The 2017 NYC Pride March is hitting downtown streets next Sunday, June 25th and it’s time to plan out a day of celebrating. Good news is, the New York City Pride March with be televised for the first time this year. Better news is, there’s a large number of local LGBTQ bars and restaurants offering dope drink specials and entertainment leading up to Pride Day. Here’s what’s happening ‘hood by ‘hood for NYC Pride 2017.
Manhattan
Hell’s Kitchen
Flaming Saddles Saloon
Save a horse, ride a cowboy (literally) at Flaming Saddles. This Wild West-themed “saloon” showcases the tight-jeans, boot-wearing bartenders dancing on the bar to blaring country-western music. Weekend happy hour is huge (that’s what he said) – From 12:00PM to 8:00PM, sling back 2-4-1 Bud Lights and $20 Mimosa pitchers, then wrangle in your next prospect. Without a doubt, order the “World Famous” Frito Pie: Frito Corn Chips topped with homemade all-beef Texas red chili, cheese, sour cream, jalapeño, spicy brown mustard and chopped white onions. Finger (and lip) lickin’ good.
793 9th Ave., 212-713-0481, www.flamingsaddles.com, @flamingsaddles
Hardware Bar
Await morning wood at hardware store turned gay nightclub. The hit party is called the Weekend Skinny Brunch, and it starts at noon. Submerge yourself in $4 Margaritas, Mimosas & Bloody Marys, $6 Long Island Iced Teas. Be sure to pace yourself as it ends at 9:00PM. Drag divas, Peppermint and Porsche, will hit the floor after, drawing in a deeper crowd. You don’t want to miss out.
697 10th Ave., 212-924-9885, www.hardware-bar.com, @hardwarebarnyc
Rise Bar
New for the queer community, this spacious, sleek spot is swamped with steaming twenty-somethings bumpin’, sweatin’, and snapchattin’ the sexy, shirtless bartenders. If there’s one thing to remember, it’s $3 beers and $5 well drinks everyday from 4:00PM to 9:00PM. His name with come to you later.
859 9th Ave., 646-892-3313, @risebarnyc
Chelsea
Gym Sports Bar
Chelsea location. Gay on phone: “I met this boy last night at Gym. His name is Jim.” @OverheardNewYork. This “sports bar” is jam-packed with activities – From weekly dodgeball games to Divas Live in the “Locker Room.” It’s more like an after-work, team league with cheap drinks and trophies. Check the schedule for daily specials and events, and fuel yourself with fluids.
167 8th Ave. #A, 212-337-2439, www.gymsportsbar.com, @gymsportsbarny
Boxer’s NYC
Pride just got premium. Visit Boxer’s from 4:00PM to 9:00PM on weekdays for $10 top-shelf drinks. (This deal applies to the Hell’s Kitchen location, too.) Word is… the sexy, boxer-clad bartenders are straight males. That said, bring your cute girlfriends if you want to pocket the $10.
37 W. 20th St, 212-255-5082, www.boxersnyc.com, @boxersnyc
The Eagle
Leather and fetish parties are the norm here. From big bears in leather harnesses to buff boys dancing in jockstraps, this tri-level space will be balls to the wall (really) packed on Pride Day. Start on the dark dance floor, and finish on the open rooftop terrace. But really, finish behind closed doors. Please and thank you.
554 W. 28th St, 646-473-1866, www.eagle-ny.com, @eaglenyc
West Village
Stonewall Inn
In the spirit of the gay rights movement, come and sit where it all began. Check out outlandish outfits, funky floats and spontaneous dance parties that blend perfectly with the political components of this civil rights march (which date back to 1970 – The first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots). Go for cheap beers and drinks during Big Gay Happy Hour on weekdays and Sundays. This is where Pride lives!
53 Christopher St, 212-488-2705, www.thestonewallinnnyc.com, @thestonewallinn
Pieces Bar
So, you think you’re Lady Gaga? Well, prove it. On stage. Tuesday night. Karaoke. There are enough disco balls, glitter and rainbow decor to motivate you. Dirty dance moves are a plus. Get the crowd wired up and you’ll be drinking free all night.
8 Christopher St, 212-929-9291, www.piecesbar.com, @piecesbar
The Duplex
The Duplex is where to be on Pride Day. Why you ask? Because it’s along the annual march route. Snatch a seat outside, sip the famous Duplex Pink Pride Lemonade, and watch entertainers, activists, politicians, and celebrities march down Christopher Street to promote LGBTQ rights celebrate progress. Find DJ Brian Mac in the cabaret after.
61 Christopher St, 212-255-5438, www.theduplex.com, @nyctheduplex
Cubbyhole
Lesbian, gay and straight friendly since ‘94. Expect this no-frills gay bar to be dressed in colorful decor on Pride Day. Take advantage of free popcorn, drink specials and bumpin’ jukebox. Spark a convo with the babe next to you.
281 W. 12th St #A, 212-243-9041, www.cubbyholebar.com, @cubbyhole
East Village
Phoenix
We can agree that Phoenix is a “premiere” gay bar… A “be seen at destination” with a diverse and trendy crowd. Theme nights vary from Balls Deep Karaoke to Queer Pong. Happy hour remains 4:00PM to 8:00PM daily with $3 well drinks, $3 wine and domestic bottles and $2 Bud/Light pints.
447 E. 13th St, 212-477-9979, www.phoenixbarnyc.com
Nowhere
From dykes to bears, Nowhere is where attitude-free crowds chill. It’s a friendly, sizable bar with a solid lineup of theme nights and sick playlist of top hits. Just because there isn’t an “official” dance floor to get wet on, doesn’t mean you can’t grind your hips – maybe you’ll meet your match IRL.
322 E. 14th St, 212-477-4744, www.nowherebarnyc.com, @nowherenyc
The Boiler Room
This spot opened in the late 90s, and looks exactly the same. Difference is, the larger waves of gays flooding the windowless watering hole with nowhere else to go in East Village. With a pool table, jukebox (best one in town) and $4 well drinks after 10:00PM daily, it’s truly a great time.
86 E. 4th St, 212-254-7536, www.theboilerroomnyc.com, @boiler_room_nyc
Queens
Astoria
Albatross Bar
Celebrate Pride at the oldest LGBTQ bar in Astoria. There’s 2-4-1 (16 oz.) COCK-tails everyday from 5:00PM to 8:00PM, plus resident Drag Queen, Sutton Lee Seymour on stage for a live show every week. You can catch her on Saturday nights at 11:00PM at no charge.
3619 24th Ave., Astoria, 718-204-9707, www.albatrossastoria.com, @albatrossastoria
Brooklyn
Williamsburg
Metropolitan
Or celebrate Pride at Brooklyn’s OG gay bar. Happy hour is a must – From 3:00PM to 8:00PM daily, grab 2-4-1 Budweiser, Bud Light, Labatt Blue Canadian Lager, house wines and well drinks. Hang out in the outdoor garden (one of the best in the city), or challenge a pal at pool inside. Don’t forget, snap a pic, or five in the digital photo booth to remember the night.
559 Lorimer St, 718-599-4444, www.metropolitanbarny.com, @metropolitan_bk
Macri Park
So, Metropolitan is packed… Come to its “new” sister bar – Just one block away! Drag shows occur nightly, and so does late night happy hour from 2:00AM to 4:00AM. Perhaps the Underwear Party will pick up… Stay tuned.
462 Union Ave., 718-599-4999, www.macripark.com, @macripark
Park Slope
Ginger’s Bar
Welcome to the G-spot. Ginger’s, a lesbian watering hole (but open to men, gay or straight) has a long wooden bar up front and a pool table in the back room. There’s a jukebox, outdoor patio, and few topless women (in photos), too. Entertainment happens nightly. Be sure to come through with a friend, partner or the softball team from 5:00PM to 8:00PM for half-priced domestic beers and selected liquors.
363 5th Ave., 718-788-0924, www.gingersbarbklyn.com, @gingersbarbrooklyn
Featured Image Photo Credit Grace Chiu
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