On any normal evening, Manhattan gatherings sparkle with cocktail-party patter. But on election night, even small talk wasn’t coming easy. At gatherings of both Republicans and Democrats, only the most stilted sort of conversations – the ones that could be dropped at a moment’s notice – were getting anywhere.

An estimated crowd of more than 1,000 Democrats gathered at a ballroom in the Grand Hyatt, but for a crowd that size, the noise level was hushed. Most eyes were on the two giant television screens tuned to CNN.

“We’re a little nervous. It seems turnout was key,” said Sohail Yousuf, a 25-year-old Kerry supporter, who was intently watching the returns with a friend.

“People are optimistic,” said Teamster leader, Dan Kane, though he, too, seemed more distracted than thinking the glass was half-full.

A big laugh went up here or there. So did a cheer. But anticipation hung heavy over this young, well-dressed crowd. There was a similar sense of darting eyes – as if everyone was waiting for the bride and groom to arrive – at the Women’s National Republican Club, where the state Republicans were milling about.

“I’m nervous. And I’m a good Republican,” said Russell Marcus, a New York lawyer.

More steady than most, Vincent Mezzetti, of Miles Financial, was confident: I think Bush is going to win. I also pray a lot.”

At the nonprofit arts space White Box in Chelsea, people at least had art on the walls to distract them.

“We aren’t really talking about it so much yet,” said Carol Stakenas, who was leading a real-time Internet-based art project called the Screensavers Group. The effort would allow people in Florida, Ohio, and Amsterdam to discuss the election results in real time via the Internet while the conversations were projected on a public screen with images. The point of it all, Ms. Stakenas noted, was to bring people together and think through the question: “Are we watching a Super Bowl or democracy at work?”

Her answer to that question was a bit noncommittal: “At this point, it’s hard to avoid those references.

Others in the quickly growing group were drinking Rolling Rocks and looking at the art to occupy the time. “I wanted to be with a left-wing crowd,” said Ashton Applewhite, a writer from the Upper West Side.

“They’re both the same,” said multimedia artist Saraca Fisco of the presidential candidates. Though she found both candidates equally unattractive, she pulled the lever for Mr. Kerry. “It was my duty as a woman.”

The tension for one intense young man was more about avoiding another Florida “I’m afraid it will end in a tie,” said Michael Gaillard. “I just don’t want to end in limbo.”

There was even more to divert attention uptown at NBC’s Democracy Plaza, which has taken over Rockefeller Center. A large crowd gathered there to watch the broadcast of MSNBC and to see two giant columns rise up the side of a skyscraper as Messrs. Bush and Kerry gained electoral votes.

While most were minding their own business and standing around, one loud voice rose above the crowd. “Anyone for four more years?!” asked a frustrated Peter Christian of Manhattan, to a crowd that looked convinced that he should go home. “I’m not nervous. I’m a supporter of common sense.”

In his two hours at Democracy Plaza, he wasn’t having much luck finding fellow conservatives who would own up to being on his side. “I’ve met one other [Republican] since I’ve been here,” said Mr. Christian.

Just a few feet away from him, stood a smiling confident conservative. “I voted for four more years,” said Jeff Goodrich of New Jersey, who was about to head home to a local bar.

But the bar scene in Manhattan had yet to pick up by 9. Mercury Bar on Ninth Avenue was peppered with people looking up at several big screens tuned to CNN. Rudy’s Bar and Grill was sparsely attended, and 9th Avenue Bistro, though decorated vividly with balloons, was still awaiting regulars.

Though the results were far from in, at Seppi’s restaurant, though, the evening’s dinner special was suggesting a winner: “The Texas ribs are being very well-received,” said bartender Patrick O’Sullivan.