Find love in a hopeless place: Brooklyn Pride roundup

You may know that June is Pride month. You also may not know that June is Pride month because you celebrated too hard last year and lost yourself in a wave of rainbow wishes and Smirnoff dreams. But whether or not you remember, Pride is back, and it’s ready for you. This weekend is Brooklyn Pride, which of course, is about a lot of things, like history and visibility and community. Naturally, we express this through parties, parades, and (let’s be honest) tacky rainbows. Here are some party options that will take you above and beyond that hot, glittery mess.

Pride, of course, can be a hassle. For some, it’s a once-a-year all-out gayfest. For others, it’s the dreaded weekend where all your favorite clubs and bars jack up their covers and pack the floor with drunk newbies. But if gay people know anything, it’s this: there’s always more to discover.

THE EVENT

The official Brooklyn Pride festivities are composed of two events: the parade and the festival. BK Pride veterans should take note that the festival has moved from it’s old location on Prospect Park West to 5th Avenue between 3rd and 9th Streets. This year’s festival features two stages, LGBT-friendly sports teams and games, and expanded kids’ spaces for all those gay babies. The actual parade will start at 7:30pm and go from Lincoln Place to 9th Street.

Need something else to be proud of? There’s also an LGBT 5K run at 8am in Prospect Park. Registration is closed, but you can still come watch and think about how you should be at the gym anyway.

THE AFTERPARTY
Obviously there are like a million and one parties going on this weekend. Here’s a few picks that will offer you a little somethin’-somethin’ out of the ordinary and won’t break your bank while doing so.

BKLYN PRIDE, Bat Haus, 279 Starr St., Bushwick
Who: bklyn boihood
When: Friday, June 7
What: This Brooklyn-based collective has been building bridges in the masculine-of-center community for quite a few years now, and they’ve been highly successful in drawing connections between arts, activism, and social life. That is to say that they’re notorious for throwing the dopest parties.
Cover: $10 before 1am, no one will be turned away for lack of funds
Deals: 1 free shot for anyone wearing a bklyn boihood t-shirt

HIPSTER PROM, Sugarland, 221 N. 9th St., Williamsburg
When: Friday, June 7
What: Your favorite Williamsburg gay bar encourages you to break out your best “bowties, frames, fluff & stuff” for the prom night you never had – as in, you get to bring or find a real date instead of taking your straight best friend like you did in high school.
Cover: None
Deals: 2-for-1 beers, taps, and well drinks before midnight, drink tickets to the most creative bowties, outfits, and hairdos

PHRESH CUTZ: BORN IN FLAMES, The Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Ave., Bushwick
Who: Hair Force One
When: Saturday, June 8
What: A queer pop-up barbershop, dance party, and (if you arrive before 11) movie screening of Born in Flames, Lizzie Borden’s 1983 queer cult classic. PHRESH CUTZ builds on the old-school notion of a barbershop community and mixes in the new-school elements of wild queer dance parties. If that doesn’t sell you, it’s also being hosted by yours truly, the author of this post.
Cover: $5
Deals: Free haircuts, duh

AZUCAR!, One Last Shag, 248 Franklin Ave., Bed Stuy
When: Saturday, June 8
What: The Pride edition of this monthly queer Latin@ dance party promises to “[put] the POW! in POWER” and “ignite the dance floor with GASOLINA from the GLOBAL SOUTH!!!” Can’t argue with that.
Cover: $5 before midnight, $10 after

LAID, Bell House, 149 7th St., Gowanus
When: Saturday, June 8
What: Laid is the Bell House’s yearly Pride event and was named by GO Mag as the original queer dance party, a pretty big claim for an old queer city like this one. The name of the party also seems to pack a certain promise, but of course we can’t make any guarantees.
Cover: $10

RAZOR 5000, Secret Project Robot, 389 Melrose St., Bushwick
When: Saturday, June 8
What: This is a Rihanna-themed party hosted by Sarah Jenny of Hey Queen queer fame. In addition to spinning the hits of Rihanna’s illustrious career, RAZOR 5000 also boasts giveaways from One Last Shag, Outpost Cafe, and more. Let the Jameson sink in, and you’ll be shining bright like a diamond in no time.
Cover: $10

There are some of our favorites, but obviously there’s much, much more for this Pride week and beyond. What are you looking forward to?