New York City LBGTQ+ Nightlife, by an actor, writer, & video producer
Matt Ford is a queer actor, writer, and video producer with over eight years of NYC living under his belt. After five years of working for Buzzfeed, Matt decided it was time to chase a dream of creating his own video production company. He’s still doing what he loves, and now he’s also living a bicoastal lifestyle between New York and LA.
Though it’s no longer his full-time home, Matt’s love for NYC runs deep. He recounts his move to New York in 2014 as one of his life highlights to date (along with writing an investigative piece of journalism that went viral, and booking an ad campaign that had his face in trains on every New York City subway line!). Matt’s an NYC pro, and he’s giving us his best recommendations for a great, gay night out in five of his favorite neighborhoods.
Keep reading for all of Matt’s Williamsburg, East Village, Bushwick, West Village, and Hell’s Kitchen LBGTQ+ New York City nightlife tips.
What are your top 3 hotel recommendations?
The Standard in The Meatpacking District is always fun because it has a gorgeous view and has easy access to the Boom Boom Room and Le Bain up top, which usually have fun parties going on.
In Williamsburg, you can’t go wrong with The William Vale. Stunning views, incredible service, close to everything fun in the neighborhood, and a couple of great restaurants to start the night.
No Bar on Second Avenue (located inside of The Standard East Village) is virtually a gay bar, with great food and a gorgeous aesthetic. It’s also in close proximity to a lot of East Village gay bars, so it’s a solid option to kick off a night.
What is it that you love about staying/eating/drinking here?
All of these are centrally located, plus have great service and drink options. You can be as dressed up or as dressed down as you want to be there, and they all are gorgeously designed.
What do you like about the neighborhoods they’re in?
The three mentioned — Meatpacking, Williamsburg, and the East Village — are where a huge amount of parties and nightlife happens. Add in Hell’s Kitchen for the muscle gay crowd and Bushwick for the club queers, and you’ve pretty much covered all the bases. These three hotels provide easy access to all those neighborhoods to get any night going swimmingly (or to have a sunrise cocktail after).
WILLIAMSBURG
What does a great night out here look like for you?
Starting out with a cocktail at a hotel like The William Vale and then hitting all my favorite gay bars, which are located very conveniently close to one another.
What are the can’t-miss spots?
Macri Park, The Exley, Metropolitan, and The Rosemont. Special shout-outs to Union Pool and Rocka Rolla for the straights.
What’s everyone wearing?
Anything hipstery/Brooklyn style. You can’t really go wrong with black and/or genderfucky pieces.
Who’s invited?
Gays and allies.
What time are we staying out until?
Until the bars shut down at 4am!
Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?
You’re definitely going to become friends with creative, hipstery BK types.
Where’s the afterparty?
Bagelsmith. (Multiple locations!)
EAST VILLAGE
What’s your favorite way to spend a night out here?
Hitting some of my favorite bars (sometimes that’s needed over a club night, ya know?).
What spots shouldn’t be missed?
No Bar, Nowhere, Phoenix, and the Boiler Room!
What’s the dress code?
Casual but trendy.
Who’s there?
EV is a younger crowd, so anyone who doesn’t mind that vibe.
What time are we staying out until?
We’re staying out until pizza calls our name!
What are we listening to?
No DJ, just whatever playlist the barkeep has on.
Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?
A lot of recent NYC college grads.
Where’s the afterparty?
Whatever the closest pizza place is, and/or the apartment of a friend who lives right off Tompkins Square.
BUSHWICK:
What’s your idea of a great night out here?
Dancing until the sun comes up!
What are your can’t-miss spots?
There are lots of fun smaller spots, but the undeniable main attraction is 3 Dollar Bill.
What’s everyone wearing?
That depends on the theme of the night, but less is almost always more.
Who’s invited?
Everyone’s invited, but few are on the list.
What time are we staying out until?
We’re staying out until 6am at least.
Who’s DJ-ing?
Ty Sunderland or one of his accomplices, depending on the party.
Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?
You’re likely to meet a lot of major nightlife figures there, and perhaps a celebrity (or seven) on a good night. Plus some famous drag queens!
Where’s the afterparty?
3 Dollar Bill runs late so it could actually be considered the afterparty. But if you’re looking for more, follow the crowd out at closing and you’ll almost always get the address for a good (after) afterparty.
WEST VILLAGE:
What’s your favorite way to spend a night out here?
Getting some showtunes in, seeing some good drag, and basking in the gay capital that is the West Village.
What spots shouldn’t be missed?
Playhouse, Duplex, Marie’s Crisis, Julius’, The Jane Hotel, and Stonewall are good for a drink.
What’s the dress code?
Whatever you’d typically wear out for a night in New York City.
Who’s invited?
Everyone’s invited, though be warned it’s gonna be a lot of showtunes and/or drag gays.
What time are we staying out until?
We’re staying until 2 or 3am before skipping to another neighborhood or an afterparty.
Who are we likely to make new friends with while there?
You’re sure to make friends with Broadway folks (and those who aspire to it), up-and-coming drag queens, and plenty of Manhattan gay men.
Where’s the afterparty?
One of the many bodegas nearby, or perhaps a party at The Jane if that’s going on.
HELL’S KITCHEN:
What does a great night out here look like for you?
Dancing, dancing, dancing.
What are your can’t-miss spots?
There are so many! DBL, Hush, Industry, The Q, Rise, The Ritz, Hardware, Pocket Bar, Boxers, the list goes on. Think of this as the West Hollywood of New York.
What’s everyone wearing?
Tank top and booty shorts.
Who’s invited?
Everyone’s invited, but especially gay men with a Pidgeotto haircut.
What time are we staying out until?
Till 4am, when the bouncers kick everyone out.
Where’s the afterparty?
After all that dancing, you’ll be dreaming of your bed.
For more from Matt, check out his Insider Profile and follow him on IG.
