NY Nightlife: The Scene

The hottest clubs, coolest bars, and everything in between

A Very Glossy Thanksgiving Eve, Nov 21
Thanksgiving Eve blowouts are a lesbian nightlife tradition—remember when Shescape hosted upwards of 2,000 women at swank venues like the Bryant Park Grill? Now DJ Whitney Day is continuing the trend with a pre-turkey day bash at The Park in Chelsea. Relocating her Wednesday party Glossy for this special night, Day promises a multi-sensory experience for women in The Park’s sexy lounges: the evocatively named Garden, Red Room, Atrium and the Penthouse. Fab drink specials kick off the night, while Day and guest DJs provide the tunes. Don’t miss the special appearance by up-and-coming pop diva Chevonne and Sarina, the Electric Violin Diva. Best of all, your hard-earned dollars spent tonight will support Women for Women International, an organization that helps women in war-torn areas of the world.

HENRIETTA HUDSON’S THANKSGIVING EVE, NOV 21
Isn’t it time you spent a few days with your “Family?” Go homo for the holidays at the beloved bar and girl, Henrietta Hudson—the pre-Thanksgiving Eve festivities are getting underway. Since you don’t have to work for the following four days, indulge in icy-smooth Svedka vodka and Champagne bottle specials and shake your turkey tailfeathers to DJ Culi. She’ll be banging out cross-genre tracks to please everyone’s palates. At the bar, you’ll get an eyeful of provocative Pilgrims and Mayflower madams—and you can be sure they’re not puritans!

Avenue L, Nov 29
DJ Susan Levine and promoter Doreen Fuentes have joined forces to launch Avenue L, a new, bimonthly after-work mixer for professional women—and what sets this party apart are its dual locations. The inaugural bash packed women into the Upper East Side cocktail bar Stir earlier this month, while the second installment on Nov 29 will host the ladies at Chelsea Manor. The downtown venue’s white tufted banquettes, flocked patterned wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, reminiscent of a fancy Miami club, scream “ooh la la.” Levine promises martini and Champagne specials along with her signature mix of pop, house and dance tracks.  Looking for an upscale party for noshing and networking? You’ve come to the right address.

Black and White Ball, Nov 30
When it comes to supporting their neighbors who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy, New Yorkers are really stepping up to the plate—and they include the city’s leading after-dark donors. Nikki Hill of Spice NYC will host a Black and White Ball at Libations NYC to raise funds for disaster relief. While guests knock back complimentary drinks by 3 Olives Vodka and Heineken until 11pm, promoters will be collecting donations for In Good Company Hospitality Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, an outfit that is focusing on rebuilding the Rockaways, Breezy Point and Broad Channel. Don your fanciest black and white finery for this party with a purpose.

The Immaculate Conception of Wonder Women, Dec 7
Legend has it that a certain raven-haired female superhero was born on a mythical Greek island. On December 7, learn the real story—the Immaculate Conception, as it were—of Wonder Women, the networking and empowerment group for women, at its second anniversary party. The scene will be set at the intimate Chelsea bar Stash, an exclusive nightspot with a sexy red color palette.  Founder and CEO Aliya Hallim-Byne will gather her circle of inspiring role models for an evening of special cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, giveaways and a raffle, all to the sounds of DJ Charo Velecio. Don’t forget your business cards! (See the A&E listings for details.)

2012 Emery Awards, Dec 11
Dozens of LGBT nonprofit organizations saw their annual fall fundraising efforts hampered or canceled by Hurricane Sandy—and the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), the nation’s largest LGBTQ youth organization, was no exception. Its 2012 Emery Awards, originally scheduled for the weekend that Sandy pummeled the East Coast, was poised to raise 20 percent of HMI’s yearly operating budget; instead, HMI’s workers found themselves scrambling to provide basic services like hot meals and clean clothes to LGBT young people. Happily, a scaled-down version of the Emery Awards has been rescheduled for December 11 at the Altman Building to raise funding that is needed more than ever. This year’s honorees include Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, the filmmakers behind the movie Bully, and Time Warner Inc. Tickets for the original October 29 date will be honored. (See the A&E listings for details.)

Sweet Fox, Thursdays
From the crew that brings you the queer free-for-all Hot Rabbit every Friday, Sweet Fox—beginning December 6 and every Thursday thereafter—continues the streak of pairing a hip dance party with a small mammal moniker. Boy Wonder Events has assembled a stellar list of the country’s top queer DJ duos ready to rock the cave-like cellar of the East Village’s gritty Lit Lounge. Upcoming couples include DJs Angel Boi and TRx (December 6), Shomi Noise and Precolumbian (December 13), and Whitney Day and Lush (December 27). All this plus signature drink specials (like the $5 Foxhound) and a late-night happy hour—‘cause foxes are nocturnal, of course.

girlNATIONnyc, Saturdays
Hana’s long-running Saturday party girlNATIONnyc is heating up for the holiday season. It’s no secret why you, GO readers, voted it the Party with the Sexiest Vibe at this year’s Nightlife Awards. girlNATIONnyc consistently hosts the scene’s best DJs (Fame Cohen, Culi and Zuleica have recently graced the decks), brings in the hottest exotic talent for your bartop-dancing pleasure, and slings the stiffest drinks with a smile. The Stellan Bar and Lounge’s soaring atrium space, visible through floor-to-ceiling windows, puts the ladies on display every Saturday, while on the first Friday of every month, Stonewall’s upstairs lounge hosts the sexy goings-on. That’s five opportunities a month to join the NATION—what are you waiting for?


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