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A guide to visiting New York’s “Lesbian Capital,” Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a whole city world unto itself, with over 2.5 registered residents. And while most of us know about New York City’s gayest neighborhoods, like Chelsea and Park Slope, in 2013 Brooklyn went beyond gayborhoods and was named the Lesbian Capital by the borough president.

In this huge city, we’ve seen several queer businesses come and go in the recent decades. Partly this is because it really is difficult to be a small business owner anywhere, especially in New York. Partly it is because the businesses have historically come under intense scrutiny and been shut down more quickly than their straight-centric counterparts. And it is also because times are changing, and what the community seems to crave are not just the secret, exclusive joints and parties as much as collaborative, broad community-centric establishments; somewhere you can bring your diverse group of friends and everyone has a great time. Nothing will take the place of some old spots in my book-like Meow Mix, The Hole, or Catty Shack-but that’s because those were my spots, when I was single, reckless and having a blast.

There are still queer parties rotating all over town and plenty of “friendly” businesses to frequent as a resident or tourist. That said, here are some of our current favorites spots and areas (not possibly exhaustive by any stretch), and a few that have come by way of recommendation. In addition, you will find dozens of restaurants, shops and bars along your walks—these are just some highlights with a history of gay support or a new story of gay fun!

They’re organized neighborhood by neighborhood—because, if nothing else, Brooklyn is a walking town where you want to go to a neighborhood/area for more than just one stop, and it’s worth checking out as many wonderful things in the area as possible.

DUMBO

Superfine (126 Front St.) A family-run restaurant with extraordinary fare. Check out the regularly updated menu.

Powerhouse Arena (37 Main St.) An art-centric boutique bookstore, exhibition space and event space. It’s a block from the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Bridge itself. Independent bookstores are our friends.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Spectacular views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

Park Slope/Gowanus

Gingers (363 5th Ave.) Historic and old School lesbian bar open to all. This place has a pool table, a back garden and all the family love you can take.

Little Field (622 Degraw St.) This venue hosts all kinds of awesome events. Check its calendar for the parties, comedy shows and musical entertainment. So much good stuff.

Powerhouse on 8th (1111 8th Ave.) Indie bookstores are a queer’s best friend—right up there with indie movie rental spots (oh, the good old days. I guess, I mean indie queer web series now?). This location is an annex to the Powerhouse Arena’s bookstore, publisher and event space located in DUMBO.

Prospect Heights

Cheryl’s (236 Underhill Ave.) Family owned and friendly, this Global Soul restaurant has fantastic food from brunch to dinner.

Bar Sepia (234 Underhill Ave.) Next door to Cheryl’s, this friendly spot has a garden, sofas, long family style tables and enough cocktails options (including homemade cider in the colder months) to host everyone.

Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) Home to the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, the Brooklyn Museum hosts exhibits of cultural and historic importance.

Friends and Lovers (641 Classon Ave.) Newer family-owned and run venue for music, disco and drinks.

Branded Saloon (603 Vanderbilt Ave.) We haven’t had a place like this for a long time. With a nice variety of bar food and drinks, the events are what really pique our interest. Just check the calendar for yourself!

Prospect Park The Park has a history, from the Civil War onward. Nowadays it fills up from spring through fall with barbecuing, frisbee playing, dog walking and general outdoor leisure. In one particularly over-gown and not yet rehabilitated section of the park, called the Vale of Cashmere, resides one of the best spots for meditation, writing—and gay cruising. On the other corner are the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. And at its northern end, at Grand Army Plaza, is the farmer’s market every Saturday. (Check out the main location for the Brooklyn Public Library across the street, too!)

Fort Greene/Clinton Hill

Greenlight Bookstore (686 Fulton St.) The local independent bookstore, with readings and events worth checking out.

C’Mon Everybody (325 Franklin Ave.) Owned by the same folks running Friends and Lovers, C’Mon is another great new spot for disco and dancing the night away.

One Last Shag (348 Franklin Ave.) This bar has been hosting weekly gay parties for a few years now, and at this point, couldn’t be more family friendly. They’ve got a back garden for warmer months and new seating indoors for the colder ones. Dancing usually breaks out around 11pm.

Outpost (1014 Fulton St.) Coffee, wine and snacks galore. During the day, this spot turns into laptop central, but weekends and evenings are super loungey.

Williamsburg

Cubana Social (70 N. 6th St.) This is extraordinary food for everyone. Queer owned and run, Cubana Social brings a little bit of Havana to the warehouse waterfront of Williamsburg. Fridays and Saturdays, listen to live Afro Latin music.

Metropolitan (559 Lorimer St.) This place has been around for some time, and for good reason. They’ve got Sunday barbecues, an amazing outdoor patio, and fireplaces for the coldest months. Everyone is welcome, and the gays have made it their own for years. Divey, good music and great people.

The Woods (48 S.4th St.) This spot is great for its food, drinks and space alone, but check out the Mister Party and their other events if you want to see the gay crowd grow.

This N’ That (708 N.6th St.) It’s like all the queer parties we used to go to ten years ago in Williamsburg came together and got a solid venue. Music, drinks and non-stop dancing.

And last but certainly not least, you cannot miss the Lesbian Herstory Archives on your trip to Brooklyn. The archive is the world’s largest collection of content and material about the lesbian community. If you can’t make it to Brooklyn any time soon, you can also check out their virtual museum tour.

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