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If you are a fan of electronic music (think deep-house and techno) and you are looking for the best parties of the summer, look no further.  If you’re tired of spending your weekends hanging at Marquee, Space Ibiza, and Flash Factory just to fight your way through the crowds of 21 year old, EDM junkies to get to the bar, there is an answer to your problem.  Brooklyn and surrounding areas just out of NYC can provide a chill, fun, and techno-infused party scene to better suit your developing music states and growing sophistication.  Below, you will find a few of the hippest dance parties/festivals of the Summer, but don’t tell all of your friends, because even though these parties are far from being small, they still haven’t been completely infiltrated by hoards of neon-dressed college students discovering drugs for the first time.

1. Brooklyn Mirage Opening & The Cityfox Experience, May 21st  

The kick-off party of the summer, if you will, Cityfox parties never fail to disappoint, and neither does the Brooklyn Mirage.  Located in Bushwick (because if you haven’t heard, that’s where the coolest parties are happening these days), The Brooklyn Mirage is primarily an outdoor venue, decorated as an oasis (palm trees and seating areas with pillows) and with both outdoor and indoor space, there is plenty of room for party-goers to get their groove on.  The folks at Cityfox produce the most banging parties of this music genre, so if you’ve never been to a Cityfox party, make this your first and you will be hooked.  The lineup includes favorites like Bilaliwood and Thugfucker.  

2.  Output Presents Adam Beyer and Julia Govor, May 28th

If you haven’t yet solidified your Memorial Day Weekend plans, or if you’ve simply decided to stay and chill in the quiet, sort-of-calm that is NYC over a holiday weekend in the summer, come to Output to celebrate Summer’s official start.  Even the greenest of house/techno lovers have probably ventured to Output once or twice.  Located right next to the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Output used to be (and still is) one of the staple, electronic clubs on the scene.  As equally frequented by die-hard, house music worshiping, hipster-types as it is by EDM loving, festival-going, wallstreet brokers, Output has a steady lineup of big name DJs as well as lesser known DJs who always deliver the goods in terms of danceable music.  Now that the rooftop is open for the season, the club is even more favorable for a night of dancing and partying, as there is ample space to mingle and share a cigarette or chill and watch the Manhattan skyline.  Adam Beyer (Drumcode), and Julia Govor (Cocoon), will set the mood for a chill party setting.  If you need to switch it up halfway thru the night, their sister venue, Panther Room, is literally right next door, and offers a more intimate space and usually even deeper beats.

3.  All Day I Dream of Sublime Summertime, June 5th

All Day I Dream parties are definitely a favorite amongst the more experienced, and shall I say, “refined” set of house music-loving partiers.  The first All Day I Dream party of the summer will be taking place at…. You guessed it, The Brooklyn Mirage.  Everyone who is anyone will be there, or at least in reference to anyone who lives, breathes, and sleeps this type of music.  The lineup features Brooklyn crowd favorite, Lee Burridge, whom always lays down sick beats that are conducive to getting lost in the music, the crowd, and your own, eminent happiness.  Death on the Balcony and Khoury are also slated to play.  These parties generally seem to have an “anything goes” dress policy, so if you feel like putting some crystals on your face, or wearing a steampunk hat and latex thigh-highs, go for it.  

4.  I Feel, Summer Escape 2016, June 10th-12th

The “I Feel” parties are some of my personal favorites, although I’ve never been to their weekend getaway party, something tells me it would be just as awesome.  The ‘I Feel’ parties are always themed, costume parties.  There is a lot of room for self-expression, and the people who attend these parties are the chillest of the chill.  Even if you were to go to one of these parties alone, you would probably make friends fast, and there is always an “anything and everything goes” atmosphere which is 100% conducive to a fun and chill time.  The music has always been spot on as well.  The Summer Escape will be taking place in the Catskills on a lake, and promises to deliver music, yoga, meditation, nature, art, and beach parties.  This festival happens to be taking place the same weekend as Mysteryland, so if you are looking for a slightly more intimate festival setting, this is the perfect route to go.

5.Mysteryland, June 10-13th

The largest and most local festival of the season is happening in Upstate NY, only two hours from NYC.  The festival grounds are located in Bethel Woods, NY, home of the original Woodstock.  Mysteryland is definitely a more commercialized EDM event, compared to the other parties listed here, so if you aren’t a fan of large and condensed crowds, and people wilding out, perhaps this isn’t for you.  The festival, which is held by Netherlands-based promoter, ID&T, features a lineup including world famous DJs such as Skrillex, Bassnectar, Odesza, Zeds Dead, and yes, Lee Burridge.  The festival is going to be huge (last year there were 50,000 attendees), and there are a variety of camping and hotel packages available.  I would recommend going the Airbnb route, if you can find an affordable accommodation within a reasonable distance from festival grounds.  One never does know what the weather will be like in Upstate NY this early in the summer, and it’s best to always have a backup plan in the event that it rains for three days straight.  There is no dress code, so this is the perfect opportunity to dress as scantily clad as you (or your physique) allow.  Festivals this big are great to attend with an intimate group of friends.  

6. Gratitude Migration: Summer Dream, July 15-17th

A community dedicated to creating transformative and uplifting experiences, this weekend escape is to be no exception.  Taking place on a secluded beach in Keansburg, NJ, this is the perfect opportunity to escape the city for some good music, good vibes, and awesome people.  Described as a sea-side oasis, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded, open-minded individuals, and indulge your senses, mind, and body in the groove of deep beats.  With a line up of 15+ DJs, there is sure to be music to suit every member of your posse.  When you’re not dancing, you can indulge your senses in yoga, mediation, art, and deep conversation.   There are a variety of packages available to suit your needs or level of desire to party.  

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Whether you live in Williamsburg, are visiting a friend who lives there, or you want to take your date or a group of friends to Brooklyn's "hippest" neighborhood for a night on the town, there are a variety of stellar places to grab a drink (or several....).  There is a venue to support every budget and/or occasion, ranging from your typical dive bar, to an upscale rooftop club, and everything in between.  With the surge of Michelin Star restaurants and cocktail bars featuring some of the best mixologists in town popping up all over this neighborhood, it's really no surprise that every weekend there is an influx of Manhattanites and tourists alike filtering off the Bedford stop.   As someone who has resided on Bedford Ave. for the past four years, I am very familiar with where to go, and which places one should avoid at all costs. I am willing to share my all-time personal favorite locales with you, so you can impress your date, or spare yourself the agony of not knowing where to go and ending up somewhere unsavory.  

1.Maison Premiere, Bedford Ave. 

This will be the one and only establishment on this entire list that is located on Bedford Ave.  Maison Premiere is an upscale oyster / cocktail bar and is the perfect place to bring a date, have a girls night with a small group of friends, or have a fancy, pre-dinner cocktail if you plan on making the rounds elsewhere for a later dinner engagement or party.  The oyster selection is impressive, and the small plates on the menu are perfect for sharing and downright delectable.  They do have a limited number of large plates for dinner, but I would recommend just sticking to cocktails and oysters.  The cocktail selection is also expansive, and every cocktail I've had is amazingly executed. If you, or someone in your life, is an absinthe aficionado, you absolutely MUST bring them here.  They have over 25 types of Absinthe on drip, as well as a number of specialty absinthe cocktails.  The atmosphere is perfect for intimacy, with the dim lights, candles, and the oyster bar / bar situated in the very center of the establishment.   

 

2.Extra Fancy, Metropolitan Ave.  

Located on Metropolitan Ave., Extra Fancy is a short walk from the L-train, and perfect for grabbing some casual cocktails or a bite to eat with a group of friends or a date.  Although the name might imply otherwise, this place isn't at all fancy in terms of atmosphere or dress (think hipsters with tattoos wearing tees and baseball caps), although the prices lean towards the fancy end of the spectrum. Cocktails are strong and delicious, but run around $14.  Anytime I have had dinner here, I leave still hungry and short $110 though, so I would suggest just doing cocktails and maybe some small plates.  The fries are out of this world good, and the kitchen is open until 2:30am, which is highly convenient if you're a night owl.  They have a decent selection of oysters, an amazing $8 glass of house rosé, and an outdoor patio for those warm Summer nights or afternoons!  Be warned, this place is a hipster favorite, and on random nights, they have a DJ spinning old vinyls, so it could get funky if you go late.  

 

3.The Ides Rooftop at the Wythe Hotel, Wythe Ave.  

If you are looking for the perfect place to enjoy some fresh air while taking in the Manhattan skyline and having a leisurely drink, this is the place to go.  The Ides Rooftop, located at the top of the Wythe Hotel, has an upscale feel, great crowd, and upscale prices (a well-gin and tonic will run you $17).  It gets rather busy during the afternoon on weekend days, so be prepared to wait in a mini queue downstairs if you plan to go on a sunny Saturday.  The ambiance is great, with chill music playing in the background, plenty of seating both outside, and inside, and a good mix of people (foreign tourists staying in the hotel, fashion industry types, artistic types, older couples, etc.).  It's an ideal locale to bring a first date, or your significant other for a sweet surprise, or to go with your friends for an after-dinner drink if you're in the neighborhood and feeling cool. 

  

4.The Levee, Berry Street 

This is a prime example of your classic, all-American dive bar.  Situated across the street from Radegast Hall, this is the type of bar you come to get your drink on (ie. you plan to get intoxicated).  The crowd is quintessential Williamsburg: twenty-something, hipster types swilling beer and playing pool.  It's a great place to mingle, a good place to end up when they night is coming to an end, or the perfect place to bring your friend who is having relationship woes and needs a shot or two.  Food is limited to hotdogs and chips, so eat beforehand if you plan on drinking heavily or aren't into processed cuisine.    

 

5.TBA, Wythe Ave.  

If you are into house / electronic music and looking to get your dance on, this is the place for you.  TBA is great for a weekday night when none of the major clubs are open, but you still feel like partying and grooving to some deep-house or techno music.  The place is popular amongst the Bushwick-rave set, and for good reason; the walls have lights which coordinate with the beat of the music, and the crowd is always chill and friendly. The bar itself offers your standard array of liquors and beer choices at pretty standard prices, however, they also have a small selection of specialty cocktails.  If you are bored on a Tuesday night, but don't want to end up at a dive bar or shell out tons of cash drinking at a fancy rooftop, this is a great alternative.