Phoenix

Not my cup of tea. I went here on a Friday night. This is definitely more of a place to socialize than a place to dance. The music was on the quiet side — not really loud enough to enjoy or dance to. Nor was the music particularly good. Very crowded (though most of the gay bars in New York are). The host of the Friday night party approached me a few times since I was alone, trying to introduce other guys to me, which I appreciated initially. Later on, once I had been there for a couple hours and was growing tired of the music, he asked me what was wrong — I mentioned that I wasn’t really enjoying the music. He seemed very offput by the comment, rather than accepting the candid feedback. I don’t think he liked me anymore after that (and I was just crushed emotionally as a result ;-)). One positive about this bar is that it was a younger crowd. Aside from that, if you’re looking for some good music to dance to, try out Hell’s Kitchen. But if you do enjoy listening to awkward conversations with the chance of catching the attention of a handsome guy or two, this is the spot to be :-D

Between the exclusivist hen party at one end and the bartender’s boyfriend picking fights at the other, what was once a friendly gay bar is now a dystopian nightmare.
Avoid at all costs

There aren’t that many places in the LES that offer actual dancing, and this place is no exception. It’s kind of a chill bar with decent amount of seating. The music is just OK, and the drinks aren’t bad either. I still prefer Hell’s Kitchen venues to this, but if you live in this area of town and don’t want to take the F train over, then this is not bad. It reminds me of a more buttoned up version of Boiler Room.

Went here on a Monday to meet a friend for drinks, went around 9PM. I thought it would be crowded, but it was very empty, except for us two and 4 – 5 other people at the bar. Bartender was nice, and was in a conversation with us throughout the night, and explained that Mondays weren’t that busy since, well, it’s a Monday. Drinks were well made, and quite cheap. It was very spacious, considering that it was empty, and they had some pinball and Pacman games in the back. I would definitely come back, but when it’s more crowded. It’s a little bit far from the other gay bars and clubs, especially on the LES, and the West Village. I was told by the bartender that Friday and Saturday are the best and hottest nights, when it gets packed and filled with hot guys and cuties from all over and all walks of life. So that’s when I’ll be coming back.

I like Phoenix, dark intimate lighting inside but not overdo that I can’t see who I am talking to. They have good amount of seats and space that even when it is crowded I don’t feel suffocated. The drinks are decent, but not strong, the music not too loud.

Went here with some friends after dinner and a few bars, this place was really a lot of fun. We went on a Saturday night and the music was on point with some of the best 90’s music that I haven’t heard since the 90’s! The beer selection was limited but my friends mixed drinks were strong and good.
A great place to grab a drink, have some fun and dance.

I’ve been here a couple of times, and I think the magic is finding the right day to go. I’ve been on a Tuesday when it was dead and a Friday, where we could barely find a seat. Still, cozy atmosphere with a pool in the back of the main room and a separate room to the left of the entrance for private shows or just more privacy. Drinks were inexpensive also.

I knew Phoenix in its early incarnation, years ago, when Dick’s Bar was still in the East Village. The Phoenix has always always been a bar with complete lack of pretension, and you should come to it with a complete lack of pretension. The new manager has revived it, spruced it up a bit, but not too much — the attraction is that it’s a cozy, dive-​y Irish version of a place like Julius Bar in the WV. You can come in this place in a suit, jeans, overalls, jockstrap and fur, or any other way. You are all welcome. The fun you make is up to you. It’s definitely a place where there is a younger crowd generally, but not exclusively. And it’s open to everyone — not a «gay male and only gay male» bar.
The music is jukebox and dj. Some great old and new tunes. Divinyls, Beatles, k.d. lang, Rupert Wainwright, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Elton John.. . enough to make you tap your foot or start dancing like a rubber band around the pool table. Yes! A pool table too. Don’t play pool? You’ll learn.
The bartenders are open and friendly, but as with every bartender (they’ve seen it all) you have to listen to them. Are they having a bad night (hell, it’s hard work)? Don’t make it worse. Cheer them on (easy to do, considering how damn beautiful most of them are). Friendliness attracts friendliness is the way to go here. You can just sit in a corner and read — great to do if you get there early, around 4. Or just sit and watch and enjoy the ever increasing crowd on a weekend. The drinks are more pricey for some things than advertised, but I think that’s happening all over. Phoenix is about spirit. So bring it your best; it will give you its best back. Come for the Guinness, come for the brogues. Come for the good spirit. Just come. Don’t be a dick: when you go into any bar, get the feel of the place. There are going to be people there who might not look like you, or talk like you, or dress like you. But isn’t that what’s great about a bar? You can make friends with completely unique new people. So, noses out of the air dears. I’ll tell you what always works. A smile. And «Hello.»

This place is decent. Not as good as the other gay bars I’ve been to though.
My friends and I came here after doing a little bar hopping. We saw on Unilocal it was a gay bar so we thought we’d come in and see what the vibe was and if it was fun with music bumping and good drinks like other gay bars I’ve been to. With the $ Unilocal gave for cost, I was surprised when the bartender told us $ 12 for a basic margarita. My friend and I turned to each other, shrugged, and opted for a $ 6 Stella beer instead.
When we got in, it looked like a typical bar. No bells and whistles, just a chill crowd with a hipster vibe. The music was not bad as they had a live DJ. It was a chill atmosphere that my friends and I did enjoy. We sat a few feet away from the bar near the pool table and threw back our beers, talked and laughed, listened to some good tunes the DJ was spinning, and looked around at the unassuming patrons.
This place actually reminded me of your standard bar in Williamsburg or Park Slope Brooklyn. Very chill laid back place. Come here if you’re looking for just that. It could have been just an unassuming night in general coincidentally but either way, this place is A-​OK.

This place was great! Very nice bartenders. Came here after a friends comedy show and we had a blast. I don’t remember much after 1am but I know I danced to what a girl wants by Christina aguilera and woke up in a new apartment the next morning so that means I had a great time!

So. All semi-​lezzie, or just-​wanna-​dance-​ladies out there.
I had a great time at this bar. I danced my ass off, the well drinks were reasonably priced, and the music was fantastic.
Sadly, I was mistreated by both of the bouncers. One of them had a ‘women don’t belong here’ attitude, and was very open about his opinion. The other bartender made me cry by swearing at me. The ‘f’ word, ladies and gents.
I’m usually pretty insensitive, but the fact that he felt it was okay made me feel so disrespected.
Anyway, aside from the asshole bouncers, I had a great time. The service was quick and the bartenders were so friendly.
I really hope Pheonix becomes a little more female-​friendly, bouncer-​wise. But if you can get past that, you’re golden!

The E. Villiage gay bars are not usually my thing but here was better than expected. Nice layout and décor and good music (although the DJ didn’t have the song I requested). Hopefully the days of the seedy, trashy bars (hello .Eagle, Eastern Bloc.) are coming to an end!

I was here yesterday and until I just read my previous review totally forgot I have ever been in here.
I had just gotten off the train yesterday around 4:00PM and had about 2 hours to kill before my birthday dinner later yesterday evening. I was just planning to stroll through my old neighborhood but after the long bus and train ride from Jamaica to Manhattan, I really could use a restroom. I was headed someplace else and saw this place I walked in.
There was only one other customer and a bartender. Only when I looked around, saw the gay Pride flag and the Absolut Vodka bottle with the colors of the pride flag did I realize I was in a gay bar. I checked my most recent cop of Next Magazine and sure enough it’s listed.
I order a ginger ale when I get the bartender ‘s attention. I then proceed to the restroom.
Afterward, I was chatting with the bartender a bit. I asked him for the location of the latest next magazine and he let me know it was near the front but the newest ones would be delivered late. After I finished my ginger ale I asked him about the happy hour times and he let me know it ended at 7.8. I figured just in case my friends wanted to go out after dinner.

The bartender there was extremely rude, I was buying a few drinks for my friends and myself with cash, didn’t have enough for tip on me at the time, but the bartender sarcastically said «thanks» and huffed off while I was attempting to get more from my wallet in my coat. I got the money and tipped him appropriately but still! What an jerk! I work in service as well so I totally understand getting stiffed, but it was so rude and off-​putting that I definitely won’t be going back there. Definitely could have handled it a better way.

If I could give ZERO stars I would. Had friends in town from over 1500 miles away. As a Manhattanite, I was proud to bring my guy friends here who heard so much about this place. Upon entering, the salty bouncer was like «I’m sorry ladies. We have a female limit and right now we are at our limit. You can’t come in.» WHAT?! I live in Hell’s Kitchen– the gay MECCA and they would never turn anyone down. When I said this to the bouncer he quickly replied «You should go back there.» So needless to say our guy friends got in and left quickly after, and we went around the corner. STEER CLEAR!

First thing the door man says when he IDs us, «You know this is a gay bar». Who cares as long as they serve alcohol. Nothing spectacular about this bar, gay or not. Average drink prices, average selection of beers on tap. Bartenders were friendly enough, but it was really crowded so service was a little slow.
Didn’t stay too long.

So I used to love a good dive bar and I used to go out in the East Village but now I am in my 30’s and go to bed early. I had fond memories of the Pheonix and stopped in recently on a Saturday night. I was one of the older people here and it wasn’t so gay. It was honestly jsut like any other crowded straight bar with a drag queen. It was packed– but with no one hot or anyone I wanted to get to know. There are still fun gay bars around but this is no longer one of them.

I absolutely love this bar. It’s without a doubt the friendliest bar, gay or straight, in New York.
Cool bar men, good promotions, reasonable prices for booze and a general good vibe, all make for super fun times potential!
It’s maybe not the fanciest of spots, and is perhaps a little tough around the edges, but that’s the New York thing right!

I have to say I was nervous at first to do an event in the East Village but this has quickly become my favorite hangout and night in general. The guys and girls that attend Phoenix are so friendly and social. It’s very different from other areas of NYC where sometimes the crowds can come off somewhat clique-​y and pretentious. Phoenix is always an awesome time.
Saturdays Holly Dae and I throw our infamous PLAYboi party with nearly-​naked twister, penis flashes, QR code CLUE & more. You have GOT to check this out:
For more info about my events visit:

This place can be really crowed… I was here on Halloween… there was basically no where to walk… I felt like I was bumping into every one defiantly not as crowed as fat Buddha… the bar is crazy packed nobody want to move away from there spot at the bar. So hard to order drinks… music is nice and load… people were really friendly. love the atmosphere… bathroom are downstairs… there was a dj that night… I did not like that fact they don’t know how to make the simpleness drinks… such as a mojito… Nd the shots are limited as well… kinda disappointing… but the atmosphere and the people are spot on so that’s always a plus. took hours to find parking. really cowered area… What made me step inside was the décor… drinks are around 8 – 10 dollars… definitely recommend to check this place out just cause… Enjoy!