A DISTRICT DEFINED: STREETS, SEX, AND SURVIVAL
Dive into a first-of-its-kind photography exhibition examining the Meatpacking District’s rich history of queer nightlife in the late 80s and 90s. In collaboration with New York City-based human rights activist, election reformer, and producer Tim Hayes and the American LGBTQ+ Museum, we are thrilled to announce A District Defined: Streets, Sex, and Survival.
Eight visionary artists: Lynsey Addario, Jill Freedman, Lola Flash, Efrain Gonzalez, T.L. Litt, Joseph Rodríguez, Katsu Naito, and Catherine McGann, reveal their perspectives of the Meatpacking District during a pivotal time in our history.
Plus, enjoy works from Spencer Tunick and Richard Young, like the portrait of Freddie Mercury by Young, a longtime friend and photographer of Mercury's, which beckons you with its provocative charm: Freddie is adorned in a Mineshaft t-shirt, the emblematic symbol of the notorious gay BDSM and leather bar once located in the District.
A District Defined: Streets, Sex, and Survival invites visitors to connect with the Meatpacking District and its denizens during an era that laid the foundation for what the neighborhood is today.
With this exhibit, we aim to pay homage to the District’s rich history while acknowledging the hardships and struggles that shaped it, resurrecting a feeling that defined the time period and providing visitors with an opportunity to observe the neighborhood’s evolution.
"Bringing these works back to the Meatpacking District 24 years after they were taken is a remarkable, full circle moment. I am proud to be a part of this unique show," said Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Lynsey Addario who spent six months in 1999 photographing trans women working as sex workers and in community with one another. “Spending my weekends with these women was enlightening and educational. The story of struggle and survival is captured in their faces, and in many cases still rings true for trans people today.”
Some of the work in this exhibit will be offered for sale. Portions of proceeds from the photographs and merchandise swag from the program will go to the American LGBTQ+ Museum, a new museum based in New York City whose mission is to ensure that the dynamic lives and stories of the LGBTQ+ community are told and preserved.
A District Defined: Streets, Sex, and Survival, opens on June 23 within 401, a unique new concept space located at 401 West 14th Street, and will run for three weeks. 401 will also offer a variety of events during its three-week run including a coffee bar presented by Terremoto, happy hour selections, and artist talks and panel discussions. See details.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE…
All Events
October, 2025
Wednesday
October 1, 2025
Sisley Paris' Friends and Family Sale
Enjoy 20% off storewide!
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Thursday
October 2, 2025
Sisley Paris' Friends and Family Sale
Enjoy 20% off storewide!
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Friday
October 3, 2025
Sisley Paris' Friends and Family Sale
Enjoy 20% off storewide!
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
Handmade Happy Hour
At Greenwich House
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION @ CHELSEA MARKET
Hosted By Dickson's Farmstand
Saturday
October 4, 2025
Sisley Paris' Friends and Family Sale
Enjoy 20% off storewide!
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
Oktoberfest Big Finale at The Standard Biergarten
Celebrate the finale of Oktoberfest with us!
ALL EYES ON SISLEY
Experience the brand new Phyto Eye Palette (in 2 gorgeous colorways) with Sisley Paris's National Makeup Artist while exploring the latest makeup trends.
Monday
October 6, 2025
Sisley Paris' Friends and Family Sale
Enjoy 20% off storewide!
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Tuesday
October 7, 2025
Sisley Paris' Friends and Family Sale
Enjoy 20% off storewide!
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
Stargazing
On the High Line
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Wednesday
October 8, 2025
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Thursday
October 9, 2025
The Cosmic Counter with Maraschino Tarot
Your fortune comes with a fizz.
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
BJ Armour's Record Release Party & Performance
Please join us at White Columns on October 9th for a live performance by BJ Armour
Friday
October 10, 2025
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
Handmade Happy Hour
At Greenwich House
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Tuesday
October 14, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
Stargazing
On the High Line
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Wednesday
October 15, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Meatpacking District Annual Meeting
10th Annual
Thursday
October 16, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
The Cosmic Counter with Maraschino Tarot
Your fortune comes with a fizz.
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
What Do I Do With All This Love
A solo exhibition by Valerie Huhn
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Friday
October 17, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
Handmade Happy Hour
At Greenwich House
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Monday
October 20, 2025
Tuesday
October 21, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
Stargazing
On the High Line
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Scam & Fraud Protection for Seniors Workshop
Come join Google Online Safety Subject Matter Experts
Thursday
October 23, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
The Cosmic Counter with Maraschino Tarot
Your fortune comes with a fizz.
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Friday
October 24, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
Handmade Happy Hour
At Greenwich House
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
Friday
October 31, 2025
Mid Season Sale
At AllSaints
Halloween at The Standard Biergarten
It’s bloody good.
Frankenstein's Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
At Puttery
Handmade Happy Hour
At Greenwich House
$3 off Grilled Cheese Happy Hour
Saxelby's Cheesemongers
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Cull & Pistol
Half Priced Oyster Happy Hour
Every Monday-Friday at Lobster Place
September
November
INFO@MEATPACKING-DISTRICT.COM
Media Inquiries
MEATPACKING@BERLINROSEN.COM
MEATPACKING DISTRICT
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
tel:212-633-0185