Date: Mon, 5 Jun 1995 11:33:43 -0400 (EDT) From: HALSALL@MURRAY.FORDHAM.EDU GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY BARS, some CLUBS and some Restaurants Paul Halsall Updated June 1995 SWITCHBOARDS/HOTLINES Dignity LINKLINE 212 620 0369 [Lesbian and Gay religious and general issues: support and information] Mon, Tue, Wed. - 7-10pm Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project [Hotline if you are attacked, verbally or physically] Gay and Lesbian Switchboard 212 777 1800 [General support and information service] Everyday Gay Men's Health Crisis Hotline 212 807 7035 [Information and help with respect to AIDS] Everyday [Lesbian Switchboard] Women specific hotline 212 741 2610 PUBLICATIONS There are a number of regular publications in New York which list bars, clubs, and restaurents. These should be checked out for the most up to date information. While most of the publications have prices on the cover, they can be picked up free at major gay/lesbian bars. You shoudl note that one of the oddest aspects of gay life in New York is that there is no publication with the community wide stature of the Washington Blade, Bay Area Reporter or Windy City Times. Once upon a time the New York Native played that role, but given its owner's particular concerns it has ceased to play this role. HX [Homo Extra]. Small, smart men's bar rag, with a "Homo Musts" column that is read as gospel by many gay men. Next - Slightly larger, glossier than HX, but. perhaps, less vital LGNY - New biweekly newspaper. Has lonmger articles and much more news than HX or Next. MetroSource - a glossy quarterly listing publication, quite widely available. Sappho's Isle - A monthly Lesbian newspaper. Stonewall News - Free publication put out by publisher of the New York Nation. Has lots of ads, and wire-copy. Only the occasional article. Its main purpose seems to be to prevent a new lesbian and newspaper from estbalishing itself. New York Native - old New York gay newspaper. Became obsessed with non-HIV causes of AIDS many years ago, and is not now a central institution. LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER 208 w. 13th St. New York NY 10011 212 620 7310 Large and incredibly active community center with hundred of groups meeting each month. The Center runs regular "orientations" for newcomers to NY or to gay and lesbian life. It has religious groups, twelve step groups [for every addiction it seems], discussion groups, a library, a garden, and a toilet that you can always use! If you are new to New York it is perhaps your best first stop. THE GUIDE * mean's women's space [CLUB] indicates a night/dance club. These have a variety of special nights, which need to be checked out in the local lesbian and gay press as they change constantly. For the most part they are not busy before 11pm or even Midnight. [NEW] indicates a venue added to the list since the last version of this list in Fall 1994. [RESTAURANT] indicates a few of the restuarents in each area which have big lesbian and gay clienteles. These are listed after the bars and clubs. For a fuller guide see the regular weekly publications, HX or Next. WEST VILLAGE [The most historic lesbian and gay neigborhood, and still very popular, with a number of new bars recently opened or revivified on Christopher St. Roughly speaking, the Chelsea social scene is probably more active now for younger (than 35) men, while the Village retains its position amongst older men and lesbians.] 55 Grove St @ Rose's Turn [Cabaret] [NEW] 55 Grove St. 212-366 5438 Piano bar, with cover charges. Bar d'Oro [NEW] 29 Bedford St. 212-627 1580 New gay bar with grag shows on Tues. and Sat. Boots and Saddle 76 Christopher St/7th Ave. New York, NY 212-929 9684 Older crowd western bar. The Bulge [NEW] 135 Christopher St. 212-243 4803 Lastest addition to the Christopher St. boom. *Crazy Nanny's 21 7th Ave St/Leroy St New York, NY 212-336 6312 Premier lesbian bar, Two floors. Dancing. *Cubbyhole [NEW] 281 W. 12th St 212-243 9041 [New name for bar listed as D.T.'s Fat Cat last version] Neighborhood lesbian bar. Less frenetic than Crazy Nanny's. Dugout 185 Christopher St/ Weehauken St New York, NY 212 9113 Men's bar. 30-40 yearold crowd. Big Sunday afternoon beer blast. Sort of regular crowd - not obsessive. Recently re-opened The Duplex [Cabaret] 61 Christoper St./Sheridan Sq. New York, NY 212-255 5438 Fun, but often has a lot of straight tourists. Eighty-Eights [Cabaret] 228 West 10th St/Bleecker Name comes from number of keys on a piano. Piano and cabaret bar. On Friday and Saturday especially good singers, who can do harmony and fugues - but with less variety than Marie's Crisis crowd. Five Oaks 49 Grove St./Bleecker New York, NY 212-243-885 Piano Bar in old plush surroundings. Hangar Bar 115 Christopher St/south of Bleecker New York, NY 212-627 2044 New bar, and popular with West Village crowd *Henrietta Hudson 438 Hudson St/Morton St New York, NY 212-243 9879 Lesbian bar at long term lesbian bar site! Small. Julius 159 W 10th St/Waverly Place New York, NY 212-929 9672 Old pre-stonewall gay bar. Good burgers, "business" transactions since Ninth Circle closed down. Keller's 384 West St/south of Christopher St. New York, NY 212-243 1907 Oldest gay bar in New York. Mainly Black crowd. The Lure 409 W 13 St/Washington St. New York, NY 212-741 3919 Has become premier leather bar. Ferocious and enforced weekend dress code. Obsessive if you like that sort of thing. The name stands for Leather Uniforms Rubber Etc. Marie's Crisis Bar 59 Grove Sr/7th Ave New York, NY 212-243 9323 On site where Tom Paine wrote his "crisis papers" and had a long-standing owner called "Marie" hence the name. The best piano bar in town. Small bar, great piano players, hardwood floor for acoustics, and customers who know by heart every song ever sung on Broadway. The Monster 80 Grove St./Sheridan Sq New York, NY 212-924 3558 Downstairs dance floor. One of few places in Manhattan where you see gay men in stonewashed denim. But has a very mixed clientele. Staff not always friendly. Nuts & Bolts [NEW] 101 7th Ave South 212-620 4000 Lounge with drag. One Potato 518 Hudson St/10th St New York NY 212- 691 6260 A bar and restaurent Pieces 8 Christopher St/Gay St New York, NY 212-929 9291 Has karaoke on Tuesdays. Can be tacky. Can be hilarious fun. Rose's Turn [Cabaret] 55 Grove St/7th Ave New York, NY 212-366 5438 *Rubyfruit Bar & Grill [NEW] 531 Hudson St. New York, NY 212-929 3343 New women's bar. Melissa and Martina have already visited, it has been reported. Sneakers 392 West St/Christopher St New York, NY 212-242 9830 Longtime Black gay bar. busy weekends Stonewall 53 Christopher St/Sheridan Square New York, NY 212-463 0950 On site of original bar, but not the original [it was a "Bagelland" for some time]. Many tourists and slightly staid New Yorkers. Two Potato 145 Christopher St/Greenwich St. New York, NY 212-255 0286 A center of Black gay life in the Village. Ty's 114 Christopher St/Bedford St. New York, NY 212-741 9641 A regular bar, former clone joint, but not obsessive. Canned beer is usually $1.50 which is a change from the usual $3.50-4.00 New York rip off. Uncle Charlie's 56 Greenwich Ave/btw 6th and 7th Ave. 212-255 8787 Used to be the gym-boy attitude bar until Splash began the shift to Chelsea. Still popular, but much less than before, so it tries harder with various body based contests. Cucina della Fontana [RESTAURANT] 368 Bleecker St. @ Charles St. New York NY 212 242 0636 Cheap Italian food on top, but the lower, incredible, garden space below is home to a wildly populat weekend brunch. Florent [RESTAURANT] 69 Gansevoort St New York NY 212 989 5779 [In the meat packing district] Great French bistro - steaks and all. And very, very queer. Open 24 hours - go after the clubs for breakfast. Manatus [RESTAURANT] 340 Bleecker St @ Christopher St. New York. NY 212 989 7042 Diner food and prices, but in a cafe-like ambiance. $7-15 range for the most part. Universal Grill [RESTAURANT] 44 Bedford St @ 7th Ave. South 212-989 5621 Good food, $10-20 range. Screaming staff! EAST VILLAGE [More grungy than West Village or Chelsea. Is grunge still in?] The Bar 68 2nd Ave/4th St New York, NY 212-674 9714 East Village locals and students The Boiler Room 86 E. 4 St/1st Ave New York, NY 212-254 7536 New bar Boy Bar [CLUB] 15 St. Mark's Place/4th Ave New York NY 212-674 7959 Open only occasionally it seems. Crowbar 339 E. 10th St/Ave B New York, NY 212- 420 0670 Popular bar. Has some special nights with low cover charge. Dick's Bar 192 2nd Ave/12th St New York, NY 212-475 2071 Palladium [CLUB - various nights] 126 E 14th St/ 3rd Ave & 4 Ave New York, NY Not really hot anymore, but occassional big parties Pyramid [CLUB-various nights] 101 Ave A/6th and 7th St. New York, NY A black painted upper room, and and even blacker lower room. Still the site (and sight) of much East Village late night life. Tunnel Bar 116 1st Ave/7th St New York, NY 212-777 9232 Cruisy East Village bar. Webster Hall [CLUB] 125 E 11th St New York, NY 212-353 1600 This has been a gay dance club since the 1920s - on and off. It has a reputation as a non-Manhattanite's club. Wonder Bar 60 E. 6th St./Ave. A New York, NY 212-777-9105 V Small and kitschy, thus very popular. Benny's Burritos [RESTAURANT] 93 Avenue A @ 6th St. New York NY [212 727 0584 West Village branch at 33 Greenwich St.] Cheap Cal-Mex food. Big portions. Kiev [RESTAURANT] East 7th St. @ 2nd Ave. New York. NY 24 Hour Ukrainian diner. Do not miss the food here - huge blinis, incredible pancakes, spicey kielbasa. The soups are meals in themselves. It is a waste to eat their American offerings - burgers and so forth. It is also very, very, cheap (you can be FULL for $5, but will probably spend $8-12] CHELSEA [8th Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets has become the hub of gay socializing for a certain post-guppie crowd over the past two years. The social scene extends as far as 5th Avenue with various bars and *A Different Light* bookstore. A new "circuit" seem to be Splash, King, Champs, and if all else fails, the new West Side Club (a bathhouse). 8th Avenue is also a real gay restaurant row these days.] The Break 232 8th Ave/22nd St New York, NY 212 627 0072 A real neighbourhood bar, with pre-club people, and a fair bit of cruising. Not a place to dress up for though. Champs 17 W 19th St/5th Ave New York, NY 212 633 1717 A gay sports bar that has recently taken off in big way. Sunday evenings in particular are popular, but it is pretty busy most night. Very cute boys and men. Some of them even talk. Lots of go-go men. The Eagle's Nest 142 11th Avenue/21st St New York, NY 212-691 8451 Leather bar. Go late or go at weekends. King [NEW] 579 6th Avenue/south of 17th St. 212-366 5464 Lots of polish wood in the this bar, but it also has stripper contests and a dance floor. Limelight [CLUB - various nights] W. 20th St./6th Ave. 212-807-7850 Gay nights - Wed. [Lick it] and Fri [ResErection] Based in a converted church. For some gay nights the entrance is not the main 6th Ave door, but a side entrance on 20th St. Meat [CLUB] 432 W 14th St. New York NY 212 366 5680 Mike's Club Cafe W 14th St/9th Ave New York, NY 212-691 6606 Big bar which looks like a London pub. Beginning of the Chelsea scene if you are walking up from the Village. Rawhide 212 8th Ave/21st St New York, NY 212 242-9332 Leather and western The Roxy [CLUB] 515 W 18th St./10th Ave New York NY 212-645 5156 Huge space and a variety of party nights. It needs to be full to be fun, but when it's fun its wild. Gay nights - Tue [rollerblading], Sat Sound Factory Bar [CLUB] 12 W. 21st St/5th Ave New York NY 212-206 7770 Gay mights - Mon, Thurs, Fri The Spike 120 11th Ave/20th St New York, NY 212-243 9688 Famous leather bar, but has long attracted many others. Good place to discuss opera with people dressed as generals. Splash 50 W 17th St/6th Ave New York, NY 212-691 0073 Has shower in middle of bar. Lots of gym boys. Lots of attitude. Showers perform at 10pm. Not a good place to discuss anything. Leaves you with the dreadful realization that a law degree and a gym card does not make a guy desireable. Still, perhaps the most reliably busy bar in the city. Bendix Diner [RESTAURANT] 8th Ave @ 18th St New York NY More than your average diner. Cool, fruity, design, and cheeap and large portions. Big Cup [RESTAURANT/CAFE] 228 8th Ave @ 21st St New York NY 212-206 0059 Tea and coffee house Eighteen and Eighth [RESTAURANT] 159 8th Ave @ 18th St. New York NY 212 242 5000 MIDTOWN-West of 5th Avenue Cats 232 W 48 St. New York, NY 212-245 5245 Strippers Cleo's 9th Avenue Saloon 656 9th Ave/46th St New York, NY 212-307 1503 Coqtales 730 8th Ave/45th St New York NY 212-560 9961 ?Del's Down Under 266 W. 47th St. New York, NY 212-719 4179 Don't Tell Mama [Cabaret] 353 W 47th St./9th Ave New York, NY 212-757 0788 Bar upfront, Cabaret at back. Much Broadway talk. Edelweiss 580 11th Ave/43rd St New York, NY 212-629 1021 Pansexual/TV/TS/Drag bar and dance club. The Hitching Post [NEW] 818 10th Avenue 212-245 2752 Newest west side bar. The Royalton [NEW] 44 W 44th St. 212-944 8844 A hotel bar, therefore not officially gay, but fill of publishing type gays after waork. Sally's II 252 W 43rd St (Hotel Carter) New York, NY 212-944-6000x212 Latin on Tues., drag on Fri. Savoy 335 W. 41 St. New York, NY 212-560 9635 Another business bar, with a "banjee" boy clientale. Big Dick contest on Friday [after midnight!]. Stella's [NEW] 266 W. 47th New York, NY 212-575-1680 Replaces the former, and aptly named, Trix in the same neighborhood. The Whiskey [NEW] 235 w 46th St. 212-819 0404 The bar - in the lobby of the Paramount Hotel, is not officially gay, but much of the model clientele is. UPPER WEST SIDE Candle Bar 309 Amsterdam Ave/74th St New York, NY 212-874 9155 Joe L's [NEW] 4488 Broadway at 192nd St. 212-567 8555 This is not really the Upper West Side, more like Washington Heights. The bar, a declining Irish pub, decided to switch to a "gay format" last year. All very tackym but it seems to have worked.! The Works 428 Columbus Ave/81st St New York, NY 212-799 7365 A Chelsea feel to it, but uptown for guys with big Upper West Side apartments who don't want to go downtown. Biggest gay nights Thursday [with $1 margaritas] and [last chance?] Sunday. EAST SIDE Brandy's Piano Bar 235 E 84th St. New York, NY 212-650 1944 East side piano bar. Even has some heterosexual chanteurs/euses. Buster's 129 Lexington Ave @ 29th St New York, NY 212-684 8831 Club 58 40 E. 58th St/Madison Ave New York NY 212-308 1546 Mostly Asian gay men G.H. Club 353 E 53st New York, NY 212-223 975 For mature men? Gabie's 1009 2nd Ave/53rd St New York NY 212-759 8775 *Julie's 204 E 58th St. New York, NY 212-688-1294 Upscale lesbian bar M Bar and Lounge [NEW] 256 E. 49th St, 212-935 2150 Big new multilevel bar. "M" drinks cheap 5-8pm [Margaritas, Martinis etc.] Pegasus 119 E 60th New York, NY 212-88 4702 Good place to go in the Upper East side if you want a downtown feel. [Rounds 303 E 53 St. New York, NY I have not included closed bars in the this list, but Rounds was the most famous "business" bar in New York. It was closed, along with 32 straight "business" ventures last year. The "workers" and the clientel have dispersed to other midtown locales]. South Dakota 405 3rd Ave./29 St. New York, NY 212-684 8376 Only bar in the Gramecy Park area [lots of money, some it queer.] Star Sapphire 400 E 59 St. New York, NY 212-688 4710 Home for many Asian gay men in New York Toolbox [NEW] 1748th St at 91st St 212-427 3106 Neighborhood bar for the Upper East Side The Townhouse 236 E 58th St, New York, NY 212-754 4649 Men here wear suits and use lots of facial care products. Towhouse [RESTAURANT] 206 E. 58th St. New York NY 212 826 6241 Very Upper East Side. Its prix fixe $8.50 lunch is really popular. THE OUTER BOROUGHS BROOKLYN [Brooklyn's gayest - and most lesbian area - is Park Slope, but it is a residential area with gayish restaurants and diners rather than bars. Brooklyn Heights is also pretty queer, especially on the promanade] One Hot Spot One Front St (under Brooklyn Bridge) Brooklyn NY 781-852 0139 Spectrum 802 64th/8th Ave Brooklyn NY 718-238 8213 Has famous "Saturday Night Live" dancfloor. Manhattanites sometimes come out here to go back in time. QUEENS [The gayest area in Queens is Jackson Heights, which is an altogether mixed area with GREAT Colombian food. Jackson Heights has emerged as perhaps the most Latin gay scen in New York. Kew Gardens is the other major gay hub.] b.s. east [NEW] 113-24 Queen's Boulevard Forest Hills 718-263 0300 Bum-Bum Bar 63-14 Roosevelt Ave Woodside NY 718-651 41415 Duque's Tavern 72-19 Roosevelt Ave Jackson Heights NY 718-639 7418 Friends Tavern 78-11 Roosevelt Ave. Jackson Heights NY 718-397 7256 Great bar, very, very Latin. Hatfield's 126-10 Queen's Boulevard Kew Garden's NY 718-261 8484 Biggest bar and club in Queens. A Queens crowd. *Tues night for lesbians [Check first though]. Llamarada [NEW] 82-20 Baxter Avenue Elmhurst NY 718 779 7200 Loveboat [NEW] 77-02 Broadway Elmhurst NY 781 429 8670 Lucho's Club [NEW] 38-19th St. Woodside NY 11377 718 899 9320 [Altough in Woodside, this is just off Roosevelt Avenue, about a 10 block walk from Friends and the Magic Touch] New Latin bar with dance space. Very popular - and people do some pretty fancy Latin dancing. Magic Touch 73-13 37rd Rd Jackson Heights NY 718-429 8605 Small glitzy bar with go-go boys on the bar. Montana Saloon 40-08 74st Jackson Heights NY 718-GAY 9356 Reflections 69-45 51st Ave Jackson Heights NY 718-429 8834 BRONX Club X [New] 2999 3rd Ave 718 585 4507 Tuesday night for Bronx gays. STATEN ISLAND The Sandcastle 80 Mills Ave Staten Island NY 718 447-9365 [not sure if still open]