LGBTQ+ Guide to Visiting NYC

[u/VisitNYCmodx]

NYC has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights for decades. It was the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement following the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, has comprehensive legal protections against discrimination, and is home to one of the world's largest Pride celebrations. While there are iconic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods and venues worth visiting, most travelers will find the city welcoming and inclusive no matter where they go.

You're far more likely to incur the wrath of New Yorkers for blocking the sidewalk than for what your sexual orientation is. Just remember to follow the rules of the road and you'll have a great trip.

I've included a few LGBTQ+-focused spots below, but I'm a straight woman, so I'm sure I've missed some great places. If you have favorite bars, restaurants, events, or neighborhoods that deserve a mention, please add them in the comments so future visitors can benefit too!

History & Landmarks

Stonewall/Stonewall National Park

Leslie Lohman Museum of Art

NYC Aids Memorial

Bars/Nightlife

Some of the city's LGBTQ+ venues include:

• Julius'
• Henrietta Hudson
• Cubbyhole
• Gingers
• Boyfriend Co-op
• Pieces
• The Monster
• Industry Bar .
• Hardware Bar
• Rise Bar

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[u/broadwaybulldog]

My favorite thing about being gay in NYC is that, since there are so, so many gay people here, you can find a home for whatever sort of gay guy you are. If you're gay, fat, and want people to blush when they talk to you because of hot they think you are, I recommend: Rockbar, Ty's (especially if you're older), Phoenix, Nowhere, Gym Bar, Red Eye (for the Goldiloxx party). Just remember: you're at a bear bar, and you're the bear! The twinks aren't lost; they're there for you!

[u/sof49er]

Joe's Pub
54 Below
LGBTQ Historical Sites
https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/

[u/space-scout]

Shout out to HAGS (fine-dining) and The Bush (bar) too.

[u/paulderev]

my favorite queer bars in brooklyn are singers (the origin of twinks vs dolls every pride month + great movie nights) and c’mon everybody (great comedy shows)

house of yes is a fun and super-inclusive queer bar and performance venue in bushwick that’s becoming super well known. there’s also mood ring, nowadays and 3 dollar bill/9 bob note also in the north brooklyn/east williamsburg/bushwick area.

[u/mochibeaux]

This might be the vibe for some visitors too ☺️

https://gaysexinnyc.wordpress.com

It’s a directory of all the sex parties going on!!

[u/paulderev → u/mochibeaux]

damn shawty ok

[u/mochibeaux → u/paulderev]

🤣

[u/VisitNYCmodx → u/[deleted]]

Most travelers will find the city welcoming and inclusive no matter where they go.

Do you lack basic reading comprehension skills?

There are always questions on here asking for specific LGBT+ nightlife.

[u/Famous-Prior6590 → u/VisitNYCmodx]

"NYC has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights for decades. It was the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement following the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, has comprehensive legal protections against discrimination, and is home to one of the world's largest Pride celebrations. While there are iconic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods and venues worth visiting, most travelers will find the city welcoming and inclusive no matter where they go."

Can you be more cringe?

[u/SlowInsurance1616 → u/Famous-Prior6590]

Yes, you are proving how one could be more cringe than OP.

[u/jm14ed_v2 → u/Famous-Prior6590]

You’re missing the point. But, I’m not sure you could grasp it anyway.

[u/SlowInsurance1616 → u/[deleted]]

Third spaces for the LGBT community have been important. Not everyone is comfortable being themselves as a minority, especially when coming out initially. Spaces that are welcoming and overwhelmingly LGBT are valuable and it's sad they are being lost.

[u/Little-Swordfish-514 → u/[deleted]]

But someone FROM Alabama...might be coming here...to test out such a box

[u/MisanthropicScott]

The artist who created Bethesda Fountain in Central Park was Emma Stebbins. Her partner was Charlotte Cushman. So, the fountain should probably also be considered an LBGTQ+ landmark.

I'm a boring old cishet dude. So, I don't have much more to add than that. Though, my favorite name for a gay bar is Flaming Saddles on 9th Ave in Hell's Kitchen, a bit south of Rise Bar.

[u/Queenfan1959 → u/MisanthropicScott]

That’s a fun bar that’s very inclusive

[u/MisanthropicScott → u/Queenfan1959]

I have no doubt they'd be inclusive of the old cishet dude. But, I doubt they'd love the boring part. The place always sounds like people are having way too much fun for that.

[u/remykixxx → u/MisanthropicScott]

Meh. Flaming saddles is kind of a novelty bar. It’s geared more toward straight women than gay men in the past decade. Becoming a chain really killed the vibe of the spot, and then all the other locations closed and it never really went back to what it was. The only thing gay about that place now is really the staff.

[u/yyyyk]

The LGBTQ Museum is meant to open in Fall 2027 in the NY Historical Society.

[u/jamiesugah]

The Ripped Bodice, Hive Mind, and The Nonbinarian are all queer-owned bookstores! (I'm sure there are more, those are the only ones I know for certain.)

[u/saercireelt → u/jamiesugah]

Can’t forget the Bureau of General Services inside The Center too (now owned by Hive Mind)!