The transformation of Chinatown's nightlife the past few years has been nothing short of amazing.

Five years ago Hotel Street was the last place you wanted to walk alone at night, particularly if it wasn't First Friday.

No more.

These days, there are funky venues like Bar 35, The Manifest, Into and NextDoor, as well as the great little hole-in-the-wall Mexican food joint Maria Bonita — all just on Hotel Street.

That's why we're giving a special nod this weekend to thirtyninehotel for having the guts and foresight to open shop on Hotel Street five years ago.

Hotel Street is thriving, particularly on First Fridays, because establishments like thirtyninehotel changed the culture in the area. So if you don't have plans for Saturday night, head to Hotel Street for thirtyninehotel's fifth anniversary party. DJs Juan Nunez and Mark Chittom lead the entertainment. The festivities start at 8 p.m. Go to groovetickets.com to get your advance tickets, or you may be waiting in line for a long time. ...

This one will cost you some coin, but it's worth it if you want to learn more about writing for TV or how AMC's highly acclaimed "Mad Men" comes together each week. Maria Jacquemetton, a writer-producer for the show, is coming to town to hold a two-day workshop, "Writing For Television — Get Started and Go!" It will be held Oct. 24-25 at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Krauss Hall, in the Yukiyoshi Room. The fee is $200 (we warned you it's expensive). Call 956-8400 for tickets. "Mad Men" won an Emmy and Golden Globe this year for best TV drama series. ...

KTUH's 40th Anniversary Hip Hop Concert Oct. 16 at Manoa Gardens is loaded with local hip-hop heavyweights, notably Tassho Pearce and Creed Chameleon with The Spacifics, as well as The Deadbeats, No Master Backs featuring Kavet the Catalyst, The Audible Lab Rats and The Hammer Bros. Admission is free. ...

A sendoff concert is at 7:30 tonight for Hawaiian music performers Jeff Peterson, Raiatea Helm, Chino Monteros, Steve Jones and Capella Williams at The Willows. Cost is $75. Call 941-8039 for tickets. The group leaves next week for a Hawaiian music tour in China. ...