A massive conference /exhibition center. The lobby and conference rooms are spacious and…read morecomfortable. It is easy reach here with the number 8 bus. Convenient location.

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that dancing simply isn't my thing. But if there's a b-boy…read morebattle going on in my neighborhood, you can bet your oversized hoodies and beanies that I'll be there. I am Korean, after all, so I must have some b-boy nation blood running through my veins, right? I headed out to the Palladium on a blustery Saturday afternoon to attend the 16th "Who Can Roast the Most" competition, an international b-boy competition based in Miami, Florida. Despite feeling sorely out of place, I had a great time. The floor was wide and open, allowing easy access to the action. For people like me, who chose to hang back and observe the activities of people who actually knew what they were doing, there was a little area in the back in front of the concession stands with small tables where you could hang out with a cup of tea. The size of the venue was fairly intimate without being crowded, and the concession stand pushed way in the back elevated by a few steps and banister allowed a good-sized counter without intruding too much on the floor space. I'm sure it would depend on the event, but it was nice to see parents who had brought their young children to watch the b-boy competition. There were people of all ages, from people who were clearly tourists to those who were clearly locals, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. While the area is pretty close to Jonction and Planpalais where you can find plenty of places to eat, the actual street where the Palladium is located is pretty dead. So be prepared to eat before or after the event, as you probably won't be able to step out for a quick bite (I was at WCRM for over four hours, and they were still only up to the quarterfinals. I imagine the hunger situation wouldn't be as bad for normal-length events). Oh, and where do retired b-boys go when they've grown up and had kids? They bring their little b-boy (and b-girl) babies to battle it out with other little b-boy babies on the dance floor. Absolutely adorable.

I'm totally feelin this spot…read more Why? In the 4 - 8pm hours, while other people are drinking at Geneva establishments that have have great beer/wine/cocktails...there is something always missing. Music. This spot, however, pumps chill-yet-soulful tracks during the late afternoon hours...add the industrial feel/European waterway/traditional surrounding architecture...man, this place is fuckin money. Drinking red wine with a fine Italian, French, German honey, outside, by the artsy decommissioned funicular cars and you'll know youz at a straight-up baby-makin joint. Merci, Brasserie Des Halles De L'ile. Merci.

I've walked by this structure every day on my way to and from work for two months without ever…read morestopping to wonder if it had a function. It's one of those iconic buildings that just become part of the scenery of a city. Well, it turns out that it's a restaurant/lounge, and one of the "in" places to go for drinks after work. The decor reminded me of Brooklyn or the Meat Packing District in New York, with a lot of exposed cement and pipes across the ceiling. The building must have been a loading dock or something, and they've basically hollowed out the place, set up tables and a bar, and jacked up the value of the old building. The long hall is divided between a dining area and drinking area. An island bar runs across the center of the narrow hall in the drinking portion of the building, leaving very little room on each side. I tend to spend most of my time either pressed against the window or dodging passers-by trying to make it to the other end of the bar. It's crowded, I've heard the food is mediocre on its best days, it's pricey, the music gets really loud as the night progresses, and they have maybe two red wines on the menu. But there's something about walking across a bridge to get to a bar that sits in the center of a European river that I find appealing. There are also old ferris wheel cars that have been converted into tables in the terrace area. A good go-to place when you're gathering people from both sides of the river, as this is dead center!