Take a Trip Down Christopher Street
Published 05/30/2017
After more than 50 years, Christopher Street in Manhattan’s West Village remains the downtown center for gay nightlife in NYC. The thoroughfare came to the world’s attention with the 1969 gay rights riots; a few LGBTQ+ bars and clubs on the strip predate that and plenty more have joined them since, making for a full night of carousing. Here’s our guide to hitting all the hot spots. —Brian Sloan
1
Pieces
1
8 Christopher St
Let’s be honest: half the fun of going to Pieces is telling your friends, “I’m going to Pieces!” The other half involves an extra-long daily happy hour (2–8pm), drag bingo and karaoke, and a monthly underwear party.
2
Julius'
2
159 W 10th St
This extremely old-school bar is just a block away from Christopher Street and was home to another historic gay rights event: the 1966 Sip-In.
3
The Stonewall Inn
3
53 Christopher St
This is where it all began back in 1969 with a now-famous police raid. These days you’ll find a lot going on at this two-story establishment, including drag and “boylesque” shows on various nights.
4
The Duplex
4
61 Christopher St
The aptly named two-floor venue is actually three spaces: a piano bar with big windows facing the street, an upstairs bar and a cabaret where you can see multiple shows nightly.
5
The Monster
5
80 Grove Street
This longstanding gay club isn’t on Christopher Street (it’s on Grove Street, close by), but it faces Sheridan Square Park; there you’ll find the Stonewall National Monument, which commemorates the 1969 gay rights riots. The Monster is a one-stop nightlife destination with a big bar up front, a piano player in the back and a dance floor downstairs.
6
Marie’s Crisis Cafe
6
59 Grove St.
The basement is alive…with the sound of Broadway. The festive and totally New York nightspot just may be the mother of all piano bars, where a rowdy Broadway fan base surrounds the upright piano, singing their hearts out to musical theater classics.
7
Boots and Saddle
7
100A 7th Avenue South
This bar used to be on Christopher Street but moved around the corner to a bigger location on Seventh Avenue. Now in a renovated theater, it accommodates a packed lineup of drag shows and dance parties.
8
Hangar Bar
8
115 Christopher St
This bar has been on the block for 20 years and is known for its easy mix of all ages and ethnicities. It has a popular pool table in back and regular go-go dancers that draw a crowd.
9
Ty's
9
114 Christopher St
Not much has changed at this cozy street-front bar since the 1970s, and that’s the point. Ty’s has a friendly neighborhood vibe, and though it’s known for a more mature crowd, they often have younger-skewing parties on weekends.
10
Rockbar
10
185 Christopher St
Just a block from the Hudson River park and piers, this is a popular spot for live music. It also draws a big, burly crowd for its Sunday beer blasts and barbecues in the summer.