Gay Bars in New York, NY

“I came here a while ago, but have to leave a review now that I remember to, since this spot was so electric.
I loved the cocktail that I had, you can see my friend enjoy it in the video.
I loved the music and the shows they were playing on the tv.
I didn’t particularly enjoy the fries but it did not ruin the experience in the slightest.
Will be back again.“

“My husband & discovered Uncle Charlie’s a few years ago on a trip & now it’s a must for us every time we visit NYC. We like that it’s less touristy & more of a local hangout than some of the other piano bars in town. The bartenders & local regulars are friendly, the drinks reasonably priced & we have always felt very welcome included as visitors.“

“Many people's first lesbian bar. First came here at 21 in 2008. It's interesting to go as I approach middle age just to see how the next generation interacts with the space. Usually a good place to hang with friends or people watch solo. Happy hour specials exist if you go there early enough and seasonally they have parties“

“This is a historic bar that I visited last summer. It has great food, a lively atmosphere, plenty of patrons, and most importantly, it’s a place that symbolizes vitality and resilience. Resilience is one of the defining qualities of Florida, where I lived last and this year. I believe every corner of Florida will be filled with equality in the future.“

“Sunday Funday at 4 West Lounge is great fun for all. Host Angel Infiniti presents a late afternoon party with great house music ( Steve Travolta, Carlos Dali, & Frankie Paradise are 3 of the guest DJs). There are drink specials, great bites, & a fun loving crowd that loves to dance ( calling all who love to Vogue). Host Angel Infiniti is a warm, friendly, & quite the stylish host who brings the party uptown.“

“Absolutely amazing experience at FLEX NYC! From the moment we stepped in at 405 W. 51st Street, the vibe was electric yet welcoming — the perfect blend of fun, community, and energy. The bar itself is beautifully designed with great atmosphere and vibrant décor that sets the tone for an unforgettable night out. 

The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the evening. Whether it was recommendations on drinks or just great conversation at the bar, every interaction felt genuine and fun. The crowd was diverse and lively — a true reflection of NYC’s LGBTQ+ community — and the music kept the energy high without ever feeling overwhelming. 

Happy hour here is fantastic, and the drinks are both strong and reasonably priced. Whether we were winding down after a long week or kicking off a big night out, FLEX quickly became our go-to spot in Hell’s Kitchen. Can’t wait to come back!“

“Happy Hour is always fun. Great after work crowd.“

“The food review was rated by the other guy. The service is mine. The atmosphere, to quote the other guy again, is one of the few gay bars, perhaps the only gay bar, in which you can have a conversation. You can be yourself. Admittedly, as I told our bartender, I was able to write two books of poetry at the bar. I'm biased, protective of Julius'.“

“Last Saturday I like so much the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" in the monitor 💪😌🤙“

“I’m from NOLA and have been several times in the past years when I come to New York and I love it more and more every time. Such a fun place to be.“

“Went 2 Sunday’s ago as I was visiting NYC with the boyfriend. It was drag night. Lexington Banks is an icon. The bartender was super cute and super attentive throughout the night, which made for great service. The local New Yorkers who frequent the bar were very social to me and my boyfriend which was a plus as they were not rude in the least. Overall a fantastic and fab experience. The next time we visit, we will definitely be back. 10/10“

“Great neighborhood bar! Everyone is so friendly (Mason is the best!) so it’s a great experience every time. I have also met a lot of wonderful people from the neighborhood. You can’t beat their Happy Hour and lovely air conditioning in the summer. UES staple for sure.“

“Rockbar NYC is a lively neighborhood bar known for its inclusive, energetic vibe and strong LGBTQ+ community presence. The atmosphere is casual and fun, with themed nights and music keeping things upbeat. Drinks are straightforward and affordable. A great spot for a relaxed, social night out in NYC.“

“The bar next door was closed so we stumbled into Ty’s instead, and I’m so glad we did!! Both bartender and patrons were wonderfully kind and sweet. Immediately felt welcome. Music selection was great; instant good vibes. Will definitely come back next time I’m in NYC!“

“Bowling. Drunk. This makes It 25 characters.“

“Nice group. Friendly bartenders“

“The vibes are Correct! Come out and get into your Vers Era!“

“A classic and elegant old money gay bar. This is where the piano plays as well dressed gay men of culture and money sing along. Its a terrific place to pick up sophisticated young attractive men who are clever at conversation. Love this place. Dont be sloppy, dress to impress and have a bit of decorum. If you want trashy, go to a Lower East Side dive bar.“

“Eagle has been one of the best gay spots to go out in NYC. The atmosphere is great, the music and DJs are always on point, and the drinks are solid. The bartenders are professional, the coat check is smooth, and the staff overall does a fantastic job.

But I especially want to recognize the security team. They are incredibly professional, polite, and always on top of their responsibilities. They make me feel safe and comfortable every time I’m there. Big respect to you guys—keep up the amazing work!“

“I LOVE CLUB CUMMING. Colt and Nick were the kindest bar tenders, and even gave my boyfriend and I free, home made cookies! I was nervous on the way to the club because I can be socially anxious, but my boyfriend and I had the best time ever. I can’t wait to come back during an event! And to maybe meet Alan!“

“G lounge is a fun place with a very diverse clientele.....some of the people complaining are probably just cheap and not used to not being the only cute dude in the room...but they all did the right thing, you don't like it..LEAVE....no one wants Debbie downers at a party, misery usually brings company!!!!“

“The food is locally sourced daily. They offer 4/5 delicious entrees with delectable sides. Service was warm & attentive. Can't wait to return!!!“

“Saturday nights are fun I enjoy going to support my local drag gals and dance . definitely recommend checking it out Saturday or any night of the week . drinks are not that expensive for LES prices , and cover on Saturday is 5 $ . not bad at all“

“I have enjoyed this place for years“

“Friendly locals and lively nights! Love this bar!“

“My favorite gay bar. Upstairs has a piano area that’s perfect for a more relaxed, chill night, while downstairs is the complete opposite with dancing, drag, go-go dancers, and a party atmosphere.

The crowd is eclectic and feels much less pretentious than a lot of Hell’s Kitchen spots, which makes it easier to just enjoy yourself. It strikes a good balance depending on what kind of night you want.“

“Wesley was an outstanding bartender from start to finish. He was friendly, professional, and made every guest feel welcome while serving drinks quickly and accurately. His attention to detail, positive attitude, and great customer service made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. Wesley truly went above and beyond, and I’d absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for a top-notch bartender.“

“Awesome place !! ❤️❤️🎼🎼🍷🍷🙌🙌“

“A Night at Nowhere

Tucked into the Village, Nowhere is one of those small, historic gay bars that still feels authentic in a city that changes every five minutes.

The space isn’t huge, but that’s part of the charm. The music fills the room, the lights are low, and the crowd comes ready to dance. When DJ Noble Bear is spinning, the place lifts another level. The dance music is so good it deserves to be celebrated—one track after another that keeps people moving without losing the groove.

And yes, it should be said: he’s also very, very cute.

The service is fast and friendly, the beers are properly cold, and the crowd brings the energy. On bear nights especially, the room fills with a warm, playful vibe—big smiles, big beards, and plenty of good-looking guys enjoying the night.

Places like this matter.
They’re not flashy or corporate.
They’re just alive.

And in a city like New York, a bar that still feels alive is something worth holding on to.“

“Go here to dance!! Went at around 10PM on a Friday night, and the dance floor was kinda dead until around 11PM, and then people really showed up. Drinks were not the strongest, but tasty, and the dance floor was huge and atmospheric. Also, great bathroom, and drag on and off. Definitely coming back!“

“I had to leave a review just because I’m so gagged people said they have bad service? Our bartender was so nice, the drinks are cheap, and it’s a cute little bar. It was definitely slower and barely anyone was here, but it’s also 9:30pm on a Monday.“

“I love it at this bar. It is so friendly and welcoming now. I have been coming here for years and see the change they are making and got to say it’s nice. Amazing shout to the bartenders who truly make it welcome and take an effort to get to know the customers. Thank you to Luis, Paul, Jorge and the rest for always providing outstanding service.“

“Had a blast! Straight dude who was told about The Cock, and couldn’t leave New York without checking it out. Pretty simple exterior, massive rooster sign. Staff was welcoming and friendly from the moment we walked in. Top floor was a typical lounge, drinks were great. Downstairs is a different ballgame. Literally. But not for a moment did I feel unwelcome, not safe, or at all anything but another patron. Overall had an amazing night out with friends that included the cock. Had a blast, give it a try. Really wanted a tshirt but they were sold out :(“

“The renovation’s been settled in for a while now and honestly the place just works better. The lighting’s better, the air moves, drinks come fast, the whole room kind of flows now. It still feels messy in the way The Ritz always has, just…less falling-apart messy.

Upstairs is where things really go sideways. It’s dim and plush and loud and suddenly you’re dancing with people you met about thirty seconds ago. The music gets people moving early and nobody’s pretending to be cool for very long.

The crowd is very New York right now. Hot, chaotic, a little ridiculous, and fully leaning into it. By midnight it’s packed and sweaty and everyone’s yelling lyrics like they’re at a concert.

The nice surprise is the renovation didn’t sand off the personality. If anything it made the place feel more alive.

Still a great place to make bad decisions.

Wear something with stretch.“

“Heck yeah! Loved this place, after we went to the shop next door and got some pumps. The pool table was fun and not crowded on a saturday. Although the balls kind of dissppeared in the table on the third game. Well, thats what happens to balls at this place. Go LA Dodgers! Friendly staff. Love yall! 🏳️‍🌈“