Hell’s Kitchen, New York, has bars for every drinker — old English, Irish, super chic, gay, tapas, bars with private rooms, jazz, supper clubs — you name it, you’ll find it here, and often with a garden out back for that summer beer.
656 Ninth Avenue (betw 45th & 46th)
Tel. 212-307-1503
About the only dead giveaway to the gay and lesbian nature of this friendly, laid-back bar is the large rainbow flag that hangs on the back wall. Otherwise, distinguishing [this] from any other local dive would take a discerning eye, perhaps noticing that Broadway Playbills and posters cover the walls where the sports memorabilia should be, or that the large number of men are hugging instead of high-fiving. The bar, which fills up with a fun and relaxed crowd of locals and theatergoers, has plenty of stools to sit on; or, you can try and grab one of the few tables in the back. The beer is cheap (Budweiser is actually served in a can), the jukebox has a good selection and they serve popcorn in a basket. There isn’t much more you could ask for.
— Matt Tanzer
The New York Times