The 7 PM event, which boasts "no acceptance speeches — just pure entertainment," will feature performances from all of the evening's winners. The annual awards are judged by members of the New York press: last year's judges included The New York Observer's Rex Reed and Theatermania.com's Barbara and Scott Siegel. More than one dozen judges will take part in the nominating-voting process. In a previous statement, critic Scott Siegel said, "It is our particular intention to give New York City's nightlife — its clubs and performers — the same importance in the public mindset as Broadway. This is an award that will have immediate credibility and importance because it will be given by the broadest possible spectrum of this city's most influential authorities on cabaret, jazz, and comedy from those who see acts in the big rooms to those who cover the nightlife waterfront."

Awards are presented to winners in each of the following categories:
Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist in a Major Engagement
Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist in a Major Engagement
Outstanding Duo/Group Cabaret Performance in a Major Engagement
Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist
Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist
Outstanding Cabaret Musical Comedy Performance
Outstanding Cabaret Musical Revue/Group/Variety Performance
Outstanding Cabaret Piano Bar Performer
Unique Cabaret Performance
Outstanding Female Standup Comedian
Outstanding Male Standup Comedian
Outstanding Group Comedy Performance
Unique Comedy Performance
Outstanding Jazz Soloist
Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance
Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalist
Outstanding Male Jazz Vocalist
Unique Jazz Performance

Tickets for the Nightlife Awards are priced at $25, $50 and $75 and are available by calling Ticket Master at (212) 307-4100. Town Hall is located in Manhattan at 123 West 43rd Street.