Gay bars

The Ritz

Photograph: David Rosenzweig

Give me fabolous...

…guys
The Ritz
By day it’s a relaxed, resorty homage to all things nautical. By night (especially Fridays and Saturdays), the Ritz is the bar equivalent of a mullet—all-business cruising in the front, dance party in the back. A weekend DJ spins electro remixes of your favorite Beyoncé and Shakira ditties, and since everyone who makes the midtown rounds eventually ends up here, the crowd is full of raucous, fun dancing queens. 369 W 46th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-333-4177)

…ladies
Eden at Union Square Lounge
Entering the weekly glamfest of Eden may be the closest we’ve come to walking onto the set of The L Word: beautiful women, classy cocktails, cool lounge music and what you know must be heaps of dyke drama lingering in every low-lit corner. 29 Union Sq West at 16th St (212-645-1802).Wednesdays 8pm–3am.

I just want to hang out...

...with the guys
Metropolitan
Hipster types (mostly boys, some girls) dominate here, but everyone—even your hetero best friend—feels more than welcome. Show up early on a weekend afternoon to take over a coveted outdoor table. 559 Lorimer St between Devoe St and Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-4444)

...with the girls
Ginger’s
Grab a pint and head out back to the garden, or set yourself down at one of the many barstools or mismatched seats around the pool table. The superfriendly crowd of local ladies (and a handful of men) make up for the nondescript jukebox. 363 Fifth Ave between 5th and 6th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-788-0924)

...with everybody
Cubbyhole
Gay boys and queer girls (slightly more of the latter) fill this tiny, festively decorated joint, where piñatas and Christmas lights cover the ceiling. Weekends and after-work hours can be crowded—all the better for making new friends. 281 W 12th St at 4th St (212-243-9041)

It's all about the soundtrack

Atlantis 2010

Photograph: Donna Rickles

The place to get down
Atlantis 2010
Yes, you could work up a sweat at Splash or Rush, but shouldn’t you get out of the Chelsea ghetto every now and then? Jackson Heights is home to this relatively small but just-as-fun dance bar. You’ll hear the same mainstream house and remixes as in the Manhattan joints, plus salsa tunes! No idea how to dance to the Latin stuff? You’ll have little trouble finding a partner to teach you in the superfriendly crowd. Cheapskates beware: Cover charges and expensive drinks are also part of the mix. 76-19 Roosevelt Ave at 77th St, Jackson Heights, Queens (718-457-3939)

Great DJs
Henrietta Hudson
Full-time dyke bar Henrietta’s is as serious about music as it is about potent drinks and a frisky crowd. Expect nightly turntablists spinning sounds ranging from hip-hop and house to salsa and dance-pop. 438 Hudson St at Morton St (212-924-3347)

Sweet piano
Marie’s Crisis
The show tune reigns supreme here, but that’s the only sign of a rule at this West Village institution. The spirit is chaotically communitarian, as musical-theater fans gather round the piano and join their voices in a swell of love. At the open-mike nights that dot the city, everyone tries to be a star; here, they are happy to be chorus boys. 59 Grove St between Seventh Ave South and Bleecker St (212-243-9323)

Killer jukebox
Phoenix
MP3 jukes are sucking the soul out of the city’s bar scene, so an expertly curated player is a thing to cherish. At Phoenix they’ve got a jukebox that incorporates everything from local musicians (who you might find mixed into the crowd) to classic pop and indie favorites. 447 E 13th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-477-9979)

I want to booze, not cruise
Vlada
Gay bars may have skills when it comes to fruity cocktails, but few take booze as seriously as Vlada. There are 15 infused vodkas on offer, including both sweet (apple-cinnamon, cherry) and savory (dill, horseradish) varieties. Not in the mood to shoot the hard stuff? This shadowy midtown spot also has a full food menu and a dozen wines, including six by the glass. 331 W 51st St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212–974–8030, vladabar.com)

I just want to get laid

The Eagle

Photograph: David Rosenzweig

Men
The Eagle
Considering its clubland-hell location, the sprawling playground of sleaze that is the Eagle is refreshingly low-key (though check ahead about dress codes for special events; one wouldn’t want to be the only patron not sporting leather chaps). The tree-lined roof deck becomes packed with beer-soaked manly men on sultry summer weekends. 554 W 28th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves (646-473-1866, eaglenyc.com)

Boys
The Cock
Sluts of all ages fill this loud and notorious East Village black box, but the crowd skews young and cute. Show up late (after 1am) for prime plucking. 29 Second Ave between 1st and 2nd Sts (thecockbar.com)

Gals
Cattyshack
Ladies from Park Slope and far beyond flock to this dark den of drama and flirtation. Go-go dancers, DJs and cheap drinks keep the crowd well lubricated. Even if you don’t meet Ms. Right, you can still have a blast and make new friends with a game of Guitar Hero. 249 Fourth Ave between Carroll and President Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-230-5740, cattyshackbklyn.com)

—Adam Feldman, Beth Greenfield, Ethan LaCroix and Katharine Rust