New York’s hottest club may not be a club at all. Though few activities may offer more intrigue than the “Luigi Mangione Rave” at 3 Dollar Bill in East Williamsburg, there is an Instagram account dedicated to connecting people through a more visual medium than strobe lights and music video walls.

The account, @thirstygallerina, is run anonymously and has amassed 112 thousand followers and counting. Each night, the account rounds up the hottest galleries in each New York neighborhood, carefully categorized with the address and special emojis that denote whether there will be cheese, champagne, or any other special treats. This level of organization makes for easy gallery hopping between neighborhoods like Chelsea, the Lower East Side, and Williamsburg to name a few, each offering their own signature vibe ripe for exploration.

For the casual art enjoyer or “gallerina” who wants to expand their horizons, these spaces may initially seem intimidating, but instead are a hotspot for creative thinking and networking. In one gallery, I ran into a close friend of mine who is a graphic designer, a former Hinge match, and a friend of my ex-boyfriend who I had dated during my undergrad in Boston. In the next, I didn’t know anybody at first, but left practicing my Italian with an art history major who just finished her master’s degree in Florence.

In a space that facilitates creativity, fashion is bound to be present. Fashion shows in their own right, New York’s hottest young professionals often come straight from work to these spaces in tailored blazers and pleated skirts. Twenty-somethings from every background and industry share clear plastic cups of discount champagne and bond over the beauty around them. Signature designer pieces inexplicably harmonize with handmade conceptual looks to create a space where anything goes and there’s no such thing as a standard dress code. An aerial snapshot of a gallery during its peak can resemble any group setting from Sex and the City, and it’s not just the Charlottes of the world that want to attend.

Move over bar hopping, because gallery hopping is the new “it” activity in New York. Being in these spaces allows visitors to connect with not only other art appreciators but also the artist themselves. This gives them the ability to learn about the deeper meaning of the artist’s work first hand. This completely free activity still often includes alcohol, but in a much more elevated setting than your average bar. A pour of prosecco that may cost $18 in a Midtown bar is graciously poured from bartenders who double as knowledgeable and friendly gallery attendants. If a certain gallery isn’t speaking to you, there are likely 2-3 more in the same neighborhood within a five minute walk. Galleries can be cramped and apartment-sized or expansive with high ceilings, both equally gorgeous and having something to offer. Among the most notable space is Fulton Street’s Dunkunsthalle, once a Dunkin’ Donuts serving corporate bigwigs in the Financial District, it has since gone out of business and been converted into an exhibit space. The city is truly your oyster.

The most amazing part of the gallery culture in New York is that it allows for a social activity that anyone can be a part of. Creative people from all across the globe come to appreciate the stories these talented visionaries produce, and from there build beautiful, globally comprehensive networks. The perfect spot for trying to impress a first date or catching up with a friend, the galleries offer a great place to chat with many distractions to make conversations about. The gallerinas who attend these breathtaking spaces are not only thirsty for artistry, but also new connections in a city that smiles down on those who take advantage of her culture.

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