-----------------------------
Yes, I'm a promoter. And YES, I want you to come to my events (and I'm so glad that so many of you do!)
But I do not work every night of the week, friends (thank God... sleep is required). And sometimes you may want to go out on one of the nights that I don't throw an event.
In this post, allow me to list some of my favorite events that I AM NOT affiliated with as a host, promoter, or employee.
When you're out during the week and there isn't a fabulous BoiParty/Justin Luke offering for you to gorge yourself on, consider some of the following.
I promise you will not be disappointed.
Event: SU CASA
Day: Wednesdays
Location: BonFire Lounge, 404 Avenue of the Americas
See it on Facebook
It is no secret that two of my greatest nightlife friends are the much-beloved Michael Cohen and Matthew Gagnon. They have been at the helm and under the hood of some of the sexiest and most fun nightlife events. They always choose exciting and original venues, and their crowd is always beautiful enough to make your eyes pop out of your head.
Su Casa was a party that turned gay New York City nightlife on its head years ago. And, with their Summer Camp event now closed for the season, Matthew and Michael have decided to give us something sorely needed: a rocking gay Wednesday night event with a supermodel crowd and the best music available.
Just like all of their parties, there's no cover and the drinks won't bend your wallet over and rape it. And I cannot say this enough: until you've seen a Cohen/Gagnon crowd, you won't understand how amazing it is. There is NO competition. Michael and Matthew just detonated gay New York Wednesdays... and their event is the only place worth your patronage.
Event: SLURP!
Day: Sundays
Location: Vlada, 51st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues
See it on Facebook
Paige Turner is my favorite drag queen in New York City, even though she doesn't consider herself to be a drag queen. And her best show is every Sunday night at Vlada.
As a boy she was a theater major, and it shows in her performances. Slurp Sundays at Vlada is one of the tightest, most theatrical productions this city has seen in years. Paige will give you no less than seven numbers over the course of the night. She plays trivia with her audience.
She pulls two boys up on stage to make them play "Name That Tune" for "cheap prizes from the dollar store," before forcing them to dress in shabby dragware out of a shopping bag, and ultimately forcing them to strip naked on stage (for their embarrassment, she also gives them free shots of "whatever's cheap and expired")
The event starts at 10:45 and there is NO cover. Her crowd is always packed, and filled with beautiful boys that she has named "slurps". You will ALWAYS find me in the audience of this show. Expect to laugh, to sing, to meet beautiful guys, and maybe pop a hardon or two. You owe it to yourself to see this for yourself... you'll be back the next week, guaranteed.
Event: GRIFFIN SUNDAYS
Day: Sundays
Location: Griffin, 50 Gansevoort Street
See it on Facebook
When I first walked into Griffin Sundays, I was shocked that I did not recognize a single gay man there. They were sexy, sure. But they were buffer. Slightly stubblier. Who were they?
Michael Cohen clarified it for me: "People say my parties are full of bottoms, and Rafferty and Mazur's parties are full of tops." Touche, Mr. Cohen. Good point, sir.
Griffin is an EXCELLENT Sunday night Chaser to Paige Turner's Slurp Sundays show. In fact, that's my usual Sunday night pattern. Slurp first, Griffin after. The space is sexy. The DJs are dark and fabulous. And the crowd will flip you over on your stomach and muscle your face into the pillow while they have their way with you. Oh, and no cover, too.
Event: HARD
Day: Mondays
Location: The Cock, 29 Second Avenue
See it on Facebook
I began my nightlife career working a filthy, sexy, dirty weekly party. One so dirty that the venue was shut down by the health department for public sex. Needless to say, I am a shameless voyeur that can get behind watching some naughtiness while I sip my vodka tonic.
No, I don't want to go to an all-out Brooklyn brownstone sex party like the ones I made up completely from my imagination in my novels. But, still... a little filthiness is always interesting.
My new (Glam-nominated) buddy, Shameless McGreedy's late Monday night soiree at The Cock is just the ticket. It's not super-filthy, but it's good for those of you who want to dip your pinky toe in the slightly murky waters of the East Village. You'll see and experience some dirtiness, but it pales in comparison to the shenanigans that happen at the venue on its more infamous nights.
So, after spending the night with me at Broadway Mondays at XL, the next stop for me is the East Village for high notes of a different flavor.
Event: Hell's Kitchen Hop!
Day: Fridays
Location: 9th Avenue, 10th Avenue, 10.5th Avenue
It's Everywhere!
On Friday nights, there is NO one place to go when you live in the gay mecca that is Hell's Kitchen. So I always recommend the HOP!
(As a note, if you're interested in hopping in a cab, or live anywhere besides HK, I recommend Michael Cohen and Matthew Gagnon's PHOENIX FRIDAYS... but I'm lazy, so I rarely go there).
No, on a Friday night, in the gay nucleus of Manhattan, there's no one place you should be. You should check everything out. I recommend starting at the Northern end of HK, and working your way down.
Begin with Flaming Saddles, the western themed bar. Next up, it's Industry. Then Therapy, which is right across the street. After that, step into Bar-Tini for a spell. Following that, stop by Posh, and then Barrage. NONE of these events have a cover. ALL have diverse crowds.
And feel free to re-visit one of the previous bars later in the night, because everyone else in Hell's Kitchen is doing the Friday night hop, as well... so you never know who you'll find at any of the bars.
Event: Brunch at KTCHN with the Haus of Mimosa
Day: Sundays from 12-3pm
Location: KTCHN Restaurant (next door to XL Nightclub) on 42nd between 10th and 11th
See it on Facebook
I only just experienced this event less than a week ago, and I'm a new mega-fan. I've already booked and reserved THIS and NEXT Sunday's brunch at the same time and the same place.
The Haus of Mimosa is one of the funniest drag duos I've ever encountered. Also insanely talented. Watch the ladies live-sing to original tuners as well as classics while you chow down on some of the most delicious brunch food this side of the universe.
But save room! KTCHN has created something that I never knew I needed, but now can't possibly live without. It's called the BLOODY MARY BAR.
 |
| Behold the Bloody Mary Bar |
On the bar you will find three different types of mixes, ten different kinds of salt, smoked cheese, bacon bits, 12 kinds of hot sauce and over 20 types of fixins (ranging from pepperoncini and olives to capers and marinated onions).
I cannot even begin to tell you about my experience with my first-ever handmade Bloody Mary. I didn't just see God, he sat down in my booth and told me how the rest of my life would unfold.
So yes, friends. I want you to come out and check out my (FIVE!) weekly events. I work hard on them and I can proudly say they're some of the best in New York City. 20Something Thursdays, Broadway Mondays, Campus Tuesdays, So You Think You Can Drag on Wednesdays, and XL Saturdays are all spectacular... and you should be there.
But, when those events are over, or it's a night (or day) where I don't have an offering for you, I do hope you'll find this handy-dandy guide helpful.
xo JL
No comments:
Post a Comment