Even before Chinatown became a haven for slick bars and art galleries, this electro-and-hip-hop night helped rejuvenate the neighborhood's club scene that died in the '80s with the closure of punk-rock haven Madame Wong's.

Going strong for more than seven years, the Firecracker dance party is like Urb magazine come to life: The music is old-school, new-school, hip-hop, house and jazz fusion. The room (upstairs from the Grand Star restaurant) may not be the prettiest in town, but the unusual projections on the walls and colorful displays from local artists ensure its own funky feng shui.—Lina Lecaro