Three hours is a long time to sit on your couch watching the Academy Awards. Instead, head out to one of the city’s many viewing parties Sunday night.
LIFE’S A CABARET
Henry’s, 2745 Broadway
Instead of enduring the commercial breaks, guests at Henry’s Oscars bash will enjoy live entertainment. “You’ll feel like you’re in your living room with a big-screen TV,” says Jeff Calhoun, director of the new Broadway musical “Newsies.” He’s hosting the evening with musical acts by his friends and cast members, as well as comedy from Cast Party’s Jim Caruso. “The only difference is you’re in your favorite neighborhood restaurant with Broadway talent.”
While watching alternating shows, diners will feast on a prix-fixe menu with dishes including fennel-carrot soup and steamed Prince Edward Island mussels ($34). Cocktails are separate and include Viola’s Champagne cocktail made with Brotherhood sparkling wine, Fleur de Violette liqueur and Peychaud bitters ($12).
Red-carpet cocktails begin at 6 p.m. Dining room reservations available online, walk-ins for bar are welcome. 212-866-0600, henrysnyc.com.
PARTY LIKE A VOTER
‘21’ Club, 21 W. 52nd St.
Get ready for your close-up with the 7-foot-tall Oscar statue at ‘21’ Club’s Official Academy Viewing Party. This swanky event (cocktail attire is required!) is open to non-academy members, at a swanky price to match — $200 (or $150 if you happen to be in the academy). That gets you a full meal including grass-fed filet mignon with shrimp, heirloom potato gratin, and asparagus and red wine sauce. Plus an open bar. 21club.com, 6:30 p.m., call Jennalee Wright at 212-821-9254 for tickets.
SOUTHERN STYLE
Southern Hospitality, 1460 Second Ave. and 645 Ninth Ave.
Both locations of Justin Timberlake’s Southern Hospitality will present the show in all its glory on 14 HD-TVs and one projection screen. Coors pitchers are specially priced at $10, and if the awards race gets you tense, cool down with frozen drinks for just $6. Several specialty drinks tie in to the nominated pictures, including the “Midnight in Paris,” a French martini and “The Iron Lady,” an English Rose cocktail ($6 each). Plus, play in the Oscar pool to win free drinks, appetizers and gift certificates. 212-977-1588, southernhospitalitybbq.com.
DON’T GET PENT UP AT HOME
Penthouse808, 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City
It’s red all over at Ravel Hotel’s rooftop restaurant and lounge, which will display the show on several large plasma screens while guests chow down on red-carpet cake — a red velvet cake with cream-cheese frosting topped with red hots ($8). Mixologist Jim Ciacci has also prepared a number of special drinks for the evening, such as the “Moneyball Mojito” ($10). 718-289-6118, penthouse808rooftop.com.
DITCH TH E LOUNGE CHAIR
Ditch Plains, 100 W. 82nd St.
This popular UWS surf shack is ready for hungry Oscar-watchers catching the big show on screens practically by every table. If you’re a “Descendants” devotee, try the Honolulu Spicy Salad with calamari, sesame seeds, romaine and radicchio ($14). “Moneyball” fan? Score with Pinch Hitter Ditch Dogs topped with macaroni-and-cheese and served with fries ($14).
“Both film and cooking are a form of art and expression,” says chef Marc Murphy. “So it was really easy and exciting for me to use the Best Picture nominees as inspiration for creative dishes.” 212-362-4815, ditchplains.com.
BOWL OVER TH E COMPETITION
Frames Bowling Lounge, 550 Ninth Ave.
If you’re looking for an active viewing experience, head to these lanes, which will offer pun-ny nibbles like coconut shrimp with Christopher “Plum”mer dipping sauce ($12) and “Rooney Mara-nated” skirt steak ($9). And, if you show up in red-carpet attire, your shoe rental is free. “We thrive on the opportunity to mix old Hollywood glitz and glamour with the sport of bowling,” says general manager Ayman Kamel. “We are hoping customers will play along and come dressed in their finest.” 212-268-6909, framesnyc.com.
CHAMP AT TH E BIT
SideBar, 120 E. 15th St.
The viewing party here is sure to bring the big-gamers as the sports bar has an Oscar ballot competition that will award one winner an hourlong open bar for 10 people, and dinner for two at sister restaurant Little Town. But if you don’t win, no worries — you’ll get a free glass of Champagne just for stepping inside. 212-677-2900, sidebarny.com.
RING MY BELL
The Bell House, 149 Seventh St., Gowanus
Comedian Seth Herzog, the warm-up comic for “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” hosts a night of fun at the Bell House, yukking it up during each commercial break. A live feed from WitStream.com will also provide funny Oscars commentary throughout the evening. 718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com.
JOIN TH E CLUB
Clubhouse Café, 155 W. 46th St.
Have a ball at Clubhouse Café, where you can kick back with movie-themed menu items including a “Blockbuster” buffalo burger with chipotle peppers ($16.50) and red-carpet duck empañadas ($9.75). Special drinks include “Dragon Punch,” a passion-fruit Mexican cocktail ($11) and the “Iron Lady,” a Clubhouse mojito ($11.50). 212-354-3838, clubhousecafe.net.