Gay bars and lounges in New York

Barracuda

Barracuda is a popular Chelsea gay bar, loved in the neighborhood for its cozy and laid-back atmosphere, and famous for its over-the-top drag shows.

Chi Chiz

Chi Chiz is a no-frills neighborhood bar frequented by a diverse crowd of gay black men and their friends.

View bar

Inexpensive and strong drinks, friendly crowd, no attitude, and hunky men are what make this neighborhood bar a favorite in Chelsea.

HK Lounge

A swanky lounge providing tasteful cocktails and wild entertainment for the the boys of Hell's Kitchen and beyond.

XES

Casual, no-frills neighborhood bar in Chelsea with an outdoor backyard, home to New York's best drag queen: Peppermint Gummybear.

Vlada

Ultra sleek gay lounge in Hell's Kitchen with an iced bar counter, serving a great selection of house made flavored vodkas.

Urge

East Village gay bar notoriously famous for its long running "ass Wednesday" party where you can submit your behind to popular appreciation and maybe earn a cash prize of $100.

Therapy

One of the most popular gay bars in Hell's Kitchen, Therapy serves innovative cocktails and features various themed nights and performances through the week.

The Monster

With its charming look and feel of a quaint cabaret, The Monster is a landmark in the gay bar scene of the West Village.

The Hangar

Great neighborhood gay bar Great on Christopher Street, attracting a diverse, multi-ethnic crowd typical of the West Village.

The Eagle

An institution to the New York's BDSM community, The Eagle is a friendly leather bar in Chelsea.

Stonewall

This neighborhood bar on Christopher Street is a sacred place for the history of the gay rights movement.

Secret

Velvet sofas and chandeliers set the tone of this very swanky gay-friendly lounge frequented by a diverse crowd.

No Parking

No Parking has been an instant hit with the uptown boys looking for a nice place to party without trekking to Chelsea.

Gym Sportsbar

This bar welcomes amateurs of all sports - and all the wannabe butch queens - in a manly atmosphere that smells good of beer and testosterone.

G Lounge

Beige

In the heart of the East village, Beige is the hippest Tuesday night party, drawing a beautiful crowd of nightlife celebrities, sexy all American studs and flamboyant fashionsitas.

The gay bar scene in New York reflects all the diversity and different moods of the city's neighborhoods, from the hi-energy Chelsea hotspots, to the old school and laid-back haunts of the West Village. In the city that never sleeps, every night is an occasion to go out. New Yorkers love to get together for impromptu, after work drinks, and for most, the weekend starts on Thursday, which is the evening for reasonably quiet drinks with friends and to make plans for the weekend ahead. New York is virtually a boundless playground for its inhabitants, and most of them choose to live by the motto "work hard, play hard". Friday is the busiest night in the city and bars are always packed with boys eager to chill out after a hard week of labor, or to let loose and get ready for a night out of partying.

Whether you're in the mood for a relaxed drink or a night of debauchery, New York's diverse and ever-changing bar scene offers many choices for every taste and lifestyle. There are a few rules to keep in mind when you hit the bars in New York. Smoking is prohibited indoors but allowed in outdoor spaces. This works out very well, keeping the atmosphere inside the bar fresh and clean so your clothes won't smell when you go home, and going out for a smoking break is a great way of socializing with fellow smokers. There is no cover to enter most establishments, except for dance clubs or certain lounges that feature special themed parties. Most bars remain open late in the night and last call is at 4 am for alcoholic beverages. Service is usually very good and the bar staff is courteous and friendly, except for the few obnoxious bartenders you might encounter here and there. At any rate, you should leave $1 as a tip for each drink ordered. Drink prices can vary greatly, usually averaging $10 on weekends for a cocktail. Most bars feature a "happy hour" in the late afternoon/early evening during which you get one free drink with every drink purchased. Numerous establishments also have daily special priced drinks, mostly during weekdays.