Albatross
36-19 24th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11103
718-204-9707
albatrossbar.com
Astoria doesn’t have too many options for the gays, so Karaoke and drag shows at this hole-in-the wall are adequate if not occasionally fun.
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Barracuda
275 W. 22nd Street
212-645-8613
A great place to lounge and prepare for more vigorous activities in Chelsea, this longtime institution is more subdued, except for the frequent drag shows.
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Barrage
401 W. 47th Street
212-586-9390
Maybe the name indicates the number of people the clamor in during the 11-12 happy hour. Otherwise it’s loud, dark, unremarkable, and popular nonetheless.
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Boiler Room
86 E. 4th Street
212-254-7536
boilerroomnyc.com
This is the best a dive bar can offer: a fun, mixed crowd, cheap-ass drinks, and an alternative to the usual scene. Bonus points for ample NYU students.
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Boots & Saddle
76 Christopher Street
212-929-9684
bootsandsaddlenyc.com
The place has had a bit of a makeover, but the cheap drinks, loose theme, and friendly atmosphere is still there. They are all just trying a little harder.
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Bum Bum Bar
63-14 Roosevelt Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
718-651-4145
It’s pronounced Boom Boom, and once you’re dancing to salsa in the mixed and mostly Latin crowd, you’ll see why you can’t judge a bar by it’s (hideous) cover.
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Candle Bar
309 Amsterdam Avenue
212-874-9155
There are not too many gay options on the Upper West Side, so keep your expectations low and you’ll have decent time at this never-rowdy dive bar.
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Club Evolution
76-19 Roosevelt Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718-457-3939
eclubnyc.com
At late night spot in Queens, this mostly Latino club is pretty nice and pretty big, but not really all that pretty. Popular and cruisy.
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Eagle
554 W. 28th Street
646-473-1866
eaglenyc.com
Strap on your leather and head to the Eagle for cruisy, fun times. It’s especially popular on its Sunday Beer Blast; chances are you won’t leave alone.
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Eastern Bloc
505 E. 6th Street
212-777-2555
easternblocnyc.com
Wildly popular, maybe because it actually has personality. It’s small, a little dirty, and if you catch it at the right time, hot, drunk boys will overwhelm you.
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Escuelita
301 W. 39th Street
212-631-0588
escuelita.com
This dance and drag place has gone downhill, and the cover is a little obscene. Black and Latinos have better options, but not in Hell’s Kitchen.
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EvoLve Bar & Lounge (Was the O.W.)
221 E. 58th Street
212-355-3395
It’s one of the longest bars in NYC, has beefy go-go boys, and a long happy hour. Big and long and on the Upper East Side? Done and done.
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gLounge
225 W. 19th Street
212-929-1085
glounge.com
One of those friendly places you always end up, this popular lounge spot is a great place to grab a drink or two and plan later debaucheries.
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Gym
167 8th Avenue
212-337-2439
gymsportsbar.com
If being gay is a sport (it probably is in Chelsea), then this really is a sportsbar. Catch the game on screen on the games being played on the floor.
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Henrietta Hudson
438 Hudson Street
212-924-3347
henriettahudson.com
This one is for the ladies, and it tends to have a love or hate relationship with its clientele. It’s small, so when it’s hopping, be ready to dance with everyone.
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Julius
159 W. 10th Street
212-243-1928
juliusbarnyc.com
A bar steeped in history—maybe that’s what that smell is. NYC’s oldest bar tends to attract similarly old patrons, but the drinks are cheap at this dive.
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Marie's Crisis
59 Grove Street
212-243-9323
Get ready for show tunes. Everyone there will be singing, so join the party. This piano bar is legendary—it doesn’t hurt that the drinks are cheap too.
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Metropolitan
559 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-599-4444
A mixed and inviting neighborhood bar. Some of the “gays” are actually just hipsters (and vice versa) but all come for the cheap drinks and good times.
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Nowhere
322 E. 14th Street
212-477-4744
Dirty and loving it, that’s what makes this dive awesome. Cheap drinks and young, mixed crowd add to the fun, if your straight friend can handle go-go dancers.
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Posh
405 W. 51st Street
212-957-2222
poshbarnyc.com
A huge misnomer. Beyond, the name, it’s one of the place that’s either woefully desolate or packed to the britches. Go at the right time and get ready to dance.
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Rawhide
212 8th Avenue
212-242-9332
Dark, dirty, and super cruisy this is the place your friends warned you about. If you love seedy dive bars, this will more than fit the bill.
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RockBar
185 Christopher Street
212-675-1864
rockbarnyc.com
If you got a rock and roll soul, welcome home. This bar in on Christopher Street serves up the beer and rock in equal proportion.
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Splash
50 W. 17th Street
212-691-0073
splashbar.com
A big club for getting lost in the music and the crowd. Different scenes upstairs and downstairs give a guy much to look at—great visitors to NYC.
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Stonewall
53 Christopher Street
212-488-2705
thestonewallinnnyc.com
Yes that Stonewall—the place that helped make your sexuality something to be proud of. Have drink with the friendly patrons and respect the history.
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Suite
992 Amsterdam Avenue
212-222-4600
suitenyc.com
A neighborhood heavy on the drag queen and Karaoke tip. Nothing exceptional, but the Upper West Side doesn’t give you much to work with.
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The Cock
29 2nd Avenue
212-777-6254
thecockbar.com
The sign on the wall says “No Sexual Activity Allowed.” Ironically, that sign has seen more action than a motel. Hardcore cruising, and much, much, more.
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The Cubbyhole
281 W. 12th Street
212-243-9041
This is a lesbian bar that makes you wish all gay bars were that friendly. Everyone is welcome and thought it gets crowded, it’s fun fun fun.
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The Duplex
61 Christopher Street
212-255-5438
theduplex.com
You got to The Duplex to be entertained or entertain, if you’ve got the chops. To stories of piano bar, cabaret, and other shows.
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The Monster
80 Grove Street
212-924-3558
manhattan-monster.com
This piano bar is brightly lit, which doesn’t do any favors for its slightly older clientele. Great place to hang out, dance a little, but not to meet someone.
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The Ritz
369 W. 46th Street
212-333-2554
A popular (sometimes too popular) bar and lounge. When in Hell’s Kitchen, it’s where to go to see, be seen, and dance—all in one place.
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Therapy
348 W. 52nd Street
212-397-1700
therapy-nyc.com
Ultra loungy, svelte, and trendy, it’s the place to be in Hell’s Kitchen. No dancing, just strong drinks, lingering looks, and done-up boys boys boys.
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Tool Box
1742 2nd Avenue
212-348-1288
thetoolboxnyc.com
A little older, a lot dumpier, but at the right time, it’s a place to cruise and explore the “basement.” Any place that touts its display of porno is suspect.
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Townhouse
236 E. 58th Street
212-754-4649
townhouseny.com
A classy cocktail bar for older gentleman and those who love a mature man (or his money). It’s not for everyone, but you don’t stop being gay at a certain age.
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Ty’s
114 Christopher Street
212-741-9641
tysbarnyc.com
The older gays get, the friendlier they get. The scene here is more leather and bear, but everyone is welcome to have cheap drink and just relax for once.
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Vlada
331 W. 51st Street
212-974-8030
vladabar.com
Strong drinks win—infused vodka is the thing here-and cute boys tend to pour in later in the night. A great lounge to start the night quiet or end with a roar.
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