New York has to be one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world and
there are several communities including Jackson Heights in Queens, Chelsea
in Manhattan and Greenwich Village which have a high gay and lesbian
population. There is a weekly newsletter called The Blade, which can be
found at free boxes around the town informing of topics within the gay
community. The Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of New York and the Gay and
Lesbian National Hotline both provide entertainment and cultural information
for the gay community. Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center offers a
free visitor's welcome pack, full of helpful information such as the Gay
Yellow Pages, local listings and events calendars. Gay Men's Health Crisis
on 119 W 24th Street provides health care for those with HIV, blood testing
and various counselling services.
A 24 hour helpline for gay victims of violence is provided by the NYC Gay
and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.
Visitors from around the globe flock to New York for the Gay Pride parade,
which is held on Fifth Avenue on the last weekend of June and Greenwich
Village is a popular tourist destination. The expensive rents in West
Village and the number of tourists trying to get a glimpse of gay life have
forced the gay community to move uptown to nearby Chelsea. This is now the
hottest gay neighbourhood in New York, with gyms, restaurants and a wide
range clubs. There are restaurants and lesbian clubs on the 10 blocks of
Hudson Street, as well as a host of gay bars Uptown.
Restaurants and clubs specifically catering for the gay and lesbian
clientele have emerged in the last couple of decades. There are free lists
to inform you of what's happening on the gay scene, called HX/Homo Xtra,
Village Voice and the Gay Yellow Pages, which are available at many of the
bars and restaurants in New York. Many of the gay bars and clubs cater for
men, although most of them will welcome the opposite sex. Clubs host a
weekly or monthly gay night and although the entertainment is varied,
transvestite shows are the most popular. The Saint at Large brain trust is
responsible for many of New York's biggest gay parties, including the Black
Party which is a night of frolicking for men in leather clad gear and their
chained partners. Flamingo now hosts the "Clit Club" - the most popular
party for women. Grolier, Crazy Nanny's and Henrietta Hudson are all clubs
that cater just for women.
Gay and Lesbian Bars/clubs:
Don't Tell Mama:
343 W 46th Street
Tel: 757-0788
Duplex:
61 Christopher Street
Tel: 255-5438
Henrietta Hudson:
438 Hudson Street
Tel: 924-3347
Crazy Nanny's:
21 7th Avenue South
Tel: 366-6312
Marie's Crisis Cafe:
59 Grove Street
Tel: 243-9323
Julius:
159 W 10th Street
Tel: 929-9672
Town House:
236 E 58th Street
Tel: 754-4649
Saint at Large:
Tel: 212-674-8541
www.saintatlarge.com
Flamingo:
219 Second Avenue, between 13th and 14th streets.
Don Hill's:
511 Greenwich Street, near Spring Street
Tel: 212-219-2850
The Lure:
409 W 13th Street:
Tel: 212-741-3919
Monster:
80 Grove Street
Tel: 212-924-3558
Hell:
59 Gansevoort Street
Tel: 212-727-1666
Rubyfruit:
531 Hudson Street
Tel: 212-929-3343
The Cock:
188 Avenue, near E 12th Street
Tel: 212-777-6254
Urge:
32 Second Avenue, near E 2nd Street
Tel: 212-533-5757
Meow Mix:
269 E Houston Street
Tel: 212-254-0688
Barracuda:
275 West 22nd Street
Tel: 212-645-8613
SBNY:
50 W 17th Street at Sixth Avenue
Tel: 212-691-0073
