Top 28 Gay Bars in Chelsea NYC
New York has played an important role in LGBTQ+ history, and it's no surprise that there are plenty of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in New York range from dive bars to nightclubs, with historic venues like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you'll find something exciting and welcoming almost anywhere in Monaghansrvc. You can catch the best drag or cabaret shows, but all of these queer spaces offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dance parties and brunch parties—sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests are more modern and urban, or maybe you're more of a down-and-dirty, "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type of hangout. We are 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. Let's learn about Top Gay Bars in Chelsea NYC with Monaghansrvc below
- 1. Albatross Bar
- 2. Cubbyhole
- 3. Ginger's Bar
- 4. The Stonewall Inn
- 5. Branded Saloon
- 6. The Rosemont
- 7. Good Judy
- 8. Julius'
- 9. 3 Dollar Bill
- 10. C'mon Everybody
- 11. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- 12. Kween
- 13. Marie's Crisis Café
- 14. Henrietta Hudson
- 15. Suite
- 16. Flaming Saddles Saloon
- 17. The Cock
- 18. Eagle NYC
- 19. Pink Metal
- 20. Club Cumming
- 21. The Boiler Room
- 22. Lambda Lounge
- 23. Hombres Lounge
- 24. Oddly Enough
- 25. Atlas Social Club
- 26. The Bush
- 27. Barracuda Bar
- 28. Industry Bar
1. Albatross Bar
This longtime Astoria gay bar is constantly packed with people, drawing residents from all over the district and beyond to enjoy drink specials, intimate drag shows, and just have a good gay time. It's a dive with a lot of vibes and if you're lucky enough to become a regular, you'll never leave.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- Affordable Nightlife
- Downtown Spots
2. Cubbyhole
Cubbyhole is one of the most festive lesbian bars in the Village. Colorful paper lanterns, tissue paper fish, and seasonal decorations hang from the ceiling. The bar stools are upholstered in glossy vinyl with images of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. Eclectic? You bet. Like the best LGBT spaces, Cubbyhole is unique.
3. Ginger's Bar
Brooklyn's oldest lesbian bar got a shine in 2022 after a prolonged pandemic shutdown. Come to events like open mics and disco parties or just relax in the garden with a beer. Visit from 2 to 6 p.m. m. to enjoy specialty beers and healthy drinks during "hop time."
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- Corporate Events
- Affordable Nightlife
4. The Stonewall Inn
The cradle of gay liberation says “yes!” to empowerment and “hell yeah!” to go, guys. The high-energy dance music attracts a mixed and flirtatious crowd. Drink at one of the two bars or dance your groove on the dance floor upstairs. During the day tourists are left speechless, but at night there is still partying.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- Downtown Spots
5. Branded Saloon
A Prospect Heights honky tonk that's proudly queer, this mainstay offers a low-key option for those who want to share sangria and laid-back vibes with friends. It's an after-work spot where the baked mac and cheese is just as good as the queer vibe, especially if you're coming for a country music night.
TOPICS
- American Cuisine
- Cheap Eats
- Hidden Gems
- Vegetarian Options
6. The Rosemont
Bushwick's queer renaissance thrives in this laid-back spot, where drag without the high price of admission, dirty dancing parties, and backyard parties are the order of the day. Enjoy an affordable happy hour special and relax on a comfortable couch; you will surely make new friends.
7. Good Judy
This trendy Park Slope gay bar is where cool gays hang out, and for good reason. It's modest but elegant and offers top-notch drinks, plus vegan food and soft pretzels, a real treat for everyone. Follow their social media for theme nights, viewing parties and more.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Spots
- Affordable Nightlife
8. Julius'
Established in 1864, this is the oldest operating gay bar in New York, and the rich sense of history and community here is palpable. Thanks to a resurgence in popularity in recent years, the crowd has an intergenerational mix; Long-time patrons sip their drinks at the long wooden bar while younger groups tend to gather at tables in the back and devour cheap eats from the venue's grill. Don't miss this West Village staple.
TOPICS
- Celebrations
- American Cuisine
9. 3 Dollar Bill
Enjoy drinks at the charming 3 Dollar Bill American Bar, which hosts shows and events such as barbecue parties on Sundays; then head to the fabulous warehouse at the back of the venue, for vibrant dance parties every night guided by sound systems inherited from venues like the Roseland Ballroom. Some of the city's best drag artists and DJs have begun their acquisitions here; Arrive early and join the community.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- American Cuisine
- Hidden Gems
- Late Night
10. C'mon Everybody
This Bed-Stuy is unique because it feels like several different places at once: a crowded bar on one side, plenty of seating in the adjoining room, and an intimate performance space in the back. Expect pop diva-themed dance parties, deeply chaotic drag, and friendly vibes. C'mon Everybody is an LGBTQ+ oasis in a part of Brooklyn that isn't filled with queer spaces, and you can't miss it.
11. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
With so many interesting queer spaces to choose from, how is a gay New Yorker supposed to stand out? Metropolitan has the answer: your backyard is the best place in town to relax with a drink and some friends gathered around a picnic table. You're sure to meet friends (or just friends of Dorothy). And don't be afraid to head inside, where an excellent DJ or drag queen is sure to keep the crowd screaming and/or dancing.
12. Kween
Named to evoke queer joy (“yasss kween”), this Astoria drag brunch and cocktail lounge is pure bliss. Sip on fun craft cocktails, like a signature drink made with green tea-infused gin (caffeine! Alcohol!), and chow down on empanadas and sweet potato fries at this gay bar perfect for a date night catch-up.
13. Marie's Crisis Café
The appeal of this beloved West Village institution isn't the drinks (cheap beer, vodka shots), but the old-school piano bar experience. Sing a Broadway tune with the rest of the bar, which draws a mixed crowd but still has a traditional gay bent, especially on weekdays.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Spots
- Mid-Range
14. Henrietta Hudson
An unmissable combination of a Melissa Etheridge jukebox and strong drinks served by pretty girls has kept this lesbian spot busy since 1991. Reggae and hip-hop spin most nights, inspiring some serious butt shaking among the youngsters. . , flirtatious clients. Weekends bring a higher rate of visitors to the city, but it's nothing Naughty Girl (blue curaçao, coconut rum and pineapple juice) can't help but overlook.
15. Suite
Is it a big draw that this self-proclaimed “gay pub with a local vibe” is attached to a fast-casual Indian restaurant? Yes it is. But the bar itself is also worth a visit, for nightly specialty cocktails, karaoke and drag performances.
16. Flaming Saddles Saloon
City folk can party honky tonk style at this country and western gay bar. The place is outfitted to look like a Wild West brothel, with red velvet curtains, antler sconces, and rococo wallpaper. Grab a drink and make a companion, or indulge in hearty fare like Texas red chili or Angus beef burgers. Don't miss the entertainment: performances by dancing waiters in cowboy boots add to the raucous atmosphere.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- Happy Hours
- Downtown Spots
17. The Cock
The Cock, which describes itself as a "seedy, rockin' fag bar," is the kind of dark, sketchy dive where you can unleash your inner sexy beast. The uptown's lack of attitude (or any apparent concern for cleanliness) attracts artists, musicians, writers, fashionistas, tourists and rigid-pole rebels, all of whom can appreciate a bit of dirty fun. On weekends there are so many people (midnight to 3am) that you often have to pay admission. Fill your pockets before coming here; It's cash only.
18. Eagle NYC
Whatever your taste, this fetish bar will satisfy you with its variety of beers, foot worship parties and leather evenings, as well as simple pool games and cruise nights. In the warmer months, the roof terrace is a surprisingly charming oasis. It's a bit of a hike unless you're already in the west city center, but if you're up for an adventure, it's always worth the trip.
19. Pink Metal
If you like your kink with a wink and a drink, think pink. Pink Metal is a well-kept Bushwick secret that is one of a kind. Stop by for a signature cocktail (or mocktail) and stay for fetish figure drawings, drag bingo, or a burlesque show. Do you need to recharge your batteries between drinks? Enjoy delights like mochi donuts and hash browns from their all-vegan snack menu. Pink Metal may be a small space but it leaves a big impression.
20. Club Cumming
Alan Cumming took over the former Eastern Bloc bar in 2017 and reinvented it as a cabaret, comedy and party hub reminiscent of the golden era of downtown New York nightlife. Expect Broadway singers performing your favorite songs on the piano, nostalgic '90s dance parties, and stellar nights of cabaret and comedy any time you visit.
21. The Boiler Room
Do you want a dive bar that feels like home? Look no further than the waiting boiler room of East Village. Between the jukebox and the pool table, this place has something for every setting. Given its central location, be aware that there will likely be many obstacles if you visit on the weekend. Sometimes you want to go somewhere a little loud, raucous, and sweaty (it's called the Boiler Room for a reason), and on those nights this is the place to be.
22. Lambda Lounge
One of the few black-owned gay bars in the entire city, this Harlem nightclub run by a local couple promises a good time any night of the week. Named after the Lambda vodka the founders also started, Lambda is a place to drink, dance, and just relax on the dance floor or in the backyard.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Spots
23. Hombres Lounge
Men, a long, narrow ballroom dressed like Babylon from Queer as Folk, has a more Manhattan vibe than the other gay bars on the Jackson Heights strip. Cheap tequila/vodka shots and frozen margaritas (and scantily clad go-go boys atop the bar) keep the young and beautiful coming back, with the crowd spilling onto the sweaty dance floor and spilling out into the street. . A downstairs lounge is only open for private events, so if you're not lucky enough to get one of the few bar stools, you can also dance the night away. Hombres is something of a destination for Long Islanders and Connecticut gays, perhaps thanks to the ample street parking outside.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- American Cuisine
- Affordable Nightlife
- Downtown Spots
24. Oddly Enough
New to Bed-Stuy as of 2022, this queer, lesbian-leaning cocktail bar is pure class, with a touch of edginess in an intimate space. Menu-wise, Oddly Enough evokes fresh Brooklyn vibes—think marinated olives and vegan pâté—with craft cocktails, zero-proof drinks, and plenty of natural wine to pair with.
TOPICS
- Social Gatherings
- American Cuisine
- Downtown Spots
- Late Night
25. Atlas Social Club
Gay nightlife boss Josh Wood has teamed up with Drom, Eastern Bloc and Splash veterans to bring you this speakeasy-style homo haven conveniently located in the middle of Hell's Kitchen's thriving gay area.
26. The Bush
Bushwick's only lesbian bar opened in April 2023 and serves fun cocktails, Dyke Beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. Visit for late-night specials, DJ dance parties under disco balls, and generally a relaxed but very fun atmosphere.
27. Barracuda Bar
This classic, attitude-free gay lounge in Chelsea has survived the competition due to its combination of great location, amazing drag shows, generous happy hours, and friendly bartenders.
28. Industry Bar
The men behind former Chelsea restaurants Barracuda and Elmo Restaurant bring you this high-energy drink. Unlike the cozy Barracuda, Industry is a sprawling, high-ceilinged space, featuring a long concrete bar (staffed by handsome bartenders, often shirtless, naturally), a stage hosting drag and music performances, and a dance floor. of considerable dancing.