The Red Pavilion’s One-Year Anniversary Bash

May 4

May 4 The Red Pavilion’s One-Year Anniversary Bash

There’s nothing in the city quite like The Red Pavilion. The Asian Neo-Noir cabaret and nightclub in Bushwick had to celebrate that fact by going all out for their one-year anniversary on May 1st.

For the past year, the venue has created a lot of buzz in New York’s AAPI community and beyond for its dynamic range of events that put Asian performers, artists and culture in the spotlight. The anniversary party felt like a highlight reel of just that. Sultry songs played by the AAPI Jazz Collective set the mood for the night, along with aerial hoop and silk performances and over-the-top burlesque dances.

All these performances paired very well with a cocktail. The Red Pavilion’s unique drink menu features Wuism-inspired cocktails, referencing the Chinese shamanic practice. (Yes, alcohol can be medicine too!) Classic Asian ingredients are creatively used in drinks like The Red Dragon, a fiery mix of tequila, tamarind, and blood orange with a Sichuan chili powder and poppy seed rim.

The anniversary also coincided with the start of AAPI Heritage month. Founder Shien Lee first created The Red Pavilion in response to the wave of violence against the AAPI community during the Covid-19 pandemic, wanting a place for the community to safely express and celebrate themselves.

“I myself was assaulted in the subway which I believe was an Asian hate crime,” said Shien Lee as she thanked the crowd for their support. “After that I was resolved to create a space that would be a beacon of cultural resilience, of community, a place of healing where we could elevate and empower Asian artists to share all their gifts with you.”

The Red Pavilion will continue celebrating AAPI Heritage month with events throughout May, including live jazz, dance parties, cabaret performances and more. Learn more and get tickets at https://www.instagram.com/redpavilionbk/.