I’m a man of many lists. Whether they are to prioritize my work day, go grocery shopping or plan for a trip, I like to make sure whatever is important is not forgotten. A list, however, doesn’t need to be limited to the practical. If you watch as much TV as I do, you know you see your favorite characters wining and dining in New York or living it up in Las Vegas and think to yourself “I’m definitely going there next time I’m in the city!” Inevitably though, once you make it to “the city” you end up wandering the streets without a clue of what that place was called, just that they had a really cool fountain at the entrance. And, though you vow not to let that happen again, there is no chance you are going to have a pen and paper at your coffee table waiting for you to update your running tab of high profile dining destinations as seen on TV.
In comes foursquare.
The geosocial site that ballooned to more than 15 million users in 2011 introduced a “List” feature earlier this year that allows you to curate your culinary, musical, or cultural to-do lists right on your profile. Are you a music junkie? You may want to create a “List” of great music shops (we can pretend you still by CDs). If you enjoy a well crafted beer, you can keep a record of all the draught houses in your city. Personally, I have taken advantage of the list feature to organize my continual tour of Washington D.C. cuisine into a somewhat manageable directory of top picks. With my list readied, the foursquare app will alert me when I am in the neighborhood of one of my top picks so that I may be able to take advantage of my proximity.
Brands are also taking advantage of foursquare’s new “Lists” and doing it well - featuring city hotspots and favorite local destinations. General users can follow these lists to read brand reviews and receive pop-up alerts if near a selected venue. Sites like AskMen, People Magazine, and The Travel Channel create lists that are consistent with their image and appeal to their fan following, making the presence of a venue on a brand’s list essentially a stamp of approval for that bar, restaurant, or shop. If my favorite brand is relaxing by “that” pool, I should be too, right?
So, in the spirit of year end reflection, I will list some of my favorite lists:
The Travel Channel has curated an especially useful list titled “The Layover – Miami” that lists highly rated bars, restaurants and hotels around Miami International Airport, to appease the weary traveler or entertain those suffering from delays (fortunately hurricane season is over). AskMen has created a San Francisco City Guide, listing the writers’ favorite stops around the city. It’s a great resource if you are visiting the Bay Area first time or just want to find a new dive bar. Speaking of travel, the travel guide Frommer’s has created a list dedicated to the “The World’s Best Department Store Food Halls” so that no matter where in the world is Carmen San Diego you are, you can rest assured you will eat like a king after a hard day of shopping.
Now, if you’re glued to the TV as I mentioned earlier, or have an affinity for celebrity blogs, you will see your favorite celebrities out on the town and wonder what restaurant/bar they are at in the hopes you may one day visit said place. Of course you will realize you have no idea what it’s called! Brands like Bravo and People Magazine have heard your cries for help with helpful lists of their own. Bravo has a “Best RHNYC Drama Spots” that generously maps out where the Real Housewives of New York have “let it all hang out.” This way you can be sure you the next time you are in Manhattan you will make a stop at the Brooklyn Bridge, if not for the views, than to relive your favorite Bethanny-Ramona throwdown. On a less dramatic note, People Magazine has described its favorite Vegas Hot Spots, so you’ll know to stop by Wet Republic Ultra Pool or LAVO Nightclub to live your very own “Hangover” experience [please don’t].
Whether it’s to satisfy your culinary palate or your shopping itch, there is a list out there for you. For the sake of brevity I’ve mentioned some more great lists below. Be sure to check them out and subscribe to some if you see fit!