The Scene: The Hottest Clubs, Coolest Bars, and Everything in Between

HENRIETTA HUDSON NEW YEAR’S EVE GLITTER PARTY, DEC 31
Pop those bottles and don your gay apparel! Henrietta Hudson pulls out all the stops for its annual black and silver affair on New Year’s Eve. Yes, there will be glitter girls on the bar, plus a decadent diva and fabulosity contest! This is the time of year when adults waving glowsticks, poppers and whistles are socially acceptable (and even encouraged), talking about balls dropping doesn’t prompt a gag reflex, and your favorite DJs will have you dancing into the wee morning hours at this Village landmark. Who said the season for gift-giving was over?

A GREAT COSMIC SHIFT, DEC 31
No, we don’t mean the apocalypse as predicted on the Mayan calendar: this great cosmic shift invokes earth-shattering comedy, burlesque, DJ tunes and baked treats. Ring in the new era with your besties and famous femmecee/hostess cupcake Bevin Branlandingham at Dixon Place, the cutting-edge center of queerfriendly art and performance on the Lower East Side. On December 31, drink a toast to performers Diana Cage (author and queer feminist); Kelli Dunham (ex-nun, comic, nerd gone wild); Bambi Galore (the chameleon of tease); and Jessica Halem (of Bad Feminist). With drink specials all night long, you’ll be braced with liquid courage for any Y2K-like technological meltdowns or Mel Gibson’s prediction of the end times.

SPEAK NYEASY 2012, DEC 31
Just like the secret lounges selling contraband booze in the 1920s, the underground location of Sir Sabrina’s speakeasy-themed New Year’s Eve bash is under wraps. But we do know this: There will be sidecars and gin martinis to get your hemlines flapping, a Roaring Twenties costume photo booth, a champagne toast at midnight for all, prohibited appetizers, chocolate cigars and jazzy visuals to stir your cocktails. Don your best raccoon coat or rolled stockings to win prizes for the best-dressed couple or stag girl. But just like the Volstead Act, tickets for this will-sell-out event won’t be around very long!

LOVERGIRLNYC AND DREAMGYRLS ENT. NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH, DEC 31
It ain’t Halloween, but there will be an abundance of candy (eye candy, that is) at the New Year’s Eve bonanza from LovergirlNYC and Dreamgyrls Ent. at the sexy East Village lounge Bonafide. Imagine the regular biweekly Saturday party’s antics, then kick it up to 11: this off-the-hook bash always draws the cream of NYC’s sexy and sophisticated ladies. Resident DJ Mary Mac spins hiphop, reggae, calypso and Top 40 while guest DJ TNT rocks the R n’ B, house and classics. Get there early for the complimentary toast at 1am (you heard me). Unless you’re in a warmer, more tropical locale, Bonafide will be the hottest place to welcome 2012.

STONEWALL NEW YEAR’S EVE, DEC 31
When planning your all-important activities for the final day of the year, you’ll want to be where it all began—the historic Stonewall Inn. If you don’t want to wake up on January 1 with an empty wallet, party hearty here: the affordable cover and dirt-cheap drinks are tonight’s most budget-friendly option. DJ Kristine amps the crowd for a night filled with decadent dancing and celebration as only Stonewall can offer. Don’t miss the free champagne toast at midnight

GIRLNATIONNYC NEW YEAR’S EVE, DEC 31
In case you haven’t guessed, New Year’s Eve is on a Saturday this year. Lucky for you, host Hana and her weekly Saturday bash GirlNATIONnyc is planning a super-extravagant fete to ring in 2012! DJ Culi spins Latin, Top 40 and other danceable faves as the clock ticks toward 12 at the elegantly redesigned Budhu Lounge. Don your silly party hats, toot your noisemakers and down a complimentary champagne toast at midnight! Then shimmy the night (and your cares) away.

HEY QUEEN!, JAN 14
Williamsburg is known for a lot of things: waterfront condos, artisan coffee, hipsters in oversized glasses. It’s also the scene for Hey Queen!, the ever-evolving multigender monthly blast at Public Assembly. With a new theme honoring one special Queen per party, butch-and-femme promoter tag team Avory Agony and Sarah Jenny foster a nonjudgmental, effortlessly stylish dance-athon for artists, punks and (wait for it) hipsters with a queer bent. Stay tuned for the premise of the first Hey Queen! of 2012.

DANIELLE PRESENTS TAKEOVER, JAN 14
Jetting east from her Thursday night Flip Cup shindig at Stonewall, Danielle Presents ambushes the East Village masses with her Danielle Presents Takeover at the Phoenix. Resident Saturday night DJ Stacy hands over the promotional reins to Danielle and her band of merrymakers, but stays behind the decks to share duties with a special surprise guest DJ for this once-a-month affair. Everyone’s welcome at this old-school bar, with no cover and extracheap, expertly poured draft beer and cocktails. Challenge Danielle to a game of pool, and if you win, she buys the shots. That’s what we call a deal!

CHOICE NYC’S EAST/WEST COAST COLLISION, JAN 28
Biggie versus Tupac. Real Housewives of New Jersey versus Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. H&H Bagels versus In-N-Out Burger. Now the east coast/west coast rivalry lands at Choice NYC, the monthly queer blowout on the Lower East Side (at its new home, the chic lounge Drom). The Gaysha has brought in Natalie Nuxx, resident DJ at San Francisco’s long-running queer party Cockblock, to join Choice turntablist Lezz Van Halen for a hotly anticipated throwdown. Dress to impress and score a new profile photo from Maro, photog to the stars, to start 2012 off right.