Hush opened during the pandemic in the former home of Therapy. The bi-level space is home to a busy dance club, especially on weekends, and ticks off all the boxes of a night out: dancers, shots, and DJs blasting a playlist until late.

Venture to this cavernous 10th Avenue bar in a former electrical-supply store where no one takes themselves too seriously. The design is industrial-inspired and serves as a backdrop for regular drag and DJ shows.

A number of gay bars in Jackson Heights have a big following in Queens, but Friend’s Tavern is one of the most popular. It’s often a gathering point for groups of friends looking for a night out. Another bonus to its prime location (besides easy access to the 7 train) is that it’s just steps from the crowd-favorite Birria-Landia truck.

Lesbian bars are all too rare in New York and the rest of the country, cementing their importance in the queer bar scene. Dating back to 1994, Cubbyhole is one of the most famous of such venues and promotes itself as accessible to the entire LGBTQ+ community and allies. It’s a very tight space, and the ceiling is adorned in bright decor that gives it a funhouse feel.

The longest-running gay bar in the city, this West Village institution proudly displays its history. A woody corner tavern, it looks like it’s hardly changed over the years, and longtime regulars will mingle with newbies while perched on the stools. Grab a cozy table in the back for a group and order the juicy, freshly griddled burger.

This subterranean East Village queer dive features a draft beer selection that’s a step above the standard dive. There are seemingly endless dark nooks for hanging out — or impromptu makeout sessions.

On a stretch of the West Village near the Hudson River, this bar primarily caters to lesbians and queer people and is one of the longest continuously running lesbian bars in the country. The funky brick-walled space decorated with stained glass and a disco ball hosts rotating DJs spinning tunes. There’s a pool table, and some nights are no-cover.

A long-running and homey dive, Boiler Room is where laid-back East Village residents go to simply hang out and guzzle gently priced well drinks. The ambiance is basically nonexistent, but the pool table, photo booth, and digital jukebox provide all-night entertainment.

One of the initial Williamsburg queers bars to open, to this day it’s less crowded and way more laid back than others in the area. Sit back in the booths of the tunnel-like space or head to the quaint backyard.

On most days, the Woods is a regular bar, but on Wednesday nights, it becomes the de facto lesbian and queer hot spot that people travel all from across the city for.

This popular and cheerful gay bar occupies a roomy, thoughtfully designed space with a backyard in South Williamsburg. Themed parties and karaoke bring crowds to the dance floor on weekends.

The Bush is part of a nationwide renaissance of post-pandemic lesbian-owned bars that caters broadly to a queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming community that’s more inclusive than ever. In addition to cocktails at this “dyke bar for the queers,” Caribbean patties are served.

This Clinton Hill bar is also a venue with tons of events packing its calendar. Stop next door to Chilo’s for a drunchies dinner of tacos.

While Ginger’s in Park Slope is a lesbian hangout at its core, the bar welcomes all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and attracts bargoers of all ages and genders. It’s a legit dive with cheap drinks, kitschy decor, and a pool table. There’s an enclosed garden out back, and the bar never feels clubby, so it’s an ideal spot for a chill night of pool and music. With plenty of space, it’s great for groups. This year, the bar opened a sibling location called Mary’s in Greenpoint.

Good Judy in Park Slope feels like a good balance between a dive bar meets a disco with a loyal local following. Patrons can easily swing by for a pint or late-night dance party on most nights.