View of Bethlehem Steel from Fahy Bridge.

I had a rather interesting Labor Day weekend. It was pleasantly relaxing, but surprisingly eventful, too. My extended weekend began with a walk around the South Side visiting the usual characters for a lively First Friday.

After popping into some of my favorite shops, my sister, Jess, and I walked down to Northampton Community College’s Fowler Family Southside Center on Third Street for the opening reception of “More Serious Business” featuring some 55 well-respected artists from in and around the Valley including my friend Josh “NoNo” Novak of the LVAN.

The place was a maze! From one room to another, people shuffled in and out viewing works from photos to oil paintings and even 3D stuff. My sister, having been a Fine Arts major at Kutztown University, ran into several of her former professors. I spent a few moments chatting with Anthony of Connexions in Easton.

To start my Saturday off, I headed to Art n Soul Studios in Allentown to finish a new tattoo with Curtis Richter. Nothing like the sensation of a tattoo gun to wake you up (I love it!). After an afternoon family picnic, I retreated to the South Side and found myself at Molly’s (formerly Lehigh Pub and Bridgeworks) with Jess and a few of Homebase’s finest.

Where’d we go next? The Bookstore, of course! The motley crew (sarcasm!) and I sat around a candle-lit table and mulled over the menu and the “rules,” which I don’t quite remember from previous visits. Perhaps a new addition? Check them out the next time you’re there. Number 5 is silly!

The original crew had come and gone but was replaced by Aaron from B104 and his girlfriend and Cap Cee of Audio Dynamkiz and his fiancée. Our waitress spilled one-and-a-half drinks across our table, but apologized profusely the moment the first glass tumbled. No worries!

At 2 a.m., Andy, the group, and I decided to check out one of the new hookah lounges. Has anyone else noticed that they’ve been popping up all over the Valley lately? Sultana Lounge was far too club-y for our liking so we walked down the street to Essence Hookah Lounge, but there was a $5 cover charge–something none of us wanted to pay. I’ve never been to a hookah bar before, but I’d assume it’s much nicer on a chill night without dance-y beats and loud bass. The group agreed and we all parted ways for the night.

That leads me to Sunday. Did anyone attend Sophistikate’s grand opening celebration on Friday night? This new soho-chic boutique is located on Main and Broad streets in North Bethlehem. I couldn’t make the opening (I admit, it took me far too long to choose an outfit that night) so I decided to take advantage of the beautiful afternoon and walk there. Knowing that it was supposed to be open until 5 p.m., I timed my walk for plenty of time for boutique browsing.

Only, apparently I didn’t. According to my trusty iPhone, it was 4:40 p.m. when I arrived, but the double glass doors were locked. A woman came to the door to announce that she was closing and handed me a flyer. I’m sorry, but I thought I had 20 minutes to shop. Instead of saying something, I took the snub, turned around, and patronized Moravian Book Shop. I purchased Little Bee and walked to Wired Café for a smoothie then sat outside at a little table to read in the sun–the perfect way to spend my day.

Then, I found myself at the bar at Hotel Bethlehem with friend and former LVS intern (now contributor) Amanda Harding. We both opted for the Hotel B Sweet Tea–a much better version of a Long Island Iced Tea–and chatted for a good hour or so before I left for my journey home to the South Side.

OK, it’s not really a journey. The walk is about 20 minutes or so. As I crossed the Fahy Bridge on that gorgeous Sunday afternoon, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Bethlehem all over again. It was the prettiest day. The sunshine and crisp, blue sky made every detail on every tree and building stand out so vividly. The river sparkled below. The movement of the city was alive and I was a part of it.

In a flash, I straightened my hair, changed my shoes, and found myself at a late dinner at White Orchids. It was my first visit and I left feeling satisfied. Thai isn’t exactly my favorite food, but my curry chicken dish was yummy albeit a bit too spicy for my bland palate. Beautiful place, though!

My Labor Day weekend concluded with a girls’ day/night with long-time friend Erin, who recently moved into a condo at Riverport, and a friend from high school who I haven’t seen since we graduated. I Skyped (is that even a verb?) for the very first time with two good friends who are traveling Ireland. We ordered a large half plain, half Hawaiian pizza from Lehigh Pizza. We gossiped, drank wine, played dress up, took photos, and totally vegged out. It was perfect!

Have I mentioned that I love living on the South Side? For obvious reasons, some aforementioned, Bethlehem surely helps to make my weekends lively and exciting.

Have you heard? There’s a new lounge in town and it’s absolutely worth checking out.

What was once home to the college bar, Element, on Adams Street near Fourth in South Side Bethlehem, is now a fantastically cool and vintage-y 1920s speakeasy called The Bookstore. Don’t be alarmed by the unusual, obscure entrance (like I was); go ahead and walk right through those luscious velvet curtains and step back in time as you listen to roaring 20s tunes played on a Victrola and drink or dine by candlelight.

It feels every bit the era from the copper bar to the aged books both for reading or purchasing (if you’d like) and the finely dressed wait staff to the delish menu cleverly pasted into some of those aged novels.

I tried the Adams Street Shuffle concoction, one of their signature drinks, and a daiquiri, which I ended up not liking as much as the Shuffle. The Bookstore has quite an extensive beer list, too—something for every taste bud. If you’re hungry, choose from their light menu of small plates ranging from gourmet soups and salads, or pick a cheese platter, instead, embellished with fruits, spreads, and crackers.

You have to visit The Bookstore to truly experience its ambiance. No doubt, it’s unlike any establishment in our area. I can honestly say that I’m not a regular at any area bar, but this place may just become my new favorite hang out.