Gay bars in the east village nyc

Village Preservation is dedicated to preserving the architectural heritage and cultural history of Greenwich Village, the East Village and NoHo.

Gay Bars That Are Gone Tour

Village Preservation advocates for landmark and zoning protections and monitors proposed and planned developments and alterations to landmarked and historic sites throughout our neighborhoods. View current and village campaigns to protect landmarked properties. View applications to the LPC for work on landmarked properties.

There have been a multitude of reasons suggested for the decline, including rising rents, growing social acceptance obviating the need for LGBT clubs, and dating culture shifting to apps, eliminating the need to meet someone in a bar. Regardless of the reasons for the changes and what they mean for the future, today we look back at some of the distinctive establishments that shaped LBGT culture in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo over the last century and a quarter — some clandestine and illicit, others shiny and open.

Formerly the Fillmore Eastthis large theater space was also an amazing place to dance! The building was used periodically for a couple of years for various live events and then stood empty until the auditorium was demolished in Today, the nyc and highly decorative Adamesque facade of the building remains, its lobby remodeled into a bank, which features some photos of the Fillmore East, but no memories of The Saint.

Inclub impresario Stephen The took over the bar and operated the biggest drag show in America. Thirty-five drag performers made up the revue three times a night, while drag kings served as bouncers and servers. Later, in the s, the bar was taken over and turned into Club 82, serving a new East Village community including Andy Warhol, David Bowie, and Lou Reed, who, it is said, met gay lover Rachel there, a transgender woman who east a number of his songs about trans women and East Village nightlife generally.

Male prostitutes there acted much as female prostitutes did at other establishments: working the tables, soliciting the men sitting at them, and getting a commission on all the drinks sold. They could exchange information about developments affecting them, from news of police raids to upcoming balls or social events. The Slide at No.

It was a place where they could socialize with friends, and entertain regulars, tourists, and each other. The Slide was closed by the police in Webster Hall has hosted a wide range of parties and meetings over its year history. As we previously reported : By the s, Webster Hall became famous for its masquerade balls, following the success of a fundraiser for the socialist magazine The Masses.

The parties, which attracted the bohemians of the Village and beyond, grew more and more outlandish—and the costumes, skimpier and skimpier. Although Prohibition could have killed the momentum of the parties, in fact, it had the opposite effect. As liquor consumption was driven underground, Webster Hall became a speakeasy, and the legends of the parties grew.

Gay and lesbian Villagers first attended the parties of accepting organizations like the Liberal Club, but by the mids were putting together dances and celebrations of their own at the hall. These celebrations were able to continue without harassment, as long as the police were paid off properly.

The s brought a new series of masquerade balls organized by gay men themselves. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All Campaigns View bar and past campaigns to protect landmarked properties. Village Preservation.