Pride 2019

Hi All,Â

I'm due to visit for Pride in June. I have lots of shows booked but I am just looking for advice regarding Pride and going out in the night.Â

Pride is Sunday. There are lots of big parties on, nearly pricier than a Broadway show, but I am not a party type of guy.Â

So I was wondering what's it like at Pride and is getting into a bar impossible? Is everything ticketed?Â

In London, Paris and Dublin I've just turned up but I realise it's a big year and a big city/country so I would appreciate any advice you have.Â

What happens after the Parade? I just see Pride Fest which is sold out already.

Thanks in advance :)

Shows Booked:

Oklahoma

Hugh Jackman

The Cher Show

Moulin Rouge

Tootsie

Shows Not booked:

The Prom (Sunday of Pride) Probably too much of a clash with Pride.

Gary/Hadestown/My Fair Lady on first evening depending on flight arrival.

Thursday Matinee which is very limited choice.

Updated On: 4/17/19 at 05:13 PM

This year is World Pride in NYC, and/because it's the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, so NYC is going all-out. In general, gay bars are very packed Pride weekend. Some of them have an entry price, but they're all extremely crowded. There are smaller, niche events all week (and even month) leading up to Pride Sunday. I've never been to Marie's Crisis during Pride, but it's very crowded on a regular weekend night. Maybe try Monster, which is basically across the street from Marie's? It's slightly bigger (different layout) and has a piano.

For the past (I think) 3 years, Playbill has put out Pride playbills with rainbow on the front where it's normally yellow. Those are a great collector's item, and they're given out all June.

Gizmo6, I would go to the parade and not put much emphasis on the bar scene. Although I have never visited during Pride, I find the NYC gay bar scene to be rather tired, especially for such a big city. I don't really do the bars anymore in my hometown, but will visit during a trip. I just found the scene underwhelming. Although when I have gone, the bars were never crowded, I could imagine the crowds in such small spaces. That is why I am suggesting partying during and at the parade. You will have your own space, with hopefully no one pushing/pulling on you. (Unless you want that) There are 4 bars right in the general area. Marie's Crisis, Stonewall, The Monster and Pieces (if it is still open). I would suspect on this particular weekend they may allow drinking outside the bars. (You will have to look into this) There is no way I would set foot inside these bars due to the crowds.

Gizmo6, Boxers in Hell's Kitchen at 9th Avenue has a rooftop bar. (At least verify before you go). It is only a 10 minute or so walk from the theatre district. They have an okay 2 for 1 happy hour.

ArtMan said: "Gizmo6, Boxers in Hell's Kitchen at 9th Avenue has a rooftop bar. (At least verify before you go). It is only a 10 minute or so walk from the theatre district. They have an okay 2 for 1 happy hour."

Oh cool thanks ArtMan will look it up.

If your goal with the rooftop bar is to get a great view most of the gay bars are not going to accomplish that (Boxers rooftop is on the second or third floor, and the Eagle is buried in between a couple of high rises, so your view is of the apartments across the street).

For rooftop bars with views you'll want to look at some of the hotel bars. The Standard has a pretty good one with views of the High Line, Hudson River, One World Trade Center, and Hudson Yards.

AEA AGMA SM said: "If your goal with the rooftop bar is to get a great view most of the gay bars are not going to accomplish that (Boxers rooftop is on the second or third floor, and the Eagle is buried in between a couple of high rises, so your view is of the apartments across the street).

For rooftop bars with views you'll want to look at some of the hotel bars. The Standard has a pretty good one with views of the High Line, Hudson River, One World Trade Center, and Hudson Yards."

Thanks AEA AGMA SM I am probably going to book the Furball event ti have somewhere to go on a Saturday night which is at the Hudson Terrace which seems to have lovely views.

Miles2Go2 said: "I just happened to plan my trip during Pride last year. I never got to see the parade though I did walk along part of the route because I had a matinee (The Ucemsn Cometh) that day. I don’t have many recommendations about bars since the older I get the more I hate bars. I’ve been to The Stonewall Inn before and it’s good just to go because of the history of the place.

A note about the heat in NYC in June. It’s uncomfortably HOT especially if you’re walking or even standing in the sun. I would highly encourage you to pack baby wipes and deodorant into your day bag to freshen up throughout the day and wear light colors. Maybe also an umbrella to block out the sun. Enjoy!"



Hi Miles2Go2 great advice. I am tempted to see The Prom on the Sunday but also would like to see the March and I notice now The Prom will be performing at the closing ceremony. Wow I never even thought about the heat I've only ever visited in November. That's something I'll have to prepare for. I'm not one for the heat. Thanks a million for the heads up.

I say book at ticket to Puerto Rico and spend it with the locals. The economy could use the money and the sense of community is different than one experiences in a large city.

SmoothLover said: "I say book at ticket to Puerto Rico and spend it with the locals. The economy could use the money and the sense of community is different than one experiences in a large city."

^this 100%

Hey all so I've just noticed New York City Opera is doing a 5 date production of Stonewall to commemorate the riots. Sadly I've booked for the Thursday and Friday but I could consider moving Oklahoma.

Has anyone experience of the work or the composers? I did want to see Bell's The Women of Whitechapel.

It's 5 dates at the Rose Theatre at the Lincoln Centre.

https://nycopera.com/stonewall/

Thanks in advance

Updated On: 4/26/19 at 07:25 PM

Gizmo6 said: "Hey again.

Just trying to schedule as many shows as possible and was curious as to why Broadway shows mostly do matinees on Wednesdays?

The West End seems to have a mix between Wednesday and Thursdays."

That I can tell you in one word: TRADITION!

broadwayguy2 said: "Hey!

Just wanting to chime with a few things as someone who spends quite a bit of their time in gay bars. Ha!

As far as show schedules go, yes, it boils down to tradition, really. Some shows get away from that, but most stick to a very standard and expected performance schedule.

As far as Pride itself goes, here a few things:

- In Manhattan, it is NOT a Parade. Organizers are VERY firm in this. It is a MARCH. The Manhattan event began as a protest march and though basically everything had changed, they honor it by always referring to it as the Pride March. Queens, Brooklyn, etc, and every other city has a 'parade'.

- It is always an absolute zoo, but with World Pride and the 50th anniversary, truth be told, I am not sure that any of us know what to expect other than a madhouse.

- PLEASE, absolutely go check out Stonewall, but not on Pride Sunday. You will never make it. Go down visit the Stonewall and Sheridan Square beforehand.

- On Pride Sunday, pretty much every Christopher Street bar has a cover and you won't be able to move much along the street because it is blocked off for the March and it fills to the brim early and stays that way all day.

- In Hells Kitchen, you have nearly 2 dozen gay bars to choose from and some are great for everyone and others are a little more niche, so it depends what you want. That said, avoid Boxers. It is trash.

- Do not be afraid to venture out of the theatre district and West Village. There are some FANTASTIC bars in the East Village, Brooklyn, and Astoria (and of you love some Latinx, Jackson Heights) that will be very busy and a lot of fun and accessible via car or train and will probably be a lot more fun than Hells Kitchen.

- ABOVE ALL,celebrate Pride however YOU want to. Don't listen to someone telling you "THIS is how you do Pride in NYC". You want to go to the bars? Go right ahead? Spend 10 hours at the March? By all means. Hit brunch, and the street fair, and some of the March, and a bar, and a show? Live you best life, baby! That is what it is all there for. Just remember that this city is where this tradition began and remember what it really means and take a moment to honor that and pay your respects in a way that is meaningful to you.

Happy Pride and I hope you enjoy it here."



Thank you broadwayguy2 for a lovely post.

I'm from a rural town at the opposite side of the world and I am visiting to commemorate Stonewall. I want to remember and honour what I consider my ancestors.

My plan is to visit the Stonewall Inn for the commemoration event on the Friday I think, to give thanks to those who paved the way for the freedoms I have.

I also have a lot of shows booked and I think I will watch the start of the march and I might catch a 3pm matinee and find a bar for a drink later in the evening.