Food & Drink

Get the arty started

Museum parties used to be for the Eustace Tilleys of the world, those snoots who polished their monocles while shuffling past paintings as a piano produced drab elevator music.

New York’s museums, however, have stepped up their party game, turning cultural spaces into hip concert venues, thumping dance parties and boozy happy hours that let you socialize among other lovers of fine art.

A few of the outdoor parties end when the summer does, so curate yourself some cultural nights out soon.

A strawberry margarita and a Chelsea Bloom at the Rubin.

A strawberry margarita and a Chelsea Bloom at the Rubin. (Tamara Beckwith/NY Post)

All ages can get down at El Museo del Barrio.

All ages can get down at El Museo del Barrio. (Anne Wermiel/NY Post)

Partying in the MoMA sculpture garden.

Partying in the MoMA sculpture garden. (Tamara Beckwith/NY Post; Katharina Fritsch (German, born 1956), Group of Figures)

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

UP ON THE ROOF

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. (at 82nd Street), metmuseum.org, suggested admission: $25

If you’re crying into your torn tee that the Met’s cool “Punk” exhibit has closed, dry your tears. The hippest thing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is rooftop cocktail hours, complete with stunning panoramic views of Manhattan.

Drink in (and walk on) the giant art installation by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, who painted ornamental leaves on an 8,000-square-foot section of roof.

The museum offers Pakistani-influenced cocktails including the Gola ganda, a shaved-ice-and-vodka concoction, and a cardamom iced tea with bourbon (both $14).

“I thought it was cool that on the way here we were looking at van Goghs, just casually,” says Andrew Wedvick, 17, of San Francisco, who was visiting the roof, with his mother, for the first time.

The Roof Garden Café is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m; it serves cocktails late — and opens extra bars — Fridays and Saturdays till 8 p.m., through Nov. 3.

THE RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART

HIPS SIPS

The Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., rmanyc.org, $10 (free on Fridays, from 6 to 10 p.m.)

You wouldn’t find 66-year-old Bob Havlena of Shelton, Conn., hanging out in a bar for cheap drinks. But happy hour in a museum? That’s another story.

“The tranquility of the whole place is wonderful,” he says between sips of wine. “You look at the people here and you want to meet everybody. They’re interesting-looking people.”

The Rubin Museum’s Café Serai brings in those interesting-looking people twice a week for happy hours and socializing.

On Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., catch live music in the café — usually something related to the museum’s Himalayan and Indian theme; on Friday nights, it stays open late for K2 Lounge from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring DJs. Both nights offer 10 percent off the price of food and drinks from the café’s menu, including the signature Chelsea Bloom martini ($14), featuring basil-infused vodka, cucumber, lime juice, Cointreau and Domain de Canton; and the Queen Bee ($12), made with gin, wine, honey, honeycomb candy and lemon juice.

EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO

EVERYBODY DANCE, NOW

El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave. (between 104th and 105th streets), elmuseo.org, $9 (party is free)

When Bernadette Carbonell tells her friends she’s going to a party at a museum, they tell her they expect a conservative affair with quiet conversation. But a DJ’s thumping bass

at a recent Barrio bash makes short work of that idea.

“This is definitely one for the record books,” says Carbonell, 36, of The Bronx, while her DJ husband plays Michael Jackson remixes in the background. “This is, like, real live music, a DJ. It’s a lot of fun.”

The dance floor at the all-ages party is packed, and mostly with kids trying some adorable break dance moves or just showing off their dancing style.

For grown-ups, the café offers special sangria ($7) and micheladas ($6).

The free After Hours at El Museo Radiance parties, featuring DJ 5ifty5ive and Les Carbonell, runs Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. through Aug. 28.

OTHER MUSEUM PARTIES TO CHECK OUT

Folk Art Museum

The always-free Folk Art Museum offers free live music Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a cash wine bar. 2 Lincoln Square, at 66th Street and Columbus Avenue, folkartmuseum.org

Bronx Museum of Art

The museum’s monthly 1040 Lounge invites the community in for drinks, artist talks and performances in the second floor’s north wing. The next one, on Sept. 13, features artists Linda Cunningham and Todd Heisler. 1040 Grand Concourse, The Bronx, bronxmuseum.org, free

Museum of Modern Art

The party is outdoors in MoMA’s sculpture garden for the final two Thursdays of August, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. In between the sculptures you’ll find live music, a cash bar and a dessert cart. 11 W. 53rd St., moma.org, $25.