Best Gay Bars in Harlem

So much of the contemporary LGBTQ+ culture was born in Harlem, including drag balls, the voguing scene, and the Jazz Age glamour that is still inspiring queer artists and performers today. 

If you have seen the documentary Paris is Burning, you probably know something about the life of African American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in New York City drag balls back in the 80s. It was in 1869, within Harlem's Hamilton Lodge, the drag balls began, with the first drag queen, William Dorsey Swann leading the way. 

During the 1920s and 1930s, the balls reached their peak of popularity during the Harlem Renaissance, which was a literary and artistic movement of celebrated works by Black artists and writers. The balls provided guidance and support for LGBTQ people who were poor, homeless, and disowned from their families. Eventually, those people created the House's culture, a different word for chosen family. 

“Those balls are more or less like our fantasy of being a superstar, you know, like the Oscars or whatever, or being on a runway as a model. You know, a lot of those kids that are in the balls, they don’t have two of nothing. Some of them don’t even eat. They come to balls starving and they sleep in the Under 21 or they sleep on the pier or wherever. They don’t have a home to go to, but…they’ll go out and they’ll steal something and get dressed up and come to a ball for that one night and live the fantasy,” explained Pepper LaBeija, mother of the House of LaBeija, in the documentary that registered the ball culture of the 70s and 80s in Harlem. 

During the 90s and 2000s, Harlem’s queer scene faded. Now, the neighborhood is living a second queer renaissance. Harlem is currently home to the only three black-queer-owned bars in New York City, Alibi Lounge, Lambda Lounge, and 4West Lounge - two of them opened their doors only in the past two years. 

Gay Pub Crawl in Harlem

Check out our map with gay bars in Harlem and plan your night!

Alibi Lounge

Location: 2376 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York
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Opening Hours: Everyday 6PM-4AM
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Menu Price: $$

Since 2016, they have served as a safe space for POC LGBTQ people. Alibi Lounge is a sexy chic bar with shirtless bartenders, drag performances, and a busy dance floor. Their backyard brings an extra charm to the space. The decoration is glamorous, and so is their loyal clientele. 

Alibi Lounge is owned and operated by Alexi Minko, a queer, Black immigrant from Gabon. Read more!

Lambda Lounge

Location: 2256 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York
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Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 6PM-2AM, Friday and Saturday 6PM-4AM, Sunday 5PM-2AM.
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Menu Price: $$

Charles Hughes and Richard Solomon, a married couple from Harlem, opened the Lambda Lounge in 2020. The local community rapidly embraced the establishment, which it’s described as a place “where downtown elegance meets uptown swag”. 

Lambda Lounge has a really nice environment, friendly bartenders, and appropriate pricing. Parties on Saturday night are usually packed. 

4West Lounge 

Location: 303 W 127th St, New York, NY 10027
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Opening Hours: Monday 5–11PM, Tuesday-Wednesday 5PM-12AM, Thursday 5PM–2AM, Friday-Saturday 5PM–3AM, Sunday 5PM–2AM
Website | Instagram
Menu Price: $$

4West Lounge is similar to Lambda Lounge and Alibi Lounge. Great ambiance, decoration, service, and friendly bartenders. They host diverse curated events for guests “to connect, grow and be entertained”. This is the newest gay bar in Harlem. 

4West Lounge was opened in 2021 by Troy Berry and Brian Clark. "We wanted to create a space where you are able to be comfortable — you are able to be you," Brian said.