9th Avenue Saloon
Cocktail Lounge · Dive Bars · New York, NY
About
9th Avenue Saloon opens daily at 3pm and stays open until 4am, making it a go-to for post-theater drinks or a late night in Hell's Kitchen. This dive bar has been around since at least the 1940s and became a gay bar around 1980, still owned by LGBTQ+ locals today. The crowd is a relaxed mix of 30s through 50s, regulars and tourists, with free popcorn at the bar.
The vibe is unpretentious and no-frills: think a solid jukebox, strong happy hour, and friendly bartenders (though a few reviews mention occasional grumpy service). It's not a cruising spot, just a casual place where Broadway lovers and neighborhood regulars mingle. If you're barhopping, nearby Please Don't Tell offers a very different speakeasy experience.
Located in New York's Hell's Kitchen, steps from Broadway theaters and a short walk from other gay bars.
Features
- ✓Free popcorn at the bar
- ✓Happy hour with strong drinks
- ✓Opens at 3pm daily, closes 4am
- ✓LGBTQ+-owned since 1980
- ✓Mixed crowd of locals and theatergoers
Good for
Practical
Best nights: Tue, Fri, Sat
What people say
Rated from 104 reviews. 87 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“Nice neighborhood bar”
Had a cocktail on a Sunday night. The service was excellent, and the music brought back good memories. Drinks were well-made, and the crowd was lively.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Divey Chill No Attitude good time!”
This bar is great. It's usually quite busy with a diverse crowd including young people, older folks, different types of gay men, and everyone in between. The staff are very welcoming and offer free popcorn regularly. It's not pretentious or focused on hookups, just a really fun place.
A guest · Over a year ago
“Worst bar ever”
I think I caught the bartender on a bad day because he was really rude. It was my first time at a bar in this country and I didn't understand the tipping system, so instead of a nice greeting I got a sarcastic 'thanks for nothing' and a nasty look. After serving me, he started whispering about me with other customers at the bar. I felt awful and embarrassed. Plus the drink wasn't even tasty. The music was terrible too, depressing, but it matched the atmosphere. The place is tiny and uncomfortable. I left after one drink and never want to come back.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“Cheers!”
Absolutely my favorite spot. It's not stuck-up at all. It's simply a saloon with an excellent jukebox, a welcoming crowd, and really outstanding bartenders. The happy hour is great too.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
Don't set your expectations high, just show up expecting to have a great time.
A visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours? +
Open daily from 3pm to 4am.
Do they serve food? +
Free popcorn is available, but no food menu is mentioned.
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