The Manhattan borough may take the glory of where to find the best bars in NYC, but Brooklyn too has a lot to offer. A hipster-led revival in the Brooklyn neighborhood has brought to light LGBTQ communities across different places in the city.
This borough is full of gay bars which means you don’t have to go to Chelsea, West village, or Hell’s kitchen to get into a gay bar.
Regardless of where you are, it’s not hard to find drag queens and kings, leather daddies, and people with studs and suits.
But, if you are looking for a young and more diverse LBGTQ community, you should make a stop in Brooklyn.
This guide will help you find the best gay bars in Brooklyn and help let you know the spots where to find gay events and night hangouts.
Here is our list of the best gay bars in Brooklyn.
1. Three dollar bill
260 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone; 718-366-3031
It is one of the youngest bars in this guide but the largest in Brooklyn. This LGBTQ bar and nightclub first opened its doors in 2018, and it has quickly become one of the most popular places in the city, especially when all you want to do is have a good time and dance.
The dance floor in the bar is massive and at the front is the bar scene. There is also a beautiful outdoor patio if you don’t want to associate with the large crowds on the dance floor.
Comedy, special events, drama, and drag shows are some activities in this bar. The colorful lights, exposed brick stones, and wide selection of cheap drinks mean you will have a good time at this spot.
Club nights draw a massive crowd from different places in NYC. So you will not be disappointed by this spot. It’s worth a visit.
2. Xstasy bar and lounge
758 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Phone; 718-499-2348
This bar sits across the Greenwood cemetery and has a classic 70s vibe and atmosphere you will love while inside. It is a favorite spot for locals, and it’s close to Sunset park, which explains the large Latino crowd in the bar.
This spot features male go-go dancers, live DJs, drag shows, and karaoke. Happy hour is available daily, and it features a wide variety of cocktail drinks and $5 beers, which keeps locals and tourists coming to this place.
Opened in 2014, this spot will not disappoint if all you are after is to have a fun night.
The best of all is they have small plates on the menu you can pair with your drinks. So are you having a bad day? Head to this bar to cool off.
3. Macri park
462 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone; (718) 599-4999
It is a favorite spot in Lorimer stop and was opened in 2015 as a gay bar by the same owners of Metropolitan bar. The space in the bar is tiny but cozy, and there is also a spacious back patio with picnic tables if that’s what you are after.
The low-lightning and red-velvety wallpaper in the bar makes the decor inside lively and appealing. The strong drinks, lovely bartenders, and drag shows in the bar attracts different clientele from different parts of the city.
Drag performances happen throughout the night weekly. But, if you don’t love drag performances, you can come here on Wednesdays when they have karaoke nights or just have a good time on their backyard patio.
Misty meaner, Ruby roo, and Sassy frass are some local artists you will always find in the bar.
4. Metropolitan bar
559 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone; 718-599-4444
It was first opened in 2002, and it is the ‘sister’ bar to Macri park bar. They have retained their traditions throughout with go-go dancers, billiards, and drag shows as part of the activities and events in this bar.
Metropolitan bar has evolved into the perfect gay scene for many people. The weekends are busier in this bar because of a vast crowd of drag queens and male go-go dancers ready to shake their feet. This quiet spot is both divey and dynamic without trying hard to impress.
Metropolitan bar is where you need to visit if you want to make new friends because you will often see the same characters repeatedly. The ample seating in the backyard is spacious and usually packed with people, especially during summer. The best part is the cheap beers and drinks you find in this spot.
They have stuck with the principle that some things need to stay true to who and what they are in new neighborhoods.
5. Mood ring
1260 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Phone; 917-818-1738
The Mood ring bar has an astrological-themed decor and drinks. Inside, there is a triangular bar and an array of tables and banquettes with a relaxed vibe and atmosphere.
It is dark with neon and flair lights {created by students} that make the perfect atmosphere in the bar. In addition, there is a rotating projection in the bar that displays the best cocktail drinks of the month.
So, if you intend on dancing, there is a vast space in the back that gives you all the time and space to shake your feet throughout the week.
Regular beers, cocktails, and house shots are other drinks you can enjoy while at this spot. This bar has been a go-to spot for many students and artists who identify themselves across the gender classification. So, if you are thinking about having a drink, try out this spot. You will love it.
6. The Rosemont
63 Montrose Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone; 347-987-3101
It is another fresh and new gay bar in Williamsburg, and it is a favorite spot for the locals. The locals love it because of the discounted drinks they serve every day from 5 pm until 9 pm.
They have a garden patio and serve small plates and crafted beers that are delicious. Often, this spot play host to DJs and live jazz music, and its relaxed and comfortable style lounge suits most of the clientele who are loyal to this spot.
This chilled bar is a must-stop spot you should visit when in the neighborhood.
7. Ginger’s bar
363 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Initially, this bar was a hangout spot for ladies, but that has changed as you will get mixed with people at night.
Ginger’s bar is more like a community center rather than a bar because people of different identities will always come to this spot to chit-chat while sipping their drinks.
It is a quiet spot with cheap drinks but definitely not the best place when you are going for a date because of the large crowd.
A jukebox in the bar often makes this joint lively with the music played. Pool tables are available if you enjoy playing games while sipping your drink.
8. House of yes
2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Phone; 646-838-4937
Are you looking for a bar to have fun and watch electrifying live performances? Then, the House of yes is your best option.
This bar is located in the East of Williamsburg, and the neighborhood is predominant of Latinos, artists, and young professionals.
The acrobatic display on the main stage of the bars is just one of the electrifying performances you will see. It is a perfect spot if all you want is to make friends, connect with people and be yourself without gender discrimination.
The crowd and outfit in the bar may look odd and bizarre, but the vibe and atmosphere are fantastic.
9. The Exley
1 Jackson St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone; 917-909-1652
Many people have often overlooked this spot, but it’s one of the best gay bars in Brooklyn. Compared to the other gay bars on this list, the Exley bar is the smallest, with the perfect interior decor and perfect outdoor seating.
It is located next to the BQE and is the perfect spot for a chill-out where you can chat with the people you value most. The drinks menu is worth checking out, considering there are excellent cocktail drinks and crafted beer.
It doesn’t get busy, which means you can bring your date and have your conversation at ease.
10. Happyfun Hideaway
1211 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Phone; 917-999-8282
It is a mixed queer spot where you will find a diverse range of people but especially teenagers. It is a laid-back joint with a pinball that you can play while enjoying their vast arrays of beers and cocktails.
This neighborhood joint can be of service if you are bored and wondering where to kickstart your weekend. The backyard is spacious and often empty throughout the week.
Besides the high-end cocktails and beers found in this spot, there is food that you can accompany your drink should you get hungry. Also, happy hour begins from 4 pm to 9 pm daily, making you spend a dollar less for the cocktail drinks.
11. Wu Lou lounge
1073 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone; 347-413-9090
This bar was previously known as Club Langston, and it is one of the youngest bars in Brooklyn. If you love dancing, there is no shortage of space in this bar.
They offer full drinks and have small plates on their menu.
During the week, they have special themed events that you will love to watch. In addition, it is one of the places to enjoy happy hour specials, which costs $5 for cocktail drinks.
12. Branded saloon
603 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone; 718-484-8704
This cow-boy style bar is another gay bar that you will enjoy as it blends the old school queer and new to create a fantastic atmosphere.
There is a performance space in the back of this bar while a booth sits in front. The performance space is often used for drag shows, and comedy shows at specific events. They have a pretty decent menu with lots of delicious foods.
This hangout spot is perfect for a drink with a small group. In addition, they have a basement downstairs that can be used for private party purposes.
13. The coyote club
417 Throop Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
It is a neighborhood hangout spot with great affordable drinks. This neighborhood is a perfect spot for drinks since everything is cheap and affordable. In addition, there is ample outdoor seating which is ideal for date nights.
Bottomline
NYC is one of the best places to visit if you enjoy nightlife because there are amazing clubs, upscale bars, and dives and the best of all is you can never miss a particular bar for the LBGTQ communities.
If you are a member of the LBGTQ community, the spots listed above will accommodate you with open arms, so you shouldn’t feel intimidated.
You can never miss a hangout spot and a bar to enjoy yourself regardless of gender.
