Boxers NYC Chelsea ★ 4.2
$$Chelsea{'monday': '16:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '16:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-02:00', 'thursday': '16:00-02:00', 'friday': '16:00-04:00', 'saturday': '13:00-04:00', 'sunday': '13:00-02:00'}
Boxers in Chelsea is the gay sports bar with shirtless bartenders, two pool tables and a wall of TVs that pulls a mixed crowd on game nights and a queer one after dark.
Tip: Free pool every Sunday, karaoke Tuesday and Sunday. Game-day kitchen runs wings and burgers until 02:00.
Pieces Bar ★ 4.1
$West Village{'monday': '14:00-04:00', 'tuesday': '14:00-04:00', 'wednesday': '14:00-04:00', 'thursday': '14:00-04:00', 'friday': '14:00-04:00', 'saturday': '14:00-04:00', 'sunday': '14:00-04:00'}
Pieces on Christopher Street is the gay dive that runs nightly drag shows from 22:00. The room is narrow, the karaoke list never stops and the regulars cheer for everyone.
Tip: Open 14:00 to 04:00 daily. Tuesday karaoke is the night that draws the biggest crowd; arrive before 21:00.
Eavesdrop ★ 4.6
$$$Greenpoint{'monday': '17:00-01:00', 'tuesday': '17:00-01:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-01:00', 'thursday': '17:00-01:00', 'friday': '17:00-02:00', 'saturday': '14:00-02:00', 'sunday': '14:00-01:00'}
Eavesdrop on Manhattan Avenue is a 36-seat listening bar with a back sound room built around a vintage rig. Natural wine, craft cocktails, small plates, low conversation.
Tip: Front bar is walk-in; the back listening room takes Resy. Sunday afternoons run an analogue-only Sounds session from 14:00.
Public Records Upstairs ★ 4.6
$$$Gowanus{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '18:00-22:00', 'thursday': '18:00-22:00', 'friday': '18:00-00:00', 'saturday': '18:00-00:00', 'sunday': '12:00-21:00'}
Upstairs at Public Records is the intimate listening lounge and cocktail bar, separate from the downstairs Sound Room. Vegetarian kitchen, natural wine, vinyl most nights.
Tip: Walk in or Resy for tables. Weeknights are the calmer listening sessions; weekends share the door with downstairs club bookings.
All Blues ★ 4.5
$$$Tribeca{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '18:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '18:00-00:00', 'thursday': '18:00-00:00', 'friday': '18:00-02:00', 'saturday': '18:00-02:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
All Blues on Walker Street is Yuji Fukushima's Japanese-style listening bar opened 2024. A front cocktail room and a back listening theatre, vinyl only, no laptops.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday through Saturday from 18:00; reserve via Resy for the back listening theatre.
Welcome to the Johnsons ★ 4.3
$Lower East Side{'monday': '15:30-04:00', 'tuesday': '15:30-04:00', 'wednesday': '15:30-04:00', 'thursday': '15:30-04:00', 'friday': '15:30-04:00', 'saturday': '12:00-04:00', 'sunday': '12:00-04:00'}
Welcome to the Johnsons on Rivington is the deliberate 1970s rec-room dive opened 1999, with brown couches, a pool table and the cheapest pint in the LES.
Tip: Open 15:30 Mon-Fri, noon Saturday and Sunday, closes at 04:00 every night. PBR and a shot for $5 most hours.