Museum parties

Upstarts

Art After Dark at the Guggenheim
The Gugg's new iteration of its old First Fridays affairs gives celebrants the opportunity to have the famous spiral building all to themselves. Background music is provided via an iPod playlist curated by museum artist Slater Bradley. At the end of the evening, the iPod used for deejaying is raffled off to museum patrons. 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-423-3500, guggenheim.org). Next event: July 8 9pm--midnight; $15, members free.
Eat here: Caf Sabarsky
Begin your artsy night out by eating in the Neue Galerie's caf, where discerning patrons tuck into perfectly prepared apple strudel ($9) and Viennese coffee topped with whipped cream ($6); salads ($12--$20) and sandwiches ($14--$16) satisfy more savory appetites. Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Ave at 86th St (212-288-0665, neuegalerie.org/cafes/sabarsky)

Signal to Noise at the Museum of the Moving Image
The film-focused Museum of the Moving Image pays tribute to all forms of media with its semiregular late-night party, which launched in January. Though the next event's lineup hasn't been announced yet, you can expect something wacky: The last party in May featured live music from the So So Glos, video installations and a competition to determine the best curator of YouTube videos. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave at 37th St, Astoria, Queens; 718-777-6888, movingimage.us. Next event October; visit the website for more information.
Eat here: Zenon Taverna
Grab a table at this Greek and Cypriot staple that has been churning out plates of succulent pork, chicken and meatball souvlaki, plus a rotating menu of daily specials for several decades. 34-10 31st Ave at 34th St, Astoria, Queens (718-956-0133, zenontaverna.com)

K2 Friday Nights at the Rubin Museum of Art
A treasure trove of Himalayan culture in the heart of Chelsea, the Rubin has a particular knack for meshing contemporary pop culture with Buddhist principles in its events, performances and weekly late-night activities. Every Friday night, the museum's sleek caf morphs into the K2 Lounge, offering a special menu of Pan-Asian tapas to kick off an evening of live or deejayed music. Upcoming sets include the jazz-infused Patrick Cornelius Quartet (Mar 4 at 7pm) and folk artist Teddy Thompson (Mar 25 at 7pm; advance $25, at the door $30). Friday nights also include the Cabaret Cinema series: Guest speakers introduce classic films that explore themes found in current exhibitions. This month, cartoonist David Sipress will present Tom DiCillo's Living in Oblivion (Mar 11 at 9:30pm) and actor Parker Posey will host Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter (Mar 18 at 9:30 pm). 150 W 17th St at Seventh Ave (212-620-5000, rmanyc.org). Admission to galleries is free Fri 6--10pm; Cabaret Cinema free with a $7 bar minimum. Next K2 Friday Night: Fri 4 at 7pm; advance $18 advance, at the door $20.

Get Weird at the New Museum
Do as instructed at this series and let your freaky side reign. (The last party featured a costume contest based on George Condo's art.) On July 21, catch a performance from Gray, an industrial sound band cofounded by late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and performance artist Michael Holman—it's the group's first public concert in more than 20 years. The series also presented MEN and Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner's first-ever solo show solo show. New Museum of Contemporary Art, 235 Bowery at Prince St (212-219-1222, newmuseum.org). Next event: July 21 9pm; $15, members $12.
Eat here: Loreley
Wash down a full menu of German comfort food—including a selection of sausages served with bread and mustard, pickles and potato salad ($5--$10) with one of a dozen imported draft beers, including the light Gaffel Klsch, served in super-size steins ($14--16). 7 Rivington St between Bowery and Christie St (212-253-7077, loreleynyc.com)

Uptown Fridays! at the Studio Museum in Harlem
Get down uptown at this popular Friday-night fete, where dancing in the museum's courtyard is encouraged (and with an upcoming series from global soul pioneer DJ Manchildblack, we're pretty sure you won't be able to contain yourself). Take a break from the dance floor with guided tours, which happen all night long. Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) and Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) (212-864-4500, studiomuseum.org). Next event: July 22 6--9pm; free.
Eat here: Red Rooster Harlem
Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson opened this restaurant last year, and the bar buzzes with nearly a dozen signature cocktails—including the Cat's Meow, a citrus-infused concoction of gin, Cointreau and Lillet ($11). Pair it with Mac & Greens ($14), combining two American classics—mac and cheese and collard greens. 310 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) between 125th and 126th Sts (212-792-9001, redroosterharlem.com)

Events at the Japan Society
In anticipation of "Japan Cuts" (July 7--22), showcasing contemporary Japanese films, the museum's programmers are playing party planners once again. A few blowouts are scheduled in conjunction with the festival: Down free Sapporo beer at the after-bash for the New York premiere of Yakuza Weapon, about a man who returns to Japan to avenge an assassinated mob boss (July 9), or boogie with porn star turned pop star--actress Sora Aoi after the international premiere of her new film, Three Points (July 15). Japan Society, 333 E 47th St between First and Second Aves (212-832-1155, japansociety.org). Time and price vary; visit website for details.
Eat here: Sushi Yasuda
Keep the Far East theme going at this midtown sushi bar. Take a seat at the counter and ask for the chef's recommendation—you won't be steered wrong. 204 E 43rd St between Second and Third Aves (212-972-1001, sushiyasuda.com).