6 new gay bars in New York City
Life is back to what seems to be normal in New York City, and many LGBTQ+ new yorkers are just finding out that some of their favorite bars in town are closed during the pandemic. While we mourn the loss of Ninth Avenue Saloon, Barrage, Posh, Boxers, Vodka Soda Bottoms Up, and Therapy, we can also be excited for the new gay bars opening in NYC.
The Best LGBTQ+ Bars in New York City
In this post, you will find six establishments that opened in the past few months or announced for the near future. The list includes The Q NYC, The Spot, RedEye, Hush Bar, Thirst HK, and the return of Boxers to Hell's Kitchen.
The Q NYC
Created by Frankie Sharp, Bob Fluet, and party promoter Alan Picus, The Q NYC opened in July of this year in an Eighth Avenue building near West 48th Street. This is now the largest queer-owned venue in Manhattan and has five different areas to entertain its patrons.
On the ground floor, you can enjoy live shows meticulously selected by Performance Director and drag queen Marti G Cummings. You can also enjoy the bar, or the Gentlethem's Club, or the dancefloor, or the suspended catwalk.
Perhaps you know some of The Q NYC's investors: Billy Porter, Zachary Quinto, Charlie Carver, and Jake Shears. Lagoona Bloo and Jasmine Rice Labeija are some of the resident drag queens. The bar also hosts theme parties, stand-up shows, and live jazz music.
The Spot
Also in July, Ted Arenas from Rise Bar and his partner John Blair opened The Spot. The bar is located on 10th Avenue, between W43/44th Street.
The Spot offers a little bit more of the same as its competitors, DL and Hardware. A dancefloor, drag queen shows, and energetic parties like Freedom Fridays and Daddy Disco.
Drag queens Adriana Trenta, Cherry Poppins, and The Zeta Jones have often performed at The Spot since its opening!
Hush
November marked the beginning of a new era for the 348 building at West 52nd Street, where the Therapy Bar once was located. There's a new bar taking over the space and it's called Hush.
The establishment was created by the Boxers family, who updated the space to make it more modern. Once again, Marti G Cummings is in charge of the club's performances as the Nightlife Director.
Maddelyn Hatter, Izzy Uncut, Brita Filter, and Neon Calypso were the first queens to perform at the bar.
Thirst HK
The owners of Chelsea's Rebar, Rob Barbero, and Michael McGrail, are planning to open a new gay bar in… wait for it… Hell's Kitchen! The establishment so far is called Thirst HK, and it will probably occupy a building on 10th Avenue, between 48thand 49th Street.
Rumor has it this place will host live jazz and DJs once it's opened. When will that happen? We don't know yet.
RedEye
The RedEye was promising an opening for Fall 2021, but it seems their plans got postponed a little bit. According to Instinct Magazine, Taylor Shubert and Sam Benedict have big dreams with this bar.
During the day, the RedEye will work as a coffee shop "where creatives can come socialize, flirt and work over a coffee or a cocktail". Then, once the sun goes down, the party starts, and "you don't know where you're going, but you're going all night!"
The place is also supposed to host a live TV studio for drag performances.
Boxers HK
The owners of Boxers are planning to return to Hell's Kitchen in Spring 2022. After the former location was closed during the pandemic, they are now ready for a comeback!
Boxers HK will reopen on 50th Street and 9th Avenue, across the street from it used to be. The space should follow the same logic as before: a multi-floored bar with a mezzanine and roof deck. Oh, and we can also expect to see their shirtless bartenders back in action!
Gays in Town is an independent project and your engagement means everything to us! If you like our content, please follow us on social media and feel free to share it with your friends! We greatly appreciate your help!
The Best Lesbian Dating Apps