Well, my advice to you is to live it up while you can. Here’s your chance to splurge on the little things; go ahead, upgrade to first class (and order that second vodka on the rocks during the flight). Smoke cigars and chase women, play Black Jack for as long as you want and watch as much football as you can stand. And here’s a travel guide for single men to help you on your way.

Check back for guides to other great cities.

Austin, Texas

Football, the Great Outdoors, live music, beautiful girls and BBQ. What more could a single guy want? It’s all in Austin, Texas. Head down for the annual SXSW music festival or to catch a Longhorns homegame, or just to soak up the laidback homegrown vibe and down a few beers with your buddies.

Where to eat in Austin

Stubbs BBQ
801 Red River, Austin

Where else can you hear Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg under the same roof? Stop in for some killer barbeque and stay for the people watching and live concerts.

Check Stubbs out on myspace: myspace.com/stubbsbbq

Trudy’s
409 West 30th Street, Austin

An Austin tradition. They have several locations but the one closest to the UT campus has the best atmosphere. Be prepared for the strongest drinks you’ve ever had! I recommend the Mexican Martini.

Uchi
801 South Lamar, Austin

Austin is not widely known for culinary acumen but it does hold a few shining stars. Uchi is one of them. Star chef Tyson Cole creates a whole new cuisine with a unique spin on traditional Japanese fare. Try the Hot Rock  “sear it yourself” wagyu beef (you actually sear your own beef over a Japanese river rock) or the toro nuta,  silky bluefin toro with dried cranberries, marcona almonds and white soy. There will definely be a wait on the weekends, so make reservations or kick back on the patio with a tasty cocktail (FYI: ladies like to meet here for girl’s night).

Austin Nightlife

Austin boasts an unbeatable array of singles haunts. The notorious Sixth Street corridor is reminiscent of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street with just as many loud and raucous bars including Coyote Ugly, Union Park Bar, and Jack Black’s. With UT Austin a few blocks away, you’ll find scores of college kids and singles in their early to mid 20s.

For a more trendy and sophisticated crowd, head to Prague at 5th & Congress. It’s a cool downstairs bar with a hip, Old World feel. They play a good mix of house, techno, and hip hop. Slip into a private booth and survey the scene.

Molotov is another hipster crowd where you’ll find more beautiful people. But beware on the weekends, this small bar gets crowded.

To really experience Austin, you have to spend one night out on Lake Travis at Carlos & Charlies. Head there on a Friday or Saturday night for some live music and a mighty festive atmosphere.

If you want to see the “Keep Austin Weird” motto in action, plan a stop at the Mean Eyed Cat, a uniquely Austin watering hole. Sweaty rebel country music with attitude and purpose.

Live Music Capital of the World

The Continental Club is the “granddaddy” of live music venues in the country. Opening in 1957, the C Club has been drawing crowds from all walks of life from Austin and coast to coast.

Things to do in Austin

SXSW

Originating as the Austin Battle of the Bands, SXSW officially began in 1987 and gets more popular every year. The 2007 SXSW music festival took place from March 14-18 and included performances by The Stooges, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and about 1,400 bands and artists total. It’s really become a right of passage. Book your flight and hotel room early.

Longhorns Football -- Hook ‘Em Horns!

Nowhere else in the country is there as much team spirit as there is in Texas, especially for the precious UT Longhorns. Texas football plays its home games at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, located on-campus in Austin.

Austinites are all about enjoying the weather. Check out Hamilton Pool, Enchanted Rock or head out on the Lake.

Where to Stay in Austin

The Intercontinental

Great location near 5th & Congress. They have a bar called the Roaring Fork where suits like to hang out after work.

The Driskill Hotel

This historic hotel is beautiful and right in the thick of Sixth Street. Not only will you have nice digs to return to after a night of carousing, your temporary address will definitely impress the ladies.

Vegas Baby

Vegas is a notorious getaway for guys and gals looking to let loose but in Sin City, things are always changing. What was hot last year may not be now. Not only is Las Vegas a hotspot for singles, it’s a great vacation destination for young executives. When you want to have fun but a different kind of fun than cramming six of your closest friends into the cheapest room on, or off, the Strip, you’re looking for Grown Up Vegas (and grown ups can have just as much fun as college kids, if not more).

“Recently I was in Vegas and stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay,” says Peter Belisi, founder and president of Belisi Fashions, a luxury accessories brand based in Palm Beach, Florida. “For executives, it's awesome. First off, most hotels in Vegas are loud and filled with promotional offers to get your money. You have to walk forever to get anywhere and always through the casino. You'll also always waiting in line--for breakfast, the concierge, or the blackjack table.

My room was an 800 square foot suite with three flat screen TVs (there was even one in the bathroom). The food was excellent, served in THEcafe, with no wait. THEhotel has no casino, but the Mandalay Bay casino is a very short walk (but not a Vegas short walk), but a short walk for real. THEhotel also has a fantastic weight room and spa and an amazing restaurant and bar at the top with one of the best view's in vegas. Again, no wait.”

Bottom line is if you want to do Vegas without all the things you hate about Vegas, stay at THEhotel. Note: it's a cab ride from the heart of the strip, but if you're a busy executive, you'd rather trade a quick cab ride (with no line) for the complete lack of hassle. Men will also appreciate the fact that the entrance in incognito--under the Mandalay Bay parking lot--so there aren't thousands of people in your way when you get in and out of the place. For a celebrity or executive that doesn't necessarily want to run into a lot of people, it's perfect (and there's never a cab line, but always a cab).

Dining in Vegas

Hey, a man’s gotta eat. And Vegas has recently become a strong contender in the world of fine cuisine, offering a plethora of tantalizing options.  Mandalay Bay’s Fleur de Lys raises the bar for burgers with the FleurBurger 5000.  Topped with fois gras and black truffles, this Kobe burger is served on a brioche truffle bun. Accompanied by a bottle of Chateau Petrus 1990 and poured in Ichendorf Brunello stemware, this true decadence is priced at a mere $5,000.

Decadent Daylife

Adult-only exclusive pool experiences like Bare at The Mirage and Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay bring a twist to the typical Las Vegas pool offering.  European-style sun worshipping comes complete with ultra-VIP service, comfy beds, custom sound systems, plasma TVs and complimentary treats – the perfect way to party away the day (poolside beer and girls in bikinis? Who wouldn't love that?)

Looking to tempt Lady Luck? Of course you are! That’s what Vegas is all about. Set above the MGM Grand Race & Sports Book are the Skyboxes complete with plasma Tvs and surround-sound. This private area for 10 is almost better than a box at the game with New York-New York’s ESPN ZONE front row leather recliners designed by John Elway.  With direct audio control of two 14-foot screens and a dozen 36-inch monitors, you won’t miss a minute of the game.  If you prefer live first-hand poker action, check out Bobby’s Room at Bellagio, a two-table high-limit room named after the 1978 World Series of Poker Champion, Bobby Baldwin.

Maybe a little prime pampering is what you need (you know, to impress the ladies).  The Art of Shaving at Mandalay Place and the Salon Bellagio Barbershop both offer an incredible 45-minute Royal Shave, in a real old-fashioned barber chair.  Or how about a super massage?  WET, the new spa at TI, has kicked up the intensity on the typical Swedish massage with “I.T.,” a massage intended to go deeper, removing all toxins and loosening those tight muscles.  Or what could be better than taking a spin around the famed Las Vegas Strip in your very own Porsche rental with SKYLOFTS’ Inspired Escapes packages?

Vegas Nightlife

Okay, so it’s no secret that “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas.” So what Vegas trip would be complete without a few saucy vixens?  Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay brings the style of 1920’s burlesque back to the desert, with live musical interludes to complement their steamy routines.  The sexy ladies of MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris perform sensual choreography as a combination of light effects, film and projections play over the moving canvas of skin.  Luxor’s Fantasy will take you on a stimulating journey as the scantily clad dancers act out your wildest fantasies including forbidden office romances and sexy secret agents.

And after the peep show, you've got to experience the hottest Vegas nightclubs.

TAO Nightclub, Asian Bistro & TAO Beach

If you haven’t heard of Tao, familiarize yourself with the name. It’s one of the hottest celebrity hangouts in Las Vegas (think Paris Hilton, Bono, Mariah Carey, Kate Walsh and Usher). And it’s oh-so-grown-up. Located in the Venetian Hotel, Tao is dark and sexy with lush velvets and silks, waterfalls and century-old woods and stones, and a hand-carved 16’ Buddha.

Sundays they host Sunset Sessions featuring renowned DJs but there’s something going on every night inside this 44,000-square-foot club with three full-service bars, a 40-foot terrace with magnificent views, two main rooms and a host of specialty cocktails like the Tao-tini, Tiger Lily and Tao Love Potion #9. Nosh on Kobe Beef Shabu Shabu or Peking Duck before meeting up with the girls you met by the poolside cabana. If for some reason the conversation lags, challenge your buddies to a game t the X Box 360 game station.

Tryst at Wynn Las Vegas

Reserve a table at one of the intimate bottle-service booth the circle the 12,000 square foot club. The coupe de gra is the indoor-outdoor dance floor, which extends 15 feet into a man-made lagoon. Enjoy the desert air in the outdoor grassy lounge with a 90-foot waterfall as a backdrop. For the ultimate evening, request a bed near the lagoon. Insider tip: The VIP room features a stage and stripper's pole where clubgoers (i.e. scantily clad girls) can show off their moves.

Rumjungle @ Mandalay Bay

Get ready to fork over some serious cash (but it’s worth it). Rumjungle's cover charge is hefty and the drinks are expensive (yes, even for regular ole beer). The beautiful people and the atmosphere more than pay for themselves. This club is all about balanced qi. You’re greeted by walls of fire when you walk in, but the club is surrounded by sheets of water that pour down glass partitions around the room. Insider tip: dress to impress (and for goodness sake that doesn’t mean pleated pants). Tennis shoes, sports attire, tank tops and hats are not allowed … so don’t try it.

REVOLUTION

What indulgent night would be complete without a little high-tech entertainment?  At REVOLUTION, the first nightlife experience created by Cirque du Soleil, guests are encouraged to create artwork on the interactive VIP tables, which is then projected onto the center column using a one-of-a-kind application of infrared technology.  The eyecandy sound lounge and bar features interactive multimedia tables that allow guests to witness the energy of the lounge, without ever leaving their seat, or partake in designated “iPod Wars” through built in iPod connectors.  Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ provides Las Vegas with one of the most amazing performance spaces in the world.  Instead of a traditional stage, the artists perform on two moving platforms that operate independently of each other.

No longer just a destination for bachelor parties, Las Vegas is a city on the forefront of the men’s luxury travel trend. Experience the finest The Strip has to offer and indulge yourself in the crème de la crème of Las Vegas, including something to satisfy every man’s style.

Los Angeles

Celebrity sightings, beautiful people, stiff drinks. Anyone? Live it up Hollywood style. During the day try surfing or take in an LA Lakers game. So cool, so grown up.

Where to Stay in LA

The Standard Hotel

The Standard Hotel lives up to its name. Sure there are other fancy hotels in LA but this one is where all the young, hip people stay. When you walk in you’ll see a sexy model casually reading behind a pane of glass located behind the registration desk and the cool onsite bar/club that leads out to the pool. You don’t have to venture too far to experience all that LA has to offer, as this hotel is centrally located near all the action (I recommend the Hollywood location over the one Downtown).

LA Nightlife

Circle Bar
2926 Main St., Santa Monica
(310) 450-050

This was a dive bar for decades, but has been transformed into a notable destination for the single, 20-something crowd. You might have to endure a long wait but once inside if you can snag one of the intimate booths or bar stools you’ll have a kickass view of the Hollywood lovelies lining the red-lit walls. Insider tip: sign up for the club's VIP list, which offers private party invites and drink specials.

AIR CONDITIONED
2819 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica
(310) 829-3700

Located between Valentino Restaurant and SMCC, this area is usually a ghost town after-dark, but now working stiffs, traveling execs and swanky trendsetters hustle to this low-lit designer-styled emporium for its long list of wines and cocktails without attitude.

The Edison
Second St and Main St., Los Angeles
(213) 613-0000

For a while there, Downtown LA wasn’t much of anything when it came to nightlife. The Edison is changing that perception! The Edison brings together historic LA and modern industrial archicture with a grand staircase that takes you into into the depths of the historic Higgins Building. Located in Harlem Place Alley, the core of L.A.'s early 20th century music scene, this converted cocktail lounge caters to LA’s upscale-loft residents. Inside tip: the dress code is strict--no athletic wear or sneakers (no matter how cool or expensive). Collared shirts are preferred for men; women should dress accordingly (which could bode well for single guys).

Parc
6683 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
(323) 465-6200

Parc was formerly the Pamela Anderson-financed BlackSteel. The good news is that celebrity Chef J is still in charge of the menu. Located in the heart of Hollywood, Parc is one of the "it" places to see and be seen. Featuring an elaborate bar, a top sommelier and Chef J, Parc showcases a menu of blended French/Asian influences. The cocktails are just as exotic as the menu. After dinner, the restaurant transforms into a lounge where you might catch sight of celebrities. Try the passion fruit blackberry martini or cucumber ginger green tea cocktails. Insider tip: Dinner reservations are required, and hard to get after 7 pm. Arrive before 8 pm if you're looking for a quiet drink at the bar. The list starts around 9 pm. An ad hoc smoking patio opens at 10 pm.

Star Gazing in La La Land

Montmartre Lounge/Day After Nightclub
6757 Hollywood Blvd., LA

This inconspicuous spot has whet the whistles of many a celebrity (e.g. 50-Cent, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton), having opened its doors in the 20s (Clark Cable was a past regular). But as things go, the interior has been completely renovated to uncovered an immaculate two-story space of multiple dance floors, three bars, a cushy lounge area and an outdoor smoking patio. A-listers and the young and rich seek refuge in the club's VIP room, which is outfitted with its own dance floor, ultra-white lounge area and balcony overlooking the action downstairs. Nothing less than a celebrity would expect. Insider tip: Get in line by 10 pm to avoid the lines but don’t be the first one on the dance floor. But you knew that already didn’t you?

Koi
730 N La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
(310) 659-9449

This impressive space marked by massive bamboo spikes houses four dining rooms, a patio with fireplace, lounge and a sushi bar. This is a hot spot for sake sipping singles, so make sure to eat plenty of spicy tuna before bottoms up.

In a land far, far away: International hot spots

Jay Toberman, author of the book, "Don't Quit Your Day Job: Adventures For The Working Stiff," has a unique take on international travel. He has managed to see some of the most exotic spots in the world without breaking the bank. “I was the young, single male executive that looked for places for cheap travel,” he says. “My favorite spot was Southeast Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

“For the adventurous single traveler you can't beat the Banglampho area of Bangkok Thailand.  Here you will find single rooms with air conditioning and flush toilets for $25.  A meal of chicken and rice for less than $10 and travel by taxi, bus or train being very inexpensive.  You’ll meet fellow travelers from all over the world to chat with along with the wonderful sights in Bangkok and all of Thailand to see.”

Read more about Jay Toberman’s adventures at www.jtadventures.com.

Peter Belisi’s tip for living the high life:

If you're a busy executive, you need to have the Centurion Card (the black Amex). “It's not just for celebrities,” he says. “I put all my business expenses on it, so I easily meet their minimum spending limit.”

So you can automatically reach the mac daddy level in all the major frequent flier programs, (meaning you get priority first class upgrades whenever there's space).  You also get great upgrades and rates through the Fine Hotels and Resorts program. “On my recent Vegas trip, I paid just over $200 a night for a huge suite with 3 flat screens and 2 bathrooms. I also got free breakfast and spa coupons. I’ve gotten similar treatment at the Bellagio. The Fine Hotels and Resorts program is huge, with hundreds of amazing hotels around the world. Once you have the black card, you even get a personal concierge and travel counselor who books all your trips for you (they even remember to send my wife a birthday present). It's a great time saver – the ultimate tool for the busy executive who appreciates the finer things.”

Get your Centurion Card here.

To plan your own grown up getaway, check out Travel & Leisure’s list of America’s favorite cities.

Don’t miss our upcoming vacation guides for single men:

NYC
Atlantic City
South Beach

Winterpark, Colorado
Chicago
San Francisco