Greenwich Village may no longer be a predominantly L.G.B.T. neighborhood, but it remains a vibrant center of gay night life. In December, the owners of Pieces on Christopher Street and Hardware in Hell’s Kitchen took over the former Boots & Saddle space — a block south of the Stonewall National Monument — and reopened it as Playhouse Bar, a drag-filled and dance-happy nightclub that appeals to New Yorkers and tourists alike.
“The historical significance of this neighborhood is something that you can’t match anywhere else,” said Justin Buchanan, 35, who owns the bar with Eric Einstein, 46. “That’s really why we wanted another venue in the Village, because it’s very important to preserve that history. And the Village hasn’t really had anything new in a very long time.”