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Believe the hype: New York City has a dizzying array of attractions that will challenge even the most tireless of travelers.

In the arts, the city is unmatched. Along with world-class museums, there are smaller galleries in Chelsea and SoHo with works by gay artists. There's always great theater on Broadway, as well as smaller companies all over the city producing works by gay playwrights. There are massive venues for music, ranging from vast houses in Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall to tiny rooms in Greenwich Village where you can see the performers up close and personal.

The gay scene is remarkably varied, changing neighborhood by neighborhood. Newcomers will most likely stick to Manhattan's Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen and a few others, but there are enclaves all over the city and in all the boroughs. Listings in the local gay rags will point you to parties for almost every proclivity. See our events listings pages for a sample.

And the city's reputation after lifestyle crackdowns by previous city hall administrations? The current mayor, Bill de Blasio, quickly settled an old lawsuit resulting from sting operations in the effort to close adult bookstores, increased funding to house homeless LGBT kids, curtailed stop-and-frisk practices by police, and has relaxed marijuana law enforcement. The mayor has also hosted several hundred LGBTQ New Yorkers in a salute to Pride, and in late 2018 he signed legislation to provide a third gender option on New York City birth certificates, to identify as non-binary or gender-nonconforming with an X rather than an M or F.

In a case outside the purview of city officials, court proceedings initiated by the Rentboy.com busts in New York by Homeland Security wrapped up in late 2017 with a six month federal prison sentence for Jeffrey Hurant, the Rentboy chief executive. 

 

Getting here
Several airports serve the New York City area. From LaGuardia to Manhattan, take the M60 bus to 106th and Broadway, with connections along the route to the Q33 and Q47 buses, along with the E, F, G, R, V and 7 subway trains that pass through Queens enroute to Manhattan.

Across the Hudson River in New Jersey, Newark Liberty International Airport is linked to the city via frequent trains run by New Jersey Transit.

JF Kennedy is the airport where most International visitors will arrive.  AirTrain JFK has 24 hour bus connections to nearby MTA subway lines A and E, with direct routes into the heart of Manhattan by way of Brooklyn. For those going to Fire Island, there are connections to the Long Island Rail Road. The easiest, but not the cheapest way to get to your destination from these airports, is by taxi.

Getting around
Like the song says, "the Bronx is up and the Battery's down." Getting from one to the other -- or anywhere else in the city, for that matter -- is easiest on the subway, the MTA. Subway and bus fares are $3 per ride for a single ride ticket (Dec 2018) or $2.75 when using a rechargeable MetroCard ($1 fee when purchased). A 7-day unlimited card costs $32. Up on the street, taxis are always an option.
One way to see the sights is on the Circle Line Cruises for views of the world's most famous skyline; another is City Sights with their double-decker bus tours around the city, that allow you hop on and off at will.

CityBike, New York's bike sharing program, offers 12,000 bikes at 750 stations, for short-term use, 24 hours a day, all year 'round. Find stations in Manhattan (below 130th Street), much of Brooklyn, and in Long Island City and Astoria, Queens, plus in parts of Jersey City. Twenty-four-hour ($12) or 3-day ($24) passes for multiple 30-minute trips are sold at the bike stations; annual memberships are available online. Their online map shows locations, with numbers of available bikes and empty docks for each station.
 

Neighborhoods
Many cities boast one gay neighborhood, or maybe two. New York City has almost too many to count: Greenwich Village, the East Village, Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, to name a few. And that's just in Lower Manhattan. There are others spread out across the city from Uptown Manhattan to the ever-gayer neighborhoods of Queens and Brooklyn.

Greenwich Village: Home of the historic Stonewall Inn, the Village has an older gay crowd and a retro vibe. Highlights include Sheridan Square in the West Village, commemorating the gay-rights movement, and the Christopher Street Pier, a swath of green popular with sunbathers and double-dutch fans. The first Gay Pride March took place here in 1970, and NYC Pride festivities have continued each year here in the neighborhood, including the rally, festival, march and the Dance on the Pier. This year, for the first time, World Pride will take place in the USA, spanning the entire month of June in 2019 - in NYC.
Chelsea: The big draw is the High Line, a narrow park on a former elevated train platform. Beneath are dozens of contemporary art galleries. See-and-be-seen eateries line 8th Avenue, with quieter spots on 9th and 10th avenues.
East Village: Gritty streets are lined with shops selling everything from designer duds to just plain junk. The food is incredibly varied. Polish? Ukrainian? Venezuelan? It's here. East 6th Street has tasty Indian restaurants.
Hell's Kitchen: Despite the ominous name, this is home to some heavenly creatures. Take a quick peek at Times Square before heading over to 9th Avenue for an around-the-world culinary trip.

Astoria: The emerging Queens ‘gayborhood’ got bigger recently with the opening of several new bars and clubs, to join others of many years running. See the community blog OutAstoria for local news.
Jackson Heights: The traditional LGBT community center of Queens, with a half dozen gay bars and clubs, many of them popular with gay Latinos. The Queens Pride Parade takes place here each June.

Williamsburg: The Brookyn neighborhood out on the "G" train, with an expanding population of artists, musicians, hipsters, and eclectic assortments that include a growing gay community.
 

In focus:
A place in the sun
When the weather warms up, not all the gay guys in New York City pack up their sunglasses and flip-flops and head to Fire Island. Some of them stay right in the city.
There's prime real estate all around the city for those in search of a little sun. Sheep's Meadow in Central Park is a magnet for gays, as is Prospect Park in Brooklyn. But if you're looking for wall-to-wall men, head to the Christopher Street Pier.
Officially known as Pier 45, this popular park sits at the end of Christopher Street. Opened in 2003, it was one of the first of the dozens of piers running alongside the Hudson River to be given a facelift. It now boasts several seating areas under sail-like canopies and a huge swath of lawn down the center.
The plan to renovate the Christopher Street Pier was controversial, as this and nearby piers had long been a part of the cruising scene. Many feared that after they were spruced up, the piers would no longer be "gay space."
But if anything, the pier has become gayer. Black and Latino gays hang out on the piers at night, especially on weekends. The "pier kids," as some call them, have drawn criticism from neighbors for being too "in your face." (Oddly enough, the same criticism was aimed at the mostly white gay men who cruised here decades ago.)
On any sunny day, the pier is so full of gay men of all ages and races that you might have a tough time finding a place for your towel. The skimpier the better seems to be the dress code, so don't be shy about wearing that thong.
There's plenty of entertainment, from impromptu practices for the gay cheerleading group to young guys doing double-dutch jumping so fast you can barely see the rope spin.
But mostly this is prime people-watching turf, and you couldn't do better than finding a spot on the grass and watching the passing parade.

Excursion: Fire Island
Fire Island, off the southeast coast of Long Island, is a car-free resort. Two of the barrier island's hamlets, Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove, hop with gay vacationers from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Events of note include the Invasion of the Pines, a drag-queen parade held each July 4. After their promenade, gender-benders proclaim victory and head back to Cherry Grove. The abundant shrubbery between Pines and Cherry Grove is known as the Meat Rack hereabouts. The Belvedere Guest House, a Venetian palace fronting the bay, is a nice Cherry Grove location, exclusively for men.
 

Media

Gay City News, the local gay newspaper, covers local community news and keeps an eye on relations with the NYPD and City Hall. Their Calendar Listings give a two month heads up on whats coming up around town, of interest to the gay community.

Get Out Magazine and website is another list of the places to go, and things to do in gay New York.

Butt Magazine publishes international queer news, book, film, music and gallery reviews, photo spreads and more.

Updated each month, our own New York City events listings include about a hundred current club nights and parties, community and Pride events, arts, stage and film offerings, festivals, gatherings and more - with links and maps for host venues. For more listings for each of our 230 cities see "Events" on the tool bar of each destination. The largest, most popular 75-100 of these command our primary focus - but resource links are provided for all we can find.

East Village Boys, “cock culture” online EV aesthetic magazine of four years with pin-up boys and art, plus up-and-coming artists/ musicians/ designers interviews, is no longer updated, but archives are still available.

EV Grieve is a blog for East Village news, local real estate, bars, restaurants and residents.

The Urban Bear website, "prowling the urban forest," has events for bear and friends in NYC and beyond.

STH, Straight to Hell, The Manhattan Review of Unnatural Acts, is back, with a website in the tradition of the seminal work of Boyd McDonald, documenting true-life male sexual experiences. Meat, a compilation book by Gay Sunshine Press, is also archived. (If links don't work with your browser, try using a VPN or Opera).

Queer|Art non-profit arts organization serves a diverse and vibrant community of LGBTQ artists across generations and disciplines.

The Village Voice and New York Magazine websites each has news, features, music, movies, restaurants, stage reviews, and events listings for the New York metro area.

NYC Go is the official city guide to local attractions, dining hotels and happenings, especially useful for info on current Broadway shows. I Love NY is the official New York State tourism website.

For a city map and website links to businesses and entertainment venues, see our gay New York listings pages. For some photos from around town, see our gallery pages. For some of what's happening see our events page.

Resources
The Lesbian and Gay Community Center, at 208 W 13 Street, where Chelsea meets Greenwich Village, is a good place to get your gay bearings with local give-away papers and magazines, information, community services, and social events.

The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay & Lesbian Art is another important queer resource, with a permanent collection, exhibits and events year-round in SoHo.

The Bureau of General Services - Queer Division, at The Center, is a queer cultural center/ bookstore and event space, offering books, publications, and art, and hosting readings, performances, film screenings, book discussion groups, and workshops.

Fringe NYC, once the largest annual multi-arts festival in North America, with over 200 international companies presenting 1200 or so performances over 16 days, at 20 venues, took a break in 2017. A smaller adjudicated festival took place in October 2018. For future plans see their website (donate if you can).

Dixon Place features cutting edge, exprimental and provocative theater, film, performance art, dance, music, variety shows and comedy, all year, with a Hot Festival NYC in late summer.  The Fresh Fruit Festival also has performances of LGBTQ arts & culture with works in theater, dance, film, music and the visual arts.

BAM features films, theater, dance, music, opera, comedy, literary events and galas in Brooklyn.

Newfest, the New York LGBT Film Festival takes place in October, and MIX, the Queer Experimental Film Festival hits the screens in March.

Queer|Art|Film was, for seven years until 2016, a monthly series of film screenings, selected/ recommended by one of the city’s homosexual artists. Their website remains an informative archive. The IFC Center (323 Sixth Ave) continues to screen the best in independent, foreign, and documentary films.

Boxers sports bar Leagues page has a list of 27 local LGBT and friendly sports leagues and associations, including basketball, bowling, swimming, cycling, football, hockey, rock climbing, rugby, sailing, soccer, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and the Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society.

See our events page for these and more annual highlights: NY Pride in late June; Harlem Pride; Folsom East, in June; and various gallery exhibits, plays, leather/fetish and bear events, and other special dance parties such as the Black Party. BoiParty produces several ongoing nights around Manhattan, along with other special party events. Buffboyzz offers fully nude male strip shows at various venues around town.

Hustlaball NY, returns to New York in June 2019, one of the official parties of WorldPride.

Habibi produces the premier party and social events for gay Arab men and friends in NYC and Washington DC, and the Hebro website lists activities for the gay Jewish community.

Daniel Nardicio presents playful clothing-optional parties in New York City and Fire Island, often with naked performers and staff; also shows with his favorite singers, performers and comedians on stage.

Village Contra presents a monthly traditional but gender role-free Contra dance night at The Center, with a rotation of guest callers and bands.
 

Accommodations

Ace Hotel (20 W 29th St, at Broadway; 212-679-2222), 12-story Midtown building, gay-targeted boutique hotel chain, 260 rooms, near Times Square theaters; The Breslin breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Michelin-starred chef, Lobby Bar craft beers, spirits, and snacks, DJs and weekend live bands.

Chelsea Mews Guesthouse (344 W 15th St; 212-255-9174), eight rooms, men-only, clothing optional; laundry service and bike tour come with the room.

Chelsea Pines Inn (317 W 14th St; 212-929-1023), gay owned and operated five-story row house with Hollywood-themed rooms and suites, business center and self-serve breakfast.

Chelsea Savoy Hotel (204 West 23rd St; 212-929-9353), new building, moderate prices and good location, on a bustling street.

Colonial House (318 W 22nd St; 212- 243-9669), 20 comfy rooms, 2 suites, Wi-Fi throughout, roof-top deck, great location for shops, restaurants, and NY attractions.

Four Points Sheaton Manhattan Chelsea (160 W 25 St; 212-337-8306), truly friendly staff, 158 cozy guest rooms, sleek modern design, workout facility.

Gem Hotel (300 W 22nd St; 212- 675-1911), central, comfortable and hospitable boutique hotel with fitness center, coffee, wine and beer bar, sundeck, and free WiFi.

Hotel 17 (225 E 17th St; 212-475- 2845), chic European-style landmark hotel, 145 boutique guestrooms, 24-hour concierge; "The Inn for Hollywood Types and Transient Chic."

Hotel 31 (120 E 31st St; 212-685- 3060), 60 newly renovated rooms, reasonalbly priced for tourists, students, and international travelers on a budget., with all amenities of a first-class hotel.

Renaissance New York Hotel 57 (130 E 57th St; 212- 753-8841), state-of-the-art boutique hotel rooms and suites, acclaimed in-house Opia French-Asian bistro/ restaurant, fireside lounge and balconies, Navigator concierges.

Riff Hotel Chelsea (300 W 30th St; 212-244-7827), 43 guestroom options from Rockstar and en-suite to shared bathroom rooms/ suites; central location, outdoor courtyard, free WiFi.

Riff Hotel Downtown (102 Greenwich St; 212-766-8888), near the World Trade Center, 36 guestrooms, 3 lofts with kitchenettes, balconies, cable TV, free WiFi, pet-friendly.

The Townhouse Inn of Chelsea (131 W 23rd St; 212-414-2323), central Chelsea townhouse B&B at the heart of Manhattan, 14 comfortably furnished rooms and suitest; cable TV, WiF, breakfast. Formerly The Inn on 23rd.

The London NYC (151 W 54th St; 212-468-8856), well-located luxury hotel with elegant suites and attentive service; London Bar full-English or American breakfasts, pub fare and French-influenced seasonal cuisine in-suite or private dining.

CLOSED: Out NYC Hotel (510 W 4nd St), gay Hell's Kitchen urban boutique resort hotel, gym, spa, sun deck, garden courtyard, restaurant, XL Club.

For many more options, see hotels and guesthouses on our map & listings tab.

 

Bars and Nightclubs
New York City has more gay nightspots than any other city in our world-wide listings, by far. Find businesses among six districts of Manhattan, plus the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

Bars and clubs: West Village & SoHo

Cielo (18 Little W 12th St), Wednesday-Saturday house, techno, electronic music dance club, top DJs, guest performers.

Cubbyhole (281 W 12th St), neighborhood lesbian bar, everyone-friendly, daily specials and late-night Happy Hours.

Duplex (61 Christopher St), gay-friendly street cafe and piano bar/ cabaret, with nightly performances, 365 days a year featuring top talents.

Hangar (115 Christopher St), down-to-earth, ethnically diverse neighborhood men's bar, weekend erotic go-go dancers, theme nights, friendly bartenders.

Henrietta Hudson (438 Hudson St), mostly lesbian bar crowd, but multi-cultural and age/gender diverse, gay male friendly, live bands, house and Latin theme parties.

Julius' (159 W 10th St), NYC's oldest gay tavern, mature regulars, some youngsters, juicey burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, lunch and happy hour pizza; Sunday Beer Blast, monthly Mattachine parties.

Marie's Crisis (59 Grove St), small, well-loved gay-friendly musical-theater performers' favorite Village piano bar; showtune sing-alongs, wide variety of people.

Monster Bar (80 Grove St), bi-level party/ cruise institution since 1970. Open nightly, piano bar, show tunes, drag and comedy acts, guest celebrities, finger foods, Latino nights, Thursday Spunk 30+ strippers Tiny Towel shows and lap dances, nightly dancing from 10pm until 4am with go-go dancers, Sunday Tea Dances and drag shows.

Pieces (8 Christopher St), relaxed bar, room for conversation, karaoke, DJs, drag shows, live performances, B-movie nights, contests, porn bingo; young mostly male NYU crowd, monthly underwear party, Sunday Spunk strippers.

Rockbar (185 Christopher St), bears/ leather/ gear, Latin nights, games, boylesque, drag, beer blasts, underwear parties, karaoke, DJs, 'O' and 'Petra Fried' shows. Replaced Ramrod, formerly the Dugout.

Stonewall Inn (53 Christopher St), gay historic icon, two floors of fun, open nightly, live music, comedy and drag shows, special performances, go-go boys; Drag Bingo, Friday Lesbo-a-go-go nights -- and yes, there are t-shirts for sale.

Ty's (114 Christopher St), jam-packed neighborhood bar for bears and regular T-shirts and jeans guys, mostly 30-and-up, until 4am nightly. Good drinks, good prices, TV sports and RuPaul Drag Race, Thursday Go-Go Bears, Sunday Lights Out with male dancers.

CLOSED: Boots & Saddle Drag Lounge (100A Seventh Ave), 40+ years of drag - the Hot Rabbit LGBTQ dance parties continue at various venues; Gayway at Westway (75 Clarkson).
 

Bars and clubs: East Village & Lower East Side

Bedlam (40 Avenue C), Victorian-era-London-style club decor, arty-cool gay /str8, men/ women mix; DJ music, signature cocktails.

Boiler Room (86 E 4th St), landmark bar, alternative crowd house parties, guys from all over town, games and free pool nights, free WiFi, strong drinks and best jukebox around.

Club Cumming (505 E 6th St), East Village Downtown debauchery at its best, DJs, men on blocks in jocks, cabaret shows, Daniel Nardicio events. "...home for everyone of all ages, all genders, all sexualities, who all enjoy letting go and making some mischief."

Cock (93 2nd Av), "glitter to gutter, butch to bitch..." friendly raunchy gay bar for when you get that itch. Horny guys, sexy go-go dancers, cruising.

Nowhere (322 E 14th St), gay boys and girls pack this dark basement neighborhood bar. Open nightly with pool table, juke box and DJs; Macho Mondays go-go dancers, lap dances,  Tuesdays Buddies: beers, beards and bears, Latin nights and theme parties.

Nurse Bettie (106 Norfolk St), Lower East Side gay mix, Wednesday and Thursday burlesque, exotic cocktails, nightly happy hours.

Phoenix (447 E 13th St), no-attitude East Village neighborhood meeting place, pool table, indie music jukebox, DJs, cheap drinks, Thursday Trivia Nights, Phoenix Friday hot guys of fashion, film, and nightlife. Saturday Reloaded.

Pyramid (101 Avenue A), East Village old-style, dark and funky basement, gay/str8/goth mix, retro 80's nights, Thursday alternative dance party and go-go dancers, theme nights.

CLOSED: Arrow Bar (85 Ave A); Eastern Bloc (505 E 6th St), bros, hoes & shows, Dirty Tricks, young eye-candy, slutty go-go boys - became Club Cumming.
 

Bars and clubs: Chelsea

Barracuda (275 W 22nd St), casual, lively cabaret show bar with drag acts and karaoke, brings a bit of the East Village to Chelsea.

Boxers Chelsea (37 W 20th St), one of four NYC gay sports bars, videos, TV games, longest happy hours in Chelsea, brick-oven pizza, text parties, beer pong, pool games, weekly special parites; gay sports leagues and activities links.

Club Shelter (59 W 21st St), large Saturday afterhours dance club from 4am, diverse mix.

Eagle (554 W 28th St), cruisy-as-hell leather/fetish bar with hot men, voted best of it's kind by NY Magazine. Pool table, roof-deck bar, Sunday beer blast, Jockstrap Wednesdays, dress code nights, pup nights, Mr Eagle contests.

Gym Sports Bar (167 8th Av), TV sports bar on two floors, outdoor patio, reasonable drinks prices, food, Saturday and Sunday DJs.

Highline Ballroom (431 W 16th St), events, live concerts, nightclub party venue; M.E.A.T. by BoiParty.

Paddles / Club 250 (250 W 26th St), "the friendly S&M Club" with Thursday men's underwear nights, twice-monthly men's CumUnion Naked Orgy hardcore space and oral fetish/safe play zone. Handsome NYC all-male erotic underwear/ fantasy dress-up, Wednesdays.

Rebar Chelsea (225 W 19th St), no-glitz industrial design neighborhood bar, DJs play house music; dancing, stripped down men, bears nights.

CLOSED: G Lounge (223 W 19th St); XES (157 W 24th St).

 

Bars and clubs: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West, Times Square

9th Avenue Saloon (656 Ninth Av), unpretentious hangout for all ages and types in the Theatre District, cheap drinks, Belgian beer, jukebox, Rue Paul and other TV events.

Atlas Social Club (753 Ninth Ave), retro athletic club decor, videos, hot men, sexy male lap dancers, good music, special event parties; Tuesday and Wednesday Adonis dancers, Friday FTP.

Barrage (401 W 47th St), friendly gay chill-out bar, DJ music, plenty of couches to relax on, popular late-night happy hours, locals and tourists mix.

Bar Centrale (324 W 46th St), broadway folks, classic cocktails, range of small plates, dips, meat and veggie burgers/ sandwiches/ flatbreads/ empanadas and sides.

Bottoms Up & Vodka Soda (315 West 46th St), gay bars, multiple rooms on two levels, ground floor patio, upstairs deck, back room dance floor, good sound/lights, karaoke, drag shows.

Boxers HK (742 Ninth Ave), second location of popular Chelsea sports bar, large summer rooftop deck, pool tables, big-screen videos; Saturday and Sunday brunch omelets, bennies, and huevos rancheros.

DBL/ Dive Bar Lounge (667 Tenth Ave), noon to 4am neigborhood gay bar, mostly men, sidewalk seating.

Fairytail Lounge (500 W 48th St), cocktail lounge and dance club, mostly guys, special night DJs, Adonis Lounge and Spunk male strippers and lap dancers every night 11pm-2am, Friday/Saturday until 4am.

Flaming Saddles (793 Ninth Ave), Wild West saloon, Country-Western music jukebox, dancing bartender/ bar-top go-gos, Chuck Wagon Saddle Dogs & Frito Pies.

FREQ (637 W 50th St), circuit party-style dance parties include Alegria events; performers, dancers, star DJ sets, private events venue. Former Space New York.

Hardware Bar (697 Tenthth Ave), HK gay bar daily noon to 4am, mostly men, drag shows, divas, DJs, cheap drinks, weekend Skinny Brunch.

Industry Bar (355 West 52nd St), plush lounge, cocktails, daily 4pm-4am, parties, live diva performances, top DJs, pool games, Broadway theater crowd.

Lucky Chengs at Stage 48, Level 3 (605 W 48th St), drag cabaret dinner theatre, prix fixe pan-Asian feasts, vibrant, sometimes gymnastic, always interactive shows.

Posh (405 W 51st St), neighborhood party bar, daily 3pm-4am, black couches, DJs, bingo, drag competitons, plenty of room to cruise cute locals, dance to pop to retro classics, free pizza or sliders.

Rise (859 Ninth Ave), gay/mixed bar/video lounge, drag shows; Legend Wednesdays, Flirt Fridays, and Popsicle Saturdays and other parties from John Blair Promotions.

Ritz (369 W 46th St), gay muscle in Hell's Kitchen, daily 4pm-4am, three floors, comfortable seating, videos, outdoor patio, DJs, game nights, bingo, special parties, back-room dancing. Tuesday Gay College Nights with DJ Steve Sidewalk.

Stage 48 (605 W 48th St), nightclub events, concerts and dance party venue. Cantina Rooftop and Lucky Chengs.

Therapy (348 W 52nd St), Hell's Kitchen chic lounge, daily 5pm-4am; Hollywood stairway, cabaret acts, amateur drag and go-go contests and comedy shows. Full bar, good-looking crowd, sandwiches and snack platters.

CLOSED: Bamboo 52 (344 W 52nd St); Bar-Tini Ultra Lounge (642 Tenth Av); B.B. King (237 W 42nd St), blues, jazz, rock, soul concerts; Escuelita (301 W 39th St); Room 53 (314 W 53rd St); XL Nightclub (516 W 42nd St), hotel, dance club/ restaurant, video bar, shows.

 

Bars and clubs: East Side & Midtown Manhattan

Boxers Upper East Side (1664 3rd Ave), gay sports bar, one of four NYC locations, popular Happy Hours, games on TV, DJs, events.

Evolve (221 E 58th St), Upper East Side neighborhood lounge, garden patio, gay/lesbians/straight mix; billiard room, good sound, live entertainment, go go boys. Saturday Adonis Lounge male strippers/ lap dancers.

Townhouse Bar (206 E 58th St), piano lounge for upscale professionals, 3 bars, older gentlemen and their admirers. Talent shows for cash prizes.

Uncle Charlie's Midtown (139 E 45th S), only Midtown gay bar near Grand Central Station, after-work young professionals crowd. Piano lounge, comfortable seating, outdoor patio; karaoke, holiday events.
 

Bars and Clubs: Uptown Manhattan

B2 Harlem (271 W 119th St) bar and seafood restaurant in central Harlem, speakeasy vibe, craft cocktails.

Boxers Washington Heights (3820 Broadway), gay sports bar chain, popular Happy Hours, DJs, gogos, Caliente Mondays Latin parties.

Castro Bar (104 Dyckman St), Washington Heights upscale lounge, young gay crowd, exotic go-go dancers, hookas, Wednesdays CockBoyz; the former Le Boy.

Suite (992 Amsterdam Av at 109th) gay and straight neighborhood bar where all mix easily, with stage acts, karaoke, drag shows, DJs; Bombay Frankie Indian roti rolls and finger foods.

Tool Box (1742 Second Ave at 90th St), quiet neighborhood bar with games, internet jukebox, TV sports, music videos, and weekend DJ..

The West End (955 West End Ave) - CLOSED - bar/restaurant, cabaret performances, plays, drag, comedy, karaoke, open mic, live bands, talent showcase nights.

CLOSED: Candle Bar (309 Amsterdam Av).

 

Bars and Clubs: Brooklyn

3 Dollar Bill (260 Meserole St, Williamsburg), queer bar and performance venue, huge dance floor, Hot Rabbit parties; Del Sur Cocina tacos, burgers, burritos, quesadillas; veggie options.

Baby's All Right (146 Broadway, Williamsburg), queer-friendy, popular/diverse space, live music nights; Baby's restaurant sandwiches/ entrees/ bites, weekend American brunch 11am to 4pm.

Branded Saloon (603 Vanderbilt Ave, Prospect Heights), mixed country/sports bar, live bands, sports and RuPaul on TV; meals, burgers and sandwiches until 1am, Saturday/Sunday noon-5pm brunch. 

Excelsior (563 5th Ave, Park Slope), mixed crowd, 2 floors, neighborhood vibe, open nightly, international lagers and wine plus local brews and ciders.

GHE20G0TH1K , "Ghetto Gothic," queer/trans ethnically/racially-diverse high-energy, sweaty, stripped down, monthly Friday dance club night at AceMᎾ/‏ Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave), market, music, karaoke, disco, and dining in Greenpoint.

Ginger's Bar (363 5th Ave, Park Slope), mixed but mostly women, laid-back neighborhood bar, sports, karaoke, juke box, pool table.

House of Yes! (2 Wyckoff Ave, Bushwick), dance/ nightclub, circus acts, drag, mash-up wrestling, burlesque, live music, vocalists, playful eroticism, new age explorations, throwback kitsch, interactive film screenings, performance art; Dirty Circus + Blunderland Variety Shows, The Get Down, Funk You, Glitterbox, Poetry Brothel, Roller Disco - see their calendar.

Langston Club (1073 Atlantic Ave, Bedfort-Stuyvesant), low-profile Bed-Stuy gay/black club, Friday-Saturday dancing until 5am, "where real men come to play" with go-go dancers.

Macri Park (559 Lorimer St, Williamsburg), gay sister-bar to the Metropolitan nearby, drag shows, karaoke, DJs, backyard; events such as "Drink & Draw" with models to sketch.

Metropolitan (559 Lorimer St, Williamsburg), backyard patio, Sunday BBQ, boys and girls mix, good drinks prices, winter fireplace, pool table, women's nights, men's nights.

Papi Juice, Brooklyn-based monthly dance party and kiki at Baby's All Right and other venues; queer and trans people of color, friends, family, and allies, reggaeton and cumbia to R&B. Artists and DJs have included: Maluca, Princess Nokia, Juliana Huxtable, Jay Boogie, and LSDXOXO.

Xstasy Night Club (758 5th Ave, Sunset Park), Latino gay bar/lounge, sexy bartenders, go-go dancers, drag shows, theme parties.

CLOSED: Aviv (496 Morgan Ave, Greenpoint), all-ages club/ performances; Electric Warehouse (1428 Fulton St, Bedfort-Stuyvesant); Love Gun (617 Grand St, Williamsburg); This N That (108 North 6th St, Williamsburg).

 

Bars and Clubs: Queens

Albatross (36-19 24th Ave, Astoria), popular neighborhood bar, men/women gay mix, happy hours, pool table, jukebox, drag shows, karaoke.

Bum Bum Bar (6314 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside), CLOSED March 2019 - exuberant, mostly Latina crowd, female go-go dancers, wide range of ages.

Friends Tavern (78-11 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Hts), well-establishd and friendlly Latino neighborhood bar, strong drinks, drag shows, karaoke, weekend dancing, bar strippers and sexy dancers, summer BBQs.

Hombres Lounge (85-28 37th Ave, Jackson Hts), nightly Latino men's club, sidewalk cafe/bar tapas, Mexican drag nights and fashion shows, strippers, karaoke, M4M sexy dancers, Saturday Show Nights.

ICON (31-84 33rd St, Astoria), nightly dance club, top DJs, entertainment/performances, gay ultra lounge theme nights.

Music Box Bar (40-08 74th St, Elmhurst), neighborhood Latino gay sports bar, weekend and holiday non-stop parties, sexy male dancers, drag cabaret shows.

True Colors Bar (79-15 Roosevelt Ave), gay club, among largest in area dance floors, karaoke and underwear nights.

CLOSED: Club Evolution (76-19 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights), gay Latino dance club, male strippers; Elixir Lounge (43-03 Broadway, Astoria); Pop Bar (12-21 Astoria Blvd, Astoria); Pride Lounge (7015B Ausin St, Forest Hills).

 

Bars and Clubs: Staten Island & Northern New Jersey

Eve Ultra Lounge (2354 Arthur Kill Rd , Staten Island), live music/ Hip Hop artists; monthly 18+ LGBT theme parties, guest DJs, mixed men/women crowd, go-go boys, drag shows.

Club Feathers (77 Kinderkamack Rd; River Edge/Hackensack, NJ), Wednesday through Thursday night gay clubbing for 30 years, with drag shows and Miss Feathers contests, go-go boys and guest DJs, #WTF Wednesday with DJ Sidewalk, Noche Caliente Latin Thursdays, special holiday and theme party events.

 

Saunas
There are two in New York, operated by the same management, one for each side of Manhattan, both with steam, sauna, internet lounge and private cabins:

East Side Club (227 E 56th St), older crowd, Thursday bears' nights; and West Side Club (27 W 20th St), younger crowd, bar and gym.

 

Man to Man Massage and Yoga
We list some businesses below, but there are always new ones.

Allen Men Spa (101 Allen St, 1A, LES), Swedish, Deep Tissue and Tui-na massage techniques, Reflexology, facials, waxing, certified therapists.

Manta Spa (300 W 56th St, 2nd floor, Midtown), men for men bodywork, handsome international staff, nude bodyslides, soapy showers, lounge.

Nude York Yoga (112 West 27th St, Chelsea), communal practice naked yoga for men, safe space, judgment-free fellowship; teachings of Tantra, breathing, alignment and brotherhood.

Restaurants
The city boasts over 20,000 eateries serving cuisines of every sort, so it's no surprise that New Yorkers eat out often. See our map & listings tab for over 150 restaurants in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. For more, see TimeOutNY for the latest openings.

Restaurants: West Village

August (359 Bleecker St), authentic regional European bistro fare, seasonal menu, warm and cozy dining room, atrium, lunch/brunch, dinner.

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar (11 W 31st St), full dinner entrees, small bites, panini, tartines, cheese plates, soups, fine wines, chocolate martinis and rich desserts.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop (61 Grove St + 125 East 7th St), cups/cones, sundaes, shakes, and floats; baked goods, coffee, macaroons, La Newyorkina items.

Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker St), get in line for orgasmic cupcakes, brownies, blondies and cookies. Also at Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station and Rockefeller Center.

Philip Marie (569 Hudson St) New American cuisine at gay-friendly eatery; Tuesday Clambake, Saturday/Sunday Unlimited Bloody Mary or Mimosa Brunch, Sunday Night BBQs.

A Salt & Battery (112 Greenwich Ave), authentic, trans-fat-free fish & chip shop from the Tea & Sympathy folks.

Tea & Sympathy (108 Greenwich Ave), British comfort food, bangers & mash to roast beef & Yorkshire pudding, grocery and gift shop.

When the gay-friendly Manatus diner on Bleeker closed it left a gap in 24/7 breakfast options. Alternatives include: Cafeteria (119 7th Ave, Chelsea); Remedy Diner (245 E Houston St); The Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger (739 Broadway); Washington Square Diner (150 W 4th St) and Waverly Restaurant (385 6th Av).

Restaurants: Chelsea

Dish (201 8th Av), inexpensive Greek, Italian, American and Mediterranean classic foods late night delivery service; pastas, steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches. Order by phone or online.

Elmo (156 7th Av), fancy retro dining room, popular with pretty people craving comfort food; lunch, brunch, dinner and drinks.

Intermezzo (202 8th Av), full-course Italian fine dining, plus panini, burgers, wraps, steaks and ribs; weekend mimosa/ champagne/ bloody mary brunches.

Murray's Bagels (242 8th Ave), crispy, fresh, chewy classic bagels and tangy schmears; soups, salads, breakfast eggs/sausages, lox, deli sandwiches, ; soups, eggs, deli sandwiches, coffees and pastries.

Rocking Horse Mexican Cafe (182 8th Av), upscale modern Mexican cuisine; "complex pastes, sauces and marinades, like those found in Oaxaca's Mercado Abastos."

Spice (236 8th Av), affordable Thai meat, seafood and vegan fritters, puffs, dumplings, soups, salads, curries, sautes, rice and noodles, pork, duck and chicken entrees.

Trailer Park Lounge & Grill (271 West 23rd St), kitchy trip south, true backyard picnic flavors, char-grilled sandwiches, homemade chili, BLTs, potent drinks.

Restaurants: East Village

Acme (9 Great Jones St), seasonal menu contemporary bistro pasta/ steak/ ribs/ seafood dining, brunch; noteworthy wines, creative cocktails.

BBar & Grill (40 E 4th St), converted gas station American bistro/ Mediterranean-influenced lunch and dinner entrees, burgers and pizza; outdoor garden bar, enclosed patio, weekend brunch, cocktails, beer and wines, Taco Bar late snacks.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop (125 East 7th St), cups/cones, sundaes, shakes, and floats; baked goods, coffee, macaroons, La Newyorkina items.

Indochine (430 Lafayette St), stylish ambience, tropical decor, French-Vietnamese bouillabaisse, steak, fish/seafood, duck, veggie stew, soups/salads, wines of the world.

Malai Marke (318 E 6th St), stands out among a dozen 6th Street South Asian/Indian restaurants; north, southwest Konkan and Malabar coast Indian Tandoor cuisine, seafood/ meat/ and veggie curries, kababs, chicken xacuti Goa-style.

Mamoun's (30 St Marks Place + 119 Macdougal St), Middle Eastern falafel, humus, baba ganouj, shawarma pita wraps and plates; tabbouleh, soups, lamb and chicken kebabs.

Yuca Bar & Cocina Latina (111 Avenue A), eclectic pan-Latin cuisine, sunny side walk café and lively bar, mojitos & sangria.

Restaurants: Midtown to Uptown

Arriba Arriba (762 9th Avenue at 51st St), gay-friendly Mexican restaurant with generous margaritas.

Cafe du Soleil (2723 Broadway at 104th St), simple, authentic, French Provençal, rustic bistro fare, slowly cooked stews, sunny terrace, weekend brunch.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (700 W 125th St), acclaimed Harlem barbeque house, ribs, sauces, bar, weekend live music.

Hells Kitchen (754 Ninth Av), nouvelle Mexican cuisine done right, worth the trek; Margaritas, cocktails, beer, wines.

Lips (227 E 56th St), drag diner shows, magnet for bachelorette parties, Sunday Gospel Brunch.

Vynl (754 9th Av), pop-rock music shrine/ American diner with a dash of Thai; all-day breakfast, brunch bennies, frittatas, and make-your-own omelets.

Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle; Time Warner Center), grocery, cafe, healthy hot and cold food, soups, sandwiches, juices.

Zoma (2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd - 8th Avenue), Ethiopian cuisine in Harlem, herbs & spices aplenty, meat or veggie fare.

 

Shopping/ Services
Designer Fifth Avenue stores coddle those with cash to spare, but for haggled bargains go to New York's large Chinatown. "America's largest department store" since 1902, Macy's Herald Square flagship, occupies an entire city block between 6th and 7th Avenues and 34-35th Streets in Manhattan - a must-see for any visitor. Bloomingdales isn't far away.

The Hudson Yards complex, at the north end of The High Line, New Westside between Chesea and Hells Kitchen, opened March 2019 with over 100 shops and restaurants, an art/performances space, hotel, and an outdoor Observation Deck, a hundred stories up. The nearby Chelsea Piers Sports/Entertainment Complex offers swimming, ice skating, bowling, track, boxing ring, rock wall, sun decks, spa, events spaces and classes, plus four restaurants.

See our map & listings section for more shopping suggestions, in addition to these listed below.

Shopping: Adult stores

Blue Store (206 8th Av) Chelsea porn store, DVDs, magazines, toys, private booths.

Les Hommes (217-C W 80th St, upstairs), adult toys, accessories, hard to find Hollywood DVDs, limited adult DVDs; two large lounges to make friends, soda machine, restrooms. $12 admission, adult film private viewings. Unicorn moved merchandise here when they closed.

Pleasure Chest (156 7th Av, West Village + 1150 2nd Ave, Upper East Side), his and hers sex shop, lubes, condoms, lots of toys, books, DVDs, bliss-enhancing workshops.

Rainbow Station (203 8th Ave, Chelsea), sex shop toys, lubes, lingerie, men's underwear, rainbow items, video arcade.

Shopping: Clothing

Leather Man (111 Christopher St), leather, Neoprene and rubber clothing, accessories, toys, bespoke tailoring; sex and BDSM toys.

Nasty Pig (259 W 19th St), edgy duds for sexually self-assured males; pants, shorts, tops, underwear, outerwear, swim, accessories.

Shopping: Pharmacies

Arrow Pharmacy (883 9th Av), low priced prescription meds, vitamins and toiletries.

Village Apothecary (346 Bleecker St), community pharmacy for well-priced meds, alternative therapies and beauty products.
 

See our map & listings tab for more in each category. Missing your favorite?-- send a note to the add a listing tab.

The view from Toronto, by Marcus McCann, in Xtra, July 14, 2011: "There's so much to process in the city of snap judgments."

"Tour the infamous sexual history of NYC's Meatpacking District" - Mike Miksche on Hellfire Tours, walking you through the 1980s sex club and BDSM culture - Xtra, January 11, 2016.

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