New Year’s Eve in New York City is a night of fireworks, celebrations, resolutions and love. It’s also a night filled with some of the year’s top parties, which take place in LGBTQ+ nightlife hot spots all over town—Hell’s Kitchen, Bushwick, Chelsea, Williamsburg and the East Village. We’ve put together a list of our most anticipated New Year’s Eve parties so you can ring in 2019 with style.
Avant Gardner
Queer icon Honey Dijon spins with Swiss techno kings The Cityfox Odyssey to light up Bushwick’s Avant Gardner. It’ll be a queer-centric marathon of deep, swirling house beats to ring in the New Year. Some tickets remain at $90.
Courtesy, Bathtub Gin
Bathtub Gin
This speakeasy in Chelsea has a killer New Year’s Eve party for $119 (VIP tickets start at $169). The throwback-to-Gatsby-era bar is all studded leather chairs and rococo wallpaper, and it’ll be packed with a sexy blend of straight and queer locals. A DJ will play the hits, while delicious small bites and classic cocktails will be served.
Courtesy, Beauty & Essex
Beauty & Essex
Beauty & Essex, a lush art deco lounge on the Lower East Side, hosts a glam New Year’s party. Tickets starts at $99 and include a 4-hour open bar. For a premium price, you can make table reservations and get bottle service.
Photo: Joe Buglewicz
Dream Downtown
This hotel, on the border of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, is holding two parties at its assorted venues. The Gallery will have a hip-hop set from DJ Chuckie as a midnight highlight of its event (tickets $109), while rooftop lounge PhD offers access to sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline (tickets start at $165). At both spots, you’ll get four-and-a-half hours of premium open bar, hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast at midnight. The crowd will be mixed but inclusive.
Courtesy, Henrietta Hudson
Henrietta Hudson
Classic downtown lesbian bar Henrietta Hudson will host resident spin master DJ Culi, along with female go-go dancers, delicious nibbles by Ro Pacheco (mini artisanal sandwiches, an elaborate cheeseboard and fancy desserts) and a champagne toast at midnight. It’s a $20 cover to get in before midnight, $25 after.
Hot Rabbit
Hot Rabbit, which puts on regular parties at Drom and Lot 45 Bushwick, throws its annual “Resolutions” New Year’s bash at Industry City’s Filament Bar this year. DJ Citizen Jane will be spinning great dance music, and there will be fun extras like a magic show, a champagne toast, great food and awards for best dressed. Tickets at the door are $30, but you can get them for $15 on presale.
Rise
This Hell’s Kitchen mainstay is one of our favorite gay bars, and on New Year’s Eve they’ll be open through the night until 8am. DJ Javier spins until 2am, after which DJ Brett Oosterhaus will keep the crowd moving past sunrise. Well-known drag queen Holly Dae hosts; there’s a champagne toast a midnight; and some surprise performances will take place later. After midnight, there’s a $10 cover to get in.
Photo: Christopher Postlewaite
The Stonewall Inn
The year 2019 marks a half century since Stonewall, so ring in this landmark year at the most historic gay bar in America. Expect DJs, special guest performances, noise makers and wall-to-wall crowds in the heart of the West Village. It’s close to the subway and to trendy restaurants where you can grab dinner before or a late-night nosh after.