Image via Complex Original
Parades. Picnics. Family. Fun. For a whole lot of people, that's the Fourth of July in a nutshell. And that's great, if you're into that sort of thing. But if you want to celebrate Independence Day by exercising the freedom to party your ass off and kick back with something boozy, bold, and refreshingly cold, then you've come to the right place. This isn’t a day to go halfway—you've got to go harder and give your all for your country. After all, this is America—we don’t do anything half-assed except plumbing repairs and healthcare. Are you ready? So are we. Here are 10 of the hottest July 4th happenings in NYC, with something to suit just about every taste. From burlesque to Bollywood, rockabilly to rap to reggae, and, of course, food and drink galore, we've got you covered. So go hard—for your country.
America F*ck Yeah!
Location: The Bell House, 149 7th St., Brooklyn
Designed as an alternative to the tired old flag-waving and fireworks-watching dreariness, F*ck Yeah celebrates three of the things that make America great: booze, barbecue, and burlesque—all in one spot. And it's in Brooklyn, one of the crown jewels of our great nation. There are dancers who'll shake what their mommas gave them while you scarf down ribs and libations. And if you wear a Wonder Woman costume, you'll get in free. Channel your inner Lynda Carter AND save $20? Sounds like a good deal.
Liberty Belle Extravaganza
Location: Hudson Terrace, 621 W. 46th St., Manhattan
Back during Prohibition, when drinking was illegal and hot jazz was scandalous, the kids knew how to go harder, flouting convention and the law in search of a good time. The Liberty Belle Extravaganza recreates that era on a rooftop overlooking the Hudson and New Jersey, with five vintage-style jazz bands (as well as more modern DJs), dancers both burlesque and "clean," and of course food and drink to last you from the 3:00 p.m. start time straight through to 2:00 a.m. After all, what’s harder than staring at New Jersey for nearly 12 hours? As the kids used to say back in the ’20s, it'll be the cat's meow. And unlike back then, you don't have to worry about getting busted by the cops (at least not for liquor).
Get Summered at Riis Beach Bazaar
Location: Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway, Queens
Music, dancing, the beach—does it get any bolder on the Fourth? Like the surf pounding the sand, the fun will keep on coming in waves, and it just gets harder. In addition to nature's own wild-and-wet entertainment at the Rockaway Peninsula adding to the refreshment, you'll jam to live performances by Uriel J. Winfree III and Jamie Register, along with DJs to keep you dancing into the wee hours.
Endless Summer: Mods vs. Rockers Rooftop Party
Location: Gansevoort Part, 420 Park Ave. South, Manhattan
In a tip of the cap to Merrie Olde England, without whom we never would have had to declare independence in the first place, this event is a throwback. Greasy, pompadoured, leather-jacketed rockers throw down against sharkskin suit-wearing, Vespa-riding mods in a rumble for the ages. Get your vintage groove on with DJs and live bands cranking out rockabilly for the rockers, bossa nova and cool jazz for the mods, and plenty more for those who don't take sides. The rooftop has great views of the fireworks, and there are plenty of cocktails and barbecue to go around.
Bollywood Fusion Desi Party
Location: John Anthony's, 2 W. 35th St., Manhattan
If you want to go a little against the grain this Independence Day, why not celebrate America with a Bollywood-styled party? In truth, there's not a red-blooded, right-thinking 'Murican who doesn't dig the crazy costumes and whacked-out but oh-so-funky music that defines Bollywood on this side of the globe. The DJs (DJ Bhav from MTV India and DJ Gaurav, straight from New Delhi) will be spinning plenty of Bollywood, bhangra and Top 40 tunes, and the bar and kitchen will be open late for maximum partying.
July 4th Rooftop BBQ at The Attic
Location: 251 W. 48th St., Manhattan
Stuck in NYC but want to party like you're in Beverly Hills? Then check out the Attic Rooftop & Lounge, an homage to the architecture and swanky poolside lounges of the tonier spots in L.A. The big (we're talking more than 5,000 square feet) space will feature eats, upscale cocktails, and DJ Francis Mercier spinning house, electro, and other ass-twitching tunes to get you shakin' it harder.
Fourth Of July Beach Party Coney Island Beach
Location: Surf Ave between W 37th and Brighton 15th St., Brooklyn
This is a classic one, people: a day in the sun with wall-to-wall people jamming the beach, the boardwalk, the ocean—it's a nonstop party from morning until morning, so pace yourself. Our ancestors didn't fight the Revolution so you could fade at sunset. If you're lucky, you might get a glimpse of Nathan's annual hot dog eating challenge. If you're luckier still, you might get to ride the Cyclone. And if you're really lucky, you'll do both. And if you make your own luck, as those who choose harder often do, you’ll do both and be celebrating your own badassness with those fireworks—not just our country's—all night long.
4th of July Party on the Pier
Location: Pier 81 & 83, W. 41-42nd St. & 12th Ave., Manhattan
If fireworks are your jam, you'd best be steppin' to the pier. You'll get your day's worth of partying in, with food, cocktails, DJs, fun, sun, etc. But come sundown is when the action really starts. You'll basically be right under the fireworks, so you won't just see them, you'll FEEL them—and those bad boys drop enough bass to make the loudest EDM DJ green with envy.