NYC Gay Bars

NYC's Legendary Gay Bars

From historic Stonewall to the hottest new lounges, discover 50+ LGBTQ+ bars that make New York the world's gayest city

50+
Gay Bars
5
Boroughs
7
Days a Week
24/7
Gay Life

NYC's Most Iconic Gay Bars

These legendary venues have shaped NYC's LGBTQ+ nightlife scene and continue to be must-visit destinations

Historic

The Stonewall Inn

Birthplace of Pride

53 Christopher St, West Village National Monument

The birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. This historic bar continues to serve as a gathering place for the community with nightly drag shows and special events.

Historic Drag Shows Tourist Must-See

Hours:

Daily 2pm-4am

Visit
Hottest

Industry Bar

Hell's Kitchen Icon

355 W 52nd St, Hell's Kitchen
Happy Hour 4-9pm

Voted "NYC's Best Gay Bar" by New York Magazine. Industry features the city's best drag shows, a spacious dance floor, and legendary after-work happy hours.

Dance Floor Drag Shows 4,000 sq ft

Note:

Cash Only

Details
Since 1860s

Julius'

NYC's Oldest Gay Bar

159 W 10th St, West Village Historic Site

NYC's oldest continuously operating gay bar and site of the 1966 "Sip-In" that challenged discriminatory policies. A living piece of LGBTQ+ history.

Historic Dive Bar Local Favorite

Vibe:

Classic Tavern

History

Manhattan: The Gay Capital

Hell's Kitchen (15+ venues)

Hardware

697 10th Ave

Drag

Former hardware store turned fabulous gay bar with nightly drag shows and killer DJs.

Happy Hour: 2-8pm

Flaming Saddles

793 9th Ave

Country

Wild west-themed bar where bartenders dance on the bar and pour shots directly into mouths!

Open until 4am

Rise Bar & Lounge

859 9th Ave

New

Modern lounge with drag brunches, RuPaul viewing parties, and packed Saturday nights.

Drag Brunch Sun

The Ritz

369 W 46th St

Dance

Two-floor dance club with Latin nights, disco ball, and 80s-2000s music. Young crowd.

Happy Hour 4-9pm

FLEX

371 W 34th St

Neon

Colorful neighborhood bar with phallic neon signs and a fun, modern vibe.

Cocktails

Therapy

348 W 52nd St

Shows

Two-story stylish lounge with therapeutic cocktails and evening drag performances.

Shows nightly

Chelsea (8+ venues)

Barracuda Lounge

275 W 22nd St

Since 1995

Iconic lounge home of "Star Search" drag competition. Cozy backroom couches and cheap happy hours.

Cash Only

The Eagle

554 W 28th St

Leather

NYC's premier leather bar. Bear and leather community hub with outdoor deck.

Theme nights

Boxers NYC

37 W 20th St

Sports

Two-level sports bar where bartenders wear boxer shorts. Pool tables and beer pong.

Sun Funday

West Village (8+ venues)

Cubbyhole

281 W 12th St

Lesbian

Tiny dive with ceiling covered in decorations. One of NYC's last remaining lesbian bars.

Cash Only

Marie's Crisis Café

59 Grove St

Piano Bar

Beloved basement piano bar where everyone sings Broadway classics together.

Show tunes

Pieces

8 Christopher St

Shows

Fun bar with stage perfect for drag performances, bingo nights, and events.

Bingo Mondays

East Village (6+ venues)

Club Cumming

505 E 6th St

Celebrity

Alan Cumming's eclectic venue with cabaret, comedy, and legendary dance parties.

90s parties

The Boiler Room

86 E 4th St

Dive

No-frills gay dive bar with pool table, darts, and cheap drinks.

Cheap drinks

The Cock

29 2nd Ave

18+

Notorious for being NYC's filthiest gay bar. Underground dark room downstairs.

Not for the faint of heart

Brooklyn: The Creative Frontier

3 Dollar Bill

260 Meserole St, East Williamsburg

Largest

Brooklyn's largest queer venue with warehouse dance space, outdoor patio, and incredible parties.

Two stages

Metropolitan

559 Lorimer St, Williamsburg

Classic

Iconic gay bar with huge backyard patio, pool table, and popular weeknight events.

Best backyard

Ginger's Bar

363 5th Ave, Park Slope

Lesbian

Iconic lesbian bar with pool table, outdoor patio, and events like Dyke Drag and Queeraoke.

Neighborhood favorite

House of Yes

2 Wyckoff Ave, Bushwick

Performance

Immersive performance venue with legendary dance parties and theatrical experiences.

Costume required

Good Judy

563 5th Ave, Park Slope

Two-Story

Two-story gay bar with live piano karaoke and weekend dance parties.

Piano karaoke

The Bush

Bushwick

New 2023

Self-appointed "dyke bar for queers" with purple lights and disco balls.

Queer women focus

Queens & Beyond: Hidden Gems

Albatross Bar

36-19 24th Ave, Astoria

Neighborhood

Friendly Queens gay bar with karaoke, pool tables, drag bingo, and trivia nights.

Laid-back vibe

True Colors

79-15 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights

Colorful

Colorful LGBTQ+ bar with karaoke nights and welcoming environment.

Karaoke

Lambda Lounge

Harlem

Black-owned

One of NYC's few Black-owned gay bars with signature cocktails and backyard.

Community focus

Daily Happy Hour Guide

After-Work Specials

  • • Industry Bar: 4-9pm daily
  • • Hardware: 2-8pm Mon-Fri
  • • Rise Bar: 5-9pm daily
  • • The Ritz: 4-9pm daily

Weekly Events

  • • Sunday: Drag Brunch @ Rise
  • • Monday: Bingo @ Pieces
  • • Thursday: Star Search @ Barracuda
  • • Saturday: Peak party night everywhere

Budget-Friendly

  • • The Boiler Room: Always cheap
  • • Julius': Historic prices
  • • Dive Bar Lounge: $3 beers
  • • Cash Only: Many bars are cash only!

Popular Bar Hopping Routes

Hell's Kitchen Circuit

  1. 1

    Start: Rise Bar

    Happy hour drinks & apps

  2. 2

    Next: Flaming Saddles

    Dancing bartenders & shots

  3. 3

    End: Industry Bar

    Dance until 4am

West Village Historic Tour

  1. 1

    Start: Julius'

    Historic bar & cheap drinks

  2. 2

    Next: Stonewall Inn

    Pay homage & see drag show

  3. 3

    End: Marie's Crisis

    Sing Broadway classics

Essential Bar Tips

Always Bring ID

NYC is strict! Bring government ID or passport - everyone gets carded.

Cash is King

Many bars are cash-only. Hit the ATM before going out!

Peak Times

Bars get busiest 11:30pm-1am on weekends. Go early for space!

Respect Space

Each bar has its own vibe and community. Be respectful and have fun!

Ready to Experience NYC's Gay Nightlife?

From historic dives to cutting-edge dance clubs, NYC's LGBTQ+ bars offer something for everyone. Start your adventure tonight!

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