So you have heard all of the hype, you’ve probably seen the lines, and now you want to know whether going to First Fridays at the Guggenheim “Is worth it?” Well, allow me to shine a little light on the situation, starting with an ambiguous answer the question: “Maybe.”
Overall
First Fridays at the Guggenheim (1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY) is basically the museum’s way of introducing young professionals and the like to the museum in a fun and innovative way on the first Friday of every month. They’ve been orchestrating this event since 2005, and since then, it has become a lot less artsy and a little more stylish, but probably for the better. For $25, the event caters to the artist in all of us, with drinks, dancing, and the ability to see all of the galleries and exhibits the museum has to offer from 9pm to 1am.
The Line
Unless you’re a member (which is recommended if you plan on attending the event more than once a year), you will be waiting in a line. In fact, the line wraps around the building, and if you’ve seen this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed mammoth of a museum, then you know that’s a pretty long wrap-around. On a good night, the average wait time is 45 minutes, unless of course you get there AN HOUR before the doors open. However, members (of which you can become one for as low as $75/year) can skip the wait.
The Drinks
Drinking at this event, as essential as it may be, will cost you. On top of that, you have to wait in more than just one line to get drinks. There is a line for tickets, where you can purchase the right to get drinks. You then take your tickets to the bar, where you can actually get a drink in exchange for tickets. I have no idea why they do it like this, but I’m sure they have good pecuniary reason to. One ticket is $3, and 1 ticket gets you a non-alcoholic beverage, while two tickets will get you a cup of whine or beer.
The Art and the Scene
Obviously, you get to take in all of the museum’s usual art exhibits. But don’t try to take your drink upstairs to the exhibits, as it simply isn’t allowed. However, once you down your drink, you can partake in the galleries and exhibits upstairs, where there are far fewer people than downstairs.
Speaking of downstairs, the main floor of the Guggenheim, that’s where you will find tons of people talking, drinking, gallivanting, and enjoying the DJ-spun music of the evening. There are a few pieces of art downstairs, so there is still some cultural discussion to look forward to. However, it’s a lot louder downstairs, so if you are really into something and want to discuss it, upstairs is where you want to be.
In Conclusion
I do and I don’t recommend going to First Friday’s at the Guggenheim. Yes, it’s a fun night to be around a lot of intelligent and culturally-aware people, and if all you are looking for is a sociable event then this is the affair for you. However, if you think you’re going to the Guggenheim Museum to meet a lot of like-minded people and engage in an engaging art discussion, then you might be out of luck. Sure, you might meet someone there solely for the art, but you’re just as likely to meet that person during the day, when it’s $7 cheaper to get in.
