Gay bars find history in the nightlife of West Village

Welcome back to the West Village. One article is not nearly enough space to adequately cover all the options this nightlife haven has to offer, especially when those options include incredibly cheap drinks at wonderfully kitschy gay bars. NYU kids may be spoiled when it comes to nightlife, but at least Columbians have the 1 train.

A mere 35 minutes from campus, step off the Christopher Street stop into the heart of nightlife fabulousness. It may not be as known for gay destinations as Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen, but the West Village houses a breed of gay bars all its own. Away from the bears in Chelsea and the after-work crowd of Hell’s Kitchen, this neighborhood is where gay New York really began back in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots.

Just a couple of blocks away from the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street is the ever-colorful Pieces Bar. Pieces is the West Village’s response to Morningside’s very own gay bar, Suite, only Pieces has more colorful décor and cheaper drinks—even $3 specials.

On its relatively quiet block, Pieces stands out with a multicolored sign in the window. Inside is everything one might expect from a village gay bar: shiny streamers, half-naked men, and Christmas lights all year round. Plus, as a bonus on cold nights, the coat check is free.

Each night at Pieces is an event in and of itself. Tuesday karaoke may be the most well known, but there are also “Balls to the Walls” Bingo on Sundays and beer pong on Thursdays. All the while, music videos play on the screens behind the bar in sync with the music playing through the speakers—something rare and very much appreciated.

For more $3 drinks with a gay crowd that caters more to the ladies, there is Cubby Hole on West 10th Street. There is usually a line on weekends, but the small kitschy space inside is worth every second spent waiting out in the cold. The ceiling is fully covered with a collection of hanging objects, from mobiles to rainbow pinwheels to big fluffy-looking lips.

Cubby Hole’s brilliant randomness is epitomized by a collection of plastic toads adorning the cash register behind the bar, a magical place serving up $3 whiskey sours every day of the week and $2 margaritas on Tuesdays.

The themed nights at Pieces seem to be missing at Cubby Hole, but Cubby Hole certainly redeems itself with a “Glee”-singing jukebox and a “RuPaul’s Drag Race”-worshipping TV.

“The first time I came here as a customer I knew I had to work here. I have fun; they want me to have fun,” said one of the bartenders as he popped up a fresh bag of popcorn, a free bar-side snack.

While many gay bars seem to cater mostly to men, Cubby Hole does a great job at catering to everyone. It may be classified as a “lesbian bar,” but with its colorful and friendly atmosphere it is a spot loved by all. 

From wine and beer to $3 drink specials, the West Village is certainly not a disappointment.