Feature Image by Maro Hagopian
A couple of months ago, I attended an art symposium and one of the speakers, a lesbian writer, was a tried and true Brooklynite who had spent a great deal of time in Manhattan’s Bowery neighborhood during the 1980s. She reminisced about how the iconic Bowery was once a seedy bohemian area known for being an epicenter of punk music and underground art before gentrification replaced homeless heroin addicts and rat infested lofts with high rise condominiums and trendy cafes. I braced myself for the usual “Manhattan’s queer and art scenes are so over” speech. But instead, she acknowledged that Manhattan is a borough constantly in flux, always changing while remaining the same in many important ways.
I relocated to Manhattan in 1999 and I live in a historically wealthy neighborhood just a few short blocks away from Central Park, Madonna, and Anthony Bourdain. Interestingly, my rent is cheaper (and I mean way cheaper) than some “grimier” neighborhoods in Brooklyn, which exemplifies that gentrification is alive and well in places where hipsters are trying to keep the façade of “edginess.” (Bklyn Boihood has a good post on said gentrification.)
Yes, other neighborhoods and boroughs may be the “new black.” But Manhattan is the new Manhattan…and in certain respects, the old Manhattan. What I like most about Manhattan is that it is not just for a niche group of people; it’s for everyone! Here you’ll find tattooed dapper genderqueers; hip hop honeys; bougie L-word types; old school dykes rocking fanny packs and leather vests; power gallerinas; and doms and studs! All are welcome. If someone tries to tell you that there is nothing left in Manhattan for queers, you need not look further than this guide to prove them wrong.
Staple Bars
Cubbyhole: Too-cool-for-school kids roll their eyes at this lesbian bar that has become a queer institution in Manhattan’s West Village. But if you check your pretentious hat at the door, you’ll see that Cubbyhole is the “Queer Cheers,” with a bring your own food policy, gay anthem blasting jukebox, and ceiling covered in insane amounts of kitsch (e.g., plastic tropical fish).
(281 West 12th Street, New York, NY)
Creme de la Femme via Maro Hagopian
Henrietta Hudson: Going 20 years strong, this keep-it-simple lesbian club has three small rooms: one with a dance floor, one with a pool table, and one with make-out couches. It attracts no-pretense, girl next door types. Henrietta Hudson hosts a different party every night (e.g., Sunday’s Roc da Mic Karaoke and Wednesday’s Tócame Noche Latina) that caters to their diverse clientele. This is often the go-to club for outta towners, so you can find lots of fresh meat here!
(438 Hudson Street, New York, NY)
Escualita: While Escualita’s website appears to cater primarily to men, this LGBTQ club does have its own lesbian scene with all of the drama and incestuousness found in lesbian-specific bars. However, there is a true sense of LGBTQ community here; it is not unusual to find a butch rocking a sideways cap playfully putting dollar bills into a drag queen’s bra. DJs spin sets of hip-hop, reggaeton, and Latin beats.
(301 West 39th Street, New York, NY)
Also: The divey hipster gay bar Nowhere (East 14th street between 1st & 2nd Ave), with its pool tables and reasonably-priced drinks, attracts a mixed crowd all week as well as hosting Ladies Nights.
Parties
Boxers Off! is a bi-monthly butch burlesque party featuring some of NYC’s hottest gender-bending talents, such as L-Boogie, Goldie Peacock, Susan Herr, and Drae Campbell.
(Various locations)
Choice C*nts: I would describe Choice as the intersection of rock-n-roll glam, hip-hop chic, and urban hipster (Bowie+Runaways+N.E.R.D. = CC) with a lot of genderfu*king. Promoter Ellie Conant (a.k.a. the Gaysha) hosts Choice at Drom on the last Friday of every month. Each party has a different theme and celebrity photographer Maro Hagopian is there to capture all of the debauchery inspired by resident DJ Leslie Van Stelten’s panty dropping mixes.
(85 Avenue A, New York, NY)
Choice C*nts via Maro Hagopian
Crème de la Femme: Every Wednesday night at Union Square Ballroom, promoter Maggie C. hosts Creme de la Femme (CDLF), one of Manhattan’s most popular femme (and femme chaser) nights. The party has an upscale, “well heeled” feel.
(27 Union Square West, New York, NY)
girlNATIONnyc: B&T (short for “bridge and tunnel,” a term used by Manhattanites to describe visitors who come into the city via those routes) flock to this Saturday night party for shots out of plastic test tubes and sweaty dancing. It sort of has a New Jersey/Long Island feel. You won’t need to own a leotard from American Apparel or a pair of bejeweled Christian Louboutins to fit in here.
(Various locations)
Girlz Parties: Without giving you all the gory details about my wild family tree, I will let you know this. My mom is also a lesbian and more women fawn over her than men fawn over Stifler’s mom! But my mom is not interested in women with Shane’s style; she would prefer someone like Papi! So when my mom visits Manhattan, she hits up Denise Madison’s Girlz Parties, weekly events with a smoothed out hip-hop and R&B feel.
(Various locations)
Hot Rabbit: In the Here/Queer guide to Brooklyn , author Sam asked, “Have you ever gone to a packed party with gorgeous people and thought, ‘Wouldn’t this be great if there were better music??'” Hot Rabbit has a cure for this by featuring a new DJ every week at this Friday party. The DJ line-up has included JD Samson, Whitney Day, and Shomi Noise. Did I mention the party is free?
(322 E 14th Street, New York, NY)
Hot Rabbit Photo via Emily Smith
Stilettos: When the weather heats up, promoter Maggie C. brings the action outside with her seasonal Sunday party, Stilettos, located in the Maritime Hotel Cabanas, a breezy rooftop lounge high above the hustle and bustle of Manhattan’s streets. The urban oasis is reminiscent of an L.A. nightclub and the patrons look as if they’ve just walked off the L-Word set.
(363 West 16th Street, New York, NY)
Lesbo-a-Go-Go: Dykes descend on the Stonewall Inn, site of the historic 1969 Stonewall riots, every Friday night for come-as-you-are dancing. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a business suit or flip-flops. You don’t have to dress the part. Just dance. (It’ll be ok.)
(53 Christopher Street, New York, NY)
Truckstop: The L.A. based stripper-esque Truckstop Convoy brings their booty shaking go-go to Manhattan once a month. Onlookers dare one another to approach the Truckstop crew for a dirty dance. (“You go give her a dollar.” “No, YOU go give her a dollar.”)
(54 West 21st Street, New York, NY)
Probably the best resource for lesbian bars and ladies nights is the NYC-based GO Magazine, which hosts annual nightlife awards and always has the most up-to-date event listings on its website.
Food & Caffeine Fix
Manhattan is a culinary city. With most places being LGBTQ-friendly, it’s hard for me to make specific recommendations short of getting a Zagat guide to help you narrow down your options. That said, I thought I’d throw in some restaurants with a lesbian/bi following for good measure.
There are only two Cowgirl restaurants in the country: one in Santa Fe and one in Manhattan (519 Hudson Street, New York, NY). It has such a queer following that it also got a shout out in the Queer-Girl Guide to Santa Fe . Cafe Forà nt (449 W 51st St (between 9th & 10th Aves) is another queer favorite owned by two super-cute lesbians who met in Provincetown and now want to serve you brunch every single day. Lesbian Top Chef Anita Lo‘s Annisa Restaurant (13 Barrow Street at 4th street) gets rave reviews for its unique style of infusing French cuisine with Asian ingredients.
If you want to eat a sloppy taco with Rachel Maddow, head over to La Rosita Grocery & Taqueria (526 W 47th Street,New York, NY) in Hell’s Kitchen. The Maddow staff members are fans of their tacos and sopes, Maddow herself saying, “If those chicken sopes ran for Congress, I would quit my job on TV to go door-to-door campaigning for them.”
For ice cream so delicious that even Anthony Bourdain approves, head over to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop (125 East 7th Street, New York, NY) or Big Gay Ice Cream Truck (various locations), both of which have a homo following (obvi).
In Chelsea, Cafeteria (119 7th Ave at West 17th St)Â is well-known for it’s attractive gay-boy waiters, but the queer atmosphere, fancy comfort food menu, awesome brunch and 24/7 hours make it a lesbian favorite too.
The Yaffa Cafe (97 St Marks Pl between 1st Ave & Avenue A) is an eclectic Village spot with a cute back garden, funky lighting, and a diverse menu vegetarians and their friends will love. Speaking of vegetarians (and vegans!), Manhattan is packed with opportunities to consume soy in a variety of permutations — we recommend Josie’s ( 565 Third Ave at 37th St and 300 Amsterdam Ave at 74th St), Blossom (187 Ninth Ave at 21st street), vegan spot The Candle Cafe (1307 3rd Avenue at 74th street) and the famous Angelica Kitchen (300 E 12th St at 1st Avenue).
Art
With over 60 museums and 600 art galleries, Manhattan is considered one of the art capitals of the world. (Some say it is THE art capital of the world.) The Guggenheim, MoMA, and Metropolitan Museum of Art are usually on the top of most visitors’ lists, as they should be. But queermos may also enjoy the Museum of Sex (233 5th Avenue, New York, NY) and the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art (26 Wooster Street, New York, NY). If you’re low on cash, consider this. Many opening receptions at galleries offer free booze. Got a few extra bones in your pocket? Then schedule an LGBT art tour.
Erotica/Bookstores
Bluestockings (172 Allen Street, New York, NY) is a bookstore, fair trade café, and activist center that hosts a feminist book club, workshops, readings, performances, discussions, and films every night. There is usually a suggested $5 donation to attend events, but no one is ever turned away for lack of cash.
The Housing Works Bookstore and Café (126 Crosby Street, New York, NY) has a large selection of books and hosts events, with 100% of their proceeds going to support their mission of providing lifesaving services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Manhattan abounds with adult toy shops, especially along Christopher Street, which stretches from 9th Street to 6th Avenue and has become a symbol of gay pride. However, Babeland and Pleasure Chest are two shops that have a devoted LGBTQ following. Babeland is a women-friendly adult toy shop with several locations, including two in Manhattan (SoHo location at 43 Mercer Street and Lower East Side location at 94 Rivington Street). In addition to selling toys and erotica, they offer workshops that cost $0-40. Events range anywhere from “How to Give Great Oral Sex” to happy hours with free bubbly. Opened in 1971 in Manhattan’s West Village gayborhood, the Pleasure Chest (156 7th Avenue South, New York, NY) remains one of the most popular LGBTQ-friendly boutique style erotic stores.
Colleges
While you were busy sipping all that Manhattan haterade, the rest of us were getting our learn on at Manhattan’s world renowned colleges and universities: Barnard, Columbia, NYU, Hunter College, Juilliard, Pace, Fordham, School of Visual Arts, Baruch College, FIT, and Parsons School of Design, to name a few. Listing all of the LGBTQ and feminist resources for these universities would require a separate post. I had the honor of attending graduate school at NYU and working at Columbia for several years and can say from personal experience that both universities are LGBTQ–friendly. (Just take a look at Columbia’s “It Gets Better” video.)
Athletics
New York has plenty of professional sports teams to root for, including the Jets, Giants, Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Knicks, and WNBA Liberty. The last three teams play right in Manhattan at world famous Madison Square Garden. But if you’re looking to support or perhaps join smaller, non-professional sports teams in Manhattan, there are lots of queer-friendly options, such as Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Cheer New York, and the Big Apple Bowling, Dodgeball, and Kickball leagues.
Summer in the City
Manhattan is a great place to be in the summer, especially if you’re low on cash. The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival shows free movies in Bryant Park; Hudson River Park offers free summer events and educational programs, including movies on the pier, concerts, and kayaking on the Hudson River; the New York Philharmonic and the New York Metropolitan Opera both put on free performances in Central Park; and
Governors Island in New York Harbor hosts art exhibits, food festivals, and concerts.
The Day Trip to End All Day Trips
You can certainly visit any of NYC’s other boroughs (Lez go to Coney Island!) or take a ride out to some of Long Island’s small towns (Hamptons, anyone?). But I’m going to share some insider information re the day trip.
Fire Island, just 1.5 hours from Manhattan, is a 31 mile long island that is in some places only accessible by boat or seaplane and where motor-vehicles are prohibited. Two of the hamlets on the Island, the Pines and Cherry Grove, are gay summer resorts. They are sheer gay paradise. People sunbathe on the beach all day and party all night. There are drag performances, lesbian parties, gay nightclubs, restaurants, gay bingo, you name it. However, since there are no cars allowed on the hamlets, the area has not been over developed. You get around by foot via treelined wooden walkways and piers, running into deer (yes, deer) along the way. It’s about a 20 minute walk between the two hamlets.
Fire Island Pines via Vito Fun
To get to Fire Island from Manhattan, take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station to Sayville and then take a ferry to the Pines or Cherry Grove. If you have the time and money, rent a room or get a share because you’ll never want to leave!
Pride
The NYC Pride Parade, attended by approximately 1-1.5 million people annually, is held in Manhattan on the last Sunday of June. Many of the promoters in the above party section throw pre (the night before the parade) and post-Pride Parade parties. However, the official women’s dance party, Rapture on the River, takes place on the Saturday before the NYC Pride Parade, following the NYC Dyke March and Harlem’s amazing Pride block party.
Pride Pier Dance Attendees via Vito Fun
Gayborhoods
Manhattan is one big gayborhood, but the most well-known gayborhoods are Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and Greenwich Village. I lived in Chelsea for 10 years, so that’s my favorite of the three. Chelsea is home to over 370 art galleries, High Line Park, Chelsea Piers, and Chelsea Market, an indoor market with over 33 food vendors. Greenwich Village has historical significance, as the Stonewall Riots marking the start of the gay rights movement took place in this neighborhood. Hell’s Kitchen is Manhattan’s Off-Broadway theater district.
There’s also a growing queer lady community uptown in West Harlem and East Harlem. The Morningside Heights area hosts the eager students of Columbia, Barnard and the Manhattan School of Music and also is home to gay bar Suite and its legendary karaoke nights. Harlem has a long glorious gay & lesbian history and remains moderately affordable, too.
Greenwich Village
Git Yo Hair Did
You will not find a shortage of salons in Manhattan, but when I think of queer cuts, two immediately come to mind: Crops for Girls (437 East 9th Street, New York, NY), a salon specializing in short haircuts for women, and Fringe Salon (248 Broome Street, New York, NY). Stylist Jenn at Fringe Salon says, “I have a lot of short haired clients who are queer and come to me looking for something that is not feminine. I try and give them a haircut that makes them comfortable with themselves – makes them happy. A lot of my queer clients go to that extreme and want to shave, texture, keep a tail, [or] wear a mullet. And they wear it better than my male clients. It’s their individuality that makes the hair, not their sexuality.”
Fringe Stylist Jenn via Maro Hagopian
Resources/Support
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center (208 West 13th Street, New York, NY), known as “the Center” for short, is the second largest LGBTQ center in the world, offering a variety of youth, family, health, advocacy, and arts initiatives and home to New York’s largest lending library of LGBT material. Over 6,000 people visit the Center every week.
Located in Chelsea’s gayborhood, Callen Lorde Community Health Center (356 West 18th Street, New York, NY) provides non-judgmental, culturally competent health services to the LGBTQ community.
Gay Rights
New York’s Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), which added sexual orientation to the New York State Human Rights Law that prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, creed, color, national origin, disability, age and marital status, took effect in 2003. In 2011, New York became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage. Same sex couples can petition to adopt in New York.
What are your favorite places to be a queer lady in Manhattan?
I WANT TO GO TO THERE.
PLEASE DO COME HERE. YOU WILL LOVE IT. IT IS EXCELLENT.
Three words… DIXON HAIR SHOP. Ask for Steph she is the best. The place is a bit tiny but Steph is awesome. Totally helped me make the transition from short bob looking hair cut to a haircut I love. Also she gives free clean ups over the ears and sides. Also she has an adorable dog named Bacon. The one thing is appointments are sometimes hard to come by so book early and often!!
callen lorde IS. THE. SHIT. lgbtqa healthy services! theyre amazing!!
Hey Queen! so much fun. Well it’s in Brooklyn but close enough!
i feel it’s worth mentioning that, in terms of nightlife, a lot of the parties listed (especially stiletto, girlnation, etc) are really lesbian centric and not necessarily queer, or even queer friendly. there is a difference.
Oh, also! Hair! Arrojo Studio is hands-down the best salon I’ve been to in the 8+ years I’ve lived here. Many of their stylists are queer; I’ve been seeing Topher for over 2 years and he is the. best. ever. And he was on the cover of Go Magazine, once, for what it’s worth!
yea the queer scene is er..less threatening and dramatic but people are far far less friendly. in fact..it’s more of a bring your friends talk to no one type thing, especially hot rabbit.
So. Not. True. Give Hot Rabbit a second chance!!
Okayy I guess i Will! : )
GO SEE GOTHAM. BEST ROLLER DERBY LEAGUE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
I have a lot of feelings about roller derby and Gotham won championships last year.
I have never been. I only just discovered that we have a multitude of possibilities here in NJ for me to lose my Derby virginity. I’m scared, Marika.
Let’s go to roller derby. Can we, please? Shhh….it’s okay…we’ll swipe our derby v-cards together.
It’s like you’re inside my head! I just sent you a message about this!
If you were anywhere near me, or Chicago, I’d take your derby virginity like THAT. *snaps fingers* aw yeah.
Umm..That gave me *tingles*
I have mixed feelings about roller derby. I play ice hockey and can skate well, but roller derby makes me fear for the safety of my knees. And I am not the type to sit in the stands and cheer while others compete. Makes for an interesting dilemma for me because I think roller derby would be amazing but I really can’t get over the fear of busted knees.
I wish I could tell you that they don’t happen, but they happen constantly–I know several derby girls with busted knees.
But most of them healed just fine?
One day i will move to a city like this. *dreaming about the make-out couches*
That Columbia video makes me so proud!!!!
Also, I once saw Whitney, Sara and Vivian from The Real L Word at Hot Rabbit! It was odd.
Oh Cubbyhole. Yes, it is eye roll worthy and yes, it is awesome. I actually was there last week and it was packed. There was no room for us, especially since I was carrying a suitcase. Lesbian walks into a dyke bar with baggage, obvs.
Oh the times I would have given anything to have seen a woman’s baggage up front
I did that once! hahaha but it was a carry-on :x
I think my favorite part of cubby is the hustle of some drag queens, random people, etc. that try to make a buck. There was once a drag queen named Mizz. Toxic that can make balloon uh…sculptures and I had her make me a balloon vulva!
It was amazing but it didn’t make it back to my sister apartment.
Cubbyhole wasn’t too bad. When I was there, I witnessed a proposal. It was pretty adorable. I would definitely go back. I love Manhattan and am seriously considering moving…plus my girlfriend is there so yeah seriously considering it.
Awesome post, taking notes here, lol. My lady and I are coming to Manhattan to get mawwied in August. Anybody know anywhere very sweet and romantic but not arm-and-leg-costing that I could whisk her off to? Fanks.
for food I mean. (oops)
p.s. flying over from Scotland.
Hi Wissy,
I’m the author of the post. I could have gone on forever about food in NYC, so I tried to stick with restaurants that have a queer following. (Since there are so many options, I honestly was overwhelmed with trying to select what I like vs. what readers would want.) I’m a foodie, so as long as I’m comfortable in general, it’s all good.
My partner and I really like August for smaller scale romantic (request a table in their covered patio in the back) http://augustny.com/
We also recently had an amazing dinner at Prune, which was closet sized cozy but the atmosphere was so NYC cool and food was amazing
http://www.prunerestaurant.com/
If you have the cash and like sushi, go to Nobu Next Door and sit at the bar. The bar is more laid back. http://www.noburestaurants.com/next-door/experience/introduction/
Peasant is also nice
http://peasantnyc.com/
As well as Casa Mono
http://www.casamononyc.com/
Feel free to Twitter me at @dolcefemmeanita if you have specific questions about these places or need recommendations for special diets (e.g., vegan).
Yay! Great timing. I’m heading back East for my college reunion at the end of May and spending a few days in NY first. The reunion is crazy hetero so I should gay it up in NY first. Woot!
Manhattan is Manhattan, I mean there is no place like it and trying to write about it doesn’t come close to just doin’ it, or listen to Billy Joel sing New York state of mind.
Oh my god I want to go.
Also I really want to meet these “power gallerinas” you speak of. I don’t know what that means but it sounds like art gallery-owning dancers and that sounds just the BEST.
The concept of all-femme nights is kind of mindboggling to me. I literally only know like two other definite femmes (plus a few tomboy/chapsticks, but we mostly have butchish girls) in my little college town and it fascinates me that there are so many more out there. I can’t wait to move to a city again.
Badlands is the best (shiny brand new) place to git yo hair did. Hay girl. (Park slope.)
Your food recommendations are spot on. If I could marry Cowgirl, I would. Happy Hour half-priced margaritas and the black-eyed pea salsa are what I live for. And Yaffa Cafe is open 24 hours! Can’t beat that.
I live right by their sister rest. cowgirl seahorse..favorite place ever!
OMFG GOD GUYS I WAS ADMITTED TO NYU AND THIS IS AMAZING, I LOVE YOU AS!
I’m a senior now and am starting grad school there next year. You’ll love it!!!
I can’t even function with the idea of knowing someone from NYU and an AS member.
*explodes*
WOW i am also going to NYU this fall for grad school and i am EVEN MORE excited about it after reading all this.
OMG LET’S BE ALL SQUIRREL FRIENDS!I’M REALLY NICE, LET’S GO TO TACO BELL!
I’m going to NYU for grad school this fall too!!
YAY!! This post couldn’t have been timed better. :D
O_O SWEET BABY CHEEZE ITS! Printing this and hitting up every place. YAY! Now I have a hit list!
… or whatever else I could call it.
As a newbie to NYC this is an awesome post! Thanks for all the tips! Just in time for the end of finals and three weeks free. Now to just find some queer friends to go out with…
Not to be totally awkward turtle, but I’ll hang out with you! End of finals is coming up for me in next month (and graduation– eek!) Send me a message!
So…. When’s somebody gonna do one of these for Queens?
I’ve lived in New York all my life but didn’t know about most of these places because I’m underage… is there anything for the under 21’s to do? Do all of the parties card extensively? Any tips for a 19 year-old home for the summer with not a ton of queer female friends in the city?
That’s a good question because I will have some cousins from Canada to visit my in NYC when I move up there are they too are underage. I want them to have fun without needing to go to bars!
You can pretty much enjoy every activity, including Fire Island minus the bars, in all of the sections except the Bars and Parties sections, no? Check out the links to be sure.
Also, take them to drag brunches/dinners at Lips http://lipsnyc.com/ and Lucky Chengs.
thank you for this!!! i’m a bit late to the party (graduating senior at NYU–i know, i know, SO late) and i’ve been trying to figure out where to go before i head back home. it’s awesome to have a bunch of recommendations all in one place; i can’t wait to check out all of these!
Holla fellow graduating senior at NYU!
“If you want to eat a sloppy taco with Rachel Maddow”
+69 Maddows on a scale of 69.
There is no better place than Manhattan in America! And the best part is that I am sure that you had to limit yourself when writing this post because there is just too much to cover in one post. This blog post is definitely approved by your one and only Hillz!
*texts*
Hey girl.
keeping this all in mind when i visit this summer…
print print print print.
This is great, I’m going to NY for a holiday in July from Australia! Very, very excited.
So where is the best place for a young, queer starving artist to move to in all of new york land? Is Brooklyn officially OVER??
The cheaper areas are all the way uptown- Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood. That being said, they’re also far from everything and depending on what area, not always the safest. I live in the village, which is expensive, but if you go into the East Village (Alphabet City), it’s a little cheaper, plus Hell’s Kitchen is on the cheaper side. Yorkville, which is all the way east in the 80s, is on the cheaper side, too.
Nah…manhattan sucks. Brooklyn is where you get space, better restaurants, cheaper drinks, Backyard BBQs, and SPACE.
I’m not going to say Brooklyn sucks because I love all of NYC. I prefer Manhattan. All of my BK friends have been trying to convince us to move to BK for years. There are hardly any areas that are affordable in BK anymore. The ones that are affordable/have space are filled with snobby hipsters (Portlandia) and the neighborhoods are sketchy. Manhattan is where the real NY is – the museums, colleges, theater, diverse selection of parties, the electric 24/7 energy, and whatnot. You’ll have to commute if you live in BK. Every time I visit a friend in BK who ways they live just 15 minutes away from the city, I find myself stuck in BK for at least an hour or more trying to get home because its harder to get around within BK and to other boroughs from BK. You can get around anywhere you want to be in Manhattan. But in BK, some neighborhoods you have to travel all the way back INTO Manhattan first on the train and backtrack into BK, like between Williamsburg and Park Slope. And forget trying to go to Queens or something like that for the day. Fiasco city!!! And forget trying to convince a cab driver to take you to BK late at night. My BK friends say ride a bus (who wants move at a crawl on the bus in NY traffic) or ride a bike (who wants to show up sweaty with helmet hair to a work event) between the BK hoods. Yet 60% of my BK friends own cars. You don’t need a car AT ALL in Manhattan. You may get less space in Manhattan, but you can get up and go anywhere in NYC quickly and don’t have to live way out in a shady area. If space is very important, try Harlem where you can get room and still be a stones step from a decent train. You also won’t be stuck drinking beer in someone’s backyard, which you can do in the burbs. I also prefer Queens to BKLYN! Astoria!
For curly haired girls devachan is the absolute best. I walk out of there and get compliments from 5-10 strangers, its pricy but worth it, eso. if you only get your hair cut a couple times a year or less.
Cafe lalo is my favorite place to eat alone or with a friend, its right across the park from the met so it makes for a great date… or whatever
Also dog parks are pretty queer and filled with cute girls.
OH if you want a GREAT falafel sandwitch Mamoun’s is on 119 MacDougal Street and right by washington square park/ NYU campuses.
I go to the dog park. Lots of cute, queer girls.
Mamoun’s, omnomnom. Taim in the West Village (it’s 7th Ave and Waverly, I think) is also amazing.
Yesss Cafe Lalo is so good. It’s great and mellow for brunch/breakfast and really fun and busy late at night. Also seconding Taïm in the West Village. Their falafel is delish and their smoothies are to-die-for, especially the pear/mint/lemon which I thought sounded terrible but was actually GREAT.
I’ve spent over 24 hours trying to think of something clever and/or witty to write in response to this article. All I’ve come up with is “thank you,” so, you know, thanks. :)
I didn’t really know that Nowhere has a ladies scene. I’ve gone with a guy friend, and I didn’t see any ladies there. Maybe I just went on the wrong night.
OMG Cowgirl. Did not know that it’s a queer place, but it’s so delicious! I discovered it a few years ago when I worked on a show at a nearby theatre and it was our go-to for after shows. I actually had my birthday dinner there this year. There you go for a bunch of queers in a room.
Annnnddd… I go to NYU and after I get my bachelors, I’ll be receiving my MFA there. I kind of like it. (If you want info on NYU, come to me, as I’m kind of a walking advertisement for the school.)
Go to Nowhere on Fridays. The mixed queer party Hot Rabbit moved there on Fridays in December and now Fridays are packed with ladies and guys (though more ladies generally, as most of the DJs are on the female side of the spectrum).
Turn in your lesbian card: The Liberty play in Newark…they did last season and this season, and until MSG stops doing renovation every summer.
Other than THAT…great article!
New Manhattan- Also rents in manhattan are the highest they ever been since 2002.
I feel like it’s a giant mall. Just sayin. There is a lot going on in Brooklyn and Queens these days and not everyone has Manhattan money. just sayin.
I hear you JMS. I personally prefer Manhattan. (1) Yes, chain stores are moving into Manhattan. They are in BK too. When I get off at the Atlantic stop to visit my friends in Park Slope, I exit right into none other than a mall with Target, Payless, TCBY, the works. When I get off at the Fulton stop to see my friends in Fort Greene, I get off right at the Applebees and 99 cent shops. It’s the same everywhere, except in Manhattan I get all the culture (museums, selection of parties, 24/7 restaurants, colleges, lectures) and convenience without having to walk by groups of men loitering, drinking booze, fist fighting, and harassing me for holding hands with a girl. (2) Manhattan has areas that are still affordable. Craigslist! When I was looking in BK because I thought I’d sacrifice for the affordability, they still wanted loads of cash for neighborhoods FAR from any train, hip cafes, or even a decent grocery store. I was like, I’ll take a few less square feet to avoid all the inconvenience and harassment.
One of the reason’s living in CT. is A-OK! Just a quick train ride away!
Cubbyhole, Creme de la Femme, Lesbo-a-go-go, and Truckstop <3
These guides have all been exceptional! A seriously bitchin’ resource. I especially dig the lesser-known cool places for queer folks like Cleveland, Ann Arbour, Spokane, etc. As a Canadian especially, I never would have guessed that they’d be such interesting spots.
Is anyone up for doing a Pittsburgh guide? I’m going there next month completely blind. Any advice appreciated!
WOW!! another great artical, Juanita!! You made my fall in Love with NYC all over again… Printing to keep with me always!!
question: what about teen stuff? i’ve lived in the city all my life and whenever i bitch about how i can’t find girls/women, the answer is “you live in nyc!” but it’s hard to find the queers when you’re underage…
I must say, being born and raised in Manhattan, I love the scene. I do go to Brooklyn sometimes for some girl events, but its always a hike back home. I also go to school out of state and Im always excited to go out to most of these events :)
Been having trouble finding a queer party with a dark theme. I prefer a dark electro synth, new wave, post punk vibe and hit up Wierd and Pendu parties in NYC. Can anyone recommend any dark queer parties? If not, wanna organize something? Hit me up if you do.
Thanks for the guide – made my trip to NYC super awesome, and I was always one step ahead of my friends in terms of finding awesome places to eat
Are there any 18+ bars or clubs for lesbians in Manhattan? I am visiting over Christmas and I am legal in Canada (19), this is the first time going to the USA with me being legal in Canada and it would suck if I don’t get to do anything while I’m there. thanks!
Hey guys! I’m working as a promoter for exclusive clubs in NYC. I have access to get pretty ladies in for free and get free alkohol – whatever I want. I’m making parties every week/weekend. Text me now 917-443-3829 to party in the city which never sleep and feel like a star by skipping the lines for free!! Have a birthday? Text me now!! Will make it special for you and your people!! I guarantee you won’t forget it!! JOIN NOW AND CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE!! https://www.facebook.com/carolinejaneny
Hey, all! I wanted to shout out Hairrari, a hair salon staffed (to my knowledge) almost entirely by LGBT men and women who very much specialize in queer, short-haircuts (after this guide, it’s #2 for “queer haircuts nyc”). My wife and I get the same haircut and get charged the same amount and have several friends who are Magda loyalists as well. There are 3 locations including the LES, Williamsburg, and Bushwick. http://hairrari.com/