What's it really like?
New York City, known as ‘The Big Apple’ and ‘The City That Never Sleeps,’ attracts around 60 million visitors annually. It’s an exciting, happening city, and people can’t help falling in love with it, including the vibrant gay New York community.
The city is home to iconic landmarks like Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, the World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building. Additionally, gay New York adds its own colorful layer to the city’s appeal with its dynamic LGBTQ+ culture and history.
Its role as a backdrop for countless movies and TV shows sets it apart from other US cities. Walking in the footsteps of your favorite characters—including those from beloved LGBTQ+ narratives—is an experience that’s hard to beat, making these tours a must-do for fans of all pronouns.
For gay travelers, there are five gayborhoods in New York, each offering something unique for every single visitor. NYC is not only the home of numerous food types but also a vibrant part of Gay New York culture. Local classics like pizza and deli sandwiches share space with international restaurants, ensuring that there’s always something on offer no matter the time of night you’re hungry.
Remember, NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so be sure to budget beforehand. Visiting during the low season, from December to March, offers much lower prices if you can stand the icy conditions.
When is the best time to visit NYC? Any time! There’s so much going on in this incredible city that you’ll find something exciting no matter when you go, especially in the dynamic and diverse gay New York.
Explore the vibrant heart of gay New York with its eclectic gay bars, where the drama isn’t just on TV. Start your adventure at Rise Bar in Hell’s Kitchen, where you can catch your weekly dose of drag and desperate karaoke. Over in Queens, don’t miss Albatross and Friend’s Tavern—because why settle for one type of show when you can be overwhelmed by five? And for those who think a night out isn’t complete without a bit of leather/fetish, there’s Rockbar in Greenwich Village. Ready to dive into the bold spirit of gay New York?
Gay New York brings its own charm and energy, and what better way to experience it than by diving into the city’s vibrant gay bathhouse scene? Head to the Russian and Turkish Baths in the East Village, where you can steam like a dumpling in five different saunas, chill in a cold plunge pool, and eat on a roof deck—because obviously, that’s the best place for a restaurant. Then, float over to Les Hommes on the Upper West Side for the most chill afternoon cruise imaginable. And of course, there’s the East Side Club in Midtown, because your sauna tour of Manhattan wouldn’t be complete without it.
While there aren’t any specific gay hotels or resorts in New York, the pink dollar is welcomed everywhere. NYC’s hospitality scene is well aware of its diverse audience, with many hotels featuring gay couples in their marketing and websites—because they know you’re coming!
Did you know that 8% of NYC’s population identifies as LGBTQI? That’s over 700,000 of us living it up in the Big Apple. Naturally, gay people gravitate toward hospitality jobs, so expect warm welcomes from like-minded staff across the city.
Accommodation in the category of Gay New York covers the spectrum—from 5-star luxe towers with jaw-dropping views of the skyline and Hudson River to a no-frills budget stay at the iconic YMCA. Space is at a premium, especially on Manhattan Island, so rooms might be cozier than you’d expect. Pools are rare, but fitness centers are standard, and rooftop bars are everywhere, giving you those Instaperfect views. Plus, NYC is super pet-friendly; finding a hotel that doesn’t welcome your furry sidekick is almost unheard of.
Gays and the Law
Gay New York City is known as the beginning of the gay movement. It all began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. Police raided this gay bar unannounced. Patrons fed up with being discriminated against, fought off the police and started a three-day series of riots. By the end of the following month, activist groups were set up to fight for gay rights and pave the way for the freedom we all have today.
Exactly one year later, on June 28, 1970, the first-ever gay pride parade was held in NYC, and Los Angeles, San Franciso, and Chicago.
Same-sex acts were legalized in 1980, and same-sex marriages have been performed since 2011. There are laws in place to protect gay, lesbian, and transgender people from discrimination in all areas of our lives.
The Stonewall Inn is still operating at the original address, so please visit and take a moment to thank those who stood up for their (and our) rights. Incidentally, June 28 is now officially International LGBT Pride Day.
Getting Tested
The NYC Sexual Health Clinic provides free or low-cost STI and HIV testing. Walk-ins are preferred, but wait times can be long. Before visiting, it’s best to check their website.
If you feel you may need to take PEP, contact the NYC hotline at 844-3-PEPNYC (844-373-7692) or visit an emergency room at any hospital.
Gay travelers who want to renew their PrEP can also do so at the NYC Sexual Health Clinic.
Local Neighhorhoods
New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
When people hear NYC, they think of Manhattan Island, which is where most tourist attractions are. The other boroughs (except for Staten Island, which is the site of the Statue of Liberty monument) are more family-focused and less touristy.
There are so many venues available for gay travelers that it would be impossible to have them all in one place. In fact, amongst the five boroughs, there are six gayborhoods, four of which are in Manhattan.
Greenwich Village is where it all started, and Christopher Street is where the bars are to be found.
Gay travelers who want to bar-hop the night away will love Hell’s Kitchen. It has the highest number of venues, and they’re all steps away from each other. An added benefit is that hotels, like Ink 48 and Hotel Scherman, are in the hub, right in the heart of the action, making it super-easy to crash after a night out.
Other gayborhoods in Manhattan are Chelsea and the East Village. The venues here are more laid back and have a neighborhood feel to them.
Over the East River are the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, both of which benefit from having more space. However, this means the bars are more spread out, so choosing one per night is the best option.
Gay travelers in Harlem, the Upper East, West Side, or Midtown can also find a local venue nearby.
Wish you were here?
Sign up for our newsletter and discover travel experiences you’ll really want to try.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2024.
