The Vogue Café opens its doors as the Met Gala after parties ignite New York City
Category: Arts & Culture
The 2026 Met Gala weekend is shaping up to be a vibrant celebration of fashion and culture, with the iconic Met Gala itself taking place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1. As anticipation builds, the festivities extend beyond the gala, featuring a series of after parties and the opening of the Vogue Café in Manhattan.
If you haven’t received your invitation to the Met Gala by now, it’s safe to say it’s not happening. This annual fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is exclusive, with the guest list filled with those who have already made their multi-million-dollar donations. But for those who wish to partake in the glamour, the Met Gala after parties present a more accessible option. With dozens of events popping up around the city, these gatherings invite a cool crowd to celebrate fashion in style.
The Met Gala takes place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue, and the first wave of after parties kicks off at 10 p.m. on the Upper East Side. Notable venues include The Mark and The Carlyle hotels, where many of the gala's guests are known to stay. The Carlyle, in fact, hosts Cartier’s elegant post-Met bash at its Bemelmans Bar, a favorite spot that features murals by Madeline writer Ludwig Bemelmans. Meanwhile, The Mark has previously hosted events like the Karl by Karl Lagerfeld party in 2023 and Willy Chavarria x Don Julio in 2025.
As the Met Gala sets the stage for high fashion, the after parties become a focal point for those looking to soak in the celebratory atmosphere. Instagram once threw a memorable party at the historic James P. Duke House, and this year, the members-only club Maxime’s is expected to host a glitzy bash that will likely be a highlight of the night. The dress code for these uptown parties leans formal, with many guests arriving in the same outfits they wore on the red carpet.
For those who prefer a more laid-back vibe, the downtown parties start at midnight or later. The first stop for many will likely be the GQ party, held at a location kept under wraps. Following that, guests often make their way to The Standard's Boom Boom Room, a staple of the Met Gala after-party scene for nearly two decades. This year, the Boom party will be hosted by Grace Gummer, Gabriela Hearst, and Yola Mezcal, ensuring a lively atmosphere.
In addition to these high-profile events, the Vogue Café opened its first Manhattan location at 234 Spring Street during the Met Gala weekend, presented by Chase Sapphire Reserve®. The café opened its doors on Saturday morning, welcoming guests eager to enjoy offerings like That’s All espressos and The Glacial Pace iced coffees. Chloe Malle, the magazine’s head of editorial content, highlighted the nostalgic mood surrounding this year’s festivities, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of *The First Monday in May* and the return of *The Devil Wears Prada*.
The Vogue Café will remain open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., continuing to draw crowds with its unique offerings. On Saturday evening, the café transformed into a neighborhood bar atmosphere, with guests including Grace Gummer, Coco Jones, and Tommy Dorfman enjoying food from Altro Paradiso. Nikki Kynard provided the soundtrack for the evening as guests mingled and sipped cocktails.
Guests at the café were treated to a build-your-own charm bar featuring Brooklyn-based jewelry line Don’t Let Disco and customized totes by Alex Mill. As a fun keepsake, attendees received Vogue-emblazoned tote bags filled with items from Flamingo Estate, Jennifer Fisher, Emi Jay, and Maison Louis Marie, along with a copy of the new issue of *Vogue*.
On Sunday afternoon, Malle and contributing editor Lilah Ramzi hosted a screening of *The First Monday in May*, with producer Fabiola Beracasa Beckman in attendance. The event provided a nostalgic nod to the fashion documentary, with both Malle and Ramzi making brief appearances in the film, delighting attendees who applauded as the credits rolled.
As the Met Gala weekend continues, the excitement surrounding the after parties and the Vogue Café highlights the dynamic interplay between fashion, culture, and community in New York City. With an array of events scheduled, fashion enthusiasts and casual attendees alike have ample opportunities to engage in the festivities.
Looking ahead, the Met Gala after parties promise to deliver unforgettable moments as celebrities and fashion icons celebrate the art of fashion in a city that never sleeps. The culmination of these events, alongside the opening of the Vogue Café, showcases the vibrant spirit of New York during one of its most glamorous weekends of the year.