Queer New Yorkers Map the City's Gayest Hotspots
CULTURED magazine asked a dozen queer figures—including actors, DJs, drag icons, and organizers—to share their favorite New York City spots for Pride month. The resulting guide spans institutions, dive bars, beaches, and vintage stores, revealing a geography built on memory, activism, and friendship. Contributors include Miss Benny (actor), THELIMITDOESNOTEXIST (DJ), Jackson Howard (FSG Books), Peppermint (drag queen), Papi Juice (party collective), Adam Eli (writer), Dominique Jackson (actor), Seva Granik (QNCC co-founder), Bernie Wagenblast (MTA voice), Memphis Oliver-Murphy (DJ), Gays Against Guns (nonprofit), Faris Al-Shathir (BOFFO), and Ryan D. Petersen (writer/DJ). Highlights include Julius' bar, the Stonewall National Monument, Nowadays club, and the Queer Nightlife Community Center. The guide also features venues like BONG, Rodeo, and Topos Too.
Key facts
- CULTURED magazine published a guide to the gayest places in New York City for Pride month.
- Contributors include Miss Benny, THELIMITDOESNOTEXIST, Jackson Howard, Peppermint, Papi Juice, Adam Eli, Dominique Jackson, Seva Granik, Bernie Wagenblast, Memphis Oliver-Murphy, Gays Against Guns, Faris Al-Shathir, and Ryan D. Petersen.
- Miss Benny recommends James Veloria vintage in Chinatown, Corto coffee shop, and Coyote Club.
- THELIMITDOESNOTEXIST favors WNYC Transmitter Park, Chinatown fruit stands, and Gabriela on Thursday nights.
- Jackson Howard picks The Odeon, Queer Nightlife Community Center (QNCC), Ending Soon consignment, and his own Bed-Stuy apartment.
- Peppermint highlights Sheridan Square (Stonewall National Monument), Lips Bar, Callen-Lorde Health Centers, and TBOY Wrestling.
- Papi Juice recommends BONG (Cambodian food), Rodeo (natural wine bar), and their own party series at Elsewhere and Good Room.
- Adam Eli cites Julius' bar, the 'men's' bathrooms at Oh Mary! (Lyceum Theatre), and Fugitive Materials archive.
- Dominique Jackson lists Stonewall Inn, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Christopher St. pier, Hetrick-Martin Institute, and Destination Tomorrow in the Bronx.
- Seva Granik favors Nowadays and Merge clubs, Bossa Nova Civic Club, and Topos Too bookstore/coffee shop.
- Bernie Wagenblast mentions Stonewall National Monument, Christopher Street/Stonewall subway station, NYC Pride March, and Coney Island.
- Memphis Oliver-Murphy recommends Cafeteria (Chelsea), Bossa Nova Civic Club, and Basement.
- Gays Against Guns holds actions at AIDS Memorial (Fire Island Pines), Cherry Grove Beach, Stonewall Monument, Bethesda Fountain, Father Duffy Square, and Lenape Circle; finds community at LGBTQ Community Center, Julius' Bar, Cowgirl Cafe, and The People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park.
- Faris Al-Shathir (BOFFO) likes Top of the Bay in Cherry Grove, Function x Sniffies party at the Pavilion in The Pines, and BOFFO Residency presentations on Fire Island.
- Ryan D. Petersen recommends Force Fitness Club, Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, and GOLD STAR party.
Entities
Artists
- Miss Benny
- Buddy Keaton
- Tommy Dorfman
- THELIMITDOESNOTEXIST
- Eli Escobar
- Jackson Howard
- Roya Shanks
- Houman Farahmand
- Arsène Barski
- Peppermint
- Oscar Nñ
- Mohammed Iman
- Adam R.
- Chakriya Un
- Mama Kim
- Baby Sinn
- Adam Eli
- Justin Vivian Bond
- Catherine Opie
- Cole Escola
- Daniel Rampulla
- Daylon Orr
- Dominique Jackson
- Seva Granik
- Bernie Wagenblast
- Memphis Oliver-Murphy
- Amanda Lepore
- Faris Al-Shathir
- Nile Harris
- Ryan D. Petersen
Institutions
- CULTURED
- FSG Books
- Auwa Books
- Queer Nightlife Community Center (QNCC)
- Ending Soon
- Callen-Lorde Health Centers
- TBOY Wrestling
- Papi Juice
- BONG
- Rodeo
- Elsewhere
- Good Room
- Fugitive Materials
- Hetrick-Martin Institute
- Destination Tomorrow
- Nowadays
- Merge
- Bossa Nova Civic Club
- Topos Too
- MTA
- NYC Pride
- Gays Against Guns
- BOFFO
- Force Fitness Club
- Walter Reade Theater
- Lincoln Center
- GOLD STAR
- Lyceum Theatre
- Stonewall National Monument
- LGBTQ Community Center
- Cowgirl Cafe
- The People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park
- AIDS Memorial
- Fire Island Pines
- Cherry Grove Beach
- Bethesda Fountain
- Father Duffy Square
- Lenape Circle
- James Veloria
- Corto
- Coyote Club
- WNYC Transmitter Park
- Gabriela
- The Odeon
- Julius'
- Lips Bar
- Stonewall Inn
- Cats: The Jellicle Ball
- Cafeteria (Chelsea)
- Basement
- Top of the Bay
- Function x Sniffies
- Pavilion
Locations
- New York City
- New York
- USA
- Chinatown
- Brooklyn
- Bed Stuy
- Crown Heights
- Bushwick
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Chelsea
- Christopher Street
- Sheridan Square
- Fire Island
- Fire Island Pines
- Cherry Grove
- Coney Island
- Bronx
- Ridgewood
- Jacob Riis Park
- Times Square
- Stonewall National Monument
- Lyceum Theatre
- Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center