REBAR, Chelsea: This industrial-feeling gay bar is a Chelsea standard, featuring energetic drag shows and DJs throughout the week. Playhouse, West Village: This buzzing bar and club, from the creators of Hardware Bar and Pieces Bar, hosts one of the best dance parties in the neighborhood in its basement level club. Expect shows to transition into packed-to-the-gills dance parties, going strong late into the night. Pieces, West Village: Established in 1993, this longstanding bar hosts some of the best drag shows in the city. Go there for a strong drink, a game of pool, and late night dancing. Phoenix, East Village: For 22 years, Phoenix has been an East Village mainstay. Strong drinks, a top-notch juke box, and vibrant mixed crowd, have kept this beloved dive bar around since 2003. Nowhere, East Village: This lively bar on East 14th Street may just have the lowest ceiling of any queer bar - or bar, for that matter - in the five boroughs. The Monster, West Village: One of the West Village classics, the multi-level Monster offers a piano bar, and a basement level dance floor. Warm up your vocals and join in on a sing-along performance. Today, Marie's Crisis is a cozy piano bar. Marie's Crisis, West Village: Little Marie's Crisis dates all the way back to the 1850s when it was used as a den for prostitution. Today, the welcoming neighborhood bar grills up burgers and fries, and offers strong pours. This historic event spurred the many legal, political, and social changes for LGBTQIA+ people. Julius', West Village: Another West Village institution, in 1966, a "sip in" was held by activists at the bar to challenge the New York State Liquor Authority's regulation that barred the serving of homosexuals. Industry Bar, Hell's Kitchen: The most spacious of the Hell's Kitchen bars, this industrial-chic bar draws a bustling after-work scene and boisterous late night dancing. Henrietta Hudson, West Village: One of the few remaining lesbian bars in the country, and one of only two in New York City (see Cubbyhole above), Henrietta Hudson has a storied 30-year history serving as a crucial community and activist space - and safe haven. Hardware Bar, Hell's Kitchen: On the western outskirts of Hell's Kitchen you'll find Hardware Bar, a hole-in-the-wall with big drag shows, an incredibly long Monday - Friday happy hour lasting from 2pm - 8pm, and Sunday and Saturday brunch-inspired cocktails. The Hangar Bar, West Village: A diverse crowd of masculine gay men frequent this West Village dive. Gym Sportsbar, Chelsea: As the name implies, this is a gay sports bar, popular for post-game team drinks.
The Eagle NYC, Chelsea: Perhaps the second-most cruise-y of New York's gay bars, the multi-level Eagle caters almost exclusively to gay men, and gets more debaucherous on each floor.Įvolve Lounge, Midtown East: This chic neighborhood bar has an outdoor garden patio, a billiards room, and lively happy hour.įlaming Saddles, Hell's Kitchen: Wild-west themed, Flaming Saddles is famous for its Coyote Ugly-inspired bar-top dancers, clad in cowboy boots. Here, choose from drinking at the piano bar, at a live show on the smallest stage in the West Village, at the city's oldest cabaret, or outside. The Duplex, West Village: Established in 1950, The Duplex is another of the West Village's classic queer bars. Head to the dark back room if you're feeling extra frisky.Ĭubbyhole, West Village: One of only two remaining predominantly lesbian bars in the city, Cubbyhole is on a charming corner of West 12th Street, and features a wildly eclectic array of decor and trinkets hanging from its ceiling.
The Cock, East Village: This gay-men-only bar is the most cruise-y of all the gay bars in the city. Pretty much any after-work evening, expect the bar to steadily become jam packed.Ĭlub Cumming, East Village: Nodding to its part-owner, Alan Cumming, the former Eastern Bloc dive bar hosts regular cabaret events, Broadway-style shows, drag performances, and dance parties. The Boiler Room, East Village: This dive bar features a packed juke box, a well-priced happy hour, and late night dance parties.īoxers NYC, Chelsea: Buff, shirtless bartenders pour up 2-for-1 happy hour drinks in a sports bar setting. Stay late for the top-notch drag shows and dancing.
Atlas Social Club, Hell's Kitchen: Of the many queer bars in Hell's Kitchen, Atlas Social Club has more of an alternative vibe you'd expect from an East Village or Williamsburg bar.īarracuda Lounge, Chelsea: This divey-feeling bar is a Chelsea mainstay, brought to you by the owners of Elmo Restaurant and Industry Bar.