A Look Back At The Top NYC Parties Of 2013

Area 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Book Launch, And Party

Why we liked it: Admittedly, we're not old enough to have visited Area during its run in the early 80's, but this party taught us everything we need to know about the decadent nightlife that defined the era. The Hole Gallery was the perfect setting to display artwork from Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat as masked naked people took to the dancefloor, guests drank out of tomato soup cans, drug stations were set up, and plenty more. See more from the event HERE! Check out our in-depth coverage and interview with Area founder Eric Goode HERE! Go HERE for more photos by Steph Jensen! Where: Hole Gallery; The Bowery Hotel Who was there: Guests included Eric Goode, Serge Becker, Darius Azari, Andre Balazs, Julian Schnabel, Calvin Klein, Chuck Close, Stephen Dorff, Stella Schnabel, Sean MacPherson, Rachelle Hruska, Mia Moretti, Cleo Wade, Jeffrey Deitch, Jennifer Goode, Simon de Pury, Susanne Bartsch, Jeremy Kost, Scott Lipps, Mario Sorrenti, Emily Ratajkowksi, Michael Musto, Nur Khan, Happy Massee, Andrew Andrew, Alban de Pury, Cat Marnell, Tom Sachs, Genevieve Bahrenberg, Tony Shafrazi, Patrick McMullan, Bob Gruen, Vikram Chatwal, Steve Kasuba, Elliott David, Guyton Porter, Rachel Small, and Laura Polko. [Mario Sorrenti, Tom Sachs] Further into the gallery, there was a dance floor as well as a room filled with artwork, separated by exposed toilet stalls. This was the location where a handful of topless women chose to do a photo shoot, while the dancefloor was occupied with nude dancers wearing only masks. The artwork was impressive, with pieces from Warhol and Basquiat exhibited. However, most guests had trouble paying attention to the art when so much was going on, and there were so many friends from the glory days of Area to catch up with. Following the exhibition, guests headed down the block to the Bowery Hotel, where they could get the book, "Area 1983-1987", and join the after-party. Here too there was a dose of strangeness, with a fake cocaine station set up to help trigger memories of the 80's, girls on roller skates, and dancers in obscure costumes. Guests enjoyed the unique atmosphere created by the event, and partied well past the scheduled end time. [Photo via @rachellehruska] [Emily Ratajkowski, Elliot David] [Photo via @guestofaguest]