Misster is a weekly lesbian/queer event held every Wednesday at The Woods, a popular bar in Williamsburg. While The Woods isn’t exclusively a lesbian or gay bar, every Wednesday, it becomes a haven for queer women, trans, and nonbinary folks. Here’s a review of their Misster lesbian party experience and a quick guide on what to expect.
Getting into The Woods on Wednesdays
The party typically starts around 10 PM and goes on into the early hours of the morning. There’s no cover charge, making it accessible for everyone who wants to have a good time. However, get there early to avoid waiting in a long line that sometimes wraps around the block (especially in the summertime). I liked getting there around 10:00 PM because I got to experience it both before and after it got extremely packed.
The Crowd & Demographic
The Misster lesbian night at The Woods draws a diverse group of attendees, from long-time regulars to first-timers.
- Age: Because the party typically starts at 10:00 PM, expect to see mostly Gen Zs. I’d say it’s about 75% Gen Zs and 25% Millennials and older. But honestly, this is the age demographic in most queer-femme nightlife spaces in NYC, especially later in the night.
- Diversity: Although most lesbian meet-up spaces in NYC tend to lean white (intersectionality of queerness and race/class), I’d say about 35-45% of people here were non-white.
- The queers: I saw a mix of queers, too. From mascs to femmes, from trans to NB, and even some gay men!
- Solo travelers: Some people were here alone, but most were with their friends or partners. Don’t let that deter you, solo travelers! Hang out at the bar and talk to people. Queer spaces in NYC are usually friendlier!
The Ambience
There are two main spaces here:
- The indoor dance space has a big disco ball with strobe lights, a DJ, and a big bar. This got uncomfortably packed for me after 11:30 PM. It was hard to stand still anywhere because people were trying to squeeze pass everyone. But it’s a fun time if you want to dance, get closer to the DJ and away from the bathrooms/the path between the entrance and backyard.
- The outdoor backyard space is wonderful on a summer night. It’s beautifully design with cute lights, rustic decor, and several picnic tables to choose from. There’s also a bar that you can sit at to order your drinks. But best of all? There’s a food-truck-style space at the very back where you can order all types of food from burgers to tacos.
Music & Entertainment
The music at Misster is a mix of dance, pop, and queer anthems, curated by the popular DJ Amber Valentine, who is known for keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed. Occasionally, guest DJs join in to add variety and spice up the night.
On the night I went, the dance floor DJ played a lot of 2010 hits like Britney Spears. However, the outdoor backyard had a more modern lesbian playlist from Young Miko to Tokischa!
Drinks & Food
The Woods offers a variety of reasonably priced drinks. Draft beers like Allagash starting at $8. Cocktails, Aperol spritz, and frozen drinks start at $14. Most of their cocktails were Mexican-based such as margaritas and palomas. But they also offer frozen slushy drinks (one with rum and coconut and the other with espresso). They also offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks starting at just $6!
When it comes to food, The Woods has a backstand that looks like a food truck with a ton of different options ranging from burritos bowls to fish sandwiches. The prices for foods are also reasonably prices with quesadillas starting at $10 and burgers at $15. Way cheaper than most surrounding restaurants in this Williamsburg area!
How to Dress
In true queer fashion, you can dress however you want! I saw cute trendy outfits, sportswear, and casual. If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up, this is the place. But if you don’t feel like doing that, that’s totally fine. I did notice a lot of fashion that reminded me of Amy Spalding’s outfits from I Kissed a Girl. The wide jean knee shorts and boots. However you dress (up or down), just make sure you feel good and comfortable!
Tips for First-Timers
- Arrive Early: While the party continues late, arriving early can help you get a good spot and help you start mingling before the tight crowd arrives.
- Dress Comfortably: Wear something you can dance in, as you’ll likely be on your feet and moving around a lot. But don’t be afraid to dress up or down! I saw a good mix of both.
- Stay Hydrated: With all the dancing and socializing, drink water regularly. There are water stations.
- Meeting New People: Don’t be shy about striking up conversations. The crowd is generally friendly and open to meeting new people.
- Sleepy Introverts: Arrive at 10:00 PM and leave around midnight if you don’t want to deal with a big crowd. Two hours at a lesbian party, eating and then having one drink, is also a great time! And then you get home early enough to get your 8 hours of sleep. Win-win!
- Transportation: After 11:00 PM, the trains in NYC run sporadically. So I recommend Ubering it back home if you can (for convenience, safety, and to save time).
- Stay Updated: Follow the Misster Weds on social media to see what to expect in the weeks to come! They usually post the performers, hosts, and special events for upcoming Wednesday nights!
My Review of The Woods on Wednesday’s Misster Lesbian Party
As a millennial sapphic who loves the NYC lesbian scene, I was thrilled to finally make it to this party! I’d heard so much buzz about it in niche lesbian circles, but there wasn’t much information online about what to expect. To be fair, it’s not an easy party to attend—it’s on a Wednesday night and starts at 10:00 PM. However, if you plan accordingly, you can enjoy a few fun hours and still get a good night’s sleep.
I loved seeing such a huge space buzzing and packed with queers from all walks of life. It also felt heartwarming to be in a safe space and see couples comfortably displaying affection. The long line that forms after 11:00 PM is a testament not just to the hunger for more lesbian spaces in NYC, but also to the growing number of women embracing their queerness in 2024! It signifies that we’re just getting started! What a time to be alive—the most lesbian time in recorded history. And what better way to celebrate than by coming here and enjoying the night!
Would I go back? I think so, with friends. I didn’t see that many solo travelers here. Lots of people with their friends or partners. So it might not be the easiest space to make new friends because of that + it gets so loud and crowded. But maybe that’s just not my style of mingling. I’m sure a solo extrovert would thrive in this environment!
In conclusion, the Misster party at The Woods on Wednesdays is more than just a night out—it’s a celebration of queer culture.
More NYC Lesbian Spaces
- 18 Unique Lesbian/Queer Spaces & Events in NYC
- These are the 5 Official Lesbian Bars in NYC
- Is it Cool for Straight Men to Visit Lesbian Bars? What to Know Before You Go