Latest news with #MuseumofSex
Time Out
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
I went to a rave at a sex carnival, and here's the fever dream that followed
8:03pm Dear Diary… My Friend Misty is throwing one of its signature parties at the Museum of Sex tonight—a dark, romantic soirée layered with intrigue and sensory pleasures. Very much my scene. If past Misty parties are any indication, we're in for a tantalizing treat. Tonight's affair takes place inside an erotic carnival. Misty tells me to dress the part. I'm wearing a pair of dark green Victorian bloomers. (I love saying 'bloomers.') White cufflinks, a black ruffled corset, and a pair of lacy black stockings, I think I pull it off. Leaning into the carnival theme, I paint my lips like a ventriloquist puppet, with cheekbone hearts and a pink button nose. It's Moulin Rouge-meets-Barnum & Bailey. Just need to find my riding crop, and I'm off for the night… 10:07pm We have arrived. I check in with Alan T, a legend of Miami nightlife, and search for Tam Gryn, the museum's curator. I find her smiling atop the staircase, in a pleated blue skirt with metal studs. Before we hit the dancefloor, Tam walks us through the exhibitions. First is " Modern Sex: 100 Years of Design and Decency," a journey of sexual health mirrored by American media. We marvel at douches from the 1920s. There's a paper from Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood. 'Whatever is happening in the world reflects in art, and reflects in sex culture,' Tam tells me. We look at post-World War II advertisements warning soldiers of syphilis. Men are noticeably absent from the ads, placing the safe-sex onus on women rather than the soldiers' own promiscuity. Classic. I giggle at the 'Anal Intruder Set,' sit with reverence on the topic of AIDS, and giggle again when I spot the original Sybian. We move on to the next exhibition, " Hajime Sorayama: Desire Machines." I've seen images of Sorayama's 'sexy robots' before, but nothing like this. Gold and silver cyborgs, entangled and engorged, legs spread across the canvas. Provocative is an understatement. Tam points out the octopus, a classic example of Japanese 'tentacle erotica.' The gallery is rattling with heavy bass coming from the party below. Anticipation is growing. Finally, we reach the famous robots, voluptuous steel sculptures encased in glass. They look so human, and yet, not at all. Fascinating… 10:48pm It's time to party. We hug Tam goodbye and walk through a tunnel of kaleidoscopic art—like entering a portal to another world. Suddenly, we're inside a mossy medieval castle. It smells like Big Red cinnamon gum. A few more steps and we enter the carnival. It's hot and steamy in here, just how Misty likes it. I hope I'll catch her tonight. Misty is always elusive, never in plain sight but always present. I figure she's on the dancefloor. Her two best friends are about to play: David Sinopoli, the founder of Miami's iii Points festival; and Elad Zvi, founder of Bar Lab Hospitality, otherwise known by his DJ moniker, Maccabi. We walk past the bounce house of inflatable boobs and shimmy our way into the crowd. Sinopoli and Maccabi start off hot. I mean red hot. I mean 'Red Right Hand' by Nick Cave hot. I LOVE THIS SONG!! I love this groovy remix. It's precisely the heady, genre-bending music I've come to expect from My Friend Misty. A trio of sexy vixens are dancing above. They look like pin-up girls from the 1950s, dripping in sequins, wearing pointy padded bras. I recognize Elena Lee, the beautiful dancer from Club Space. There's still no sign of Misty, but I think I see Mokibaby, her partner in crime. Maybe I'll ask her—but I'm in no rush. Sinopoli and Maccabi just dropped 'Bang Bang' by Nancy Sinatra, and so, I must dance. 11:39pm More of my friends have arrived—Caro, Juan Carlos, Eli, Jonbo. It's like a clown car, they just keep coming! We meet at the conversation pit, between the giant testicles and the skee ball game, when I see a neon 'Misty' sign out of the corner of my eye. Aha! I walk over and find Mokibaby, a.k.a. Veronica Gessa, the mastermind artist behind the My Friend Misty parties. She's hanging with Ventigoth, a local photographer whom I adore. I try not to fangirl. I fail. They're fun, hot and talented—my favorite combination. They tell me Misty just left, and so I take advantage to chat with Mokibaby. Dressed like a sultry secretary, she tells me about the essence of Misty: her love for cinema and strong female characters, her passion for pleasure and self-pampering. At each of her events, Misty is revealed through interactive vignettes. I think about the time I wandered into Misty's bedroom at Floyd, where Audrey Hepburn movies played on analog televisions. Tonight, it's custom-made playing cards inspired by divination, a nod to carnival fortune-tellers. I play my cards right and score a bottle of Misty's essential oil, handmade by Mokibaby herself. Speaking of the carnival—where on earth is Misty? Has she run away with the circus?! 'Misty is a vaudeville dancer tonight,' Mokibaby says. 'She's probably on stage with Elena performing a burlesque act.' Finally, a lead, I think to myself. Ventigoth snaps a photo. I'm off to search for my friend Misty—but not before some naughty adventure. 2:41am THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. My riding crop is a huge hit (and a great way to shepherd the crowds.) I'm loving all the carnival games, especially 'Glory Stall'. Diary, I dare not tell you how to play, just know you need to tug three times… The music is swirling like the girls riding the mechanical bull. I hear 'Smalltown Boy' and Faithless, a low-vocal edit of Madonna's 'Jump', gothic rock and heavy techno all rolled into one. There's a lady in an alligator mask. Alan T is feeding people slices of cake. Elena and the dancers are binding each other Shibari-style, in full-body leotards that somehow look sexier than anything else they've worn tonight. There's a rumor of an after-party at Jolene in downtown. I'm intrigued, but my feeble friends are weary. (To be fair, we've been here for five hours.) Actually, come to think of it, I'm hungry. Maybe we bounce. 3:32am Dear Diary… I'm writing in pajamas. Pizza rolls are in the oven. Night at the Roxbury is on TV. I feel like a teenage cliché, but truthfully, I'm content. I never did find Misty. Maybe she ran away with the circus after all. At least I got a glimpse into Misty's magical world, even if just for a night. Until next time…
Eater
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Eater
Dinner in the Backseat of a Cadillac? How Very Miami
In a world obsessed with the next Instagrammable moment, Miami takes the cake. Here, social media feeds overflow with the latest 'experience,' whether it's a puppy yoga class in Wynwood or taking a selfie at the Museum of Sex. Cue in the latest collaboration between Cadillac and Cote, the Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse in the posh Miami Design District. On June 20 and 21, diners will get to experience Cote's legendary cuisine in the backseat of a luxury car. The seven-seater Escalade IQ boasts pull-out dining trays in the second row like you're flying first-class, if your airplane cabin were parked on a city sidewalk. The idea of choosing to dine inside a car — rather than bask in the sexy, softly lit interior of Cote — felt like swapping a seat at Le Bernardin for 24B on a delayed flight. But as the current owner of 2016 Honda Civic, I said yes to a chance to check it out. The evening began inside Cote at the sleek, low-lit bar for a welcome drink. Ours was a shot of something that looked like grapefruit juice but packed a Paloma-like punch: sweet, citrusy, and just boozy enough to make you forget you were about to eat dinner in a car. There's no alcohol served in the vehicle ('It's a problem with the optics of serving alcohol in a car,' our server told me), so if you were hoping to pair your A5 wagyu with a glass of Musigny Grand Cru, you'll have to come back for a proper table. After drinks, we were escorted outside to NE 39th Street, where a black Escalade IQ gleamed like a waxed spaceship behind velvet ropes. The massive doors opened, revealing a plush interior and two oversized second-row seats. The hands-free driving system was briefly mentioned before we were reminded that this vehicle can travel 460 miles on a single charge. Not that we'll be moving an inch. Sinking into the buttery leather and fiddling with the massage settings, I felt my original skepticism slipping. Thinking of my Civic with seats that have seen better days and more than a few coffee spills, I was starting to get it. Once inside, the five-course meal began. The Cote team expertly set up the tray tables (red-checkered cloth and all). Inspired by a Korean dosirak picnic (multi-compartment boxed lunches), the five-course meal unfolded over a span of an hour. On the center console, between the driver and passenger seats, sat a small bouquet and a card stand holding a placard that introduced each course. 1/4 The fire place videos really set the mood. Alona Martinez We began with drinks: two mocktails to choose from. Finesse, made with coconut water, Earl Grey, raspberry, and lemon; and Downtime, made with Aplos Calm (a hemp-infused beverage), orange, hibiscus, and lemon. The Cote team served them in unison, offering a polite 'Excuse my reach' before leaning into the car to present the colorful drinks, then quietly closing the doors to leave us sipping in our plush little bubble. Our first course was gogi cha, a rich meat broth made from USDA Prime short ribs simmered overnight. It arrived in a stainless steel thermos, poured into small cups. As we sipped, servers stood guard like they were J. Lo's bodyguards, drawing even more attention as groups of tourists and locals stopped to ask what was going on. A fire crackled on the screen as servers arrived with a Hello Kitty bento box, revealing the next course: steak and eggs. Lifting Hello Kitty's face uncovered a doll-sized cylinder of steak tartare topped with a generous spoonful of caviar. Two rectangles of crispy, buttery milk toast were tucked alongside. Maybe it's the contrast to those Civic seats with their coffee stains and worn fabric, but the soft camel-colored leather gently working out the knot on my lower back started to feel luxurious. A new placard was placed on the console, titled 'Nostalgia In Motion.' It introduced the next course: beef bulgogi gimbap and yubuchobap. The gimbap featured ribeye marinated in galbi sauce, rolled with egg and julienned vegetables, and wrapped in toasted seaweed. The yubuchobap came as little tofu-skin bundles stuffed with rice and more ribeye, arriving in another pink Hello Kitty container. 1/4 Many of the courses came in Hello Kitty containers. Alona Martinez Next, 'The Butcher's Bowl,' a nod to Cote's legendary Butcher's Feast, arrived. Inside a cheerful bear-shaped bento box, neat rows of filet mignon, 45-day dry-aged ribeye cap, Japanese A5 wagyu, galbi, and banchan awaited. Dessert was a swirl of strawberry soft serve sprinkled with dehydrated strawberries for extra crunch. Maybe it was the Escalade air conditioning keeping the cone crisp, or maybe it was the group leaving the high-end jewelry store across the street who stopped mid-conversation to stare — but that simple cone tasted better than any I'd had before. Turns out, spending time in a vehicle can be an extraordinary experience. I've just been doing it wrong all along. Cadillac's 'Cadillac of Reservations' experience at Cote is complimentary, with seating available on June 20 and 21. Reservations opened on Resy at 10 a.m. on June 16. See More: Dining Out in Miami Miami Restaurant News
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
New York vs Las Vegas: Where to holiday this Summer?
New York versus Las Vegas? Which is a better holiday destination? It is an unending debate. With its casinos (there are nearly 300 big/small casinos and 2,000 slot machine parlours), the famed strip and all that bling, Las Vegas is an adrenaline rush; New York with its rich history, iconic landmarks, world-class museums and a gourmand's haven (there are nearly 25,000 restaurants) is a different vibe. Both have a million to-do/see things but New York gets an edge with a direct flight from Delhi with a flight time of nearly 15 hours; getting to Las Vegas can be tedious - 22-hour flight time + the long layover. The long frosty winter is a New York nightmare, Las Vegas stays mostly sunny. If New York has a quirky Museum of Sex, Las Vegas has a graveyard for neon signs. New York versus Las Vegas debate rages on. Both New York and Las Vegas are on everyone's bucket list, you decide which city is your kinda holiday destination. Also read: Where to holiday this summer? Dubai vs Bangkok Flights: Mumbai-New York 1 stop return Economy flight starts at ₹62,000 (flight duration 19 hours + layover). The fastest is Delhi-New York direct flight on Air India, price starts at ₹1.27 lakhs; flight duration 14 hours 40 minutes. What to see/do: Buy the Explorer Pass ($89, includes entry to two attractions) or get the 1-day All-Inclusive pass for $164). See Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA), 9/11 Museum, Museum of Sex. Explore Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Bronx Zoo. Catch a Broadway show. Discover a hanging garden inside the Guggenheim Museum. Walk the High Line. What to eat: Have a drink at The Parlour at the InterContinental New York Barclay shakes up classic cocktails in a 1920s-inspired setting. Cannoli at Madonia Bakery. Fried chicken at Charles Pan-Fried Chicken. Franks at Gray's Papaya. Mutton chop at Keens Steakhouse. Al pastor tacos at Los Tacos No. 1. Burger at JG Melon, and Smacking Burger. Pastrami Sandwich at Katz's Deli. Cronut at Dominique Ansel's Bakery. Pizza at Joe's Pizza. Chicken Over Rice at the Halal Guys. Must do: A trip to Niagara Falls. You can take a bus or opt for a guided tour. Where to stay: As a rule, stay close to a subway station, you'll save a lot on transport & walking. Always check the extra resort fee that hotels charge above the regular room tariff. If you prefer to be closer to Broadway, stay in Midtown. Want to be closer to Central Park, choose an accommodation in Upper West Side. Financial District has many subway lines and from here it is easier to take the fear to the Statue of Liberty or the Staten Island Ferry. If you are new to the city, avoid staying in East Harlem, parts of South Bronx, Brownsville. Tips: • Traffic can be a nightmare, plan accordingly. • Use public transport. Try the New York Subway MTA Map app, or use the transit option on Apple Maps or Google Maps. • Not all establishments accept credit cards, so carry a little cash. • You can hail a cab, open the door, get into it without telling the driver where you have to go. Once you are in the cab, the driver cannot refuse to take you within the five boroughs. • There is no reason to rent a car, NYC has an extremely efficient subway system. Remember, never to get into an empty train car during rush hour, there is a reason why it is empty. • Skip the expensive boat cruise to the Statue of Liberty and take the Staten Island Ferry for free. • A 10-15% tip is expected in a restaurant. Give. • Avoid the bicycle pedicabs, they are criminally expensive (and might charge you by the minute!) • The 'costumed characters' in Times Square will charge you for a photograph. Don't be sneaky, they'll harass you for money. • NYC has a notoriously low number of public restrooms, so pee when you find a toilet. Many parks have comfort stations with public restrooms. Flights: There are no direct flights from India to Las Vegas. 1 stop return Economy flight from Mumbai & Delhi starts at ₹79,000, from Bengaluru it starts at ₹66,000. Flight duration is long: minimum 22 hours + layover for 1 stop flight. What to see/do: Fremont Street Experience. Bellagio's Choreographed Fountains. Mob Museum. The Neon Museum. Check the calendar for celebrity singers' performances. High Roller. Shop at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and Las Vegas North Premium Outlets. There are lots of free things to do: The Aquarium, The Arts Factory, Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Coca-Cola Store Las Vegas, Downtown Art Murals, Ethel M Chocolates & Cactus Garden, Hershey's Chocolate World, Pinball Hall of Fame. What to eat: Always opt for the buffet - there is a nothing quite like a Las Vegas buffet. Food Halls are the next best option. Black Out dining in the dark. Oyster Bar. Balla Italian Soul. Ito. Don'a Prime. Peppermill Restaurant. Sinatra. Delilah. Sparrow + Wolf. Miznon. Wakuda. Step into one of the Speakeasies. Must do: One-day trip to the Grand Canyon (about 4-hour drive from Vegas). You can also opt for Grand Canyon tours. Grand Canyon day-trip bus tour starts at US$75. A Grand Canyon 70/90 minute Helicopter ride costs around $250. Where to stay: The Strip seems to be the obvious choice - for all the action happens at walkable distance. Go to the Visit Vegas official website to look for best hotel options + booking codes for discounts. You get bigger discounts for booking 30+ days in advance. Fontainebleau is the tallest hotel in Vegas. NoMad Las Vegas is a hotel within the Park MGM hotel. The Venetian Resort. Bellagio. Wynn. Caesars Palace. MGM Grand 7 Casino. Tips: • There'll be a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes. • Stay hydrated, the desert climate can be very tiring. • Tipping at restaurants is an unsaid rule. • It is illegal for taxis to stop on the strip, so don't try flagging one down. • When booking hotel rooms, ask about resort fee that is added to the the initial room price. These fees range from $20-$50 per day so check the mandatory fee before booking. • Jaywalking is illegal and dangerous in Las Vegas. Don't. • Be careful of your belongings in crowded areas. • Do not use ATMs inside casinos, they charge an additional fee of up to $8 per transaction. • Don't fall for free-show tickets. Avoid them. • Remember, no one under the age of 21 is allowed on the casino floor. US currency: US dollar (USD). 1 USD = 85.17 INR
Time Out
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The Museum of Sex is bringing camp back to Miami in the raunchiest way possible
After more than a year of delays, the Museum of Sex (MoSex) finally opened in Miami a few months ago, steadily unveiling bold new exhibits while drawing a steady stream of visitors clearly intrigued by the promise of a space with such a provocative name. Not to be confused with the sex-themed museum on South Beach—that would be the World Erotic Art Museum—the Museum of Sex is a New York City import that actually feels like it could have been born right here in Miami. That's because, as so many kitschy, Old Florida institutions in the city are being razed, glossed over and Tulum-ified, the Museum of Sex is injecting a healthy dose of humor and delightfully raunchy history back into our South Florida environs. I'm talking about glass cases filled with first-generation vibrators and archival news articles espousing the virtues of birth control pills alongside large-scale paintings of robots and humans engaged in highly graphic sex acts. The museum's titillating permanent collection comprises thousands of works of art, photography, clothing and costumes, technological inventions and all manner of naughty historical ephemera. At the end of the exhibitions, you'll watch a short film tracing the little-known history of fairs as old-timey centers of debauchery and escapism, and then you'll enter Super Funland. It's a sprawling erotic carnival and bar where visitors can play glory hole whack-a-mole, practice their pole dance moves and spin around on a rotating plate while trying to dodge a big swinging scrotum. There's even a live mermaid show on the weekends, a completely new offering! It all makes for a highly fascinating and very fun night out. My visit was a double date, but it'd be just as great for couples, with a group of friends or even a private party. MoSex bachelorette? Baby shower? The options are only limited by your imagination, really. Speaking of which: non-flash photography is permitted and the silly and surrealist photo ops abound. Though some, like my husband twerking on the pole, are probably better saved as memories rather than in the Cloud. (I may or may not have deleted those…) The museum's two-story warehouse building could easily be missed among its industrial Allapattah surrounds, were it not for the bustling parking lot out front and the all-caps lettering on the facade indicating that this is indeed your sexy final destination. Basic tickets start at $24, but premium passes ($30) include THC gummies and the Lovers Pass for two ($113) will also grant you cocktails and a 'Love Kit' filled with $50 worth of undisclosed goodies. They all include access to the carnival and one free round of each game. There's no on-site dining, but Jon & Vinny's at the Rubell and Hometown BBQ are two solid options nearby.
