Upper west side gay bars
Fifth Avenue Exclude
History
George Chauncey, in Gay New York, described a 1953 court decision, involving the Fifth Street Bar in the Stanwood Cafeteria, that officially began to limit the Modern York State Liquor Authority (SLA)’s dominance to revoke the liquor licenses of premises that same-sex attracted men and lesbians frequented, which it considered de facto “disorderly.” The SLA had been wielding this power since it was established in 1934 by the State Legislature at the finish of Prohibition.
According to Chauncey,
George Chauncey, Gay New York (1994)
Gaedicker’s 1949 “Sodom-on-Hudson” mentor stated that “for the upper west side, the Stanwood Cafeteria… occasionally flourishes, especially near bar-closing time.” Located neighboring the busy intersection of Broadway and West 72nd Highway, the cafeteria and bar extended along the Broadway frontage of the Dorilton Apartments, with plain visibility from the street through big windows. One of the largest establishments on the Upper West Side, it could accommodate 350 to 400 people. It apparently opened around 1940, primarily as a
New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that acquire been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.
You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these homosexual spaces all present something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
RECOMMENDED: Complete guide to the best bars in NYC
May 2025: We removed Ginger's and Barracuda Lounge. We added Loafers Cocktail Bar.
Candle Bar (CLOSED)
Aglow for nearly 40 years, this Upper West Side bar is not about candles. Rather, it’s one of the neighborhood’s go-to gay bars, where boys in the ’hood drop by to meet, play pool or just catch up. This is no meat market, and the conventional decor—white string lights, wooden bar—reinforces the low-key vibe. Hell, you might even view an errant straight couple wander in.
- Address
- 309 Amsterdam Ave
- New York
- Cross street:
- between 74th and 75th Sts
- Transport:
- Subway: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St
- Price:
- Average drink: $4. Cash only
- Opening hours:
- Daily 2pm–4am
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Eight NYC Gay Bars and Clubs We Miss This PRIDE
BY MICHAEL MUSTO | Happy Pride! There are plenty of homosexual establishments in NYC at which you can celebrate, but permit me step in between your cocktails and remind you of some past places that were absolute gay heaven. We can briefly remember their glory, then go right back to putting the mo’ back in mojito.
THE BAREFOOT BOY (309 E. 39th St. at Second Ave.) | One prominent element of queer nightlife in the 1970s deeply interested raunchy, sex-driven places like the Anvil—but at the opposite cease of the spectrum was the Barefoot Boy, a sleek twirl club that was sophisticated and almost chic. But, of course, sex was the object here too. Everyone’s mission was to wait till a great lyric was played (like Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive), ask someone hot to dance, and then find yourself doing a line dance together all the way home. Yes, this was way before Grindr, when you had to actually go out of the house and chat up potential tricks face to face! Can you imagine?
THE CANDLE Exclude (309 Amsterdam Ave. btw. W. 74th & 75th Sts.) | A long-running establishment, the Candle brought some gay presence to the Upper West Side—al