If New York Fashion Week is the runway, Josh McBride’s annual birthday bash is the rehearsal dinner—a glamorous, untamed warm-up that proves the city’s cultural pulse beats just as hard off the catwalk. On Friday, September 5th, 2025, McBride once again confirmed his status as nightlife’s most charismatic ringmaster, transforming HK Hall into a star-studded spectacle that blurred the lines between party, concert, and fashion show.
The dress code—sleek black and bold pink—wasn’t just a theme; it was a statement. More than 400 guests descended on the venue in looks that turned the dance floor into a living editorial spread. Signature cocktails flowed courtesy of Ja Rule’s Amber & Opal and The Baker Company’s Espresso Martinis, while Baked by Melissa provided the sugary punctuation every good party deserves.
And then came the music. Kicking things off, Nina Sky hit the stage at 8:15 p.m., electrifying the crowd with the kind of set that makes you forget it’s still early. By 9:15, the energy hit fever pitch as Kevin Lyttle rolled out his global anthem “Turn Me On”, sparking a full-on singalong that shook the walls. Closing out at 10:15, R&B favorite Bobby V leaned into soul and seduction, ensuring the night ended on a high that lingered long after the lights came up.
Of course, a McBride party is as much about who’s there as what’s happening. The red carpet was a carousel of pop culture heavyweights: Peppermint of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Lateshia Pearson of Belle Collective, RIP Micheals from Wild ’N Out, celebrity medium Matt Fraser, actor Alex Garfin (Superman and Lois), and Clay Gravesande of Love Is Blind fame were just a few of the names spotted soaking in the chaos.
McBride’s parties have become their own cultural calendar entry. Last year’s edition at Nebula brought surprise performances from Yung Joc, Lil Mama, Ryan Toby, and Yung Wylin, while previous years have seen appearances by Mya, Ja Rule, Tiffany Pollard, Teresa Giudice, and Dorinda Medley. With HK Hall now in the books, one thing is clear: McBride doesn’t just host birthday parties—he curates cultural moments.
Whether you’re there for the fashion, the music, or the chance of rubbing shoulders with your favorite TV star, Josh McBride’s birthday is more than a party. It’s an institution.
Follow him at @joshymcb (https://instagram.com/joshymcb) and keep tabs on https://JoshMcBrideWorld.com for the next invite-only chapter in New York’s most enviable annual celebration.
