Exclusive | New York City: Where to Play/Meet Part Five

CLUBS

New York City is home to the world's most exciting gay club scene, bar none. A combination of the best DJs, most imaginative lighting and spaces and -- more than anything -- fascinating, sexy crowds make it a night crawler's dream. The only requirements are an open mind and the ability to stay up late. Picking the right dance club depends on your desired crowd/scene, and the night of the week. The best advice we can give you is to pick up one of the bar weeklies (Next or HX), because the club scene changes faster than a speeding bullet in New York. Also watch for Daniel Nardicio's very popular and raucous boy parties via www.dlist.com, and keep abreast of local bear events and parties at www.m8ny.com.

BEST 4: TUESDAYS/WEDNESDAYS

TUESDAY
Beige at B Bar (40 E. 4th St., at Bowery; 212-475-2220) is a stand-and-model affair, full of trendy, beautiful fashionistas of all persuasions. A can't-miss if you're in town on a Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY
Press Play at Ultra (37 W. 26th St., btwn Broadway & Sixth Ave.; 212-725-3860) a "weekly happy-house freakfest" in the space where Miss USA Tara Conner got caught partying it up.

NYC legends DJ/producer Johnny Dynell and drag diva Sweetie present Swoon at HK (523 Ninth Ave., at 39th St.; 212-947-4208), a modernist ode to old-school Hollywood glamour.

Self-proclaimed "hot gay leather punk night for hunky hairy men," Spit at Alphabet Lounge (104 Ave. C, at 7th St.; 212-780-0202) is a monthy East Village raunchfest.

BEST 4: THURSDAYS
Classic DJ Chip Duckett spins pop, rock and hip-hop at the long-running fave Pop Rocks! at Bar 13 (35 E. 13th St., at University Pl.; 212-979-6677; www.spincyclenyc.com/poprocks or www.myspace.com/poprocksnyc).

Cool purveyors James Coppola and Earl Dax helm Unisex Salon at The Delancey (168 Delancey St., btwn Clinton & Attorney Sts.; 212-254-9920; www.myspace.com/unisexxxsalon or www.thedelancey.com), a three-floor multimedia alt-art explosion.

Scene queens Susanne Bartsch and Kenny Kenny oversee Kino 41 at Arena (135 W 41st St., between Sixth Ave. & Broadway; 212-378-0988; www.myspace.com/kino41 or www.arenanyc.net), weekly home to a bevy of downtown club superstars.

The college kids forego their homework for Campus Thursdays at Splash (50 W. 17th St.; 212-691-0073; www.myspace.com/campusthursdays or www.splashbar.com), "the gayest and largest Thursday party in NYC."

BEST 4: FRIDAYS
Club cohorts The Trinity present Gary 49 at Mr. Black (643 Broadway, at Bleecker St.; 212-253-2560), one of the city's best dance parties, offering "highbrow freakiness with lowbrow intentions." Watch for "The Ass" -- you'll know it when you see it.

Step back in time -- to the '70s, to be exact -- for some heavy Cruising at Nowhere (322 E. 14th St., btwn First & Second Aves.; 212-477-4744; www.nycruising.com), a sultry old-school-style sleazefest.

Hip-hop stars alongside house and salsa at the recently relocated Krash NYC Freaky Fridays at Shelter (150 Varick St., at Vandam St.; 917-560-8024; www.myspace.com/krashnyc or www.krashnyc.com).

Fun, friendly, furry foxes Friday at Snaxx at Westside Tavern (360 W. 23rd St., btwn Eighth & Ninth Aves.; 212-366-3738; www.djrichking.com/snaxx.htm or www.westsidetavern.com).

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six

Related Articles:
New York City: Introduction
New York City: Where to Stay
New York City: Where to Eat
New York City: What to See and Do
New York City: Where to Shop
New York City: Neighborhoods
New York City: Resources