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Event Resources & Tips

Make the most of NYC's LGBTQ+ events with these insider tips and resources from seasoned party-goers. Books available for purchase and signing.

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BOOK READING

Literary Event

Queer Author Reading & Q&A

Join acclaimed LGBTQ+ authors for readings from their latest works, followed by an intimate Q&A session.

Getting Tickets

  • • Buy early: Popular events sell out fast
  • • Follow venues: Instagram for flash sales
  • • Group discounts: Many venues offer group rates
  • • Door policy: Some events are walk-up only
  • • ID required: Always bring valid photo ID

Getting There

  • • Subway: Most venues near multiple lines
  • • Rideshare: Use apps for late-night rides
  • • Walking: Many venues within walking distance
  • • Parking: Limited and expensive in Manhattan
  • • Safety: Travel in groups when possible

What to Wear

  • • Dress codes: Check venue requirements
  • • Themed events: Costumes often encouraged
  • • Comfort first: You'll be dancing/standing
  • • Weather: Layer for outdoor venues
  • • Express yourself: NYC celebrates all styles

Event Etiquette

  • • Respect performers: No phones during shows
  • • Tip generously: Support drag queens & performers
  • • Be inclusive: Welcome newcomers
  • • Ask first: Before taking photos with others
  • • Have fun: These are celebration spaces!

Timing Tips

  • • Happy hours: Usually 5-8 PM weekdays
  • • Drag shows: Typically start 9-10 PM
  • • Dance parties: Peak around midnight
  • • Brunch events: 12-4 PM on weekends
  • • Last call: 4 AM in NYC

Making Connections

  • • Be yourself: Authenticity attracts real friends
  • • Join conversations: Most people are welcoming
  • • Follow up: Exchange contacts with new friends
  • • Regular events: Become a familiar face
  • • Volunteer: Help at community events

OUTNYC

Your comprehensive guide to LGBTQ+ life, events, and community in New York City.

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These regular gatherings happen every week across NYC's LGBTQ+ venues.

Colorful paper lanterns, tissue–paper fish and seasonal decorations hang from the ceiling. Weekends get so crowded (midnight to 3am) that there’s often a cover charge. 

Time Out tip: Stuff your pockets before coming here; it’s cash only.

Address: 93 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 10pm–4am

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22. Pink Metal

What is it? If you like your kink with a wink and a drink, think pink.

Monthly events include trivia, queeraoke, stoplight parties and more.

Time Out tip: Daily happy hour from 6pm to 8pm offers $7 drinks. 

Address: 428 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 6pm–2am; Fri, Sat 6pm–4am; Sun 6pm–2am

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8. Animal

What is it?This queer bar is all about aesthetics, high–quality cocktails, and grown–up fun that’s more for the LGBTQ+ imbiber who prefers a dirty martini in a chilled glass to house vodka sodas in a flimsy plastic cup. 

Why we love it:Don’t be mistaken—there’s plenty of fun to be had here, from boozy brunches to late–night parties, with a bit of a more upscale edge than its sticky floor counterparts.

Featuring live vocals, comedy, and audience participation. Here's your guide to the biggest celebrations.

nyc gay parties

You do you.

Time Out tip: Animal is dedicated to being a judgement–free community space: Everyone is welcome as well as they uphold a code of conduct that bans any type of discrimination or harassment—it’s great for a birthday party, and cakes are welcome (as long as you bring the plates and silverware, too). 

Address: 307 Meeker Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4pm–4am;,  Sat, Sun 4pm–2am

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9. Good Judy

What is it?This trendy Park Slope gay bar is totally where the cool queers hang out and for good reason.

Why we love it:It’s unpretentious yet stylish and offers top–notch drinks, space to chat and plenty of dance floor to groove, a true crowd–pleaser for all.

Why we love it: Visit for drag performances, Broadway trivia nights and more weekly events and parties. 

Time Out tip: Nightly happy hour, until 8pm, offers $12 margaritas and martinis, plus two bar bites (think deviled eggs, tater tots, and chicken tenders) for $16. 

Address: 714 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Opening hours:  Mon–Thu 5pm–2am; Fri 4pm–4am; Sat 2pm–4am; Sun 2pm–2am

20. C'mon Everybody

What is it? This Bed–Stuy standby is unique because it feels like several different places at once: a crowded bar on one side, lots of seating in the next room, and an intimate performance space in the back. Expect pop diva–themed dance parties, deeply chaotic drag and friendly vibes in this queer owned and operated bar and performance space.

Why we love it: C’mon Everybody is an LGBTQ+ oasis in a part of Brooklyn that’s not flush with queer spaces, and it’s not to be missed. 

Time Out tip: House cocktails are simple but fun, like the Lavender Menace made with mezcal, lime, and lavender. 

Address: 325 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 5pm–4am, Sun: 6pm–2am, Mon: 5pm–1am, Tue–Thu 5pm–2 am

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21. The Cock

What is it? A self–described “rock and sleaze fag bar,” the Cock is just the sort of dark, sketchy dive where you can unleash your inner sexy beast. 

Why we love it: The dearth of uptown attitude (or any apparent concern for cleanliness) pulls artists, musicians, writers, fashionistas, tourists and closeted rebels in stiff polos, all of whom can appreciate a little dirty fun.

WorldPride NYC

When: June 1-30, 2025

Where: Manhattan & All Boroughs

The world's largest Pride celebration returns to NYC with a month of parades, parties, performances, and community events across the city.

Learn More

Brooklyn Pride

When: June 7, 2025

Where: Park Slope & Prospect Park

Brooklyn's beloved community Pride celebration featuring local performers, vendors, and family-friendly activities in beautiful Prospect Park.

Brooklyn Pride

Queens Pride

When: June 14, 2025

Where: Jackson Heights

Celebrating the most diverse LGBTQ+ community in the world with multicultural performances and vendors representing Queens' global community.

Queens Pride

Bronx Pride

When: June 21, 2025

Where: Bronx Community College

The Bronx's growing Pride celebration featuring local artists, community organizations, and resources for LGBTQ+ residents.

Bronx Pride

Staten Island Pride

When: June 28, 2025

Where: Snug Harbor Cultural Center

Staten Island's intimate Pride celebration in the beautiful setting of Snug Harbor, featuring performances and community vendors.

SI Pride

Year-Round Pride

When: Every Month

NYC celebrates LGBTQ+ pride all year with monthly themed events, community gatherings, and cultural celebrations across all neighborhoods.

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February 2025 Event Calendar

Click on any day to see LGBTQ+ events happening across NYC.

Pink dots indicate days with events.

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DRAG BRUNCH

Sunday Funday

Legendary Drag Brunch

Start your Sunday with bottomless mimosas and show-stopping performances by NYC's most beloved drag queens. Phoenix isn’t fussy, and that’s why it feels like home.

We love featuring parties, cultural events, community gatherings, and more. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.

You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days!

Costume encouraged, inhibitions checked at the door. Yes, it is.

Submit Your Event Partner With Us

We review all submissions and feature events that celebrate and support NYC's LGBTQ+ community.

February 2025

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Click on any day with events to see full details and get tickets

Weekly Recurring Events

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🏳️‍🌈 Pride

WINTER PRIDE

Brooklyn Celebration

Brooklyn Winter Pride Festival

Celebrate LGBTQ+ pride year-round with Brooklyn's Winter Pride Festival featuring local vendors, performances, and community organizations.

Alan Cumming took over the former Eastern Bloc bar in 2017 and reimagined it as a cabaret, comedy and party hub evocative of NYC's golden era of downtown nightlife. 

Why we love it:Count on Broadway singers belting out favorites by the piano, nostalgia–fueled ’90s dance parties and stellar cabaret and comedy nights just about any time you drop in.

Time Out tip: Check the calendar for free events and other unique offerings, such as “queerlesque.” 

Address: 505 E 6th St, New York, NY 10009

Opening hours: Fri 6pm–4am; Sat 4pm–4am; Sun 5pm–midnight; Mon 6pm–4am; Tue–Thu 6pm–2am

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14. Lambda Lounge

What is it?One of the very few Black–owned gay bars in the entire city, this Harlem nightclub run by a local couple promises a good time any night of the week. 

Why we love it:Named for the Lambda vodka also started by the founders, Lambda is a place to drink, dance and just unwind on the dance floor or backyard.

Time Out tip: Reservations are accepted so you don’t have to fight for a place to sit on busy nights.

Address: 2256 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 8pm–2am; Fri, Sat 8pm–4am; Sun 6–11pm

15. Metropolitan

What is it?With so many exciting queer spaces to choose from, how is a New York gay supposed to stand out?

Like the best LGBTQ+ spaces, Cubbyhole is one of a kind.

Time Out tip: Visit daily from 4 pm – 7pm when happy hour includes great deals like $5 beers. 

Address: 281 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm– 2am; Fri 4pm–4am; Sat 2pm –4am; Sun 2pm–2am

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2. Albatross Bar

What is it? This longtime Astoria gay bar is consistently crowded, bringing out residents from across the borough and beyond for drink specials, intimate drag shows, and just a good, gay old time.

Why we love it:  It’s a dive with a vibe, and if you’re lucky enough to become a regular, you’re never leaving.

Time Out tip: Check social media for frequent updates on events, including trivia, bar crawls, and, of course, drag nights. 

Address: 3619 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103 

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–4am, Sat, Sun 4pm–4am

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3. The Stonewall Inn

What is it?

PrideFamily-FriendlyBrooklyn

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NYC Pride Calendar 2025

New York City celebrates LGBTQ+ pride year-round with events across all five boroughs.

LGBT Community Center

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WAREHOUSE PARTY

Brooklyn Underground

House of Yes: Night Circus

An immersive theatrical dance party featuring aerial performers, fire breathers, and mind-bending visuals.