Sunday night clubs NYC

Parties

The Alterna-Gay Danceteria:
Tough door, drag queens, go-go boys, dancing, singing
This midweek throwdown at a former strip club—a straight bar every day but Tuesday—draws art students, transsexuals, Lena Dunham, and the occasional CockyBoys porn star. Cameos by fashion heavyweights Alexander Wang and the Proenza boys have inspired comparisons to the old scene at Studio 54, and as at that one, dancing is practically mandatory. Tuesdays at 10 p.m. 75 Clarkson St., nr. West St.; 212-620-0101.

The Come-As-You-Are Afternoon Mixer:
Dancing, singles scene, fun for straight people
Taking a cue from the Pines’ popular afternoon parties, lesbian icon J. D. Samson (of Le Tigre and MEN) co-founded this pansexual get-together last June. The D.J.’d events got rolling early enough at the Hudson River–abutting boîte to showcase the stunning summer sunset; now that it’s winter, the sunsets may be less pretty, but hip women and hirsute men continue to hit it up, trading barbs over umbrella-shaded cocktails and laid-back games of pool. Sundays at 4 p.m.; 425 West St., at W. 11th St.; 212-645-5668.

The Avant-Garde Eden:
ElevenEleven at Open House
Drag queens, dancing, singles scene, fun for straight people
All it took was one party in November for Open House to become the new standard for gender-bending club kids looking to dance till 4 a.m. The music—primarily house—is often manned by Cielo favorite D.J. Honey Dijon, and the aesthetics are set by promoter Ladyfag’s entourage of outlandishly costumed misfits. For now, the party is still easy to get into, with no dress-code woes or tough door. Starting after January 25, the monthly goes weekly. Fridays at 10 p.m.; 244 E. Houston St., nr. Ave. A; 917-225-9018.

The Loungey Throwback:
Dancing, singles scene, fun for straight people
Copacabana, once the steamiest spot north of Havana, reopened in 2011 and, since last month, started hosting a weekly gay party in its glass-encased rooftop supper club. The luxe space, normally reserved for corporate events, features three bars (with bottle service from 0, if that’s your thing) and a retractable roof—a boon come springtime. While there’s a dance floor where younger guys let loose to pop music, the older patrons tend to kick back on the leather banquettes, making for a pleasantly adult outing.

The Daytime Den Of Iniquity:
Happycock Hour at the Cock
Go-go boys, singles scene
The legendary East Village dive has seen its fair share of sleazy late-night shenanigans. But starting this week, the Cock will open at a respectable 4 p.m. Frankie, a popular bartender at gay-bar-next-door Urge, has joined the “cockcrew” for “Happycock Hour.” As with the night parties, expect cash-only drink specials and go-go boys. Tuesdays through Sundays, 4 to 11 p.m.; 29 Second Ave., nr. 2nd St; 212-777-6254.

The Fashion Insider’s Fashion Party:
Phoenix Fridays
Tough door, dancing, singles scene
It used to be that dollar-beer Wednesdays were the best thing the 13-year-old gay bar Phoenix had going for it—until a new owner bought and overhauled it last year. Now Friday is the night to go, thanks to publicist-D.J. Mark Holcomb and promoter Michael Cohen jamming the low-ceilinged room with discerning editors, modeling agents, and cute interns in motorcycle jackets. Top 40 pop—including Rihanna’s new album before it was released—makes up the soundtrack, and vodka-and-sodas are the drink of choice. Fridays at 10 p.m.; 447 E. 13th St., nr. Ave. A; 212-477-9979.