Photography by Christopher John Conry
Article by Ballerina Bizet
Every Wednesday night Sugarland Nightclub is proud to bring you Bottoms Up– an underwear party with hot people, cool music, and fierce drag queens. The rules are simple: 1. Take off your pants and check them with the lovely Katie Moss at coat check. 2. Bring your ticket to Maty Longo at the bar and get a free drink. 3. Enjoy some amazing drag shows by hosts Elizabeth James, Untitled Queen, and a weekly special guest. 4. Dance the night away to the amazing beats of resident DJ Jessamess!
Now I know what you may be thinking– what makes this underwear party so different from any of the others that happen in New York. Good point–underwear parties can be a popular theme of nightlife parties (or become the developing theme by the end of the night). But Sugarland’s underwear party has been a staple of Brooklyn nightlife for several years. While it is true that is has been around for a long time it still proves to be a different show each week between the fresh new numbers of the host queens and the lineup of special guests. The night often brings a welcoming crowd, making it a great platform for artists to perform both classic numbers as well as try out some new material. Like any bar setting you will always have a group of new faces but you will also see familiar friendly ones as you come week after week (which you should!). These people in some ways can be like a surrogate family, with Bottoms Up being the weekly “family gathering” as everyone catches up on what has gone on in everyone’s lives.
And unlike some parties where you feel you have to put on a mask to interact with fellow guests, at Bottoms Up you are encouraged to be yourself. Come in whatever look you feel–whether you want to be dressed to the nines or just walk around in your underwear, it is all- welcome. And most of all– you get a free drink for taking your pants off! It doesn’t get much better than that. I have been to several NYC nightlife parties and have yet to come across such a great deal. It has gone through several titles and has been hosted by an array of amazing queens, and it continues to still be a wonderful night for dancing, drinking, and appreciating the Brooklyn drag scene. Bottoms Up gives you many a reason to go out on a Wednesday night and celebrate getting over the “hump” of your workweek.
Party starts at 11pm, drag shows start at midnight. Sugarland Nightclub is located at 221 N. 9th Street between Driggs and Roebling in Williamsburg.
