NewYork.com brings us this solid 24-hour itinerary for those in the NYC gay-borhood.
6am: Buns of Steel at the Gay Men’s Boot Camp in Battery Park – This testosterone-filled class is held on the fabulously renovated Christopher Street Pier in the West Village. Along with the super tough, just for gay men workout, the site provides breathtaking river views to take your mind off the burning in your muscles. The hour-long, three-day-a-week class is offered in month-long blocks and designed to kick your butt into shape while alongside likeminded gentleman. No need to worry, the boot camp holds women’s-only workouts as well.
8am: Breakfast at The Dish in Chelsea – Once you have worked up an appetite, stroll over a few blocks north to Chelsea, one of the city’s two prevalent gay neighborhoods. Along Eighth Avenue, you’ll discover the two-story, upscale diner that’s typically packed to the rafters. Here you can fill up on an egg-white omelet or splurge on calories with the decadent peanut butter banana pancakes.
9am: Stroll Along With an LGBT Walking Tour – Call up some pals and hire licensed tour guide Rick Landman to take you through a guided tour of the West Village. Rick will share the neighborhood’s politically charged history, as it’s where the gay equality movement took root. You’ll also learn of the seminal moments from the period after World War II through the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and explore where it all happened at locations such as Stonewall Bar and Christopher Street.
11am: Shop Till You Drop at Jeffrey – Situated in the swanky Meatpacking District (where Carrie Bradshaw of Sex in the City strutted in her famous Manolo Blahniks,) this approachable store creates a friendly shopping experience with a multitude of smart clothing, shoes and accessories for both men and women. The combination of style and hospitality has made this retail therapy venue popular with the gay and lesbian community.
12pm: Lunch at Elmo – By now you are probably famished, so head over to Elmo, the longtime Chelsea hot spot, satisfying eats and epic people watching. Order everything from the signature Elmo Burger on a brioche bun, to delightful entrees like chicken tacos salsa verde. This bustling restaurant’s festive vibe, tropical decor and ample sidewalk seating are a few factors on why this is a gay fave – or perhaps it’s the creative cocktail menu.
1:30pm: Browse the Lesbian Herstory Archives – Nestled in Brooklyn’s picturesque Park Slope neighborhood are archives of materials about and by lesbians. Whether you’re just browsing or want to dig deeper into lesbian history and activism, it’s well worth the trip to explore the world’s largest collection of photographs, books, videos and more.
3pm: Celebrate Equality in the Stonewall Inn – On the morning of June 28, 1969, a police raid swarmed the small West Village bar, Stonewall Inn. While raids of gay establishments were the norm, this particular one turned into several nights of rioting, igniting what became the modern-day gay rights movement. Though the original Stonewall closed its door in 1969, it was re-opened in half of the original space in 1990 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2000. Most days, the current bar offers well-priced happy hours starting at 2pm.
4pm: Check in to The Out NYC – If you’re just in town for a visit, it’s a perfect time to check into your hotel room. While New York has long been home to gay Bed and Breakfasts, it now also offers a mega-chic, four-star hotel that caters to gay and lesbian visitors. Housed in Hell’s Kitchen, The Out NYC features 101 highly glamorous, oasis-like rooms along with fine dining, spa services, an ever-changing art collection and glass atrium with year-round cabanas.
5:30pm: Fuel the Fire at Flaming Saddles Saloon – A recent addition to the gay nightlife scene, Flaming Saddles Saloon was opened by a straight couple who wanted to shake things up in Hell’s Kitchen. With a Coyote Ugly vibe, Flaming Saddles Saloon has a well-stocked, country-music jukebox to accompany its welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. It doesn’t hurt either that the bartenders occasionally hop on the bar for some boot-scootin’ dancing.
6:30pm: Pre-show dinner at Eatery – A cheerful dining establishment in Hell’s Kitchen, Eatery is cool, sleek and serving up contemporary American fare and innovative cocktails with flavorful flair. The main room and bar is host to a mostly gay crowd and offers a varied menu that covers everything from Mahi-Mahi soft tacos to ricotta meatloaf.
8pm: Take in a Broadway Show – There are two very gay-friendly shows that are abuzz right now in the theater world and it will be hard to choose. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is causing quite the stir with its protagonist as a bitter German drag queen belting out power rock ballads and on the Belasco Theatre stage. Then there’s Kinky Boots, the Cyndi Lauper phenomenon that’s continuing to dominate the Broadway world after winning the big Tony trophy for Best Musical in 2013.
1am: Dance the Night Away at Ritz Bar and Lounge – Get your late-night groove on in Midtown at the always exciting Ritz Bar and Lounge. It’s got a first-class lounge, but, more importantly, it has a spacious dance floor. There’s also an engaging DJ and several floors of mingling space, including a backyard patio for those warm months.
4:30am: Disco Fries at Market Diner – It’s been an exhausting and fulfilling day and food is the only thing between you and a good night sleep. Walk your tired feet over to Market Diner and indulge in the Disco Fries covered in melted cheese and brown gravy. Dating back to the 60’s this old-school, free-standing diner delivers character and taste.
