The Rally
Pier 26; 6/28 at 7 p.m.; West St. at N. Moore St.
The first Pride Rally happened a month after the Stonewall riots in 1969, as a call to arms. Today, this free and open to the public event kicks off the weekend’s official festivities and features hosts Pandora Boxx and Keith Price, and entertainment by comedian Pam Ann and singer-songwriter Vicci Martinez.
VIP Pride Rooftop Party
Hudson Terrace; 6/29; 2–10 p.m.; 621 W. 46th St., nr. Eleventh Ave.; 212-315-9400
Dance on three levels of the Hudson Terrace rooftop at the VIP rooftop party to the sounds of D.J.’s Serving Ovahness, Marco Da Silva, and Frankie Knuckles. Tickets are $79 in advance, and includes an open bar from 2 to 3 p.m. to get the afternoon started off right.
Rapture on the River
Pier 26, Hudson River Park; 6/29, 4–10 p.m.; West St. at N. Moore St.
Miami party-starter D.J. Dimples and D.J. Whitney Day headline this post–Dyke March event at its new location. The party for all lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified women, the new venue allows for more room to dance, drink, or both (read: multitasking). Tickets are $25 in advance, with VIP tickets available. Ballers can shell out $1,500 for a private cabana and bottle service for them and up to ten of their friends.
PrideFest
6/30, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Hudson St., nr. Abingdon Sq. and W. 14th St.
The twentieth annual street fair takes over Hudson Street with vendors, entertainers, and activities, including a concert lineup, which you can check out here. This is the place to score your Pride gear, if you forgot to stock up.
The March
6/30, noon; Starting Fifth Ave. at 36th St., ending Christopher St. at Greenwich St.
Edie Windsor, Harry Belafonte, and Earl Fowlkes are the grand marshals for Pride Fest’s main event, which has grown into a full-blown civil rights demonstration and memorial to those affected by AIDS. Also in the parade: soprano Sarah Joy Miller, star of the upcoming U.S. premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera Anna Nicole at BAM. She’ll be dressed as—who else—Anna Nicole Smith.
Dance on the Pier
Pier 26, Hudson River Park; 6/30, 3 p.m.–2 a.m.; West St. at N. Moore St.
Oh, this is a big one. None other than Cher is performing at this year’s outdoor bacchanal, closing out the week along with Deborah Cox and D.J.’s Dave Audé and Oscar G. The night ends with a fireworks display on the Hudson. Tickets are sold out, but c’mon: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Pride {Poolside}
Hotel Americano; 6/30, noon–6 p.m.; 518 W. 27th St., nr. Tenth Ave.; 212-525-0000
Celebrating wears you out, doesn’t it? Wind down at this rooftop pool party with house music, cocktails, and no doubt some very skimpy Speedos. Tix are $49 and you can snag one here.
The Monster
This cheerful West Village institution will have special hours this weekend: upstairs opens at noon, while the dance floor downstairs gets hot and sweaty starting at three.
Takashi
The Japanese-Korean restaurant knows the way to our heart: They’re offering soft-serve with your topping of choice for free after dinner all week.
Take Root
Through the end of June at this “noshery and yoga room,” mention Pride and get a free beverage pairing with your tasting menu.
The Spotted Pig
Head to this gastropub after the parade, where on the second floor they’ll be holding their fifth annual Pride party beginning at 5:30 p.m. Specialty shots are $10, served from their signature ice luge (the shape is being kept a surprise). Beers are $6, and a D.J. will be on hand to keep you bumping into the night.
Ilili Restaurant
Ilili’s right on the parade route, and is serving up a special brunch menu from noon to 4p.m, complemented with drag performances by Rhea Litré, Dallas Dubois, and Eve VanCartier and music by D.J. Scotty Rox. Also, dine in the dining room and score a free Leblon cachaca cocktail. Because it’s a party!
Slide
Every hour is happy hour at this burger joint on Bleecker, where from 11 a.m. on this week you can get two-for-one pints and glasses of wine, plus $3 Session beers. Come early and stay late, but do try to remember how to get home.
Flaming Saddles
Gear up the night before the parade, where the Absolut/Stoli “Midnight Cowboy” is on special, two for the price of one. They’ll also be debuting their new Pride dance, so be sure you’re ready for it.
Henrietta HudsonBoozehounds will appreciate the “Equaltini,” the official drink of Pride specially designed by Lisa Cannistraci, owner of Henrietta and V.P. of Marriage Equality USA. Tito’s Vodka is mixed with Barrow’s Intense Ginger, lavender, grapefruit juice, and Seltzer. Sounds refreshing!
The Eagle NYC
Everyone’s favorite leather bar knows how to treat us right: with two-for-one cocktails on the roof on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m., and $3 draft beers on the room on Sunday, from 4 p.m. to midnight.
The Rusty Knot
On Sunday beginning at 2 p.m., Le Tigre’s J.D. Sampson, Amber Valentine, and D.J. W. Jeremy spin at a special Pride edition of their Scissor Sunday party, with a special Tito’s vodka open bar from 4 to 5 p.m.
The Dalloway
The Dalloway’s been making the whole week more festive with multiple specials. On Thursday, dust off the taffeta for the Pride Prom, beginning at 9 p.m.; Friday they’re the spot for happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. (try the dollar oysters), and on Sunday beginning at 4 p.m., they’re throwing a parade party, with $5 margaritas, $4 beer, and, again, those dollar oysters.
Splash
Prove that you’re a stud on Thursday the 27th, when the winner of a “Stud Search” winds $200 cash money. Don’t worry if you don’t win: Everyone gets two for one cocktails and beer till nine.
Stonewall Inn
Be inspired at the place that started it all, with D.J.’d parties every night (most entries are free), culminating with a big party on Sunday. We don’t have to tell you to show up early.
The Hangar Bar
It’s an anniversary/pre-pride party on Thursday, beginning at 8 p.m., with drag performances by Victoria Lace, D.J. Sparrow with the tunes, and hors d’oeuvres to satiate you when you’ve been dancin’ all night.
Marquee
On Thursday the 27th the revamped nightclub hosts a tribute to Cher, including a runway show of the style icon through the ages and a special appearance by the lady herself. We highly recommend that you buy tickets like, yesterday. Then on Sunday the meatpacking spot becomes a, um, meat market,with their Women and LGBTQ “WiLD THANG!” party, where revelers can gawk at go-go dancers with saxophonist Alison Shearer, headlining performer Zuzuka Poderosa, D.J. Mary Mac, Whitney Day (a producer of the event), and more providing the tunes. The festivities begin at 5 p.m.
Thompson LES
Sleek modernism meets spiked popsicles at this Pride pool party thrown by GUMBO NYC on Saturday. Come right at the beginning (2 p.m.) for free Absolut cocktails, and wait ‘til late for them to sink in. Ten bucks will get you in.
Wythe Hotel
Williamsburg’s stylish hotel is teaming up with Gayletter to throw its first Pride party, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Research Institute Without Walls. Beginning at 8 p.m. on June 29th you can shimmy shake to D.Js Lauren Flax and Amber Valentine, artists Amber Martin, Tyler Ashley, and Merry Cherry. Admission is free, with a complimentary Greenhook Gin Bar from 8-9 p.m. (!) Secure a spot at RSVP@WytheHotel.com.