Where to celebrate Purim in 2020. Image by iStock

By Irene Katz Connelly March 6, 2020

In 2020 — ahem, 5780 — Purim falls on a very inconvenient Monday. That means all us responsible millennial Jews will attend a Megillah reading, toss down some hamentaschen with the kids and get some some sleep before work, right?

WRONG. We will be celebrating the heck of out of this holiday, let the consequences be what they may. If you’re yet convinced that you should spend a worknight slathering on face glitter that will absolutely not come off before your Tuesday morning meetings, here’s a roundup of the hottest Purim parties happening in New York City. Party like you have paid time off — just remember to grab a clutch that fits a Purell!

Megillah Reading and Costume Contest at Manhattan Jewish Experience

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Celebrate Purim with Manhattan Jewish Experience. Image by Manhattan Jewish Experience

The Upper West Side hotspot for yuppie Jews invites you to don your favorite jungle-inspired costumes for a “Welcome to the Jungle” Purim celebration. The main celebration will take place on March 9, but if you’re not trying to party on a Monday there’s a pre-Purim happy hour on March 5. (Update: this event has been cancelled due to concerns about coronavirus.)

12 Chairs Annual Purim Block Party

Celebrate Purim with 12 Chairs. Image by 12 Chairs

Purim celebrations are a blossoming new tradition at this Israeli restaurant’s Williamsburg branch. 12 Chairs will host its Purim celebrations on March 13, perfect for anyone who missed out on the first round of Purim celebrations or just want to keep the party going. Come for the DJ and costume party, stay for the mini pita sandwiches.

PPPPPPurim at Labshul

Celebrate Purim with Lab/Shul Image by Lab/Shul

Those extra Ps are there for a reason: Labshul’s Purim throwdown at House of Yes on March 9 will be both “prophetic” and “post-patriarchy.” After a re-enactment of the Book of Esther by performance artists and “creative rebels,” guests can dance to a slate of DJs and enjoy “divine feminine cookies.” Costumes are not optional and tickets are going fast.

Masquerade Party at Up&Down

Celebrate Purim with Up and Down. Image by Up and Down

Meatpacking District nightclub Up&Down promises an Purim bash that will provide “a nightlife sensibility that caters to even the worldliest of partygoers.” If you consider yourself hard to impress, this is where you want to be on March 9.

Purim Across Brooklyn with Brooklyn Jews

The Brooklyn Jews Purim celebration. Image by Congregation Beth Elohim

Brooklyn Jews, a division of Congregation Beth Elohim catering to the 20s and 30s crowd, will host an adults-only party with an open bar and talent show before Purim on March 6, as well as an afterparty following the Megillah reading on March 9. If you’re more into schmoozing than raving, this is the one for you. (Update: the party following the Megillah reading has been cancelled due to concerns about coronavirus. The Megillah reading itself will continue as planned.)

From Esther, to Haman: A Roast of Cancelled Men

A comedy show at the 92nd Street Y Image by Courtesy of 92nd Street Y

Who said the Purim story was ancient history? An all-star comic cast, including Kelly Bachman, Josh Gondelman, Orli Matlow, Jess Salomon, Anna Roisman and Julia Shiplett find plenty of connections to our current day. There will be a megillah reading before the show, and a party with drinks and hamentaschen afterward. Costumes are not required but highly encouraged, and all proceeds will go towards funding Housing Works’ mission to fight AIDS and homelessness.

Irene Connelly covers culture and lifestyle for the Forward. You can contact her at connelly@forward.com.

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