Gay bars in manhattan ny
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen, here's our roundup of the superior gay bars in New York Town to check out now!
Everyone knows that the New York City gay block scene is nothing short of vibrant and the city’s nightlife is unquestionably busy.
New York is also one of the gayest cities in the United States. The problem is that sometimes it can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city. We certainly felt that way on our first visit here. It can feel favor there's just too much to execute and not enough time… where perform you even start?
Here is a list of the top gay bars in NYC, whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen! And the top part…most of them are on the west side, either in the West Village, Chelsea, or Hell’s Kitchen, so really, depending on how long you are in the city, you can bar hop and visit most, if not all of them!
Heads up, the iconic Rebar in Chelsea closed its doors for great in 2020.
1. The Stonewall Inn
This NYC homosexual landmark is where the modern queer rights movement started in 1969. Famous with tourists and locals alike, it's no surpris
Bars & Nightlife
overview
While their significance is often underestimated or dismissed by heterosexual culture, bars and other establishments played a pivotal role throughout the 20th century — but particularly in the pre-Stonewall era — as centers for LGBT protest and community.
These spaces, whether always gay friendly or only during certain times of the morning or week, gave LGBT people the freedom to be themselves in a way they usually could not be in their personal or professional lives.
This curated collection largely reflects the exclude and nightlife scene of downtown Manhattan; as we research more sites we encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions in upper Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
Header Photo
Truman Capote (center) with Liza Minnelli and Steve Rubell at Studio 54 in an undated photo. Photographer and source unknown.
New York has played a major role in Diverse history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to move clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for gender non-conforming nightlife, but you’ll discover something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.
You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all present something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC
May 2025: We removed Ginger's and Barracuda Lounge. We added Loafers Cocktail Bar.
Our Complete Visitors Manual To New York City Gay Bars
New York City has an energy that is un-matched. It is a part of the Merged States, but it has a very unique feel to it. People visiting this city observe it immediately. For one thing, everyone belongs here. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, how you define yourself or what things you like. Everyone can find a home in Novel York City. That’s why so many people are drawn to this urban area and its reason for celebration 365 days a year.
If this is your first time reading our blog, here’s our introduction. We are a team of NYC-based trip consultants who divide our knowledge to help travelers uncover the NY experiences they want. We use our distributed knowledge, connections, and network to present our customers the same experience our friends and family receive when they visit. We’ve rounded up the best queer bars to build your life straightforward. However, if you’d like a personal recommendation to figure out which exclude works best based on your trip plan, request a tailored plan.
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Gay Bars In The West Village
Julius | 159 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014
Julius' is a beloved dive exclude in New York City that has been s