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. 

 in The Meatpacking District is always fun because it has a gorgeous view and has easy access to the 

 and 

 up top, which usually have fun parties going on.

In Williamsburg, you can’t go wrong with 

. Stunning views, incredible service, close to everything fun in the neighborhood, and a couple of great restaurants to start the night.

 on Second Avenue (located inside of 

) 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.

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.

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).

Starting out with a cocktail at a hotel like 

 and then hitting all my favorite gay bars, which are located very conveniently close to one another.

, 

, 

, and 

. Special shout-outs to 

 and 

 for the straights.

Anything hipstery/Brooklyn style. You can’t really go wrong with black and/or genderfucky pieces.

Gays and allies. 

Until the bars shut down at 4am!

You’re definitely going to become friends with creative, hipstery BK types.

. (Multiple locations!)

Hitting some of my favorite bars (sometimes that’s needed over a club night, ya know?). 

, 

, 

, and the 

!

Casual but trendy. 

EV is a younger crowd, so anyone who doesn’t mind that vibe.

We’re staying out until pizza calls our name!

No DJ, just whatever playlist the barkeep has on. 

A lot of recent NYC college grads.

Whatever the closest pizza place is, and/or the apartment of a friend who lives right off Tompkins Square.

Dancing until the sun comes up!

There are lots of fun smaller spots, but the undeniable main attraction is 

.

That depends on the theme of the night, but less is almost always more. 

Everyone’s invited, but few are on the list.

We’re staying out until 6am at least.

Ty Sunderland or one of his accomplices, depending on the party.

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!

 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.

Getting some showtunes in, seeing some good drag, and basking in the gay capital that is the West Village.

, 

, 

, 

, 

, and

 are good for a drink.

Whatever you’d typically wear out for a night in New York City.

Everyone’s invited, though be warned it’s gonna be a lot of showtunes and/or drag gays.

We’re staying until 2 or 3am before skipping to another neighborhood or an afterparty.

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.

One of the many bodegas nearby, or perhaps a party at 

 if that’s going on.

Dancing, dancing, dancing.

 

There are so many! 

, 

, 

, 

, 

, 

, 

, 

, 

, the list goes on. Think of this as the West Hollywood of New York.

Tank top and booty shorts.

Everyone’s invited, but especially gay men with a Pidgeotto haircut.

Till 4am, when the bouncers kick everyone out.

After all that dancing, you’ll be dreaming of your bed.