Part of the Gay New York City Guide — bars, events & things to do.
New York City, New York
East Village gay dive with karaoke, drag shows, bingo, and free summer BBQ
The Phoenix is a gay dive on East 13th Street in the East Village, originally opened in 1999 as "The Bar," then rebuilt after a fire and renamed for its rise from the ashes. A 2024 renovation freshened the interior, but the cheap-drinks, neighborhood-regulars character survived intact — it's long been a fixture known for its jukebox and come-as-you-are crowd. The weekly calendar runs deep: karaoke, trivia and Queer Pong, weekend DJ sets, bingo, and summer Sunday BBQs out back, where you'll also find a pool table, darts, and a photo booth. It's unpretentious and locals-first, the antidote to the velvet-rope end of the scene. If you're staying downtown and want a low-key gay bar with something happening any night of the week, the Phoenix is the East Village default.
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