The 100 Coolest Places of the Complex Decade

What makes a place cool? Is it something inherent in the space, or is it dependent on the people who embrace the location, whether it's a hotel, a restaurant, a bar, a club, a sneaker shop, et cetera? Though defining cool remains elusive, spotting it is not. In fact, it's our job.

The one thing that holds true for every cool event of the Complex Decade? All of them happened somewhere. Maybe it was the hotel where Jay and 'Ye recorded portions of Watch the Throne, maybe it was the ball court where Kevin Durant made it rain buckets, maybe it was the sneaker shop you stood in line in front of for hours—these are the 100 Coolest Places of the Complex Decade.

100. Brooklyn Bowl

City: Brooklyn
Address: 61 Wythe Ave.
Website: brooklynbowl.com

Resting just one block from the waterfront in Williamsburg, in the former Hecla Iron Works building, Brooklyn Bowl is one of the borough's most prized attractions. You can get your bowl on at one of the 16 lanes, drink your life away at both full bars, or enjoy food courtesy of Blue Ribbon. With roughly 23,000 square-feet dripping in carnival-like decor, the Bowl makes for a boss music venue, which explains the regular bookings. Midwest duo The Cool Kids performed there last summer after finally dropping their long-awaited debut album When Fish Ride Bicycles, and ?uesto spins there regularly.

99. The ArcLight

City: Los Angeles
Address: 6360 West Sunset Blvd.
Website: arclightcinemas.com

One of the best places to catch a movie, the ArcLight is an enormous theater right in the middle of Hollywood. Not a "premiere" type place, like Westwood theaters, just the best spot to chill and watch a new blockbuster. Even celebs stop in if they want to check out a flick.

98. Cinespace

City: Los Angeles
Address: 6356 Hollywood Blvd.
Website: cinespace.info

DJ/producer/label owner/wild man: Steve Aoki wears many hats, hats he's just as likely to take off and whip into the crowd before he sprays them with whipped cream. Aoki has thrown some his biggest (and craziest) parties at Cinespace in Los Angeles. The parties, which you can still attend every Tuesday, attract the hip L.A. kids in day-glo clothes who want to shed more than their inhibitions. For stupid fun during the 'Plex Decade, look no further than Aoki at Cinespace.

97. SoHo Beach House

City: Miami
Address: 4385 Collins Ave.
Website: sohobeachhouse.com

This private hotel and spa lies in the spot where the famous Sovereign Hotel once did. With a private beach, Soho Beach House overlooks the ocean and has brought classic chic to Collins Ave. since opening in 2010.

96. Glenn Hotel

City: Atlanta
Address: 110 Marietta St.
Website: glennhotel.com

You'll recognize this swanky Atlanta hotel from the video for Wacka Flocka's "No Hands." You can try and duplicate that fun if you like (it'll cost you), but you'll most likely come up short—everything looks more fun on TV, especially when you're a rapper.

95. Nation

City: Washington, D.C.
Address: 1015 Half St. SE
Website: n/a

Formerly known as the Capitol Ballroom, Nation was located in the Navy Yard section of Southeast D.C. that's currently recognized as the "Ballpark District." Nation closed in July 2006, but was the largest club in the area during its prime. With three indoor levels, a multi-level outdoor patio, and amazing sound and lighting systems, Nation was a the rave scene back in the day. Though Nation was popular with the drum and bass crowd, Jay-Z, Snoop, and Eminem all performed there.

94. Harold's Chicken Shack

City: Chicago
Address: 636 South Wabash Ave.
Website: n/a

Known for its fried poultry and delicious mild sauce, Harold's Chicken Shack is a Chicago staple. Despite finding mumbo sauce superior to its Midwest counterpart, Wale shouted Harold's out on "That Way." In late 2011, Kanye was caught on tape singing the praises of the spot.

93. Rucker Park

City: New York
Address: 155th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard
Website: n/a

As one of the most famed basketball courts ever, this Harlem treasure is where the best of the hood and the best of the pros meet to prove who's the best of the best. The Rucker has produced numerous hood superstars, such as the legend in two games himself, Pee Wee Kirkland, Earl "The Goat" Manigault, and Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston.

When last summer's NBA lockout threatened the current NBA season, rather than take the summer off to sulk or get fat, some of the league's finest began working the street ball circuit. One of the most impressive and memorable performances was Kevin Durant's 66-point downpour, one the summer's many highlights, just another memory added to the legacy of Rucker Park.

92. Milk

City: San Francisco
Address: 1840 Haight St.
Website: milksf.com

For hip-hop in S.F., Milk was that spot. At this bar/club, the DJs always came correct (assuming you arrived on the right night; recent history has seen the rise of regular bluegrass night that will not satisfy anyone's E-40 cravings). Rather then diluting, the multitude of genres showcased here only made everyone step their game up.

91. Canter's Deli

City: Los Angeles
Address: 419 North Fairfax Ave.
Website: cantersdeli.com

After a night of partying in Los Angeles, your food options were limited; L.A. just isn't the city for that. But when you did decide to fill your drunk stomach, you hit up Canter's, the 24-hour deli that knew no discrimination. Alcohol, after all, is the great equalizer. After hours of partying, you'd find yourself sandwiched between any number of celebs, everyone craving a sandwich. The best L.A. spot for coming down after a wild night, hands down.

90. Fecal Face Gallery

City: San Francisco
Address: 2277 Mission St.
Website: fecalface.com

One of San Francisco's coolest, small galleries, Fecal Face has displayed work from many of the artists that have colored the Complex Decade, especially Jeremy Fish, the illustrator known for working with Aesop Rock and designing a Nike SB.

89. The Mockbee

City: Cincinnati
Address: 2260 Central Pkwy.
Website: n/a

Scribble Jam was the annual hip-hop festival that ran in Cincinnati from 1996 to 2008. Many a white rapper came out of the fest, which was started by Scribble, the graffiti mag. And many an afterparty was thrown at the Mockbee, one of Cinci's most important music and art spaces. Though the festival lasted only a little over a decade, it left a mark; ask about the time a young Eminem spit. Or when Mac Lethal won the MC battle in 2002. Hip-hop in the Midwest wouldn't have been the same without Scribble Jam.

88. The Bench

City: New York
Address: Houston and Orchard
Website: n/a

How to explain the Bench? It is literally a bench outside the American Apparel at the corner of Houston and Orchard in the Lower East Side. But for a moment in 2009, it became a hot hang-out spot through the machinations of Dante Ross, Ari Forman, Max Glazer, and Matt Goias, all dudes with various connections to the tangled worlds of music and marketing. What captures the Complex Decade better than a city bench become an event through ceaseless Internet promotion and careful hype manipulation?

87. Turkey's Nest Tavern

City: Brooklyn
Address: 94 Bedford Ave.
Website: n/a

Williamsburg was the place for much of the Complex Decade, and during the summer, the Turkey's Nest was the bar of choice for anyone seeking a shithole to lounge in, or a to-go margarita. More than anything else, the Turkey's Nest (which is now closed) will be remembered for the enormous, alcohol-heavy styrofoam-cupped to-go margaritas that so many imbibed in nearby McCarren Park during the hottest days in Brooklyn. R.I.P.

86. U Street Music Hall

City: Washington, D.C.
Address: 1115A U St. NW
Website: ustreetmusichall.com

Nestled inside of D.C.'s U Street Corridor, U Street Music Hall is the District's ultimate dance party venue. With a 1,200 square-foot cork-cushioned dance floor, U Street Music Hall features an amazing sound system that will have your rib cage rattling long after you've left. With a spacious, elevated DJ booth that looks like a VIP section, it's obvious that U Hall was created by DJs. That sound system, which is among the best in the city, was put to the test last April when Big K.R.I.T. tore the place down with a sweat-drenched, Southern-friend performance for the ages.

85. GoldBar

City: New York
Address: 389 Broome St.
Website: goldbarnewyork.com

Take the name at face value—partying inside GoldBar alongside people like Lindsay Lohan is about decadence. Gold comprises the entire color palette, and honey (because of the color) is the central ingredient in the signature cocktails. Much of the Complex Decade has been about chronicling the tailspins of our favorite starlets, and in New York, GoldBar was one of the places for grisly sightseeing.

84. Sonar

City: Baltimore
Address: 407 East Saratoga St.
Website: sonarbaltimore.com

Located in Baltimore's City Center, Sonar is one of Baltimore's best spots for club kids. Playing host to a variety of genres, be it indie rock, hip-hop, or metal, the venue excels at dance nights—the fact that it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere makes it a boon for young people to pretend it's the rave scene's heyday once again. One of its more popular dance nights is hosted by Taxidermy Lodge, aka "Taxlo," and sees regular appearances from local superstars like Tittsworth and Dave Nada.

83. The Autumn Bowl

City: Brooklyn
Address: For members only
Website: n/a

Located inside of Greenpoint Terminal, the Autumn Bowl was underground, but definitely not a secret. A 2006 fire jeopardized its future, but skaters did their very best to keep the private park alive until it was demolished in 2010.

82. Silk City Diner

City: Philadelphia
Address: 435 Spring Garden St.
Website: silkcityphilly.com

Silk City is half-bar, half-diner, and totally worth your time. Guy Fieri stamped this place, and it's received enough love in the community for one of its doormen to have an epic, well-attended roast a few years ago. ?uestlove of The Roots makes frequent appearances, usually to jump on the 1's and 2's at the Sundae Party.

81. FTC

City: San Francisco
Address: 1632 Haight St.
Website: ftcsf.com

Starting in 1986 and opening its first store in San Francisco in 1994, FTC is a real skate shop through and through. Its name hasn't caught as much fame during the Complex Decade like Supreme or HUF, but that's why real skaters still think FTC is that spot. There are now stores in Sactown, Barcelona, and Tokyo, but FTC SF is still homebase to the brand's understated cool.

80. 9:30 Club

City: Washington, DC
Address: 815 V St. NW
Website: 930.com

As one of the premier venues on the East Coast, D.C.'s 9:30 Club has won the Billboard Touring Awards "Top Club" honor every year from 2007 to 2011, with the exception of 2008. Many acts have taken the stage, but one of the most memorable recent performances was Kendrick Lamar's first official D.C. show last August, courtesy of DC to BC and The Great Progression.

79. Florent

City: New York
Address: 69 Gansevoort St.
Website: n/a

A 24-hour diner with quality French cuisine that catered to the likes of Spike Lee, Johnny Depp, the random transvestite hooker, and you, if you had just stumbled drunk out of any of the Meatpacking District's clubs—that was Florent, a downtown institution that saw its end during the Complex Decade. Though it shuttered in 2008, Florent marked Manhattan in a way that you can still feel; you feel the lack, a hole that can never be filled.

78. Grand Star Jazz Club

City: Los Angeles
Address: 943 North Broadway
Website: grandstarjazzclub.com

On Fridays, Firecracker would take over the second-floor lounge at L.A.'s Grand Star Jazz Club, filling the room with quality hip-hop and wall-to-wall dancing. Similar to L.A.'s famous Do-Over parties, Firecracker attracted an artsy, rap-centric crowd all through the aughts. For a hip-hop head looking for your favorite sounds all year round during the Complex Decade, this was the spot.

77. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

City: Austin
Address: Multiple Locations
Website: drafthouse.com

Though the famous Texas chain was started in the late '90s, it wasn't until the early aughts that the Alamo Drafthouse became an Austin institution. Famous for serving brew and food during screenings (as well as going to great lengths to keep the clientele from dicking around with phones), the Drafthouse set the standard for a new movie experience: you could drink, eat, and count on the fact that if anyone took a call or talked loudly, the staff would 86 them. The chain has expanded to other states, and it was just announced that a New York location is coming soon.

76. HUF

City: San Francisco
Address: 812 Sutter St.
Website: hufsf.com

Keith Hufnagel opened HUF in San Francisco in 2002 and made it the spot in the Bay Area for exclusive skate and streetwear goods. Unfortunately, the Sutter Street location is now closed, but that's because Hufnagel is focusing more energy on the namesake line which continuously churns out sick clothing and accessories.

75. The Berrics

City: Glendale, Calif.
Address: It's a secret
Website: theberrics.com

Founded in 2007, this private skatepark is owned by skaters Eric Koston and Steve Berra. Redesigned regularly, it's said to be the inspiration for Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. Experience it via the website.

74. Crane's Hollywood Tavern

City: Los Angeles
Address: 1611 North El Centro Ave.
Website: n/a

If you know Crane's, you know about The Do-Over, the party started by Jamie Strong, Chris Haycock, and Aloe Blacc. In its original incarnation, The Do-Over was a Sunday day party where soul, funk, reggae, and rap were the only platters that mattered. For a Los Angeles party, the crowd was super-mixed. No one could resist the dance floor. The party has since become a traveling show, packing the floor in Abu Dhabi, but this is where it started.

73. The Key Club

City: West Hollywood, Calif.
Address: 9039 Sunset Blvd.
Website: keyclub.com

Owning a history rich in many musical genres, the Sunset Boulevard venue has featured Complex favorites like Kanye and the Roots. Speaking of Kanye, he and several other artists joined T.I. on stage at the Key Club to celebrate the release of Tip's Paper Trail back in 2008. Welcome to the world of...

72. Tompkins Square Park

City: New York
Address: 500 East 9th St.
Website: n/a

Remember Kids? Those scenes in Washington Square Park, where all the characters congregated to get high, skateboard, and in general be a reckless teenager with no fucks to give and no place to be? During the 'Plex Decade, Tompkins Square Park took the place of Washinton Square Park. Someday, someone will make a period piece about the 2000s, and Tompkins Square Park will figure prominently. Now, if only Larry Clark would return to filmmaking.

71. Aria Hotel

City: Las Vegas
Address: 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Website: arialasvegas.com

With a tower designed to give corner-window views from all guestrooms, the Aria is one of the most visually impressive hotels in Vegas. The Aria also houses HAZE Nightclub, which hosted an afterparty for the Magic trade show this past February, featuring performances from Meek Mill, Bun B, Eve and DJ Muggs.

70. Madison Square Garden

City: New York
Address: 4 Penn Plaza
Website: thegarden.com

Though the Garden has popped eternally (since it opened in 1968, that is), it has played host to some of the biggest shows in music during the Complex Decade. In 2003, Jay-Z played his "retirement" show there, providing the raw material for Fade to Black; likewise, LCD Soundsystem played their final show at MSG in 2011. Rihanna became the first woman of the Caribbean to sell out the arena during her "Last Girl on Earth" Tour. (She had previously made an eye-popping appearance in '08 as part of Kanye's "Glow in the Dark" tour, where she performed "Umbrella" with Chris Brown.) Most recently, Jay-Z and 'Ye sold out three consecutive nights during the tour for Watch the Throne. In addition to hosting some of the biggest concerts of the past decade, MSG is also where the NBA's best jump at the chance to shine. Back in February of 2009, Kobe Bryant dropped 61 points on the Knicks, breaking Bernard King's record for the most points ever scored at the Garden. As of last year, the Garden became the second oldest NBA arena in the country.

69. Tao Vegas

City: Las Vegas
Address: 3355 Las Vegas Blvd.
Website: taolasvegas.com

Located inside the Venetian, Tao was among the top revenu-generating nightclubs in 2011. A popular celebrity destination, Kid Cudi had the release party for Man on the Moon: The End of Day here back in 2009. Tao also welcomed LeBron James to party after he joined the Miami Heat in 2010, and hosted Drake's 25th birthday party last October.

68. Emo's

City: Austin, Texas
Address: 603 Red River St.
Website: emosaustin.com

What began as a punk club would ultimately become one of the main venues for SXSW. Though the beloved original spot in December 2011, a new location, known as Emo's East, opened on East Riverside. At its height, Emo's pulled such disparate artists as De la Soul and Kings of Leon. Truly, Emo's kept Austin weird.

67. 40/40 Club

City: New York
Address: 6 West 25th St.
Website: the4040club.com

The original 40/40 Club opened in Jay-Z's native New York in June 2003. It was closed briefly, but Hov reopened the club this past January with a star-studded, invite-only party.

66. Skatepark of Tampa

City: Tampa, Fla.
Address: 4215 East Columbus Dr.
Website: skateparkoftampa.com

Also known as SPoT, this skatepark is among the most famous on the East Coast. Most important to the Complex universe, Lil Wayne co-signed the park by skated at SPoT last summer.

65. J.Crew Liquor Store

City: New York
Address: 235 West Broadway
Website: jcrew.com

Tribeca's Liquor Store is not just another J.Crew retail location. It's a special one-of-one shop that features men's clothing and accessories hand-picked and curated by the brand. The Liquor Store is where guys can find the finest of American sportswear without the stuffiness of Brooks Brothers.

64. Perfection

City: Queens, N.Y.
Address: 6205 30th Ave.
Website: perfectionclubusa.com

This Woodside gentlemen's club offers girls from all over, and Rick Ross, no stranger to b-day trips to the strip club, celebrated his 36th here in January. Jack-of-all-trades Funkmaster Flex was in the building to provide the music, a recipe for greatness and longevity.

63. Dover Street Market

City: London
Address: 17-18 Dover St.
Website: doverstreetmarket.com

DSM was founded by Comme des Garcons designer, Rei Kawakubo. If you know anything about CDG, you know that it is the coolest Japanese clothing you can get your hands on. So when the best of the best opens a store in London? GAME OVER. Dover Street Market carries lines from Adam Kimmel and Visvim to Raf Simons and Rick Owens. You can even find YSL, Lanvin, Givenchy, you name it. The store is a fashion lover's dream. If you have the dough, DSM is a must-see when shopping in London.

62. Lucky Strike

City: Hollywood
Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Website: bowlluckystrike.com

After Hollywood Star Lanes closed in 2003, Lucky Strike Hollywood stepped right in to fill the vacancy. The flagship location is popular for its address alone, but it has also made several appearances on HBO's Entourage, most notably during the show's inaugural season. In the fourth episode, the guys bring dates to the bowling alley, and Turtle's date "soldiered up" in an effort to bang Vince. No country for thirsty groupies.

61. El Sombrero

City: New York
Address: 108 Stanton St.
Website: n/a

Brooklyn had the Turkey's Nest Tavern, the adorable dump that sold to-go margaritas, and Manhattan had El Sombrero, or the Hat, as it was affectionately known by the cluster of people that would mill around outside, smoking, drinking, being alive and a nuisance in the city late at night, just because. The food was nothing to drool over, but you came for the experience. You never knew who you'd run into at 3 a.m., fresh margarita stirring up your guts, demanding you do something stupid. Every city needs one.

60. Stussy

City: New York
Address: 140 Wooster St.
Website: stussy.com

If plenty of proper menswear designers can trace their roots to Ralph Lauren, then Stussy would be streetwear's equivalent. Stussy's original two-story Wooster street store was like boot camp for future tastemakers like Eddie Cruz and James Jebbia. Upstairs was a Head Porter pop-up store, while the clean white interior and minimally-stocked floor set the precedent for what a good streetwear boutique should be: ample space between items on the hangers, with friendly staff ready to get something from the back once you were ready to pull the trigger. It set the bar for every little shop that followed, and while its current incarnation is located in the former home of UNION New York, hardcore streetwear heads still get wistful thinking about the Wooster street location, a symbol of when the brand was strongest.

59. Atmos

City: New York
Address: 203 West 125th St.
Website: atmosnyc.com

Atmos was Harlem's mecca for sneakerheads in the early 2000s. Celebs were constantly stopping by to lace their feet in the freshest releases (remember Teyana Taylor's episode on MTV's My Super Sweet 16?), and artists starting their own streetwear collections gave Atmos the honor of carrying exclusive accounts. The best part? The boutique's parties were the best place to meet hot Uptown girls.

58. Undefeated

City: Los Angeles
Address: 112 1/2 S La Brea Ave.
Website: undefeated.com

Built around a sports theme, James Bond and Eddie Cruz's Undefeated brand championed graphics about winning long before Charlie Sheen made the word famous. The Los Angeles store was established in 2002. Originally specializing in covetable releases like Nike's Tier 0 drops, the store's exterior was noticeable because of the prison-like bars that mimic the brand's tally mark logo. Inside, the space includes a zen waterfall and neatly arranged sneakers. One of Undefeated's claims to fame is their 2005 Jordan IV collaboration—only 72 pairs were ever released, and to this date they've been the only brand able to make their own Jordan.

57. Joe's Pub

City: New York
Address: 425 Lafayette St.
Website: joespub.com

Thousands of artists have performed at the NoHo nightclub, including Alicia Keys and Mos Def, but Amy Winehouse's 2007 performance at Joe's was an unforgettable moment. After turning music upside down with her second album, Back to Black, Winehouse made her American debut at Joe's that January.

56. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

City: Hollywood
Address: 7000 Hollywood Blvd.
Website: thompsonhotels.com

Though it's said to be haunted, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is a Los Angeles cultural monument that remains popular with young Hollywood, popped up frequently during the Complex Decade. A coked-out Vinnie Chase got his ass kicked by Eminem and co. at the Roosevelt in Entourage's seventh-season finale, and the slow-motion shoot-out scene from Takers was filmed here as well.

55. The Airliner

City: Los Angeles
Address: 2419 North Broadway
Website: theairlinerla.com

Known for the Low End Theory party, the bass-heavy mixer put on every Wednesday night by the Brainfeeder crew, the Airliner is the beating pulse of L.A.'s underground glitch and hip-hop scene. The Low End Theory party travels now, to San Francisco and Japan, but it started right here, with FlyLo and all them, snapping necks and blowing minds.

54. Magic City

City: Atlanta
Address: 241 Forsyth St. SW
Website: magiccity.com

Atlanta is strip club heaven, but the best place to observe the art (yes, art) of stripping is Magic City. Hip-hop loves it, men and women love it, and so should you. It would've been a crime for Atlanta natives Future and T.I. to not shoot the video for "Magic" at Magic City. A legend in our time.

53. Ben's Chili Bowl

City: Washington, D.C.
Address: 1213 U St. NW
Website: benschilibowl.com

One of D.C.'s most historic eateries, Ben's Chili Bowl is one of the District's most treasured landmarks. It got the executive stamp from President Obama, and Wale paid homage to his hometown by filming scenes for the "Chillin" video in front of the restaurant.

52. The Hideout

City: London
Address: 7 Upper James St
Website: hideoutstore.com

Originally called "Hit and Run" when it first opened in 1998, the Hideout has established itself as one of London's best streetwear shops. Starting off with a focus on obscure Japanese brands like Visvim and WTAPS, they've since expanded their stock, mixing in classy yet casual labels like Norse Projects and Armor Lux, but you can still find plenty of great, albeit pricey, Japanese streetwear goods here. Without Hideout, Japanese streetwear would not have continued its push across the globe.

51. Patta

City: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 142 1012 SH
Website: patta.nl

L.A. has Union, D.C. has Commonwealth, Paris has Colette, and Amsterdam has Patta. Every major city has a spot that sneakerheads and streetwear fiends love, and Patta represents for the Netherlands' capital. The boutique carries Jeremy Scott for adidas Originals, retro Jordans, collaborations with Nike Sportswear, and more—not to mention, a very dope eponymous collection.

50. Packer Shoes

City: Teaneck, N.J.
Address: 941 Teaneck Rd.
Website: packershoes.com

Sure, they carry some dope snapbacks, watches, and even graphic tees, but their expansive shoe selection is what sets this Garden State sneaker shop apart. Stocked with an impressive array of uber-exclusive kicks, this is the spot to go for anything limited-edition and guaranteed to sell out quick. What's more, their selection of deadstock sneakers is nothing to scoff at, filled to the brim with Nike SBs, Jordans, and even Air Force 1s autographed by graffiti legend Stash. It's like peeping eBay in real life.

49. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

City: New York
Address: 6 East 82nd St.
Website: metmuseum.org

Though the Met has been around since the 19th century, it impacted the Complex Decade in a massive way in 2011, when the "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibition opened. Spanning his too-brief career—McQueen killed himself in 2010 at the age of 40—"Savage Beauty" generated enormous buzz (not to mention lines), attracting visitors from all walks of life. McQueen's work touched many of the artists that defined the Complex Decade; his work was touted by Rihanna, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and countless others.

48. ICA/Boston

City: Boston
Address: 100 Northern Ave.
Website: icaboston.org

The Institute of Contemproary Art/Boston hosted street artist Shepard Fairey's first solo show in 2009. Featuring over 20-years worth of work, including his iconic Obama "Hope" poster, "Shepard Fairey: Supply & Demand" explored the ways Fairey's art has dissected notions of power during late capitalism. Later this year, ICA/Boston will again recognize the importance of street art with a new site-specific installation from Swoon. Anthropocene ExtinctionM opens in September 2012.

47. KCDC

City: Brooklyn
Address: 90 North 11th St.
Website: kcdcskateshop.com

When Amy Gunther opened KCDC in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 2001, she wanted to create a fun and safe space for skaters of all levels to hang out and rip the shop's infamous ramp. KCDC and its parties, clinics, and retail options quickly made it a fixture of the NYC skate scene.

46. Mars Bar

City: New York
Address: 25 East 1st St.
Website: n/a

One of the quintessential New York dives, Mars Bar was home for every lovable burnout, punk, and graffiti-covered drunk in the city. People can bitch and complain about the sanitizing of NYC, but this East Village shithole (and that description is offered with nothing but affection and care), which closed in 2011, didn't know anything about that. R.I.P.

45. Great Stage Park (Bonnaroo)

City: Manchester, Tenn.
Address: Great Stage Park
Website: bonnaroo.com

Bonnaroo began in June of 2002, making it slightly younger than Complex, but certainly no less significant to music. Created by Mark Barr for AC Entertainment, the annual festival is held at the 700-acre Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tenn., making Bonnaroo the largest outdoor festival in North America. Booking artists ranging from Radiohead and the White Stripes to Jay-Z and Kanye West, Bonnaroo spans all genres. Last year, J.Cole, Lil Wayne, and Eminem all performed over the long weekend in early June.

44. Max Fish

City: New York
Address: 178 Ludlow St.
Website: maxfish.com

The famous LES dive fell on tough times during the tail end of the Complex Decade, as rumors that the bar would be forced to close became louder and louder. The bar frequented by artists, downtown legends, and, more recently, college students with aspirations to become either managed to hang on in spite of seemingly insurmountable rent payments (especially for a place in Manhattan selling such cheap beer). Stop in for a beer; there's no telling when it might be your last.

43. McCarren Park Pool

City: Brooklyn
Address: 475 Leonard St.
Website: mccarrenpark.com

Resting on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn, the run-down Depression-era McCarren Park Pool was transformed into a concert venue during the summer of 2006 by Live Nation. With 50,000 square-feet, the area could hold around 5,500 people, making it ideal for open-air shows. Acts like Bloc Party, Les Savy Fav, and others played when music with live guitars and drums was still the hot thing. The final concert took place in August 2008. Renovations designed to make the pool a proper swimming area began in December 2009.

42. Crazy Horse Too

City: Las Vegas
Address: 2466 Industrial Rd.
Website: n/a

Created in the image of the original Crazy Horse, Crazy Horse Too was as famous for the illegal activity surrounding it as it was for the glorious working girls. Owned by convicted racketeer Rick Rizzolo, the club was the center of a criminal investigation that lasted years. Rizzolo was arrested in January 2005 for various offenses that took place at the club such as the sale of narcotics, racketeering, assault, and prostitution. The club lost its liquor license in September 2006, and promptly closed its doors. It remains closed to this day, still haunted by the ghosts of mistakes past, and not just the I'm-in-love-with-a-stripper kind.

41. 5 Pointz

City: Long Island City, N.Y.
Address: 45-46 Davis St.
Website: 5ptz.com

Located in Long Island City, this outdoor art exhibit is widely considered the world's graffiti Mecca. Artists travel from everywhere to paint the 200,000 square-foot factory building. After plans to redevelop the property into high-rise towers were revealed, the future of 5 Pointz is up in the air, but history has been forever tagged.

40. Milk Bar

City: New York
Address: 251 East 13th St.
Website: momofuku.com

The untouchable Momofuko restaurant group, led by boss David Chang, is the name in New American Asian food in NYC. With nine restaurants to his name, Chang commands a small empire. But the dopest spot, the one you're most likely to eat at, is Momofuku Milk Bar. Though there are many in the city now, the East Village location is the original, the place where Chang's compost cookies (potato chips, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coffe, pretzels, and more) were birthed and then sold to you.

39. Fontainebleau

City: Miami
Address: 441 Collins Ave.
Website: fontainebleau.com

The Miami location is the less pretentious cousin of the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France, but it's no less adored—especially by rappers. Artists like Drake, Rick Ross, and even Joaquin Phoenix, during his Great Rap Hoax, have popped up at Liv, the hotel's elite club. Most recently, Weezy and Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant got into a high school-esque confrontation there.

38. Mr. Chow

City: New York
Address: 121 Hudson St.
Website: mrchow.com

Name-dropped by Kanye, Method Man, and many others, it was a bored Hov's reference to the Tribeca Asian fusion restaurant on "Success" that everyone remembers. Also, Chris Rock says a chance meeting with Kanye at Mr. Chow birthed the infamous "Yeezy taught you well" dialogue on "Blame Game." Pivotal.

37. Delano Hotel

City: Miami
Address: 1685 Collins Ave.
Website: delano-hotel.com

The Miami hotel remains one of the most popular destinations in South Beach. So popular, in fact, that it also got a big assist from Clipse on '09's "Popular Demand (Popeyes)," where Pusha T rhymed about LeBron James smashing a Madonna look-alike that he himself used to bang on the Delano balcony.

36. Union Park (Pitchfork)

City: Chicago
Address: 1501 West Randolph St.
Website: pitchfork.com

Pitchfork, the most hotly-debated music website out, launched their festival in 2006 at Chicago's Union Park. In the ensuing years, the festival has become a serious competitor to the other major festivals in terms of booking ability. What sets Pitchfork apart from Coachella and Bonnaroo is the clear editorial eye at work. If a band or artist isn't well reviewed by the website, that band or artist won't be booked. In recent years, the website has become more and more enamored with the best in hip-hop; for the upcoming 2012 festival, performers include Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Clams Casino, and Big K.R.I.T.

35. Lazarides

City: London
Address: 8 Greek St.
Website: lazinc.com

London's most unconventional gallery, Lazarides helped turn street art into a viable commercial genre. Now with several spaces, the gallery is largely responsible for solidifying a new wave of outsider artists and propelling the likes of BANKSY, David Choe, JR, Vhils, and Zevs to international art world fame. Few galleries can claim such an impact on our generation.

34. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

City: Washington, D.C.
Address: 1964 Independence Ave. SW
Website: mlkmemorial.org

After two decades of planning and construction, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was opened to the public last August. A dedication ceremony was planned for August 28, the 48th anniversary of his "I Have a Dream" speech, but was delayed by the arrival of Hurricane Irene. The ceremony was eventually rescheduled for October 16, the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March.

33. Sue's Rendezvous

City: Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Address: 96 Gramatan Ave.
Website: suesny.com

While Big Pun talked about "poppin' bottles up in Sue's Rendezvous," and rappers like Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks made regular appearances at the gentlemen's club, a bald bombshell worked the pole. Today, everyone knows her: Amber Rose. Legend has it that Sue's was the backdrop for her first meeting with Kanye. Music would never be the same.

32. Upper Playground

City: San Francisco
Address: 220 Fillmore St.
Website: upperplayground.com

Upper Playground has five locations, but none are better known than its San Francisco headquarters. As one of the Bay's premier clothing stores, Upper Playground has collaborated with iconic artists like Mister Cartoon to create exclusive shirts like this, which was released in August 2009.

31. MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)

City: New York
Address: 11 West 53 St.
Website: moma.org

The Midtown Manhattan museum is widely recognized for not only collecting, but also developing modern art. Perhaps the the world's most influential art museum, MoMA is versatile enough to have featured an exhibit by the twisted genius we know as Tim Burton, and also get a mention from The Throne. Despite the fact Jay still wants to see the walls of the MoMA adorned by more women of color, he and Kanye performed at its annual Party in the Garden last year.

30. The Hundreds

City: Los Angeles
Address: 7909 Rosewood Ave.
Website: thehundreds.com

Bobby Hundreds and his team might seem like goofy guys, but take them seriously—The Hundreds didn't become a force in streetwear just by having fun. Besides the discernable logo (you know, the Adam Bomb?), Bobby and Ben have created a brand, along with a blog, that has been able to stay relevant from 2003 until now. The L.A. store was designed by TylerSpencer Design Studio and the staff was hand-picked by the Bobby and Ben themselves, which means this is where all their friends hang out. A pit-stop when you're streetwear shopping on Fairfax.

29. aNYthing Gangstore

City: New York
Address: 51 Hester St.
Website: anewyorkthing.com

The brainchild of Aaron Bondaroff, aNYthing—pronounced "A New York Thing"—is essentially A-Ron's attempt to turn his lifestyle into a brand. Drawing on his New York background, the brand's logo is lifted from the NY Giants, and much of the graphics refer back to the city that never sleeps. The Gangstore, located in Chinatown, is ideal because A-Ron reps that area hard, quoted in the New York Times as saying he refuses to go above Delancey. The clothes and store are just part of his long-term goal, which is using aNYthing as a medium for his ideas, rather than just as a brand.

28. UNION

City: New York
Address: 176 Spring St.
Website: unionyc.com

Setting up shop in 1990, owners Mary Ann Fusco and James Jebbia stocked their store with the sorts of items fans of underground music would rock: blue-collar jackets emblazoned with U.S. Postal Service logo, polyester shirts, and now-defunct streetwear brands like Pervert. Jebbia and Fusco also partnered with Shawn Stussy, and operated the brand's Prince Street outpost, as well as Stussy UNION in Los Angeles. As the brand and culture evolved, UNION set the trends rather that followed them, notably, being the first American shop to carry the covetable Japanese brand Visvim. Former UNION New York manager Chris Gibbs went on to operate the store in L.A., where it continues to offer niche brands in a well-curated setting. Meanwhile, its former New York store is currently home to a Stussy shop.

27. Flight Club

City: New York
Address: 254 Greene St.
Website: flightclubny.com

Missed out on the original Infrared 90s? Dying to get your hands on the retroed Banned Is or Fire Red IIIs? Flight Club is your best bet for finding sold-out Jordans and other kicks that you couldn't cop in time. Have deadstock SB Dunks to get rid of? FCNY is also a consignment shop, so set up an appointment to sell your gems here.

26. Fat Beats Record Shop

City: New York
Address: 406 6th Ave.
Website: fatbeats.com

Serving as the Library of Congress for underground hip-hop fans, Fat Beats had the records you couldn't find anywhere else. Sadly, the original shop closed its doors in 2010, but it will always be remembered as vinyl heaven for underground heads. And you can still cop online and at the occasional pop-up event.

25. The Ukrainian Club

City: Philadelphia
Address: 847 North Franklin St.
Website: ukieclub.com

Located in Philly's Northern Liberties section, the Ukie Club (as it's known) hosted Diplo's original Hollertronix parties during the first half of the aughts. The anything-goes, genre car crash helped Diplo perfect the sound that would make him famous.

24. MOCA

City: Los Angeles
Address: 250 South Grand Ave.
Website: moca.org

"Art in the Streets," the landmark 2011 exhibition at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, was the first major U.S. museum survey of graffiti and street art. Spanning four major cities and featuring work from over 50 artists, "Art in the Streets" gave a big fat fine art stamp to the work that meant the most to Complex readers. You're nobody till somebody gives you a retrospective. The same turns out to be true for entire movements.

23. The High Line

City: New York
Address: From Washington and Gansevoort to West 30th St.
Website: thehighline.org

Stretching from the Meatpacking District through Chelsea to the far southwest corner of Midtown, the High Line is one of New York's most impressive architectural feats. The mile-long linear park, which is built on an elevated segment of the West Side Line, was used for the filming of Will Smith's post-apocalyptic hit I Am Legend. If you're banging in the Standard, look out your window and there it is.

22. Dave's Quality Meat

City: New York
Address: 7 East 3rd St.
Website: dqmnewyork.com

Out of all the skate shops in New York City, Dave's Quality Meat has the most down-to-earth team, and they give you no attitude when you step through the doors. Be it your first pair of Vans or your 100th, these guys will treat you right. Even though ownership has changed hands and it's no longer "Dave's Quality Meat," the sneaker accounts and in-house brand are still cool-guy approved.

21. Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co.

City: Philadelphia
Address: 1201 Chestnut St.
Website: mitchellandness.com

Snapbacks back! Or, were they ever gone? Just like how fitteds aren't authentic without the New Era flag emblem on the side, snapback caps aren't legit if they aren't by Mitchell & Ness. Even after 10 years, the Philly brand is the place to get all the throwback jerseys and sports-related tees you could ever want. Rep your team in style.

20. Santos Party House

City: New York
Address: 96 Lafayette St.
Website: santospartyhouse.com

Toeing the line between Chinatown and Tribeca, Santos Party House serves as both a concert hall and nightclub. Aside from hosting various musical performances (including Odd Future's first NYC appearance), Santos has played host to unforgettable parties from Va$htie and Diddy, as well as legendary DJ sets from the likes of Q-Tip and DJ Premier.

19. 205 Club

City: New York
Address: 205 Chrystie St.
Website: n/a

Props to Serge Becker, the brains behind La Esquina and The Box, for giving us this gorgeous last gasp of Warholian artsy shit in NYC. Like a Dash Snow Polaroid, 205 captured the queasy-but-lovely energy of post-3 a.m. Lights bouncing off walls covered in aluminum foil while old-school boom bap knocks out of the speakers, and is that Ralph Lauren? You were too wasted to stare.

18. Largo

City: Los Angeles
Address: 432 North Fairfax Ave.
Website: n/a

Known for comedy and live music, Largo became synonymous with Kanye-collaborator Jon Brion, who had a residency at the L.A. spot. In addition to performing there, Mr. West met Zack Galifianakis at Largo, which yielded this amazing stolen moment. Knowing that Kanye executive produced Galifianakis's "Can't Tell Me Nothing" video makes the song's appearance in The Hangover even more hilarious.

17. King of Diamonds

City: Miami
Address: 17800 State Rd. 9
Website: kingofdiamondmiami.com

Reflect on hip-hop for the last half of the Complex Decade—KOD is hands down its favorite strip club. It was good off name-drops alone, but after Rick Ross blew a rumored $1 million during his birthday celebration there last year, it became your favorite rapper's favorite strip club. One of those places where fans the world over know the names of the dancers without ever having stepped inside (shout out to "Tip Drill").

16. Apple Store (Fifth Ave.)

City: New York
Address: 767 5th Ave.
Website: apple.com

There are over 300 Apple Stores worldwide, but none are more visually impressive than the one located at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. With an amazing glass cube designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the store solidified the Apple retail aesthetic and experience. The building inhabits the underground concourse of the General Motors Building, and has been awarded numerous architecture awards over the years, all of them well deserved.

15. BAPE store

City: New York
Address: 91 Greene St.
Website: us.bape.com

Fun fact: Kid Cudi used to work at this store before he hit it big. And after he caught fame? His collaborative T-shirts with BAPE had streetwear and music fans alike lined up around SoHo's blocks. There were rumors of A Bathing Ape's New York location closing last year, but the Japanese streetwear brand is still going strong, pushing apparel that had a long impact on the fusion of rap and fashion.

14. S.O.B.'s

City: New York
Address: 204 Varick St.
Website: sobs.com

New York's premier hip-hop venue and nightclub has seen the likes of Kanye West, Drake, Kid Cudi, Wale, and Q-Tip bring their talents to the stage. A then-unsigned Drake performed for a packed house in May 2009, one of the most talked about performances in recent hip-hop history.

13. Jonathan LeVine Gallery

City: New York
Address: 529 West 20th St.
Website: jonathanlevinegallery.com

A punk kid from outside Philly, Jonathan LeVine opened his Chelsea Gallery in 2005 and has not stopped showing work influenced by comic books, graffiti, and street art since. Guys like AJ Fosik, Josh Keyes, Jeff Soto, Doze Green, and many more have made exhibitions at LeVine must-see events.

12. Opening Ceremony

City: New York
Address: 35 Howard St.
Website: openingceremony.us

Humberto Leon and Carol Lim really created something special when they decided to start Opening Ceremony. The store, located between SoHo and Chinatown, represents downtown cool with such perfection that it's almost intimidating. OC's reach goes far, as the store collaborates with brands like Levi's and Pendleton, actresses like Chloe Sevigny, and movies like The Muppets, while curating the season's best collections every time.

11. Colette

City: Paris
Address: 213 Rue Saint-Honoré
Website: colette.fr

This boutique, located on the fanciest street in Paris, is every Complex guy's dream. Colette carries quickstrike Nikes, designer duds from the likes of Lanvin, and artsy coffee table books that even Pharrell would put in his home. The back room functions as an exhibition space where only the coolest of street artists and "tastemakers" get invited to show. A must-visit shop when you're in the City of Light, and a key trendsetting store during the 'Plex Decade.

10. The Mercer Hotel

City: New York
Address: 147 Mercer St.
Website: mercerhotel.com

Portions of Watch The Throne were recorded at the Mercer, hence Jay-Z's shout out—"Live from the Mercer"—on "Otis." A month before the album dropped, Jay brought things full circle by previewing the album in Room 208 for a small group of writers and a few lucky fans. Of course, Complex's Editor-in-Chief Noah Callahan-Bever was there.

9. Alife Rivington Club

City: New York
Address: 158 Rivington St. # 1
Website: alifenyc.com

We all want exclusive sneakers, but we want an exclusive shopping experience, too. Buying special account sneakers online is getting easier these days, but the Rivington Club's doorbell, dark wooden shelves, and mood lighting still make copping a new pair feel special. Even a decade later, Alife's team stays throwing the best summer parties in their backyard for NYC elitists and Lower East Side-dirtbags alike. With shop locations in Vancouver and Tokyo, Alife's cool reputation is now known worldwide.

8. Sway

City: New York
Address: 305 Spring St.
Website: swaaylounge.com

For that perfect combination of art and grime, hip-hop minus the shiny shirt, Sway couldn't be beat during the Complex Decade. You might run into a gang of models vegetating among the Moroccan decor, but there was nothing flossy about the experience. Added bonus: a terrific Morrisey night that brought out all your favorite rockers, party girls, and drugs.

7. La Esquina

City: New York
Address: 114 Kenmare St.
Website: esquinanyc.com

Three distinct spaces in one location means lots of possibilities for getting it in. Untold shit has gone down inside and outside this trendy taqueria, the sort of place that attracted people who weren't hungry for food—they just wanted to stand outside, smoke cigarettes, speculate about who was inside, pretend to ignore the Olsen twins walking in the front door, and bask in the cool orchestrated by scenester owner Serge Becker. Pretty good chicken tacos, too.

6. The Boom Boom Room

City: New York
Address: 848 Washington St.
Website: standardhotels.com

The name of the lounge at the Standard New York isn't subtle, because what goes on in the Boom Boom Room (and at Le Bain, right nearby) is the opposite of subtle. Topless girls in the pool, A-list celebrities getting twisted, and a general air of debauchery—the Boom Boom Room is straight out of a Purple Diary shoot. And only partially because Purple Diary shoots happen there.

5. Jeffery Deitch Gallery

City: New York
Address: 76 Grand St.
Website: deitch.com

With this pioneering gallery, Deitch Projects embraced the convergence of art, music, dance, film, and design in a way that neatly tied together all elements of the elusive "downtown" cool. Just before the Complex Decade began, Deitch hosted Street Market, an installation by Barry McGee, Steve Powers, and Todd James that would later find form in MOCA's "Art In The Streets" (co-curated, of course, by Deitch Projects founder Jeffery Deitch himself). In short, the gallery was instrumental in propping up the value of a new generation of art world outsiders and bringing street art into the mainstream. Swoon's floating exhibition on the Hudson and The Wynwood Walls Project in Miami proved the Deitch Projects idea could easily transfer beyond the walls of the original SoHo space. The gallery closed in 2010, but the legacy has yet to die.

4. APT

City: New York
Address: 419 West 13th St.
Website: n/a

Now closed, this Meatpacking District spot was known (or better yet, unknown) for its unmarked entrance and hidden address. Despite the efforts to keep this place a secret, everyone knew about APT and wanted to elegantly slide through those doors. During its time, APT drew plenty of well-known DJs, including Complex's resident traveling DJ-scribe Rich Medina.

3. Supreme

City: New York
Address: 274 Lafayette St.
Website: www.supremenewyork.com

Opened in 1994, Supreme has always been a hub for guys in the know and kids who love hype. Founder James Jebbia got into the streetwear game managing the Stüssy store on SoHo's Prince Street, and opened up Supreme's Lafayette Street outpost soon after. While they wouldn't really classify themselves as a "streetwear" brand, Supreme has nevertheless remained at the forefront of the skater chic and hip-hop aesthetic since its inception. One of the reasons for the brand's staying power is its ability to combine cheeky, relevant graphics with off-the-wall co-signs and collaborations from pop stars like Lady Gaga to famous artists like Damien Hirst. It also became infamous for its poster campaigns. If you walk around New York today, you can find traces of its most recent one, featuring model Kate Moss in the brand's iconic box logo tee.

2. The Palms Casino & Resort

City: Las Vegas
Address: 4321 West Flamingo Rd.
Website: palms.com

Situated near the Vegas strip, the Palms is popular culture's favorite resort. MTV loves it—members of MTV's original Real World: Las Vegas cast stayed here in 2002, prompting the creation of a "Real World Suite." The MTV Video Music Awards were held here in 2007, and MTV Spring Break was filmed here last March, featuring artists like Snoop, Wiz Khalifa, and Lupe Fiasco. The Palms has been renovated twice over the past decade, and in 2005, the "Fantasy Tower" was added for an astonishing $600 million. Presumably, Drake helped pay off whatever debt this might have incurred, as he's spent "everything he came with" here, at least on one occasion.

1. Empire Polo Club (Coachella)

City: Indio, Calif.
Address: 81-800 Ave. 51
Website: coachella.com

Complex began in 2002; that same year, Coachella, a music and arts festival located in the California Desert, began to accumulate the buzz that made it what it is now: a trendsetting event so popular that this year they added a second weekend. During the Complex Decade, Coachella has hosted Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Gorillaz, and, most significantly, Kanye West. In 2011, he put on the biggest, most theatrical show the festival has ever scene, playing songs from his entire discography and pulling out all conceivable stops: a modern dance troupe, cranes, lights, and most importantly, 'Ye, front and center. Despite all the set-dressing and stage-swelling extras, this was a one-man show. Raise your hand if you copped the bracelets Kanye wore during his set. We thought so.