Every city has at least a half dozen 'trendy bars'. There are a few different types of them, some better than others, but all playing an important part of the nightlife culture.
Criteria:
You can't get in without knowing someone, and if/when you do, it's all architect-designed, absolute black granite floors, mirrors everywhere, imported italian sofas (unless of course its in italy. . .).
In the bathrooms there are little glass or mirrored shelves for snorting a line off, and often the bathrooms are unisex, or unlabeled, or have glass between men's and ladies (Tank in Sydney being one) so you can watch each other . . .
The bartenders all have funky haircuts, like fauxhawks or with that chunky/cropped mix. They look impossibly cool and wear designer street wear.