Info

Are all people welcome at all venues?

Yes. Do note that some hyper sex-positive venues may have a more selective door policy during kink/gear nights. This is the exception, not the rule.

Is gay life in New York City safe?

Yes. However, some general tips:

On theft:

Never leave your belongings unattended. Use bag check when possible, or leave items with a friend.
Never leave your drink unattended. If you must exit the venue (say to smoke or vape) consider finishing your beverage first, or ask the bartender to place it behind the bar.
While pickpocketing is a relatively dead art in New York, be mindful of phones, wallets, and others valuables that are poking out of your back pockets.
Bag checks, coat checks, and clothing checks at venues can be trusted. Owners and promoters have a vested interest in not angering their customers, and they hire trustworthy individuals. That said: human error is not uncommon in a larger city like New York. Beyond your phone, avoid bringing anything valuable or sentimental if you ultimately will plan to check it.

On assault:

In the experience of the author (me), queer spaces are usually quite safe. However: no means no. If you are being harassed: alert the bartender or bouncer. They are usually quick to help.
The criminal act of "spiking" a drink may be used by an assailant to incapacitate you. While a rare occurrence, it is wise to educate yourself. If you suspect you or a friend has been drugged: do not delay. You can telephone 911, which is the emergency number in the entire United States.

On discrimination:

The state of New York (where New York City is located) is extremely progressive on civil liberties and protections for LGBTQ+ people. Review the Wikipedia page for a full list.
In general, it is safe to display affection in public with a same-sex or queer individual including holding hands, hugging, and kissing.
Similarly, it is safe and legal to express your gender identity anyway you wish in public.
All that said: be mindful that New York City is large and is filled with many people. Trust your gut, be alert to your surroundings, and be mindful of individuals whose behavior may be threatening to you.

Lastly, the emergency number in all the U.S. is 911. If you need non-emergency assistance, you can call 311 while in the N.Y. metro area and be connected to an operator that can help you further.

How does tipping work?

Tipping for alcohol at the bar: $1 for well drinks, wine, and beer; $2–3 for fancy drinks or anything that the bartender needs to research on their phone.
Tipping for alcohol at the end of a big tab: if you or you and a group of friends close a tab after ordering a lot of alcohol it is considered a nice gesture to tip greater than the above formula. However, the cultural norms around this are relatively undefined and you may use best judgement.
Note that on quieter nights, it is not uncommon for bartenders to gift you free or reduced-price drinks if you establish yourself as a well-paying customer. Always tip on a free drink—whether it is given to you by the bartender or by a kind patron.
Tipping at a seated meal: 18–20% of the total cost is considered standard for satisfactory service. Note that tipping under 15% is considered extremely conspicuous—do so only in the worst circumstances.
Drag performances: You can tip anything from $1 to $100! As drag shows are often free, tipping is a great way to reward the work of the performer. Queens and Kings often build moments in their sets for accepting tips, usually marked by the them entering into the crowd and away from the stage. (Sometimes in lieu of this, the performer will pass around a bucket, and the audience will put their dollars into it.) As the performer comes closer, present your tip by holding it in your hand and extending your arm as though you were saluting. Drag performers will gladly take any money (and they are happy to remind you of that!). If you love the show, consider giving them more. NEVER give coins, unless you want to be made fun of by the performer.
Fast food and other counter services such as delis, bodegas, cafés, coffee houses, and tea shops: Tipping is not required in these establishments. If the cashier uses an electronic device such as a tablet to take your credit card, be mindful that the machine might prompt you with a tip as high as 25%. You do not need to tip this amount or any amount for counter service. As with the above: if you're feeling extra nice or extra grateful, you are welcome to do so.
…and yes. Tipping culture in the U.S. is weird. It's not you.

Do bars have a cost of admission? / What’s a cover, and do bars charge them?

A cover describes the cost of admission to a nightlife venue. If a bar has a cost of admission, that is called a cover. (This is in contrast to a "ticket" or "having a ticket", which is usually in reference to parties or events.)

While some bars in the city charge cover, most do not. As some bars change this policy nightly, consider checking out its social media page to see if they are having an event that charges cover.

Coat, Bag, and Clothing Check

In the colder months, venues will provide spaces for you to place your coats and/or accessories. Most often, this costs a small fee up to $5. It is customary to tip the attendants at the check counter $1–2. You can do so upon arrival or before exit. You will usually be given a ticket or wristband with a number on it, which the attendants will use to find your items when you want to retrieve them. Take a cell phone picture of this ticket or wristband in case you lose it later that evening!

In venues hosting gear nights: they will almost always have a clothing check so that you can stow your extra layers. Note that you'll likely have to place your items in a trash bag—it seems weird, but they're unused and clean!

Can I use public transportation to reach all the bars listed?

Yes, though several may require you to walk longer than 10–15 minutes to your final destination. Check your favorite map app before departing.

Note that buses are legitimate forms of transportation in New York (even though many speak of the subway more frequently). However, note that buses in the evening can be unreliable.

As it relates to public transportation, note that NYC's rental bikes are called citibike.

Are taxis/car services/ride share apps safe?

Taxis are generally safe. Cis men and trans men that pass should have zero issue. On rare occasion women and women-presenting individuals have reported harassment from their drivers. As a first line of defense, remember that New York is very walkable. If you ever feel uncomfortable in your taxi cab, calmly ask the driver to stop for a moment, exit the vehicle, and troubleshoot accordingly. You are never far from help. Review the City's FAQ on taxis. See the policies for Lyft and Uber.

What are the different car services (taxis) available?

Yellow taxis are the iconic city cars for hire. They can be hailed by stepping a foot out into the street and raising a hand. Cars express their availability by an illuminated hood ornament (displaying the car's numbers) atop their carriage.
Green taxis are identical to yellow taxis. The reason they look different from yellow taxis has to do with where they are allowed to pick up passengers in the city. All things considered: these distinctions do not impact you. If you see a car coming by with a light lit up, you can summon it.
The ride sharing apps Uber and Lyft are popular in New York, as well.
Private cars also exist in New York. Relatedly: never set foot into a "black car" if it stops across the way from you, and asks if you "need a taxi". They will price gouge you.

Weather

Spring: temperatures range from chilly to comfortably hot. Rain is common. If you have an allergy to pollen or other environmental agents, you may find your senses aggravated during this time. Local weather reports will report pollen counts, so check beforehand.
Summer: temperatures range from comfortable to extremely hot, and occasionally dangerous. Humidity in New York can be extremely high, and can make you feel sticky and wet. Rain and thunderstorms can occur in short bursts in July and August. Note that despite common cultural beliefs, September is often as hot as August.
Fall/Autumn: temperatures range from chilly to comfortably hot. More recently due to climate change, you may encounter some unusually warm days in October and even November. Alternatively, there can be significant cold spells, sometimes as early as late September.
Winter: temperatures range from comfortable to dangerously frigid. Snow in New York is not uncommon. If it snows, wear sensible footwear—ideally boots with a rubber sole—and avoid getting your feet wet as that can contribute to chill. Be mindful that a moderately cold day can be made dangerous due to "wind chill", so check weather before heading out. Winds are always worse when closer to the rivers and among high buildings due to the canyon effect.

What forms of payment are accepted?

All venues accept cash in the form of the United States Dollar, USD. As of writing, one venue does not: Hush is credit card only.
About a fifth of gay venues only accept cash.
Few venues accept electric wallets (e-wallets) such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Do not rely on it as your sole source of payment.

What forms of identification (I.D.) are accepted?

All bars in New York should accept government-issued IDs. This can include drivers licenses, government-issued non-driver IDs, military IDs, and passports domestic and foreign.
Some bars will accept photographs of a passport. However: expect some occasional pushback, if not outright refusal.
Students IDs, library cards, or other forms of non-government IDs will never work.
As a disclaimer: the author (me) has heard a wide variety of stories about discrepancies in admissions policies—including bouncers refusing to admit U.K. passports (out of ignorance), and even a story about bouncers thinking that Arizona driver's licenses are fake because they have a suspiciously long expiration date. (They do.) If you have something government-issued, you are in the right. However, in the moment it might be best to walk away if you are being met with resistance.

Alcohol, Cannabis, Tobacco, and other drugs

The minimum age for the consumption and purchase of alcohol, tobacco, and cannibis (marijuana) is 21 years old.
Most other drugs for recreational use are illegal in both New York State and the United States. Be mindful that law enforcement is not lenient on these matters, and that venues may eject and/or prevent you from future admission if you are found in possession of an illegal substance.

Will I be welcome if I am…

The U.S. is a curious place, and it has an extremely checkered history when it comes to relationships between cis women and cis men; white people and people of color; and people with disabilities existing alongside those without. Among the LGBTQ+/queer community, the history gets even more complex.

Broadly speaking: New Yorkers are a tolerant, if not outright welcoming group. (We just sound like we aren't.) Moreover, while Americans have their own issues to contend with, they generally are quite intrigued by people from other places—especially other countries—and will make efforts to be hospitable.

All that said: understand that you may encounter unkindness due to other people's biases. The bars listed on the home page detail if they are popular spaces for women, queer folk, and people of color. If you're risk-averse: consider getting your feet wet where you first feel comfortable, then branch out.

Are there really no gay bars in Staten Island?

As of this writing: there are none. It is a cool borough though: it has a ton of green space, interesting restaurants, and you get to ride a boat!

About this site

Who are you?

A designer that loves New York. You can check out my personal site here.

How did you evaluate each bar?

Most of the labels assigned to each bar are based on my own personal experience. However, I am but one person and do not claim to have the sole voice on any issue. To all visitors: I insist you check out anything that interests you. Support your community!

I also wish to emphasize that I gave labels based on how definitive a bar vibe is. However, vibes are not a strict “yes” and “no”. As one example: many bars have drag shows, but some are more known for theirs then others.

How do I reach you?

Email me here.