Five best openings

Williamsburg opening nights
These are especially great in the spring and summer; many of the galleries coordinate, and some even have barbecues out on the street. People stick around at Brooklyn openings, rather than dashing off to the many other offerings the way they do in, say, Chelsea. Various venues

Studio Museum in Harlem
Warm and convivial, these openings often feature a band and dancing. 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) and Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave), Harlem (212-864-4500, studiomuseum.org)

Canada Gallery
Don’t know why, but these always get crazy. Maybe it’s the gallery’s charming uneven concrete floor that makes everyone loosen up. Or maybe it’s the slightly random Chinatown location. 55–59 Chrystie St between Canal and Hester Sts (212-925-4631)

P.S.1 summer Warm Up series
Party outdoors, all summer long. What else could New Yorkers want? 22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th Ave, Long Island City, Queens (718-784-2084)

Deitch Projects
Inevitably, these events are so crowded, they spill out onto the street. While the real fancy parties held after the openings are only for the elite few, these are still great places to people-watch. 18 Wooster St between Canal and Grand Sts (212-343-7300); 76 Grand St between Greene and Wooster Sts (212-343-7300)

More of New York’s best in  Art

See more of  New York’s best