Jun 30, 2022

5 min read

An LGBTQ+ Guide to NYC's Nightlife

Matt Ford

 is a queer actor, writer, and video producer with over eight years of NYC living under his belt. After five years of working for Buzzfeed, Matt decided it was time to chase a dream of creating his own video production company. He’s still doing what he loves, and now he’s also living a bicoastal lifestyle between New York and LA.  

Though it’s no longer his full-time home, Matt’s love for NYC runs deep. He recounts his move to New York in 2014 as one of his life highlights to date (along with writing an investigative piece of journalism that went viral, and booking an ad campaign that had his face in trains on every New York City subway line!). Matt’s an NYC pro, and he’s giving us his best recommendations for a great, gay night out in five of his favorite neighborhoods. 

Keep reading for all of Matt’s Williamsburg, East Village, Bushwick, West Village, and Hell’s Kitchen LBGTQ+ New York City nightlife tips. 

Matt Ford
Matt Ford

What are your top 3 hotel recommendations? 

The Standard

 in The Meatpacking District is always fun because it has a gorgeous view and has easy access to the 

Boom Boom Room

 and 

Le Bain

 up top, which usually have fun parties going on.

In Williamsburg, you can’t go wrong with 

The William Vale

. Stunning views, incredible service, close to everything fun in the neighborhood, and a couple of great restaurants to start the night.

No Bar

 on Second Avenue (located inside of 

The Standard East Village

) is virtually a gay bar, with great food and a gorgeous aesthetic. It’s also in close proximity to a lot of East Village gay bars, so it’s a solid option to kick off a night.

The William Vale
The Standard
The William Vale // The Standard

What is it that you love about staying/eating/drinking here?

All of these are centrally located, plus have great service and drink options. You can be as dressed up or as dressed down as you want to be there, and they all are gorgeously designed.

What do you like about the neighborhoods they’re in? 

The three mentioned — Meatpacking, Williamsburg, and the East Village — are where a huge amount of parties and nightlife happens. Add in Hell’s Kitchen for the muscle gay crowd and Bushwick for the club queers, and you’ve pretty much covered all the bases. These three hotels provide easy access to all those neighborhoods to get any night going swimmingly (or to have a sunrise cocktail after).

WILLIAMSBURG

What does a great night out here look like for you?

Starting out with a cocktail at a hotel like 

The William Vale

 and then hitting all my favorite gay bars, which are located very conveniently close to one another.

What are the can’t-miss spots?

Macri Park

The Exley

Metropolitan

, and 

The Rosemont

. Special shout-outs to 

Union Pool

 and 

Rocka Rolla

 for the straights.

What’s everyone wearing? 

Anything hipstery/Brooklyn style. You can’t really go wrong with black and/or genderfucky pieces.

Who’s invited? 

Gays and allies. 

What time are we staying out until? 

Until the bars shut down at 4am!

Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?

You’re definitely going to become friends with creative, hipstery BK types.

Where’s the afterparty?

Bagelsmith

. (Multiple locations!)

Bagelsmith
Union Pool
Bagelsmith // Union Pool 

EAST VILLAGE

What’s your favorite way to spend a night out here?

Hitting some of my favorite bars (sometimes that’s needed over a club night, ya know?). 

What spots shouldn’t be missed?

What’s the dress code? 

Casual but trendy. 

Who’s there? 

EV is a younger crowd, so anyone who doesn’t mind that vibe.

What time are we staying out until? 

We’re staying out until pizza calls our name!

What are we listening to? 

No DJ, just whatever playlist the barkeep has on. 

Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?

A lot of recent NYC college grads.

Where’s the afterparty?

Whatever the closest pizza place is, and/or the apartment of a friend who lives right off Tompkins Square.

Phoenix
No Bar
Phoenix // No Bar 

BUSHWICK:

What’s your idea of a great night out here? 

Dancing until the sun comes up!

What are your can’t-miss spots?

There are lots of fun smaller spots, but the undeniable main attraction is 

3 Dollar Bill

.

What’s everyone wearing? 

That depends on the theme of the night, but less is almost always more. 

Who’s invited? 

Everyone’s invited, but few are on the list.

What time are we staying out until? 

We’re staying out until 6am at least.

Who’s DJ-ing? 

Ty Sunderland or one of his accomplices, depending on the party.

Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?

You’re likely to meet a lot of major nightlife figures there, and perhaps a celebrity (or seven) on a good night. Plus some famous drag queens!

Where’s the afterparty?

3 Dollar Bill

 runs late so it could actually be considered the afterparty. But if you’re looking for more, follow the crowd out at closing and you’ll almost always get the address for a good (after) afterparty.

3 Dollar Bill 

WEST VILLAGE:

What’s your favorite way to spend a night out here?

Getting some showtunes in, seeing some good drag, and basking in the gay capital that is the West Village.

What spots shouldn’t be missed?

What’s the dress code? 

Whatever you’d typically wear out for a night in New York City.

Who’s invited? 

Everyone’s invited, though be warned it’s gonna be a lot of showtunes and/or drag gays.

What time are we staying out until? 

We’re staying until 2 or 3am before skipping to another neighborhood or an afterparty.

Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?

You’re sure to make friends with Broadway folks (and those who aspire to it), up-and-coming drag queens, and plenty of Manhattan gay men.

Where’s the afterparty?

One of the many bodegas nearby, or perhaps a party at 

The Jane

 if that’s going on.

Julius’
The Jane Hotel
Julius’ // The Jane Hotel

HELL’S KITCHEN:

What does a great night out here look like for you?

Dancing, dancing, dancing.

What are your can’t-miss spots?

 

There are so many! 

DBL

Hush

Industry

The Q

Rise

The Ritz

Hardware

Pocket Bar

Boxers

, the list goes on. Think of this as the West Hollywood of New York.

What’s everyone wearing? 

Tank top and booty shorts.

Who’s invited? 

Everyone’s invited, but especially gay men with a Pidgeotto haircut.

What time are we staying out until? 

Till 4am, when the bouncers kick everyone out.

Where’s the afterparty?

After all that dancing, you’ll be dreaming of your bed. 

Industry
Boxers
Industry // Boxers

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