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New York Gay Cruising

If you're looking for some action in New York City, then there is no shortage of options, from saunas to cruising clubs. GayMapper has useful information about gay cruising spots in and around New York City. As always, be conscious of your personal safety when meeting strangers.

New York Hotel Deals

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Williamsburg’s restaurants, bars and independent shops are the main attraction at Hotel Le Jolie, with the Lorimer Street subway close by for quick journeys into Manhattan. LGBTQ nightlife is spread around Williamsburg and neighbouring Bushwick, giving you a more alternative scene than the concentrated gay-bar strips in Manhattan.

This small independent hotel has around 50 colourful contemporary rooms, with free WiFi, refrigerators and some views towards the Manhattan skyline. Complimentary continental breakfast and limited free parking add useful value, especially by New York standards.

The location near both the L and G subway lines also makes exploring different parts of Brooklyn remarkably straightforward.

GayMapper tip: Well suited to travellers who want Williamsburg and Brooklyn’s queer nightlife on the doorstep while keeping Manhattan only a short subway ride away.
West 46th Street puts Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square in a particularly useful spot for LGBTQ travellers. Broadway and Times Square are just east, while Hell’s Kitchen’s main gay nightlife around Ninth and Tenth avenues begins only a few blocks west.

This is a large, modern city hotel rather than an intimate boutique, with comfortable contemporary rooms, a fitness centre, Grab & Go and a bar with terrace. One particularly useful New York perk is that a substantial buffet breakfast is included with reservations, saving both time and money before heading out for the day.

Transport connections are excellent, but plenty of Midtown can simply be explored on foot.

GayMapper tip: A strong first-time New York choice if you want sightseeing, Broadway and Hell’s Kitchen nightlife all close by – with breakfast already taken care of.
Walker Hotel Greenwich Village feels properly rooted in its neighbourhood rather than transplanted into it. Set on West 13th Street, it’s close to Union Square while the historic LGBTQ heart of Greenwich Village around Christopher Street, Stonewall and the surrounding gay bars is an easy walk south.

The building channels 1920s New York with Art Deco details, warm lighting and an intimate lobby. Society Cafe serves seasonal American food, while regular live jazz in the Parlour gives evenings at the hotel a particularly relaxed Village feel.

You’re also well placed for Chelsea, the Meatpacking District and Washington Square, with several subway lines nearby for everything farther afield.

GayMapper tip: A lovely couples’ choice if you want Greenwich Village atmosphere and gay history nearby without staying in the middle of Midtown.
Few New York hotels feel as connected to their neighbourhood as The Standard, High Line. The building straddles the High Line in the Meatpacking District, putting Chelsea Market and the Whitney nearby, while the historic LGBTQ nightlife around Christopher Street and the Stonewall area of Greenwich Village is easily walkable.

All 338 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with city or Hudson River views, but much of the appeal is downstairs – and upstairs. The Standard Grill, bustling Biergarten and rooftop Le Bain mean dinner, drinks and dancing can all happen without leaving the building.

It’s lively, stylish and unmistakably downtown New York, with Chelsea and the West Village on either side.

GayMapper tip: A particularly good fit if you want the hotel itself to be part of your nightlife rather than somewhere you simply return to afterwards.

Cruising Bars in New York City

West Side Club

West Side Club

Men Only, Bear, Cruising

Located in the heart of Chelsea, West Side Club attracts the hottest men in town. Unwind in one of the lounges after a night of clubbing or explore cruising halls full of fit and muscular men. If you're a bear or an admirer, this is the perfect place to cruise at any time of day or night. Everything is clean, staff are friendly, and there are private rooms to rent with your favourite guys.
Eagle NYC

Eagle NYC

Fetish, Bear, Cruising

Eagle is New York's premier gay cruise and fetish club is for men who are looking to meet, dance, cruise and play with other men. Eagle is a must for hedonists, S&M and leather fans, where you can lose yourself in the dark spaces of the club or head up to the rooftop terrace where anything goes.Themed nights include Jockstrap Night, Dads And Lads, Frisky Saturday, Sunday Beer Blast, and more...

Other Cruising Spots in New York City

R & N Line Subway

R & N Line Subway

Mixed Ages, Cruising

This can be hit and miss, but apparently the R and N subways can be quite cruisy in the last car of the train, especially after work on weekdays. The R and The N train. Update: The ride between Whitehall and Court St. has been notes as a particularly hot spot. All types of guys, married, bi and gay, particularly 6pm to 10pm. Make eye contact to check interest.
The Ramble

The Ramble

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Right in the middle of Central Park you'll find The Ramble wooded area, which is renowned for gay cruising. It's an attractive area with winding paths, streams and large boulders to offer some privacy, but be conscious that the area is also popular with families and bird spotters. Also be aware of Police patrols. Most action is when the sun goes down, so go and find yourself a secluded spot.
Fort Tyron Park

Fort Tyron Park

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Fort Tyron Park is one of the most popular cruising place in Manhattan. Especially busy in the summer, late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. You'll find guys cruising around the top of the park and near the dog park so be conscious of other park users. Have a wander around to find the best spots, there are plenty of quiet and secluded areas to discover!
Orchard Beach

Orchard Beach

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Head to Orchard Beach in The Bronx to find a mixed crowd of guys, from preppy newbies through to married, retired men. Busiest times are 8-9am before work, lunchtimes and after work from 5pm. Sunny days make this a particularly popular spot. The woods to the left of the parking lot are known to be a hotspot due to acres of nooks, crannies, all filled with possibilities. During summer, the action shifts to the island behind section one of the beach. Not that whilst nudity occurs, it is not allowed and tickets have been issued, so keep an eye out for patrols. Take the BX12 Bus to Orchard which runs on Phelam Parkway and Fordham Road, with transfer from 2, 4, 5, 6, B and D lines.
Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Head to the free parking lot and park towards the back. You can stay in your car and wait to be approached or park your car and get out and walk on the path (old railroad tracks) in either direction. It won't be long until you find what you're looking for. Plenty of trees and bushes for privacy. Located in the Bronx on Bailey Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South, adjacent to the northbound entrance to the Major Deegan Expressway.
LIE Exit 52

LIE Exit 52

Mixed Ages, Cruising

It is a rest parking lot on exit 52 of 495 on the way to Riverhave. You enter the parking lot and then walk to enter the mini forest inside the parking lot. There is cruising 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without any problem, but just be careful with the Police that arrives at certain hours to patrol the parking area.
Prospect Park

Prospect Park

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Prospect Park is the flagship park of Brooklyn, New York City. In addition to the renowned cruising spot in the Vale of Cashmere, you can also find activity to the west of the Prospect Park Carousel, and towards The Ravine in the centre of the park. There are plenty of secluded areas around, but keep you eyes open for Police patrols in the park.
Isham Park

Isham Park

Mixed Ages, Cruising

In the Inwood district of town you can find Isham Park which played a crucial role in the battle of Fort Washington during the American Revolution. Wander around, see if you can catch anyone's eye, find a good spot to wait for a while and someone will come around looking. Take the A train to 207 then walk north on Broadway until you get to 212th Street. To your left there will be a path, then walk through and up the stairs.
Vale of Cashmere

Vale of Cashmere

Mixed Ages, Cruising

In the northern part of Prospect Park, Brooklyn's main green space, you can find the Vale of Cashmere just south of the main park entrance at Grand Army Plaza. A popular gay cruising spot for many years means it's known to the police, so be conscious of patrols.
Riverside Path Inwood

Riverside Path Inwood

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Often exclusively gay men, except the occasional cyclist on really nice days. Nude sunbathing along the river offers the perfect place for a nice, slow outdoors meeting. It tends to get busier in the late afternoon, but even then there might be a maximum of 20 guys over a 3/4 mile area. It's a real mixed crowd here, uptown and downtown of all shapes and sizes. Typically 11am to sunset. Take the A' train to Dyckman/200th St, walk west to the river along Dyckman and then turn south down the service road just before the marina under the highway. Walk south along the river past the fishermen to find the action, about 1/2 mile away.
Breukelen Playground

Breukelen Playground

Mixed Ages, Cruising

New cruising park located within Brooklyn's Prospect Park, very dark and peaceful nice for hookups. Less busy than the nearby Vale of Cashmere in the near vicinity.

Tours & Experiences in New York City

New York has no shortage of icons, so pick your favourites and get going. Visit the Statue of Liberty, wander Central Park or head up an observation deck, then save some energy for Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen or whichever neighbourhood is calling after dark.


Gay friendly hotels in New York City

New York’s LGBTQ+ scene is spread across several neighbourhoods, so where you stay depends on the trip you want. Hell’s Kitchen has one of Manhattan’s biggest concentrations of gay bars, Chelsea and Greenwich Village combine LGBTQ+ history with central locations, while Brooklyn offers a more alternative scene. Midtown can be extremely practical for first-time sightseeing. GayMapper’s recommended gay-friendly hotels range from smart budget choices to major luxury properties, helping you balance nightlife, neighbourhood atmosphere and the inevitable amount of walking that comes with New York.

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