The Black Party NYC 2026

The Black Party — also known as Black Party Rocks — is the world's largest leather and fetish circuit party, held annually in New York City in March. The event takes place at a large Manhattan or Brooklyn venue (typically Pier 94 or a comparable event space) and draws approximately 10,000 attendees from across the United States and internationally. It is the primary event of the global leather circuit calendar and the most significant gathering of the leather/fetish/BDSM community in the Western hemisphere.

The Black Party has operated since 1981, making it one of the oldest recurring circuit events in the world. It was established in New York by members of the leather community who wanted a large-scale event that combined the social function of a circuit party with the specific aesthetics and culture of leather and fetish. The event runs overnight — typically from 10pm to 10am the following day — with multiple rooms serving different musical genres (predominantly techno and electronic) and a maze and darkroom component that is part of the venue architecture.

The dress code is enforced: leather, rubber, latex, military, or similarly fetish-adjacent attire is required. The organisers, The STONEWALL INN GIVES BACK INITIATIVE and its predecessors, have over the years incorporated HIV/AIDS fundraising and LGBTQ+ advocacy into the event's identity. The Eagle NYC and other leather bars in Chelsea run Black Party warm-up events in the weeks preceding the main event. Advance tickets sell out; the event routinely reaches capacity. Not appropriate for visitors unfamiliar with leather or fetish culture; essential for those who are.