The 6 OFFICIAL Lesbian Bars in NYC & 8 Other Sapphic-Leaning Bars
New York City officially has six lesbian bars, a new women’s sports bar, plus three non-stationary sapphic bars, making it the city with the most lesbian bars in the world. Shouldn’t be surprised, since NYC is the best city in the world for lesbians. Especially if you’re looking to build queer community or dating! Here are the 6 official lesbian bars in NYC, plus other sapphic-leaning bars in the city to explore!
I. The Best Lesbian Bars in New York City
1. Boyfriend Cooperative (NEW)
Boyfriend Cooperative is a queer, worker-owned coffee shop and cocktail bar in Bushwick that feels like a cozy, collective living room. Founded by Hena Mustafa, Mica Fisher, Nat Risk, and Kacey Liebes, the space evolved from a shared dream to create a venue rooted in community care and cooperative values.
During the day, it serves locally roasted coffee and baked goods, and by night it transforms into a cocktail bar with inventive drinks made from seasonal ingredients. I recently attended their free Halloween costume party, which featured bingo games and drag, and loved the fun and community energy.
As a cooperative, every worker has a voice in how the business operates, making it a space built on inclusion and shared ownership. Boyfriend also hosts poetry readings, open mics, holiday parties, and creative workshops that center queer joy, mutual support, and radical imagination, creating a welcoming environment where everyone can feel at home.
Cover: FREE
Address: 1157 Myrtle Ave., Buskwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Thursday (8 AM – 12 AM); Friday (8 AM – 2 AM); Saturday (10 AM – 2 AM); Sunday (10 AM – 12 AM)
2. The Bush
Brooklyn’s new-ish lesbian bar, The Bush, is also the most diverse lesbian bar in NYC. Located in Bushwick, one of the queerest neighborhoods in NYC, you can stop by The Bush after exploring all of the lesbian/queer things to do nearby.
The Bush offers a ton of events, too. They’ve hosted comedy shows, drawing classes, speed dating, karaoke, and bingo nights. The crowd is mixed well both in age and culturally. The drinks are good and moderately priced at around $14 a cocktail.
It is both BIPOC and lesbian-owned. You can really notice the Bush is a queer community space that cares as they also host a wide spectrum of programs that encourage connection, making it one of the best lesbian bars in New York City.
Other cool events to look out for include DIY jewelry nights, queer book fairs, spoken word events, mental health workshops, and so much more! Follow their Instagram pageto stay updated on their upcoming events!
Note: It is part of The Lesbian Bar Project. Check out the episode on them!
Cover: Sometimes
Address: 333 Troutman St. Store 4, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday (6 PM – 2 AM); Friday, Saturday (6 PM – 4 AM); Sunday (4 PM – 12 AM)
3. Henrietta Hudson ★
This is basically the lesbian club in NYC if you want to go dancing with other sapphic queers under a flashing disco ball. Henrietta Hudson is a self-proclaimed legendary “queer human bar built by dykes” in the West Village, which has been giving the lesbian community a safe space for 33 years now! Known for its vibrant parties, it is one of the longest-standing lesbian bars in the country.
There is usually a DJ playing better music and it’s more spacious than Cubby Hole (the next one on the list). However, on weekends after 11:00 PM, the main dancing room can get so packed that you can’t move an inch. And the lines to the bathrooms can feel eternal. I think this means we need another lesbian bar in NYC. Business investors, let’s go?!
During the pandemic, they also added a stylish outdoor dining area and charcuterie bar and boosted their menu with bottles created by women and POC. You can also get a better assortment of beers and cocktails here than Cubbyhole (I swear I love Cubby!). If you want to come here to meet and talk to other lesbians, get here when it’s still walkable inside. If you want to meet millennials, get there early, around 8:00 PM, because after 1:00 AM, it’s mostly baby Gen Z’s.
They also host cool events, so follow their IG page for things like karaoke nights (Wednesdays) and more!
Tip: No door fee on Sundays, and cards are accepted.
Cover: Starting at $10 on some nights after 10:00 PM ish
Address: 438 Hudson St., West Village, Manhattan
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday (6 PM – 2 AM); Friday, Saturday (6 PM – 4 AM)
4. Cubbyhole ★
This is actually my favorite lesbian bar in NYC. Let me explain why. First, it’s cozy, so you’re forced to interact with the gays around you. Second, it’s quieter than Henriettas, so you can actually have a conversation into the wee hours with your newfound love (or bestie). Third, it’s got a huge international crowd so the vibes are the friendliest of all the NYC lesbian bars.
Cubbyhole is also just a 10-minute walk from Henrietta’s (listed above) so it’s imperative that you visit both on the same night because why not?! While the drinks aren’t the greatest, and it’s cash only, Cubby will welcome you with an inclusive, unpretentious, and warm but electric ambiance. If it’s not crowded, don’t miss out on the jukebox!
Cubby is also one of the oldest lesbian bars. It’s 30 years old! They have fun events like book swaps, Latinx night, and more. It’s also an easy spot for a lesbian first date if you go around happy hour. Get there around 7:00 PM for seats at the bar. On weekend nights, it gets so packed that there’s a line outside to get in. Seriously, we are so ready for a 5th lesbian bar in NYC! 🙂
Note: They accept cash only!
Address: 281 W 12th St., West Village, Manhattan
Hours: Monday – Thursday (4 PM – 2 AM); Friday (4 PM – 4 AM); Saturday (2 PM – 4 AM); Sunday (2PM – 2 AM)
5. Ginger’s Bar
This is an easy spot for local Brooklyn queer women (and enbys) to hang out with their friends. So it’s not the easiest to meet others since people sort of congregate here in friend groups or couples. But for a chill date or to catch up with friends, Ginger’s is a great option. They have a gorgeous outdoor patio in the back, perfect for summer nights.
They also host some pretty cool community-building events like queer club bazaars. They have a pool table, DJ, dance parties, karaoke nights, and even host drag shows, too!
This is also the most spacious lesbian bar in NYC. And the drinks are fairly priced, which makes up for their cash-only policy. Plus, there’s an ATM.
Address: 363 5th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn
Hours: Weekdays (5 PM – 4 AM); Weekends (2 PM – 4 AM)
6. Gladys Books & Wine (NEW)
Named in honor of her grandmother, Gladys, Tiffany Dockery founded NYC’s first Black lesbian bookstore and wine bar in this two-story Bed-Stuy space, creating a warm, intentional sanctuary for Black queer femmes.
The upstairs of Gladys Books & Wine features a beautifully curated bookstore café, showcasing authors such as Audre Lorde, Janelle Monae, and James Baldwin. At the same time, the downstairs transforms into a cozy wine bar and event space for readings, parties, workshops, and genuine connection. There’s also a leafy backyard that opens in the warmer months.
I came here for their Halloween costume party with Haus of Honey (a 28+ BIPOC queer organization) and it was more mature and easier to connect and chat with people. I hope to come back during the day, to check out the regular bookstore/cafe/winebar vibe!
More than just a bookstore or bar, Gladys hosts film screenings, discussions, and community mixers, serving as a true hub for Black queer joy, literature, and belonging in the heart of Brooklyn.
Address: 306 Malcolm X Blvd., Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Thursday (10 AM – 10 PM); Friday – Saturday (10 AM – 12 AM); Sunday (10 AM – 7 PM)
II. Pop Up Lesbian Bars in New York City
7. BABE (Pop-Up)
BABE is a queer pop-up wine bar in New York City founded by Ren Peir and trent to create an intentional and affirming space for LGBTQ+ people, especially femmes, trans and non-binary folks, and people of color. The pop-up brings together community, good wine, and good vibes with queer sommeliers curating every pour. Their events feature music, dancing, art, and education about sustainable winemaking, all in a setting that feels relaxed and inclusive. Since launching in 2024, BABE has built a loyal following for its joyful, welcoming energy and commitment to creating safe nightlife spaces for queer people. While they continue to host pop-ups around the city, the founders are working toward opening a permanent home for their vision of community, conversation, and celebration through wine.
8. Dave’s Lesbian Bar ★ (Pop-Up)
This monthly lesbian pop-up bar wants to be the first official lesbian bar in Queens. For now, Dave’s Lesbian Bar travels around Astoria in Queens, hosting uniquely special events.
They’re popular hosting community events for mutual aid funds. For instance, they hosted a Queer Bazaar at a beer garden, where you could meet all types of queer clubs in NYC to join from queer tennis to queer cooking book clubs. At another past event, visitors could enjoy a variety of services provided by queer vendors, such as haircuts, tattoos, manicures, make-up, and massages. And during these events, they usually feature queer bands that play a range of genres.
Proceeds alternate monthly for the bar project and various non-profit causes and organizations such as Astoria Food Pantry, Queen’s Center for Gay Seniors, and Queens Community House.
You can also donate to help fund Dave’s future permanent space.
Note: Every pop-up features different bands and services, so follow them on Instagramfor future updates!
Location: Dave’s Lesbian Bar usually hosts their monthly-ish events in Astoria, Queens, where they plan to build a permanent space.
9. Grotto Sapphic Cocktail Bar (Pop-Up)
Grotto is a sapphic cocktail pop-up bar that addresses the growing demand for more sapphic bars in NYC. They have previously hosted their pop-up events at Soho House, Ludlow House, TALEA bar, and Rockefeller Center’s Pebble Bar, where they have organized various events, including lesbian Halloween soirees, Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and sapphic book swap parties. Subscribe to their newsletter to catch their next sapphic pop-up bar.
Location: Grotto hosts monthly-ish events all around NYC with different themes.
III. Other Lesbian-Leaning Bars & Events in NYC
10. Saint James Libations (NEW)
Saint James Libations is a Black queer women-owned wine bar that was built as an intentional space for Black, brown, and queer creatives. The moment you walk in, you can feel how much care goes into the environment, from how guests are greeted to the slow, inviting pace of the room. It’s walk-ins only, which adds to that neighborhood, community-first feel. While not technically labeled as a lesbian bar… It could arguably be considered the newest and 7th lesbian bar in NYC right now. And they also co-host events with other sapphic organizations.
As for the wine, they focus on thoughtful selections you don’t typically see elsewhere, with choices influenced by Caribbean and West African flavors. The owners are highly knowledgeable and explain their recommendations in a way that makes the experience both educational and genuinely enjoyable.
It’s a great spot for a date, a catch-up, or even a solo night out. They regularly host community-centered events like R&B cocktail nights, reading series, vinyl listening sessions, spades lessons, podcast tapings, and seasonal gatherings like friendsgiving that keep the space connected and active.
Address: 269 Stanhope St., Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday (6 PM – late)
11. MISSTER Wednesdays at The Woods ★
On Wednesday nights, this Williamsburg bar hosts lesbian nights. The Woods venue offers three spaces: an indoor dance floor with a DJ and disco lights, an outdoor patio, and a barn-style outdoor space (with food to order in the back). Drinks are reasonably priced.
The biggest drawback is that it starts super late, around 11:00 PM on a Wednesday, and because of this, the crowd tends to be younger. I’m talking about 23-year-olds. Which is great for them, but if you’re 35 and looking to meet others, get there early. Or, go with your queer friends and turn it into a fun group outing.
Their back patio has a food truck, where you can grab tacos, burritos, and other Mexican food. The most popular dish is the fish tacos! The Woods is also just an easy walk from Domino Park, so don’t miss it when you’re in the area for gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline!
Address: 48 S 4th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Hours: WEDNESDAYS around 11:00 PM
12. Wilka’s Sports Bar (NEW)
Wilka’s Sports Bar is a women-owned bar located in Manhattan that focuses on women’s sports, making women athletes and teams the main attraction. Just like a WNBA Liberty game, while it is not specifically a lesbian bar, culturally it can be very gay. On top of that, its inclusive and community-oriented atmosphere makes it a natural gathering place for queer women and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
So if the sporty lesbians are your type, this might be the perfect place for you to find your future girlfriend! LOL. And/or, if you want to find sporty friends.
The bar features multiple screens showing women’s sports, a simple menu of drinks and snacks, live entertainment, watch parties, and a small bookshelf with books by women athletes.
Address: 241 Bowery, Manhattan
Hours: Monday – Friday (4 PM – 12 AM); Saturday & Sunday (12 PM – 12 AM)
13. Maite
Another hidden queer gem in the heart of Bushwick, one of the queerest neighborhoods in NYC, is Maite. This women-owned, farm-to-fork restaurant-bar specializes in an impressive dining experience that blends Colombian, European, and American influences. Their menu changes so they keep it hung up on the wall on a giant chalkboard.
Their selection of cocktails, natural wines, beer, and ciders is yum, too!
Note: They accept walk-ins, but they offer a limited number of seats for reservations. Bar seating is for walk-ins only.
Address: 159 Central Ave., Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday (5 PM – 10 PM); Friday, Saturday (5 PM – 11 PM); Sunday (12 PM – 9 PM)
14. Misfits Kava Bar ★
Misfit Kava Bar is queer, Latina-owned bar that is an alcohol-free space, offering natural drinks infused with relaxing roots and herbs. Located in the heart of Bushwick (the queerest neighborhood in NYC right now), it offers a cozy “third-space” vibe where people come together to hang out, play board games, host creative community events, and do low-key socializing.
Address: 82 Central Ave., Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Sunday – Thursday (2 PM – 12 AM); Friday – Saturday (2 PM – 2 AM)
15. Purgatory
Purgatory might be a small, hole-in-the-wall bar, but this predominantly women- and queer-owned spot is one of the best if you’re looking for a fun night! Its second floor is a venue for a variety of events, including music shows, game nights, and drag performances. Cocktails, beers, ciders, and seltzers are available. They also have an outdoor patio that’s perfect, especially for good weather nights!
Address: 675 Central Ave., Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Daily (6 PM – 2 AM)
16. C’mon Everybody
On the border of Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy, C’mon Everybody is a spacious gay bar with a huge back theater, a spacious hangout room, and then the bar area. Unlike a lot of other gay bars in NYC, this one has a nice queer femme presence. And the bartenders are super friendly. Check out their events schedule for queer comedy shows, drag burlesque shows, queer trivia nights, and more.
Address: 325 Franklin Ave., Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Saturday (Opens at 5 PM); Sunday (Opens at 6 PM)
17. Good Judy
Good Judy is just steps from Ginger’s (one of Brooklyn’s official lesbian bars) and thus is one of the more lesbian-leaning gay bars in the city. They have two floors and four spaces, including a backyard patio. They host a variety of events like piano sing-alongs, queer trivia, puppet show karaoke, drag shows, as well as watch, dance, and listening parties. If you just want to chill, you can enjoy their craft cocktails at the bar.
Fun fact: It is C’mon Everybody’s gay little sister.
Address: 563 5th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Thursday (5 PM – 2 AM); Friday – Saturday (5 PM – 4 AM); Sunday (3 PM – 2 AM)
18. Boobie Trap
This quirky and old school tavern is a Bushwick treasure among locals. Come to the Boobie Trap for very cool interiors, board games and drinks. Sometimes they host drag nights. While it’s not exclusively queer, it is popular for being unofficially a queer bar. I mean, just look at the name and location.
Address: 308 Bleecker St., Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Saturday (12 PM – 4 AM); Sunday (12 PM – 12 AM)
19. Pink Metal
Pink Metal is famous for its weekly burlesque and drag shows, figure drawing events, open stages for queer artists, and variety shows that will make your evenings unforgettable. It is a women-owned, LGBTQ-friendly bar that boasts tasty cocktails and edgy, high-femme aesthetics. Also, they host gogo and vinyls spun every first Sunday of the month, too.
Address: 253 Bushwick Ave., Bushwick, Brooklyn
Hours: Monday – Thursday (6 PM – 2 AM); Friday – Sunday (5 PM – 2 AM)
III. First Lesbian Bar New York: Did You Know?
Did you know that the first-ever lesbian bar in the United States was located in New York City? In 1925, Polish-Jewish immigrant Eva Kotchever opened Eve’s Hangout, a lesbian basement bar under her American name “Eve Adams.” It was located in Greenwich Village, where the restaurant La Lanterna di Vittorio currently stands.
Eve’s Hangout quickly became a sanctuary for lesbians and queer folk, offering a rare public space where they could gather and socialize freely. Eva was not only a proprietor but also an outspoken activist and writer. She authored a collection of short stories titled Lesbian Love, one of the first works in the United States to openly discuss lesbian relationships.
However, the pervasive homophobia of the time meant that Eve’s Hangout was short-lived, lasting only about a year. The bar became a target for law enforcement following complaints from neighbors. In 1926, the police raided Eve’s Hangout, leading to Eva’s arrest. She was convicted and spent 18 months in jail before being deported back to Europe.
Eva Kotchever’s pioneering efforts and her bar, Eve’s Hangout, hold a significant place in LGBTQ+ history, symbolizing the early struggle for safe spaces and rights for the community. Sadly, after her deportation, Eva perished in Auschwitz in 1943 during the Holocaust.
Despite the tragic end of her life, Eva Kotchever’s pioneering spirit and courage laid the groundwork for future generations of queer women. Thank you, Eva.
IV. Lesbian Bars NY: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many lesbian bars are in NYC?
There are four stationary NYC lesbian bars, plus one transient lesbian bar!
Q2. What are the 5 official lesbian bars in NYC?
The five official New York lesbian bars are:
Henrietta Hudson (West Village, Manhattan)
Cubbyhole (West Village, Manhattan)
Ginger’s Bar (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
The Bush (Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Dave’s Lesbian Bar (transient around Astoria, Queens)
The first four are part of The Lesbian Bar Project’s list of 33 bars. Many argue that Mary’s Bar is also a lesbian bar (self-described as a queer Irish pub), and there’s also Grotto, which is a pop-up sapphic cocktail experience that moves around the city.
Q3. Why are there so few lesbian bars in NYC or the USA?
New York City has four lesbian bars, making it the city with the most number of lesbian bars… IN THE WORLD. BUT yes, it’s still a small percentage compared to the number of bars in the city. The demand however, has been exploding with long lines and tight crowds to these bars on weekend nights. Especially with a lot of women coming out as gay after 2020. They’re even calling it the millennial mid-life crisis. So we’ll see how the number of lesbian bars grows here!
Here’s why we don’t have more… yet:
Economic Challenges: Running a bar, particularly one catering to a niche community, comes with substantial financial risks. Due to compulsory heterosexuality and patriarchal conditioning, lesbian bars struggle with lower patronage compared to their gay male counterparts, leading to less revenue. Additionally, women, on average, have lower incomes than men, affecting their spending power and ability to support nightlife venues regularly.
Social Shifts and Online Communities: The rise of online dating and social media has changed how people connect, date, and form communities. Many lesbians and queer women now meet through apps, reducing the reliance on physical spaces like bars.
Gentrification and Rising Costs: Urban gentrification and rising real estate costs have also played a significant role. The biggest gay communities are in cities. Where the gays go = educated places = become expenses places to rent, sadly. So traditionally LGBTQ+ neighborhoods, especially in NYC, have seen rents skyrocket, making it financially untenable for small, independent bars to operate.
Q4. What is the oldest lesbian bar in NYC?
Henrietta Hudson is the oldest lesbian bar in NYC. Co-owners Lisa Cannistraci and Minnie Rivera opened it in 1991, making it the city’s longest-surviving lesbian bar!
Q5. What state has the most lesbian bars?
With four lesbian bars in NYC, the state of New York beats Oklahoma, which has three. Surprise! I know. Read more on Why Oklahoma has so “many” lesbian bars here.
Q6. Are men allowed in Henrietta Hudson and other lesbian bars?
Of course they are allowed. But should straight cis-men visit lesbian bars? Depends on the intention. Is it to objectify and gawk at women? Is it to find a “third” for their dying relationship?
Also, they can enter ALL other bars in NYC. Why crash our safe space? To see a straight man in a lesbian bar is simply suss. Unless of course, they’re with their lesbian friends celebrating their birthday or something.
V. More NYC Lesbian Spots
What to Expect from the Wednesday’s Misster Lesbian Party at The Woods
Is it OK for Straight Men to Visit Lesbian Bars?
Best Bookstores in New York City for Queer books
2 OFFICIAL Lesbian Bars in LA (+ 9 Other Lesbian-Leaning Bars)
Lesbian Events in LA for Meet-Ups & Community Spaces
14 Lesbian Travel Destinations That Are Perfect for Your Next Trip
