Exclusive | New York City: Where to Play/Meet

There's at least one bar or club night for every queer proclivity in New York. For the most up-to-the-minute nightlife info, consult Next (www.nextmagazine.net) or HX (www.hx.com) magazines, which you can pick up for free in most bars throughout town. Inside either, you'll find anything and everything there is to know about every bar, its scene, the crowd and the best night to visit. Women should visit www.gonycmagazine.com for excellent, up-to-date, lesbian-specific nightlife listings.

BARS

BEST 4: LOOKING
Two floors of upmarket gents roam Vlada Lounge (331 W. 51 St., btwn Eighth & Ninth Aves.; 212-974-8030), Hellsea's bar du jour.

Small East Village coolspot Eastern Bloc (505 E. 6th St., btwn Aves. A & B; 212-777-2555) (formerly Wonder Bar) gets crammed on weekends and has some of the city's cutest go-go boys.

Dark and laid-back, Barracuda (275 W. 22nd St., at Eighth Ave; 212-645-8613) feels like an East Village bar transplanted to Chelsea; the crowd reflects the mix.

Bar-cum-lounge g Lounge (225 W 19th St., btwn Seventh & Eighth Aves.; 212-929-1085) is a "hang out and try not to look like you're cruising" place, catering mostly to Chelsea boys.

BEST 4: LOUNGING
g Lounge (see BEST 4: LOOKING above)

Still a Hell's Kitchen staple, Therapy (348 W 52nd St., btwn Eighth & Ninth Aves.; 212-397-1700) has two sleekly styled levels and a delish bar menu.

Multi-roomed The Ritz (369 W 46th St., at Ninth Ave.; 212-333-2554) brings in a cool mix of somewhat older Hellsea guys. Great back patio, weather permitting.

Another Hell's Kitchen hotspot, Xth Avenue Lounge (642 Tenth Ave., btwn 45th & 46th Sts.; 212-245-9088) offers a trendy blend of hipsters and "twinks with drinks."

BEST 4: HIPSTERS
Eastern Bloc (see BEST 4: LOOKING above)

Vlada (see BEST 4: LOOKING above)

As friendly as it is trendy, The Phoenix ( 447 E. 13th St., btwn 1st Ave. & Ave. A; 212-477-9979) is an East Village mainstay with an amazing jukebox, scary drink specials, and a cute, low maintenance crowd.

Serving the artfag-heavy Williamsburg 'hood, Metropolitan (559 Lorimer St., btwn Metropolitan Ave. & Devoe St., Williamsburg; 718-599-4444) is also one of the few Brooklyn bars for which Manhattanites will forsake their beloved borough.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six

Related Articles:
New York City: Introduction
New York City: Where to Stay
New York City: Where to Eat
New York City: What to See and Do
New York City: Where to Shop
New York City: Neighborhoods
New York City: Resources