Picking Our Poison at DJ Thank You’s ‘Viper Room’

I rarely commute for work, but I can make an exception.

In this instance, my “commute” means traveling to Manhattan from across the Brooklyn Bridge and “work” means sauntering to Le Bain on a Thursday to attend Viper Room — the musically eclectic party series organized by DJ Thank You, an alum of PAPER‘s mix series “The Tear” and a local favorite.

Viper Room has made a name for itself by pairing underground legends with those on the come up in NYC. Tonight, DJ Thank You is playing on a bill that includes DJ Manny and Chicago footwork and house legend Traxman.

DJ Thank You sees her historically-minded curation as a form of subtle education for her cohort of local dancers and sound architects, many of whom skew younger. “So much of the popular music among Gen Z is a mirage of nostalgic references repeated over and over and I worry that many of my peers don’t really know the source of that culture,” DJ Thank You tells PAPER. “I have nothing against the nostalgic impulse though, as long as it isn’t the catalyst for ignorance or malaise.”

Viper Room is worlds away from a dreary malaise. That’s always true, but especially so when it’s popping off at Le Bain — Manhattan’s much-discussed north star club that sits pretty atop The Standard hotel. “Something about [Le Bain] embodies the feeling of decadence and serendipity I find so essential to a good party,” she reflects. “No other club can blend so many genres of people: suits, hypebeasts, punks, sorority chicks, faggots.” Plus it can accommodate a party that has no cover, which makes the whole affair “feel like a gift.: All you have to do to enjoy Viper Room’s offerings is RSVP and get past Connie Fleming, Le Bain’s infamously fabulous door woman — a storied legend unto herself.

In the end, I do feel lucky (and chic) swaying above a sparkling Chelsea to some of dance music’s most legendary artisans. For those of us who rarely venture towards Manhattan’s glimmer, or who seldom twirl at Le Bain, Viper Room is a special chance to do so amongst a crew of both queer dance music regulars and unfamiliar professional types. At the party, I catch some steely eyed men in suits, fulfilling my Industry fantasy. But in more “classic me” fashion, I also meet one Brooklyn diva who plops herself on the VIP couch next to my friends and I and asked us bluntly: “Can I call you guys the faggots?” Well yes! Oh, New York City …

Still humming from the party, I spoke with DJ Thank You to talk about what makes a perfect party, the role of New York City’s queer history in shaping the city’s nightlife, and her secret to curation.

It’s rare for those of us in the Brooklyn “scene” to find ourselves partying in Manhattan. What made you want to start organizing events in the heart of the Big Apple?

Borough is not something I typically care about too much. I would throw a party in Staten Island if I thought it would be fabulous. Viper Room actually started as a party in the ballroom of Little Italy’s Bella Ciao before I moved it to Brooklyn. I loved the ambiance of Bella Ciao (think: linoleum floors with a grand piano and a bunch of random couches). It had a tacky old New York sensibility which really spoke to me, but the sound wasn’t very good. Once I moved it to a club with better sound, I could take more liberties with booking artists that really inspired me. But in terms of locations beyond Brooklyn, I’ve been itching to do a party in Atlantic City. It would take some time to pull off, but I have a building in mind.

The last few Viper Rooms have been at Le Bain. So chic. What’s the experience been like organizing events there?

It’s been a dream of mine to throw events at Le Bain. The production team really goes above and beyond to put on a good show. I grew up within walking distance of The Standard, so to me, Le Bain has always been a personal apex of sophisticated clubs in New York.

Something about it embodies the feeling of decadence and serendipity I find so essential to a good party. No other club can blend so many genres of people: suits, hypebeasts, punks, sorority chicks, faggots, etc. I want my parties to feel like a gift, so the fact that there’s technically no cover is also very exciting to me. Plus, guests should be so lucky as to have the honor of being invited in by Connie.

There’s a spiritual dimension for me as well. I’ll often look out upon the panoramic views of West Side Highway and think about how the city has transformed in the wake of the AIDS crisis, particularly how commercial forces took advantage of it to reconstruct the city. New York is notorious for its unrelenting approach to demolition. In some perverse way, Le Bain is a byproduct of those regimes. I think this historical tension is actually something I draw from, if only on a psychic, subliminal level. It makes me think a lot about transgression and permission, particularly in an increasingly privatized and militarized city.

Viper Room always mixes up-and-coming/newly established DJs with some true legends of the craft (Diamond K, Kevin Aviance and Traxman have all played). What’s your approach to curating your lineups?

I really try to book artists and DJs that I want to personally thank for enriching my life with their music. In this mission, there are noticeable throughlines. The Viper Room formula is typically one-third classic, one-third clouty and one-third curveball. I love booking an old head. So much of the popular music among Gen Z is like a mirage of nostalgic references repeated over and over, and I worry that many of my peers don’t really know the source of that culture. I have nothing against the nostalgic impulse, though, as long as it isn’t the catalyst for ignorance or malaise. Viper Room certainly longs for the days when New York was the dance capital of the world, but I want that to be an energizing point of reference rather than a disempowering one.

There are so many parties in this city, but Viper Room stands out. What would you say makes Viper Room, Viper Room?

It’s hard to say. Ideally, you want every party to feel “special,” but there is no exact way to go about that. You can’t really force it. I think what sets Viper Room apart is that it’s actually kind of a heady and intentional party disguised as something accessible and pedestrian. I’m really turned off by pretension and exclusivity. Making your party accessible is a good way to usher in the initiated and pull the rug out from underneath them, giving them a night they’ll never forget.

Photography: Lilith Soros