Gay dance clubs in manhattan
Bars &#; Nightlife
overview
While their significance is often underestimated or dismissed by heterosexual society, bars and other establishments played a pivotal role throughout the 20th century — but particularly in the pre-Stonewall era — as centers for LGBT activism and community.
These spaces, whether always gay friendly or only during certain times of the day or week, gave LGBT people the freedom to be themselves in a way they usually could not be in their personal or professional lives.
This curated collection largely reflects the bar and nightlife scene of downtown Manhattan; as we research more sites we encourage you to reach out to us with suggestions in upper Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
Header Photo
Truman Capote (center) with Liza Minnelli and Steve Rubell at Studio 54 in an undated photo. Photographer and source unknown.
The Absolute Best Gay Boogie Party in New York
Battle Hymn is all about dancing. Photo: Camilo Fuentealba
We’ve given you the best gay bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn, we’ve given you the foremost dance clubs, and now it’s time to combine the scenes and identify the best LGBT sway parties in NewYork.
1. Battle Hymn
Flash Factory, W. 28th St., nr. Eighth Ave.;
The city has been praying for a Sunday dance party, and now it’s here. Colossal, vivid, and all about dancing, Battle Hymn is brashly flouting all those naysayers who complain that the city is lame and lost in luxury. The new weekly Sunday dance party harks back to Sunday rituals of the past like Body and Soul and the Sound Factory. It feels old-school, with voguers and club kids, disco daddies, straight coolios, models, the old and the adolescent, all together getting lost and found in tune. Hosted by Ladyfag (when does she get a special medal from the mayor for keeping nightlife alive?) with a rolling roster of DJs, including two of NYC’s most sought-after talents: the Tote Nation and Honey Dijon. Added bonus:
New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ 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 sway clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll uncover 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 suggest 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 & Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned scene queen, here's our roundup of the top 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 visit here. It can feel like there's just too much to verb 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 drawn-out you are in the city, you can bar hop and visit most, if not all of them! Heads up, the iconic Rebar in Chelsea closed its doors for fine in This NYC gay landmark is where the mode
1. The Stonewall Inn