Gay clubs east village

The East Village has long been Manhattan's alternative enclave: Here are some picks for the 5 best gay bars in NYC's East Village (with a map). Move to east village as close to the L as possible and you will be perfectly positioned for both Brooklyn and Hell’s Kitchen nightlife.

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I personally prefer going out in Brooklyn for gay things. From laid-back lounges to high-energy dance floors, explore the top 8 Gay bars in East Village, NYC, and discover your next favorite go-to spot for your social and nightlife adventures. Club Cumming, East Village: Nodding to its part-owner, Alan Cumming, the former Eastern Bloc dive bar hosts regular cabaret events, Broadway-style shows, drag performances, and dance parties.

The Cock, East Village: This gay-men-only bar is the most cruise-y of all the gay bars in the city. Head to the dark back room if you're feeling extra frisky. Gay travelers looking for a non-scene cruise bar in a basement setting will love Nowhere Bar in the East Village. The bar also has drag shows, DJ dance parties, and go-go dancers.

The gay bars on this list should appeal to various types at various ages. Personally, my priorities have changed enormously from those of my early twenties, when going out to gay bars simply meant drinking cheap beer and making eyes at beautiful strangers. My experience has grown with a better understanding of the amazingly diverse gay communities existing throughout New York City, many of which embrace the gay bars as not just a place to flirt, but a place to build a chosen family.

I now enjoy and respect the important role the historic bars of the West Village, especially, play. I now go to gay bars to support places that host queer performers and events benefiting community members. Speaking of community events, on any given day, the Thotyssey blog will tell you what is happening around the huge gay scene in NYC, including events in Queens, Brooklyn, and beyond.

It also has a wonderful archive of conversations with gay bar staff and community members. I organized the below list by neighborhood. Cubbyhole is a historic lesbian bar known for tight quarters, eccentric decor dangling from the ceiling, a fantastic jukebox, cheap drinks, and friendly people. This bar really does have it all, and they are very welcoming of gay men, too, in case you were wondering.

I was under the assumption this tavern was just a dive for older gay men. This piano bar is a treasure. Cheap drinks, free entertainment, and a musical education! Come here to see a quirky mix of locals singing obscure Broadway songs. Pieces is a fun bar that has a stage perfect for hosting musical and drag performances, bingo nights, and other such events.

Barracuda was a favorite of mine in my younger days. Their Sunday evening drag show still stands out as one of the most exciting way to spend a late night in NYC. Oh, and I once sat next to Rufus Wainwright here and successfully ignored my impulse to tell him what a huge fan I am! Boxers is large. It has multiple pool tables that can be converted to accommodate beer pong, sports on TV, and a back garden. The bartenders wear bright red boxer shorts.

Gym is the original gay sports bar before Boxers entered the scene. It also is located at a very central location on 8th Avenue in Chelsea with a bitty front terrace. Go here early to start your night with a nice mixed drink before continuing on to a more lively spot after. They have a beautiful roof terrace and with a sports-theme, remains a popular spot for gay sports leagues to grab that after-game beverage. The bartenders are all trained dancers, who, wearing tight jeans and western boots, dance right on the bar.

Relatively new to the scene, Hardware took over an old hardware store and turned it into a nice venue that does a good job of balancing several gay scenes at once. Posh is a classic. Therapy has a beautifully renovated, open, two-level space, that include an epic staircase in the center of the bar. The upstairs hosts several events with use of a modern stage and technology. This bar is an ultimate den dive.

I enjoy the unpretentious attitudes and use of the old-school record player.