops, I can say that these authentic designer duds are priced to sell. Ranging from the newest Chanel handbags to rare Christian Louboutin pumps, a girl's fashion fantasies may soon become a fashion reality!

Located on 728 Washington Street

WICKED WOLF TAVERN

Famous for their Wednesday night trivia night, this is the perfect place to meet up with a group of friends. Thankfully, this is not the typical Hoboken Sports Bar one would expect; it's a bit quieter and draws in professionals after the 5pm rush hour. With open views of the Manhattan Skyline and its neatly decorated atmosphere, this is sure to be a riverside keeper!

Located at 120 Sinatra Drive

HOBOKEN'S NEWEST PIER

Every Hoboken resident, at one point or another, has hung out on their beach towel in the summertime at the Frank Sinatra pier. As one of my close friends once put it, with its frisby and football players and dog walkers, it looks like a scene straight out of a J Crew catalogue. Whether you like to run or just chill out with a book, Hoboken has yet again opened another pier on the waterfront at 3rd street, adjacent to the Frank Sinatra pier on 1st street. The new pier comes equipt with running paths and a playground for the kids.

The Bucket List's Top 5 Hoboken Resident Celebrities of 2010

Hoboken is not only a town of up and coming young professionals, ya know. This mile square town plays host to a handful of celebrities too. Like us, they too enjoy the solace of small town living, but enjoy the convenience of New York City's trendy traffic. According to thebokenonline.com, since the opening of the W residences, there have been rumors that LL Cool J, 50 Cent, and a handful of NFL players all shack up in pads with stellar skyline views!

I mean, Frank Sinatra's not the only one to bring Hoboken some hometown cool.

Fast Forward to 2010, we've come to see some great celebrity traffic ourselves, check out the Bucket List's Top 5 local Celebrities who make their presence known in the Hoboken community, sometimes in more bad ways than good.

Hear what these Hoboken locals have to say about living in Hoboken!

1. Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro

There hasn't been a character since Frank Sinatra himself to put Hoboken, New Jersey on the map quite like Buddy Valastro! This old-fashioned, Italian-American baker gives homage to his small town upbringing in Hoboken, New Jersey on his hit TLC show, Cake Boss. Carlo's Bakery has been family-owned in its prime 95 Washington Street location for the past 100 years. On any given day, at any odd hour, you can catch tourists and fans as they line up outside of the store to taste some his old-fashioned Italian baked goods. And, the only part of the family-run bakery that has demanded change during their 100 years in business is the impressive 10,000 square foot baking studio only a floor above the bakery, built to serve the demanding, ever-growing clientel, including Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus.

Last year, after much persistence, I had the opportunity to interview the family man about his unexpected fame and how he put Hoboken on the map.

Despite a hectic schedule since the show's premiere in 2008, the 32 year-old baker, always finds time to give back to his fans and his community. Buddy, in his signature white bakers coat, tells me, "I felt like it was my obligation to go out and greet those people in line. My dad taught me to always be true to who you are and make time for people. They waited on the line to see the bakery, to see me, so it's the least I could do."

Viewers watch every week as Buddy puts his skills, pricision and perfectionist touch to every project, especially in his work for Hoboken's social events, such as the inaugural cake he made for the inauguration for Hoboken's new mayor, Dawn Zimmer.

Buddy is humbled by his dedicated fans and commits to giving back to those who have made

him who he is today, America's Cake Boss. Now, when Buddy drives into Hoboken each day, the reflection of his hard work and dedication to his father's bakery are represented in the billboards on just about every street corner in Hoboken. Buddy smiles and says, "Hoboken's been great to me, seeing Hoboken love me back is just awesome."

2. Natalie Morales of the Today Show

Having recently woken up at 5a.m. to be at the set of ABC's Good Morning America last week, I'm taking the time to appreciate a woman who wakes up in the brisk hours of the early morning to get to the set of NBC's Today. As a National News Correspondant for the show, she's famous for covering the 2001 World Trade Center Attacks, the 2000 Presidential Election, and the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Recently, my good friend, and Hoboken local, Rory Chadwick,

caught up with the busy news correspondent to talk about living in

Hoboken.

On Hoboken dining: "My tops would be Cucharramama. I love the authenticity of the South American cuisine. I recently had my birthday dinner there and had an incredible appetizer to start which was a small pepper filled with sweet potato puree and topped with a Manchego Cheese sauce. Amazing. The Chef from Cucharramama recently cooked at the White House for the Obamas, that’s how good it is."

On Hoboken politics: "I’m disappointed, as so many in Hoboken are, over what has been one too many political disasters in town. It is infuriating as well to know our tax dollars are not being put to better use. I can’t believe there are not more schools and playgrounds being built as our town continues to bust at the seams."

On Hoboken living: "Running through town along Frank Sinatra Drive and hanging in Hoboken’s parks with my kids. We also enjoy “stooping” with the neighbors — meaning a glass of wine, the kids playing, and all of us hanging out on our stoops."

For the full interview with Rory, go to thebokenonline.com

3. NY Giants football star, Eli Manning

What makes more sense than to have a famous Giants football player living in a town composed of Giants fanatics? Eli Manning, brother of NFL

QB, Payton Manning, supposedly lives riverside in the Maxwell Place complex, however fans have rarely caught him on the streets. Despite his busy scheduling, he has been caught on camera at the bar scene, and like most men his age, he was caught with glazed-over eyes and a cute blonde back last year, typical! Well, although the 2008 MVP is often busy at work, you can always catch him on every screen at the bars during Sunday Football.

4. Comedian and Actor, Danny Aiello

Dany Aiello often frequents the upstairs lounge at Tutta Pasta, located at 200 Washington Street, with his outrageously funny comedy sketch routines. But, once upon a time this funny man had featured roles in some of the best movies of all time including Do the Right Thing, Moonstruck, and The Godfather Part II. So, this is one celebrity you can pay your way to see. For upcoming events at Danny Upstairs Lounge check out dannysupstairs.com

5. The Howard Stern Show's, Artie Lange

Today, this satellite radio personality is known for bringing some of his improvisational comedy to the infamously raunchy

Howard Stern show. He was also part of the original Mad TV cast and known for his stand up shows around the country. But, on any given weeknight, he frequents Hoboken hotspots such as City Bistro, right down the street from his Hudson Tea Building

residence. Yet, locals have often caught the notoriously boozed up character in one of two compromising positions. Danny Aiello has often recruited the actor to appear in his comedy show at Tutta Pasta as well.

These resident celebrities have been spotted at some of the hottest nightlife spots, out

to decadent dinners, and out in Hoboken's parks. They know there's nothing better than taking in the New York Skyline from the Hudson River. And, after all, what's cooler than shacking up in Frank Sinatra's hometown?