Hush, which opened during the pandemic in the former home of Therapy, is one of NYC’s newest gay bars. The bi-level space is home to a happening 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 for a hip scene where no one takes themselves too seriously. The design is industrial-inspired and serves as a backdrop for regular drag and DJ shows, which in the past has featured stars including Shequida Hall and Lina Bradford. Happy hour runs from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. Deals include $6 well drinks, beer, and wine. Saturdays and Sundays feature a drag show with $6 margaritas, mimosas, and bloody marys, and $8 Long Island iced teas.

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 a 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 and a slew of well-reviewed restaurants.

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 random, bright decor that gives it a funhouse feel. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 2 to 6 p.m. with half off well drinks, wine, and beer.

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 longtgime regulars will mingle with newbes while perched on the stools. Grab a cozy table in the back for a group and order the juicy, freshly griddled burger. Cash only.

Queer people of color can rightfully feel excluded by many of the gay hotspots dotting the city. Hangar is an under-the-radar neighborhood bar filled with a diverse crowd that’s equally inviting to everyone. Grab a beer and play pool surrounded by the whitewashed walls covered with a giant rainbow flag. Cash only.

This subterranean East Village queer dive features a draft beer selection that’s a step above the standard dive, doled out by personable, knowledgeable bartenders. There are seemingly endless dark nooks for hanging out — or impromptu makeout sessions. The infamously risque Macho Monday Night parties ($10 cover) aren’t for the faint of heart. There are happy hours, and after 10 p.m., the dance parties begin. Check the website for specific events.

On a stretch of the West Village near the Hudson River, this bar primarily caters to lesbians and queer women 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. The bar is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Though not formally gay, this tiny, adorable Williamsburg bar in a renovated garage near the BQE is a frequent way station for hip queer locals. Go for the packed RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing nights, when a projector screen covers the large oil painting behind the bar, or visit on a low-key night for the smartly curated cocktails, including a $10 old fashioned.

This sister bar to nearby Metropolitan in Williamsburg is less crowded and way more laid back. Sit back in the booths of the tunnel-like space or head to the quaint backyard. There are drag shows, weekly karaoke, and more events, usually posted on Instagram.

This popular and cheerful gay bar occupies a roomy, thoughtfully designed space with a backyard in South Williamsburg. Drag nights and karaoke are major draws, while themed parties bring crowds to the dance floor on weekends.

While Ginger’s in Park Slope is a lesbian hangout at its core, the bar welcomes all members of the LGBTQ+ community and attracts bargoers of all ages and genders. It’s a legit dive with low-lighting, 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.

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, a Eurovision viewing, or dance party on any given night.