ILLUSTRATION BY GAYLETTER
Where to watch the Oscars
Our official guide to NYC's Oscars viewing events
A few fun facts about the Academy: of the 6000 members 94% are white, 77% are male, only 14% are under the age of 50 and the average age is 62. So there are a few things I’m not into about this crowd, and somehow they decide who wins the film industry’s biggest awards. But who cares — it’s Oscar night: the perfect excuse to get drunk with strangers and yell at the television. (At least until the following night when Rupaul’s Drag Race is on).
The Oscars are usually pretty gay, but they’ve really outdone themselves in 2014. Bette Midler, Karen O and Idina Menzel are performing, Judy Garland’s daughters are singing a tribute to The Wizard of Oz and Ellen Degeneres is hosting. Without further ado, here are our nominees for New York’s finest Oscars viewing parties.
NYC nightlife legend and self-proclaimed “hardest working middle-aged man in show business” Murray Hill is back to host his annual Oscar night extravaganza. Prepare for Hollywood’s night of nights to be completely destroyed by Murray’s caustic wit, hilarious commentary and spot-on celebrity impressions. There’ll also be trivia, fake red carpets, guest stars and competitions for best dressed, worst dressed and most drunk. We’ll be pissed if we don’t win at least one of those.
$25 (plus $12 drink minimum), 7:30PM, Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. NY, NY.
OSCAR PARTY AT CHELSEA CINEMAS – Presented by Riedel Dance Theatre
“Whose careers will be made? Whose dreams will be dashed? Who cares! It’s the Oscars and you love it!” Get comfortable in Chelsea Cinemas as the oddly green-obsessed drag queen Hedda Lettuce hosts this commercial-free broadcast of the Academy Awards. All proceeds go to support future Riedel Dance Theater productions, plus you get unlimited popcorn and soda. Not sure what the alcohol situation is, so sneak in a hip flask just in case.
$21, 7:00PM, Chelsea Cinemas, 260 West 23rd St. NY, NY.
SW PRESENTS THE ANNUAL OSCAR PARTY
Don’t diss Stonewall — you wouldn’t be publicly holding hands with your boyfriend or teeing up Grindr orgies if it weren’t for this West Village institution. If you haven’t been before, and even if you have, Oscars night is your perfect excuse. The action kicks off at 6.30PM with the Red Carpet broadcast, performances by Chocolatina and Lavinia Draper, and our two favorite words: drink specials. After the award show there’ll be trivia, prizes and more performances. Did we mention best dressed wins a bar tab? You better turn it out.
FREE, 6:30PM, Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher St. NY, NY.
Are you one of those annoying people that knows everything about movies? Here’s your chance to show off — Le Poisson Rouge have made Oscar night into a competition for their guests, with a multimedia trivia show throughout the broadcast. Drink up and nerd out!
$10 advance/$15 on the day, 5:30PM, Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleeker St. NY, NY.
We love wine and we love Brooklyn, so it figures this is one of our favorite NYC spots for dinner. Pop in on Oscar night where, for the fourth year running, Brooklyn Winery will be hosting their screening party in the Atrium and Parlor rooms. There’ll be delicious share platters and a special Oscars cocktail — but you’ll need to get in early if you want a seat.
FREE, 7:00PM, Brooklyn Winery, 213 North 8th St. BK, NY.
Think of yourself as a classy lady? This is where you’ll want to be: lording it high over all the Midtown plebs in New York’s “most glamorous” rooftop bar (don’t worry, there’ll be heating). Your $25 buys you panoramic city views, a big screen broadcast, food throughout the night and a goddam open bar. Get into it — but only wear your fanciest clothes. This is Midtown, bitch.
$25, 7:00PM, 230 Fifth, 230 Fifth Ave. NY, NY.
One of our favorite cinemas for a midnight movie is celebrating the Oscars on their big screen. You’ll get to yell at the screen in the comfort of Nitehawk’s lounges, while being served tableside food and beverages. But you better hurry up and put down your $25, these tickets will go fast.
$25, 6:30PM, Nitehawk Cinemas, 136 Metropolitan Ave. BK, NY.
They say eating is cheating, and while those red carpet bitches haven’t eaten in weeks to slip into their couture, we know you’ve spent winter sitting on your ass in a snuggie eating constantly just to get through the polar vortex. Continue that theme with KTCHN’s five course prix fixe menu! They’re paying tribute to the first ever Oscars in 1929, with the menu inspired by what was served on that very night, 86 years ago.
$75, 7:00PM, KTCHN, 508 West 42nd St. NY, NY.
Got buzzed at Sunday brunch and just want to keep rolling? Posh Bar in Hell’s Kitchen will keep you liquored up until their Oscars broadcast, with happy hour starting at the civilized hour of 3:00PM. They’ll have DJs, $3 beers and then at 11:00PM they’ll serve free pizza, that should help you get it together before work on Monday. How considerate.
FREE, 7:00PM, Posh Bar, 405 West 51st St. NY, NY.
THE END