Drinks First: The Party That Actually Looks Like New York

Photos courtesy of Drinks First

How Did It All Begin?

What began as a 2019 podcast about the impossibility of meeting people in this city became one of its most electric event series. The founder of @drinks.first on Ludlow House, Perfume Clubbing, and why her rooms stay open.

Some parties you go to be seen at. The best ones, you go to meet someone.

Five years ago, drinks.first started as a podcast built on a simple, very New York complaint: it is brutally hard to meet people here. The idea was to interview anonymous singles that listeners could match with — and the community that formed around those conversations became the events. The first was a panel at Ludlow House in the spring of 2021, right as the city was opening back up, and the turnout was so strong the venue asked them back. That was the first sign they had something. The moment it clicked as a business, she says, was when she started making real money from it.

Since then: a 1,800-RSVP Perfume Clubbing night with D.S. & Durga on a rainy Tuesday, the closing party for the iconic Jane, both of Othership’s New York openings, and a retreat that opened up a whole new direction. We asked the founder what makes a drinks.first night different, which night she’ll never forget, and what’s coming next.

What’s the story behind drinks.first — how did it all start?

“It started as a podcast in 2019. I was having a lot of conversations with friends about how hard it is to meet people in New York, and the idea was to interview anonymous singles in NYC that my listeners could match with. That community is what turned into the events. The first one was a panel at Ludlow House in spring 2021, right as the city was opening back up post-COVID and just before a very feral summer. I asked a few influencer friends to help, a drinks brand reached out about co-hosting, and we pitched it to Ludlow. The turnout was so good that they asked us to come back, which was the first sign we had something. The moment it clicked as a business was when I started making real money from it.”

What makes your nights different from a typical NYC party?

“The mix of people. Our events draw a really wide range of New Yorkers, and I think that comes from what the brand stands for, who runs it, and who people see at our events, so they feel comfortable showing up. We’re not niche, which makes it feel like an actual New York party, because it looks like the people who live here. We also keep things fresh. We have series, but you never quite know when the next one is coming or what we’ll do. Add a crowd that’s open and friendly, and that’s the difference.”

The Perfume Clubbing night looked unreal. What’s been your favorite event to throw so far, and why?

“Perfume Clubbing, our D.S. & Durga night at Joyface and Hilot, had 1,800 RSVPs. It was a Tuesday, it was raining, and people still showed up in theme and really got into it — that felt unreal. Picking a favorite is hard because they’re all so different, but one that stands out is the closing party we threw for The Jane a couple of years ago. It’s such an iconic New York venue, and it was meaningful to help them close it out. Being part of Othership’s first wave in New York, including both of their openings, was also special, since it was our way into the wellness party world. And our retreat was our first trip ever, which opened up a whole new direction for us.”

What’s coming up next that people should know about?

“We have a fun event coming up at Obvio on October 22, and we’re in the middle of planning our annual Diwali event, which will happen sometime in November. Beyond that, more iteration, more events with brands we love, and hopefully more trips.”

For someone who’s never been, what should they expect at a drinks.first night?

“It depends on the event, because each one is aimed at a different crowd, so there’s always a bit of surprise. What stays the same is the energy. People come to meet new people, not to be the coolest person in the room or to see and be seen. It’s a very open room.”

Follow @drinks.first on Instagram for what’s next — including the Obvio night on October 22 and the annual Diwali party in November.