The best LGBT things to do in New York this week
There’s never a shortage of LGBT things to do in New York, whether you’re looking for talks, film screenings, drag show or world-class gay bars and gay clubs in NYC. And the city’s queer scene isn’t confined to the established gayborhoods in Manhattan either. Nowadays, you’ll find LGBT events throughout the boroughs every night of the week. With so much to choose from, there’s no excuse not to get out there and have a gay old time.
Best LGBT things to do
GAYme Show!
Comedians Dave Mizzoni and Matt Rogers will be the first to tell you the definitive T on Demi Lovato's vocal range, Gwen Stefani's political affiliations and which Jennifer reigns supreme: Holliday, Hudson or Lopez. They magnanimously share their wisdom with the straight men of the world at this subversive and ridiculous competition, which forces bro comics to face off on gay trivia. Stay out of their line of fire.
Otter Box
Dig into this dope, dirty night of dancing at the Deep End every Sunday, at which you'll find a game queer crowd not ready to give up its weekend. Look out for rowdy go-go boys and unstoppable drag acts to keep the wild shenanigans going.
Kweendom
Yes Gawd! At his monthly queer comedy throwdown, pop-culture maven Bobby Hankinson hosts some of his favorite queer comedians and performers for songs, sketches and stories.
The Day I Should Have: Listened
Storytelling phenom Danny Artese gathers an all-star lineup of performers to share tales under the prompt "the day I should have listened." He welcomes Matt Smith McCormick, April Salazar, Sharon Spell, Ria Spencer and many others to the mic.
Times Squares
At this bonkers game show, Michael Musto and Tim Cusack invite downtown characters to face off on their knowledge of celebrity trivia.
Mapplethorpe
Few photographers have obtained the mythic stature of Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989), whose style imparted an austere, almost brutal, beauty to controversial subject matter. Mapplethorpe’s large-format, black-and-white photos (produced, more often than not, within the controlled environs of a studio) reflected his life as a gay artist working in the Downtown demimonde of post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS new York—a period when the utopian promise of sexual liberation gave way to the fear of plague. Indeed, Mapplethorpe seemed to find a connection between eros and thanatos in almost all of his photos, from floral still-lives to homoerotic celebrations of the male body. Those images and more are recalled in this two-part retrospective marking the 30th anniversary of the his death.
Lunes Picantes
Among this club night’s selling points are host Laura Martinez, DJs Freddy and Joss, tequila drink specials and sexy sombrero-wearing bartenders. There’s no better place in town to shake to reggaetón and cumbia.
Homotown
Head to Henrietta Hudson every Thursday for a seemingly endless happy hour (till midnight, seriously) and chill jams from veteran DJ Tikka Masala, who keeps you grinning all night with beloved soul and hip-hop classics.
“Fire Island Pines: Polaroids 1975-1983”
During the 1970s, one of New York’s many gay golden ages, photographer Tom Bianchi captured love, sex and freedom among gay men in the paradise retreat of Fire Island. This show exhibits Bianchi’s white-hot Polaroids from his new printed collection.
Ryan Raftery: The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of Martha Stewart
After scoring a hit with a solo musical devoted to Vogue's Anna Wintour and her discontents—and then another about Bravo diva wrangler Andy Cohen—the boyish and persistently irreverent singer-actor Raftery returns to Joe's with new camp biography. This one uses pop music to tell the story of style maven, media titan and ex-prisoner Martha Stewart.
Dungeons & Drag Kings
Anja Keister and Lee Valone host this mad monthly night of gender-bending, kink and geek ecstasy at Talon. Witness inventive drag from Valone and JJ Sparks and gagworthy burlesque from Ms. Suki E, Trinity Starlight and Qualms Galore.
2Scoops: Legally Oblig8ted
Aaron Fuksa and Adam Enright play former bandmates from 2Scoops, a fictional ’90s pop duo better known for its breakups and comebacks than for its music. Watch the divas rap and battle like it’s 1996 at this outrageous show, which features special guest appearances from Allison Guinn and Anna Marquardt, and plenty of sass.
Yas Mama
Hannah Lit and Horrorchata spin a delicious night of Latina bangers, featuring your favorite pop songs from Selena, Paulina Rubio and beyond. Momo Shade performs.
Habibi
This party for Arab men and their friends offers belly dancers and a sexy, sweaty crowd dancing to Mediterranean dance tunes.
Big Gay Roller Skate
Skate to the sounds of Xanadu and Beyoncé at this joyous dudes’ night on the rink. Enjoy a full menu and cocktails, jams from DJ William Francis and totally insane drag performances. Just in time for Flame Con, this superhero edition welcomes you to serve your most spectacular capes and spandex at the LeFrak Center.
Best gay clubs and parties in NYC
Check out the best gay club nights and parties in NYC
LGBT parties in NYC offer something for everyone, from relaxed, mixed shindigs to sweaty dance throwdowns