Exclusive | New York City: Where to Play/Meet Part Three

BEST 4: CHELSEA
Barracuda (see BEST 4: LOOKING)

Jovial Gym Bar (167 Eighth Ave., btwn 18th & 19th Sts.; 212-337-2439), Gotham's first all-gay sportsbar, is a hit with some very cute hitters and catchers.

The sleek but friendly Brite Bar (297 Tenth Ave., at 27th St.; 212-279-9706) offers an attractive clientele and a good roster of DJs.

Another nice spot is View Bar (232 Eighth Ave., at 22nd St.; 212-929-2243), a popular catchall bar with a pool table and windows looking on to the street.

BEST 4: WEST VILLAGE
The Hangar (115 Christopher St., btwn Hudson & Bleecker Sts.; 212-627-2044) is one of Christopher Street's sunnier bars, with sidewalk windows and a younger, hunkier and more diverse clientele.

The Monster (80 Grove St., at Sheridan Square; 212-924-3558) is a Village classic, wearing its years proudly and well. It has DJ dancing downstairs and a piano bar upstairs.

Rainbows galore, Pieces (8 Christopher St., btwn Waverly Pl. & Sixth Ave.; 212-929-9291) gayly offers entertainment, pool tables and heart-pounding music.

Marie's Crisis (see BEST 4: SINGING)

BEST 4: HELL'S KITCHEN
With its extremely diverse and friendly crowd, you never know quite what you'll find at Posh (405 W. 51st St., btwn 9th & 10th Aves.), but it'll usually be fun and, more often than not, cute.

Vlada (see BEST 4: LOOKING)

Therapy (see BEST 4: LOUNGING)

Intimate and friendly, Barrage (401 W. 47th St., at Ninth Ave.; 212-586-9390) has a handsome crowd.

BEST 4: EAST VILLAGE
The Phoenix (see BEST 4: HIPSTERS)

Eastern Bloc (see BEST 4: LOOKING)

The Cock (see BEST 4: SCORING)

A hot East Village crowd gets down and go-go boys get wild at BoysRoom (211 Ave. A, at 13th St.; 212-358-1440), a smallish corner dance den.

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