Gay bars manhattan
New York has played a major role in Homosexual history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to move clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for gender non-conforming nightlife, but you’ll detect something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.
You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all propose something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC
May 2025: We removed Ginger's and Barracuda Lounge. We added Loafers Cocktail Bar.
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Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen, here's our roundup of the superior gay bars in New York City to check out now!
Everyone knows that the New York City gay bar scene is nothing short of vibrant and the city’s nightlife is unquestionably busy.
New York is also one of the gayest cities in the United States. The problem is that sometimes it can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city. We certainly felt that way on our first stop by here. It can feel prefer there's just too much to do and not enough time… where do you even start?
Here is a list of the top gay bars in NYC, whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen! And the best part…most of them are on the west side, either in the West Village, Chelsea, or Hell’s Kitchen, so really, depending on how long you are in the city, you can exclude hop and visit most, if not all of them!
Heads up, the iconic Rebar in Chelsea closed its doors for excellent in 2020.
1. The Stonewall Inn
This NYC gay landmark is where the modern gay rights movement started in 1969. Popular with tourists and locals alike, it's no surpris
Special Pride Edition! Lgbtq+ Bars That Are Gone Tour
Celebrate Lgbtq+ fest and see the historic gay bars of New York!
From discos and dive bars to piano bars and cabarets, this tour looks at the shifting typology of the gay bar in New York Metropolis. Long the center of cultural evolutions and political movement, gay bars are critical locations to understand Queer history in America. You’ll bar hop through stories of people, protest, artistic achievement, and plain vintage intrigue.
All this, in the name of sparking a conversation about how to properly preserve and celebrate New York City’s “lavender landmarks” during one of the hardest times for nightlife venues in recent memory.
Upcoming dates:
Check advocate for 2026 date
Book online now!
Your Guides
Your hosts for this walking tour are Kyle Supley & Michael Ryan, creators of “Gay Bars That Are Gone,” an annual stride through downtown NYC honoring LGBTQ spaces of yesteryear. The annual walk has been featured in The New York Times, The Advocate, and Paper Magazine. Follow @gaybarsthataregone.
Book online now!
Tour highlights
Get ready to see locations in import