Summer Sales Continue, This Time on the West Side

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Welcome to Drunk Shopping! Our new feature celebrates the time-honored tradition of getting totally wasted while the sun's still shining before buying a bunch of debatably useful stuff that the sober you would be too timid or too restrained to take home. Each Friday we'll cobble together a new itinerary starting you off with a boozy Saturday or Sunday brunch before meandering through a few neighboring retailers and happy hours notable for seasonal specials, limited time availability, fantastic deals, recent openings, or new shipments.

As the doldrums of summer continue, so do the sales (silver lining!) So why not toss a few back and take advantage? Last week we sale-scoured fancy Midtown department stores. This week we're attacking West Village and Meatpacking District boutiques. But you're useless without food and booze: Let's eat at Bonelick Park where for around $11 will get you a big platter of southern barbecue-inflected brunch, a basket of cute, little muffins, and as many middling-tasting but crazy-strong mimosas, Bloody Marys, bellinis and margaritas as you can drink in 90 minutes (Note: The margs are actually delicious, and don't be bashful, order another as soon as you've taken two sips of the one in front of you). Now, shop o'clock.

Almost everyone is having sales right now. Spring and summer merchandise is going to be at least 40% off, but a lot of shops are offering up to 60%. As an added bonus, the first fall deliveries are trickling in, which is pretty perfect in terms of picking out exactly what you'll be buying at 40 to 60% off come December 26th.

Start out in the West Village. May we suggest Ralph Lauren, Margiela, the Marc by Marc Mall, Maria Cornejo, Odin, Kesner, whatever—the world is truly at your fingertips. But note: it's going to be close to 100 degrees this weekend, you'll need to stay hydrated. How about a few cheap-ass pints at the White Horse Tavern? Bask in that air conditioning, use those facilities, move on.

From there walk north along the Hudson. You're there, you might as well let all the scantily-clad joggers and sunbathers make you feel really terrible about yourself. And, not to worry, soon enough, you'll find yourself in MePa. Our sale stops include McQueen, Moschino, Jeffrey, Kimberly Taylor, Matthew Williamson, the Crangi Family Project, Buckler, whatever, everything—if the air conditioning is bumping and there's a sale on any and every shop is fair game.

You can stop for some a few more drinks while you're in the area—how about Cowgirl on Hudson for pitchers of margaritas that clock in around $30? Or head a few more blocks north. How much worse can your heat exhaustion and delirium get? Keep your eyes on the prize: Comme des Garçons and Balenciaga are right there in lower Chelsea.

More importantly, 202 awaits. Tucked into the northeast corner of Chelsea Market, this softly lit restaurant features a quiet wooden bar, racks of Nicole Farhi's delightfully British sportswear (more sales, people), and booze. Ah, darkness and cold drinks and a sea of shopping bags containing things you don't really remember. You're worth it.

Enjoy! And please do share your Drunk Shopping tips, tales, and war stories in the comments!

· Drunk Shopping [Racked NY]