Best Gay Bars in New York City

Industry is one of Hell's Kitchen's hottest gay venues. With nightly shows, it has been dubbed as "New York's best gay bar" by New York Magazine, Get Out Magazine, and more. Industry Bar is cash only, though there are 2 ATMs onsite.

Industry has a busy after-work scene as well as a nightly happy hour. Particularly busy at the weekends, this 4,000 ft² gay bar is usually full of handsome gay men.

Gay-owned & managed bar & lounge in Hell's Kitchen. HARDWARE features some of the best DJs in NYC and entertaining drag queens, both local and guests.

Located in midtown Manhattan. Open 7 days a week. Happy hour, 2 PM to 8 PM (Monday-Friday) and Skinny Brunch, 2 PM to 8 PM (Saturday-Sunday).

This classy gay cocktail bar that has been at the heart of New York's gay scene for 25+ years.

The Townhouse has 3 bars and features nightly piano shows by New York's best performers. There is regular live music and events, often centred around Broadway tunes.

The bar attracts maturer mixed crowd and the 'Men At Work' type - so don't show up in leather shorts and a vintage Madonna vest. Dress smart casual, though a jacket is not required.

This historic gay bar closed in March 2025

A much loved gay bar in New York since 1995. Back then, Barracuda was known as a den of Bohemia - the kind of place where you'd see Eartha Kitt or Nathan Lane and where Broadway celebs would jump onstage and sing a cappella.

Today, Barracuda is still going strong, with very friendly and welcoming atmosphere, hosted by some New York's drag luminaries like Sherry Vine and actress Candis Cayne.

Note: The place is small, but that's part of its charm.

Lucky Cheng's is the original home of the drag dinner. It's been going since 1993 and it's something of an establishment on New York's gay scene. Enjoy a three-course meal as top drag queens lip-synch for their lives.

You can also try their famous high heel shoe desert, the world's campest sweet. There's nothing quite like a pink chocolate shoe filled with strawberries and cream.

Lucky Cheng's is only open at weekends in the evenings.

The 9th Avenue Saloon is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ bars in New York City and has been serving the LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years.  A Hell's Kitchen landmark, it’s the perfect spot to grab a cocktail before heading on to your next venue.

America's premier gay sports bar has arrived in the decidedly decadent streets of Hell's Kitchen. A bastion of LGBTQ+ nightlife, Boxer's is the place to go for sports screenings, live performances and a rolling calendar of events and themed nights.

A fun gay bar in Hell's Kitchen, New York. This cowboy-themed bar was designed to look like a Wild West saloon - think "Coyote Ugly" but with male bartenders.

Aside from the hot barmen dancing on the bar top, Flaming Saddles also serves great cocktails with regular drink deals - Happy Hour 3pm-9pm. Only cash is accepted.

If you're in Los Angeles, check out its sister branch - Flaming Saddles WeHo.

The Toolbox Bar is a long-standing gay dive bar, located in the Upper East Side.

The Toolbox hosts a range of popular events, including drag performances, karaoke, bingo, and other live entertainment. This is one of New York's more rough and ready (in a good way!) gay bars. The drag queens are known to dance and strut perilously close to your table during their performances. It's also a good spot for bottomless brunch.

Rise is a laid back gay bar in Hell's Kitchen a few blocks away from Flaming Saddles and Industry. The space is fairly small and the decor is understated. A swirling glitterball does, however, add rather a dash of camp.

Rise Bar is proof that you can't have enough gay bars in Hell's Kitchen. It's usually busy and the crowd is mixed though mostly gay men.

There are regular events such as karaoke nights, Drag Race screenings and late night dancing at weekends. If you're feeling thirsty head to Thirsty Thursdays for an evening of hot men and hot music.

A neighborhood gay bar in Hell's Kitchen, Atlas Social Club is well worth a visit. Cher and Anderson Cooper have been spotted at Atlas Social Club. As with most Hell's Kitchen gay bars, expect very hot bartenders. The front terrace is a good spot for people watching.

Ritz Bar and Lounge is a swanky gay bar in Hell's Kitchen with a nautical theme. It has two bars, a backyard patio and a street-facing patio. It's been one of the best hotspots in Hell's Kitchen since 2006.

There are nightly DJs and regular drag shows. The lineup changes night by night so check their socials for more info.

FLEX is a newcomer on the Hell's Kitchen gay bar scene, located at the former home of POSH, one of the original gay bars in the neighborhood. This neon-lit spot with pride flags on its exterior is perfect for a fun NYC night out.

Hush is a Hell's Kitchen gay bar that serves not just craft cocktails but jaw-dropping live entertainment, as well. Drop by between 5 and 9 PM every day for $3 off your drink during happy hour.

A gay institution of New York's East Village for two decades. The Phoenix bar & nightclub (formerly called "The Bar") attracts a youthful, trendy crowd.

The Phoenix hosts regular events, themed nights, live music, dance parties with DJ's and go-go dancers. The bar's jukebox is packed with banging pop hits. Check their Facebook for event details.

Gay-popular bar & entertainment venue, Club Cumming, owned by actor Alan Cumming, features a range of disreputable performance artists every night of the week.

This former gay dive bar has been refashioned as a Weimar cabaret joint for the 21st-century, and still still attracts a large 'alternative' queer crowd.

As quirky venues in New York begin to disappear, it's nice to see some remnants of Bohemia. The bar gets busiest around midnight. Check their website for event details.

NO BAR is a gay bar in the East Village with snazzy decor and artworks by Dachi Cole. The cocktails are pretty impressive. NYC has long been in need to of a gay bar that specialises in cocktails!

It was opened by Angela Dimayuga, an influential figure in NYC's restaurant scene.

There are regular drag shows and club nights. You can eat, wine and dine, watch Drag Race... what more could you need?

Laid-back basement gay bar in NYC's East Village. Nowhere has an unpretentious vibe and serves reasonably priced drinks.

The crowd is mixed though mostly gay. If you describe yourself as "non-scene" on Grindr, you'll do well here. It's a no attitude, no ageism bar.

Nowhere hosts regular themed nights with DJ's, go-go dancers and cruisey dark room. Not really a place for dancing, but great for socialising.

Iconic gay bar in the heart of Greenwich Village. The Stonewall Inn was raided by police in June 1969, but the patrons that night fought back, kickstarting the gay liberation movement.

As the birthplace of gay Pride, The Stonewall remains the most famous LGBT bar in America. The venue hosts themed parties, karaoke nights, drag shows and various weekly/monthly events. If it's your first time in New York, a visit to Stonewall is a must. This bar doesn't just trade off its storied past: it's actually a good place to get a drink.

This bar is permanently closed

The Hangar Bar is located on Christopher Street of the West Village in New York City. It's a popular gay dive bar in the same district as the famous Stonewall Inn. They have frequent two for one drink offers.

The gay liberation movement may have begun at The Stonewall Inn but Julius' is the oldest gay bar in New York. The bar has been open since the mid-19th century. It became gay-popular in the 1960s.

The Mattachine Society hosted a "sip-in" in 1966. Inspired by the civil rights movement, it was a protest against the State Liquor Authority's policy of removing licenses from bars that served LGBT people. It was one of the events that led to gay liberation.

You can attend a Mattachine Night every Thursday at Julius' and experience a taste of New York's gay history.

One of Greenwich Village's legendary gay venues. Marie's Crisis is known for its fun laid-back vibe where customers sing along to classic Broadway show tunes, accompanied by a live pianist.

Frequented by musical theatre students and the occasional celebrities like Jimmy Fallon. Great place to enjoy music from Mary Poppins, The Lion King, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, Aladdin, etc.

The space is limited inside, so expect a queue.

Gay bar in Greenwich Village (since 1993). Pieces Bar features drag shows, competitions, games, sexy bartenders, party nights with DJ.

Open daily 2pm-4am. Happy hour Monday-Friday (2pm-8pm). 21+ only.

Rockbar is a Manhattan gay bar that serves cheap drinks. They welcome everyone, including bears, queens, and anyone who doesn't want labels.

From the creator of Hardware Bar and Pieces Bar comes Playhouse, a new and buzzing gay bar that offers excellent beer and cocktails, perfect for enjoying drag shows and dancing.

Chelsea branch of New York's favorite gay sports bar. BOXERS features large TV screens, pool tables and a rooftop terrace (open in the summer).

The hot bartenders (often shirtless) serve up drinks and pizzas in their boxers (as the name might suggest). The other BOXERS bar is located in Hell's Kitchen.

Popular gay bar & nightclub in Chelsea. REBAR is now under new management. This bar is a great place to drink, chat and dance the night away. There are two bars with plenty of seating areas. Expect very hot go go dancers.

REBAR hosts various themed events, featuring drag shows, diva theatrics every weekend, Showtune Sundays, live DJ's and dance parties including the popular "BOYS" night. They even host life drawing with scantily clad models.

Established in 2005, GYM Sportsbar is a quaint gay bar that is a popular meeting place for local gay sports teams. If you're ever in Los Angeles or Fort Lauderdale, you can drop by GYM Sportsbar's branches there as well.

If you're looking for a drag show in New York, you can't do better than Lips. There are nightly shows and dining experiences. The show changes every night. You can tuck into lobster ravioli while being served and entertained by the fiercest queens in town.

You'll get a bit of everything, from Bitchy Bingo to Dinner with the Divas and celebrity impersonators. There's also an everything you can drink Broadway boozy brunch.

It's located in Midtown East five blocks away from the Rockefeller Center.

This venue is permanently closed

The spot is a New York City gay bar that offers entertainment best enjoyed with their great selection of cocktails and bar bites.

VERS is a beautifully designed bar in the gayborhood of Hell's Kitchen. Opened in 2022, VERS bucks the trend of gay bars closing post-pandemic. It was opened to usher in a new era for gay venues, where you can hear the person you're talking to, drinks are high quality and the entertainment is varied.

They serve craft cocktails, elevated bar snacks, and unique entertainment. Happy hour is from 5 PM to 7 PM on weekdays and 4 PM to 7 PM on weekends.

The Suite Bar is a small and friendly gay lounge in New York City's Upper West Side. Expect old-fashioned decor - almost like a British pub. Affordable drinks by NYC standards. It's a short walk from the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

Friend's Tavern is a relaxed gay bar in Queens' Jackson Heights neighbourhood.

Known as the oldest gay bar in Queens, Friend's Tavern prides itself on its low-key atmosphere and humble attitude.

Welcoming diverse neighbourhood crowds, this local gay bar offers strong cocktails and good music.

Come here to make some new friends and enjoy an authentic Queens night out.

Lively gay bar & nightclub in Jackson Heights. Hombres Lounge offers a Manhattan vibe in Queens with regular happy hours, karaoke nights and themed dance parties.

Hombres Lounge works with local LGBT+ and Latin organisations to promote awareness and equality.

Albatross Bar is a friendly Queens gay bar in the heart of Astoria.

Inside the cosy venue you'll find pool tables, dartboards, and a jukebox, as well as a full-service bar.

Locals flock to Albatross Bar for its tasty cocktails, warm interior, and welcoming crowds.

Throughout the week this neighbourhood gay bar plays host to karaoke nights and drag bingo.

On occasion Albatross offers open mic nights, stand-up comedy, and trivia.

True Colors is a lively gay bar in Queens' Jackson Heights neighbourhood, just moments from the borough's best gay nightlife.

This no-attitude bar is home to friendly bartenders, good drinks, and fun music.

Diverse crowds gather at True Colors throughout the week for its hosted event nights, including hot dancers, DJ nights, and dance parties.

Opened in 2022, Kween is a gay bar in the heart of Astoria, serving refreshingly unique drinks in a cozy indoor space.

The bar's atmosphere is perfect for friends and wanderers to get together and share a drink. Apart from handcrafted cocktails, Kween also serves food from a menu of Latin fusion cuisine. 

Lambda Lounge is one of the few Black-owned gay bars in the entirety of New York City. Run by a local couple, this Harlem gay bar is where downtown elegance meets uptown swag. They serve signature cocktails which you can enjoy in the bar's dark and intimate setting.