Dressing After Dark: T/G, T/S, C/D-Friendly NYC Nightlife At-A-Glance

For a city that prides itself on both its diversity and the round-the-clock availability of entertainment and services, New York City has become sadly lacking of late. The "anything goes" attitude embraced by the nightlife of previous decades has been replaced with clubs and parties that cater to a specific clientele only, and tend to be clustered around the end of the week (with some exceptions,) when early rising the next morning is an economic necessity for most. In addition, many T/G-friendly events seem to embrace Gay men and Lesbians, which may seem initially disconcerting to those of us who view our own sexual persuasions in a different light.
However, New York City nightlife is still a veritable smorgasboard and it is most definitely possible to have a great, memorable and fun time at night here, if you know where to go. Due to the mercurial nature of this town, and nightlife in general, I would strongly suggest checking first before you go. This list will be updated regularly, but wherever possible, you should contact the venue in question by phone or through the available web link. I have limited this list to regular, weekly or sometimes monthly events; for one-offs, or new events, please check for separate postings either in the general listings or the Motherboards general NYC Nightclub and Events Topic.
Do not, by any means, let this list limit you. There are a great many other clubs, parties, and neighborhood bars who welcome, thanks to the hard-won battles of our forbears, any and all aspects of gender and sexual persuasion, without batting an eye.

It should also be noted that NYC's Fetish Community is very ambisexual and T/G-friendly, as are many cutting-edge music events-- the women of Arena/Blaze & The Black and Blue Ball, Club BadAss, performers Vulgaras, Lisa Jackson and Jayne County are just a few who encourage diversity of gender perception. Their listings may also be found in the general Motherboards topic.

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Restaurants:

Lucky Cheng's
24 First Avenue, between 1st & 2nd Streets, 212-473-0516
http://www.planetluckychengs.com/

Serving dinner from 6 till midnight, this place is definitely about emptying the wallets of the hordes of tourists and squealing bachelorettes that fill up the place-- but hey, a girl's got to make a buck! And there's no doubt if you came "dressed" to dine, you'd be treated much differently. Of special note is the karaoke hosted by our own Miss Understood downtairs, continuous shows with an amazing roster of talent, including HRH Princess Diandra, and the legendary Rose Royalle attending the ladies' loo (don't forget to tip!)

Waikiki Wally's
101 East 2nd Street, just east of First Avenue, 212-673-8908
http://www.waikikiwallys.com/

Sister restaurant of Cheng's, a stylish 60's Tiki bar with Neo-Hawaiian cuisine, Hawaiian music, scantily clad waitresses and even a waterfall. Tiny Bubbles, anyone?

Lips
2 Bank Street, west of Greenwich Avenue, 212-675-7710
http://www.lipsnyc.com/

More sedate, than Cheng's, its walls are covered with T/G "celebrity" memorabilia and waitresses provide continuous floorshows.

Manatus
340 Bleecker Street, between Christopher and West 10th Streets, 212-989-7042

Suburban-style Greek diner, open 24/7. very T/G friendly at all hours.

Restaurant Florent
69 Gansevoort Street, off Washington Street, 212-989-5779
http://www.restaurantflorent.com/

Located in the terminally trendy Meat Market, this French charcuterie-cum-diner is open very late on weekends. It's also been the annual scene of Downtown's only Bastille Day celebration/street fair... off with her head!


Clubs/Parties

Weeklies:

Monday

Charm School
Mondays only at The Marquee, 289 Tenth Avenue, between 26th & 27th Streets, 646-473-0202
Don't ask me why, in this city of 8 million stories, they had to give this venue, located above Chelsea in New York's new "Nightclub Zone" the same name as a very different place downtown, but they did. This is a mixed party, and quite wild from what I hear, very T/G friendly and goes on till all hours, even if it is on Mondays. Miss Guy and Lily Of The Valley preside.

As of late July, Charm School is on vacation for the summer. Look for an Autumn reopening.



Tuesday

Beige
At B Bar, 358 Bowery, at East 4th Street, 212-475-2220
Yes this place is still open. And it's probably the only place open on Tuesdays. Forget the food, just come to drink and hang out on the open-air patio where smoking is permitted. You would be hard-pressed to find a celeb here these days, but there are certainly enough stylists, hair dressers and make up people. Who knows, you might get a brand new look!

Thursday


Friday

Area 10008 (formerly Area 10009)
Located at The New Opaline (formerly the old Speed) 20 West 39th Street (between the even older Fifth & Sixth Avenues)
Info at:

Trip With Us. com

Now in a new zip code, this former East Village mainstay is now located in Midtown. It also includes the Pink "Lady" VIP Lounge, hosted by drag legend Mother Flawless Sabrina. Very mixed and heavy on the gay/boy/sleaze angle, this party still attracts some absolutely stunning T-girls. As usual, be prepared to scream over the din, but hey, that's Rock 'n Roll!


Saturday

Karalyn's Oasis
Located at 20, 20 Warren St (between Church St and Broadway, just west of City Hall)
From10 PM, with dressing facilities
Parking at garage 50 Murray Street just west of Church Street
Admission free with parking receipt.
http://www.karalynsoasis.com
And there's also a Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karolynsoasis/

Definitely an oasis for the first time cross-dresser, Karalyn has been throwing T/G parties since the 1980s, and this is her latest foray. The crowd here is very friendly and sociable compared to many of her competitors.

Ina's
At the Silver Swan, 41 East 20th Street, between Park Avenue South & Broadway (door at 11PM)

Located in a German Sauerbrauten-and-Potatoes restaurant, this very relaxed and adult party has been open Saturday nights only for quite a while.


Sunday

La Escuelita
301 West 39th Street, corner of Eighth Avenue, 212-631-0588
http://www.enyclub.com

These shows are simply amazing... Harmonica Sunbeam, Sugapie Coco, Angel Sheridan... this club is a temple to the T/G Goddess! Do bring dollars (make that 5's and 20's) for tipping these lovely artistes and get ready to witness a bit of living T/G herstory, Latin style!

TrannyshackNYC
At SBNY, 50 West 17th Street, between Fifth & Sixth, 212-691-0073
http://www.splashbar.com/


Totally unlike its legendary SF namesake, this weekly party within the usually frightening, heavily-mirrored domain of the steroid and PNP set, otherwise known as Splash, was initially somehow held together by the sheer will and extraordinary talents of drag diva Sweetie. Now I hear there is a new hostess. The crowd ranges from tourists to the occasional confused Muscle Mary; there is also an often-inexplicable drag "talent" competition, and a late night lipsynch show.

Monthlies:

Motherfucker
http://www.motherfuckernyc.com

Located at different venues, usually on the Sunday of a holiday weekend. Hosted by Michael T. and Company, this huge glam-with-a-rock-slant circus of an event is always packed and totally mixed. Check the NYC Nightclubs & Events Listings for the most recent edition.

Allanah Starr's Events
At Various Locations, 212-333-3027

Ms. Starr is, of course, the legendary and gorgeous, busty and fully functional star of T/S porn, and has now become a party promoter. From what I hear, her events cater to the glamorous showgirl, "professional" end of the spectrum (and their admirers) and the door charge is quite steep.

shemaleevents.com

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Barbara Sommers,

Just wanted to give you the heads up that Stingy Lulu's is no longer there. It shut down a couple months ago.

Thanks much Artemis!