Out With Dr. Bill: February Magic – Blink and You Miss It

February was a whirlwind–so fast, I must have blinked and suddenly found myself at the end of the month! Living in New York means there's never a dull moment, and this month was no exception. From chance encounters with longtime friends to milestone celebrations, intimate dinner parties, and nights filled with music, laughter, and a touch of glitter, it was a month to remember.

I caught up with the ever-fabulous Richie Rich at Elmo, toasted Huxley Hogeboom's big 5-0 at the Equinox Hotel, indulged in an unforgettable Southeast Asian feast at a loft dinner party with Aleks Zestali, and danced the night away at Lina's Lounge at Cafeteria. And let's not forget a magical birthday bash at The Stonewall Inn and a cherished afternoon with the legendary Marisa Berenson. With so many stories to tell, the hardest part wasn't the writing–it was choosing which moments to write about!

Chinese New Year at the Townhouse

I kicked off the month by ringing in Chinese New Year–also known as Chunjie or the Spring Festival–with friends at one of the city's only piano bars, The Townhouse on 58th, a truly elegant Upper East Side gem that's as delightfully classic as it is unforgettable. A longtime staple in my life, this stylish townhouse-turned-gentlemen's club was recently refreshed with new wallpaper, upholstery, carpeting, and more by the award-winning interior designer, and fellow Fire Island regular, Walter Cartier.

My friend Rick and I often joke that while we never bought a cocktail for ourselves at The Townhouse in our early days, now that we've joined the "daddy" league, we're the ones standing around the piano singing showtunes and picking up the tab. To my younger friends: cherish your youth–soon enough, you'll be buying the drinks.

Amid witty banter and clinking glasses, one of the guests tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to toast the Chinese New Year. I turned to see a young man decked out in full festive attire. I captured the moment on my iPhone, and he proudly admitted he'd lifted the ensemble straight from his mother's closet. Loved it!

Club Kid Reunion in Elmo: Richie Rich

I ran into my longtime friend, Richie Rich, at Elmo earlier this month and was beyond thrilled to discover he's now living just a block away (our neighborhood just got a serious upgrade in fabulousness). Richie, the iconic designer behind Heatherette and a true legend from the Club Kid days, is as vibrant, creative, and full of energy as ever. As we caught up, we couldn't help but reminisce about the good old days, and I recalled the time I attended one of his fashion shows and ended up sitting next to Debbie Harry who, in true Blondie fashion, was effortlessly cool and oozed that rock-and-roll edge that made me feel like I was sharing a moment with music royalty.

Golden Soirée: Huxley's 50th

It's always an honor to celebrate a friend's milestone birthday, and Eric and I were especially grateful to be included in Huxley Hogeboom's fabulous 50th. The golden celebration took place at the ultra-stylish Equinox Hotel, a five-star urban oasis in Hudson Yards. With breathtaking views from the 25th floor, the setting provided a stunning backdrop for the occasion.

The choice of venue was especially meaningful to Huxley, as he served as head of architecture for Equinox Hotels and played a key role in its opening in Hudson Yards.
It was such a treat to see so many familiar faces come together for what Huxley playfully coined his semicentennial. I loved catching up with Huxley's partner Jeff Silverstein, David Lam, Michael Fernandez, Joel Salazar, and especially Evan Goetz–who proved his true friendship by flying in from Los Angeles, where he and David spend part of the year, just to raise a glass to Huxley. Now that's dedication!

From the moment we opened the invitation, we knew we were in for something special. The beautifully designed, gold-inspired invite read Huxley's Five-O and promised a cocktail kiki with drinks + fries (because, of course, cocktails and fries belong together). The dress code? Fashion-y cocktail attire + a touch of gold. And while most guests embraced the theme with shimmering accents, I–true to form–missed a key detail. Had I actually read the invite in full, I would have arrived draped in gold lamé instead of playing it safe in my classic New York black. Shame on me for not paying attention. That said, black is always a solid choice for a city soirée, and a few well-placed gold accessories kept me from being a total fashion rebel.

The night was an absolute blast–filled with laughter, love, and a little extra sparkle, just like Huxley himself.