9th Avenue Saloon

My go to spot in NYC. Relaxed clientele and atmosphere. Happy Hour Mon to Fri is a good value. $40 for 2 double Absolute cape code seems excessive but hey, it's the Big Apple!

I wish I had read some of these reviews before even wasting my time walking over to this place... On November 2 (about 8:30pm) I came here to grab drinks with a friend and was rudely denied entry for no apparent reason. I was not drunk, high or disheveled. I cannot recall something like this ever happening to me anywhere, especially in Hell's Kitchen where I've been to countless places and they're hardly the cream of the NYC society to begin with. But having read the reviews now I'm starting to understand. Better stay away.

I will definitely agree with most of the reviews here. What a terrible place. I imagine this is for locals with drinking problems. So many people vaping that there is lot way they pass any inspection and the bathroom sucks. Also, if all they’re going to have are the cheap raining lights from Amazon, at least have the decency to have paper in the toilets.

My friends and I have been longtime local customers of this bar, but we stopped going after several recent incidents of crime. Multiple friends of mine were drugged, robbed (phones, wallets, and keys stolen), and even assaulted. It was hard to believe at first, but it’s happened at least three times among people I know. I believe the bar should take serious action to address these crimes - unless they’re somehow complicit. It’s unfortunate to lose a neighborhood spot we used to love, but the recent crimes show that something troubling is going on there. Please be careful if you decide to visit this bar. I've never given one star review on Google map, but I do think serious repetitive crimes keep happening here, so I want to alert everyone.

Our first night in NYC... ATMOSPHERE: The decor carries the name well. Thank goodness no one came in gun slinging! The bar is small and dim and nothing to write home about. The only entertainment was ESPN on the TV's... Snooze! DRINKS: Heineken Over priced like everywhere else in NYC. SERVICE: The male bartender was friendly. OVERALL: Nice place to chill and have a conversation. If you want dancing, head over to The Ritz around the corner.

I’ve been a frequent patron here, but my visit yesterday (August 17, 2025) around 6 p.m. was the worst yet. The place felt like there’s no boss in charge—like the owner went on vacation and never came back. The bartender couldn’t keep up with basic service, ignored empty glasses, and preferred to socialize instead of doing his job. On top of that, he was rude and used foul language with patrons. The whole vibe was that the staff have taken over and just do whatever they want. Totally unprofessional and not worth your time.

We visited from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM, and getting drinks was consistently difficult. The bartender seemed more focused on chatting with certain guests, possibly regulars. The general vibe from the crowd felt unwelcoming and tense, some patrons seemed uncomfortable with others sitting near them. The atmosphere resembled more of a social scene than a casual bar, and overall, the service was slow and unfriendly. Unfortunately, we didn’t enjoy the experience and wouldn’t return, definitely.

Good neighborhood bar but it cam get very crowded. Its a galley design and can be difficult to get to the bathrooms. Feel free to squeeze you way through the men as you try! Friendly bartenders and affordable drinks. Always easy to get a cocktail no matter how crowded it gets.

Great food and drinks at good prices and the mood was chill. I'd definitely hit them up for lunch again or a pre-show dinner.

For years 9th Avenue Saloon used to be one of my favorite gay watering holes in Hells Kitchen. Unpretentious with cheap drinks, it was just a long bar with friendly bartenders who remembered your name. Painted black, it was a dark throwback to an earlier gay bar era. I was sad to hear when it closed, and happy to hear it re-opened under new ownership. Last week I dragged my Florida friends to check out the "new" 9th Avenue Saloon. Well, the new is still old. I could not detect what changed if anything. The free popcorn was still there! The drinks are still dive bar cheap especially during happy hour. Even the guys on the barstools look the same as I remembered, maybe a bit older. Sometimes no change is good!

Pre-Broadway show cocktails.Friendly bartenders. Not the bar of old 1990s-2000. Great friendly crowd. Lots of colorful lights. Jukebox . Cleaner bathrooms that the old days

Nice Hell's Kitchen atmosphere and pleasant staff. Great bathrooms, lol! Nice remodeling from pre-Covid days.

This is a very cute gay bar. The servers were very nice. The drinks were well priced. All in all I had a good time it was just a small place.

Yesterday at ~6:05 pm, I walked in with a friend and this tall older bartender was very aggressive from the moment he saw us. As we ordered beers, he kept on a very bad mood, rolling his eyes, and treating us very poorly even mumbling things. It was very uncomfortable, so I felt like not leaving a tip at all, but I still left 15%. He took the bill and yelled in front of everyone "ARE YOU F* KIDDING ME!!!!!????" There were only about 8-10 people in the bar and everyone heard and saw. My friend and I never said anything. We were quiet, kind, wearing decent clothes, and smelling good. Nobody would have treated us like this in any other business. We are locals from the neighborhood, also. As people kept walking in, he was very kind to all, and even referred to some as "baby." So he wasn't simply a rude person or in a bad mood -- he was profiling us. What for? The crowd at the bar is usually quite diverse so I wouldn't even accuse him of being a racist or anything. But he clearly chose to disrespect us and treat us miserably. I live across the street and come to this place all the time. A bartender shouldn't be able to "ban" people just because he hates a specific type of person even when that person is being decent.

The established 40+ year 9th Ave Saloon is back !! Reopened during Pride! New (gay) owners & Same feel but with some new updates. New bar top, new restrooms, new screens but they kept the neon sign, popcorn machine and photo booth. Beautiful Tom of Finland wallpaper in the restrooms. New lighting around the bar. Open 3pm-4am Mon-Fri & Sat & Sun 2pm-4am

the place is ok small nothing of significance . however, I'm very suspicious of the people who go to that bar and the people who work in that bar. The reason is we were there with some friends, and then two of our coats, the most expensive coats of our group? disappeared !!! we had hung them under their counters where there are places to hang your coat, and we were there most of the time, except moments that we went to the bathroom . while we were searching to find our coats, one of the bouncers very rudely, he started telling us that we need to leave because the other patrons were complaining that we were disturbing them while we were searching for our coats! instead of helping us find our coats, he basically obstruct us from looking for them and he was kicking us out.!!!I find this extremely suspicious I find this apart fr very suspicious that the bouncer was not letting us search for our jackets. When we went he told us to call him the next day so he can tell us if he found them. We called him next day and ofcourse he never picked up the phone and he never called back while we left messages to call us. so if you go to that place, be careful that there are thieves who may take your jacket or anything they can and the worst party is that I don't know if the thieves belong to the patrons or the staff themselves!!!!

Inexpensive casual divey Gay Bar... Me like, generally! Sometimes it's very slow - others quite packed. Never had a "bad" experience there - but can get loud/messy on some nights. HEY! It's a bar in Hell's Kitchen... LOL! I like the photo-booth (fun for kissing pics!), free popcorn and generally affable bartenders. Favorite thing: the SIGN in the single person/women's bathroom. A scream for sure!

Great bar for an afternoon cocktail - friendly bartenders and friendly customers - the bar has done considerable upgrades since our last visit Pre-Covid

My partner and I walked into a half-empty bar during happy hour. The tunes were gay-fab and we were the youngest people in there by probably three decades. Grabbing the first round of gin and sodas we agree that the well drinks (served in beer glasses) were effin' strong. During our first round we hear someone softly humming to a song playing on the jukebox. The bar tender yells "DON'T F*** UP MY SONG HENRY". Henry, a younger man, quiets down. I approach the bar and ask for another gin and soda and whatever beer they have going for happy hour. Henry leans over to me and says, "you want a bud light." That's when the bartender snaps at Henry: "WILL YOU LET ME DO MY F***ING JOB, HENRY." While he's busy giving Henry a piece of his mind he starts pouring the gin for my drink, and keeps pouring. Eventually he finishes the bottle of gin and cracks another bottle- he fills my glass full of gin with about a quarter inch to spare (naturally for the soda). Now, I can generally hold my liquor pretty alright. But when the drunk queen at the bar who kept hollering "I DONT CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS, I LOVE LESBIANS IN HERE" at us sent us a third round I was getting a little concerned. I haven't staggered out of a place like that in a long time. If there could more ladies in here I'd swear I would just move right in. Bless this mess.

Normally a usual place to hang out and have a few drinks, it has devolved into being a place for one asshole bartender. I was with 2 out of town friends and he ruined their impression of our city. This bartender holds no candle to the kindness of our community. He's 100% asshole. After letting him know he turned away 3 regulars, he told us "fuck you". His words, not mine. That's the kind legacy 9th Ave saloon gives their regulars.

This no-nonsense, unpretentious gay bar is one of my go to places in Manhattan for happy hour. The well drinks are dirt cheap, the bartenders are friendly and attentive, and (at least most times I've stopped in) you can find a seat at the bar. Note that later at night on the weekends, it can be crowded... and, of course during special events (Rupaul Drag Race viewing night, Will & Grace viewing night... well you get where I'm going). This place touts itself as the oldest gay bar in Hell's Kitchen, and the décor inside certainly supports this statement. In other words, this is not a fancy place. It is, however, a fun place to go, and I recommend stopping by when you're in the hood and looking for some drinks and socializing!

My favorite bar in Hell's Kitchen. It is one of the few places that all the different parts of the community can come together. If you are partial to Broadway, there is. Great pre and post theater crowd, with lots of actors stopping in after their shows. The bartenders are friendly, pour great drinks, and know their customers. Also, the bar owner and manger go all out for every holiday. Lastly, there is a little "library" where you can take or drop off books for free.

Whoever the person is at their door taking IDs is a rude derelict. Haven't even walked in completely with my friends but I already had my ID in my hand ready. The doofus asks "Are u guys drinking?" I respond, "Yeah probably." To which he responds "Probably? U can't use the bathroom!" At this point I'm confused and I'm sure he noticed that. I responded "Yes, that's fine. We're also waiting for someone." While twitching his log neck, he says "Well, can you maybe wait- outside???" My friends behind me were confused because they couldn't hear the conversation. I turned around to them and simply responded "He just doesn't want us to come in." We proceeded to go elsewhere. This was not my first time at this bar (definitely the last) but I didn't expect that kind of interaction. It was really disgusting.

"Leave the attitude on 9th avenue" This places is great!! The drinks are cheap. The bar is divey. The bartenders are really cool and chill. The decor is crappy but in a good way. Free popcorn (sometimes). I have been coming here for years Nd I never have been disappointed. This place is the perfect escape from the loud pretentiousness of many other establishments in the neighborhood. The patrons typically are very friendly and chatty. This a perfect place to start or end your night in Hell's Kitchen.

It's no surprise that the first bar that felt like a home away from home was here with these souls here! Kathy, the manger, was the hilariously kind aunt I didn't know I needed, Robbie was beautiful and sweet, and Leo and David were most lovely best friends I've met. (Seriously, the sparkle in Leo's eyes when he saw David was the purest joy I've seen in a long while). Down to earth and real, the hospitality made these midwesterners hearts sing. Favorite bar of our trip!

Love this place ! Joey Eric and the boys are real gems ! Love dropping by to see them :) always friendly funny and overall a great time Place is neighbourhoody and special :) Joey is Particularly awesome

I have had many a night at 9th Ave. Great to Upset nights ( my fault of course) But, it was ALWAYS My Go To Bar. I'm so crushed that it is closed. Maybe it will someday rise again. 9th Ave Saloon Strong!

Like a well-stocked bird feeder, this place is just the right amount of seedy. This is a very laid back hole in the wall with a cool jukebox. Drinks are not that strong, but they're also not that expensive. Bathroom is slightly scary. Service varies from very good to crappy....if this were rated on a primate scale you'd have everthing from Chimpan-A to Chimpan-Z. Most recently the bartender was really inattentive even though it was a not-so-crowded Sunday evening. My friend was able to get a drink whenever but I guess he didn't like my looks because I couldn't get him to sell me a beer to save my life. Oh well, that was a bit of an anomoly so I'll go back because in general it's friendly, not too crowded and not too loud.

When my friend Rose suggested we meet here I had to say yes. She described it as "the saddest little gay in the world" or something along those lines. I was supposed to meet up with Scott (and I think Sam?) about two weeks ago to sort of pre-game there, then go out to a more suitable homosexual drinking establishment. The night I ended up going to the saloon, I was also seeing a play around the corner in times square. It ended up being the right place at the right time. I don't know what to really say about this place. There were a lot of old men here on a Saturday afternoon. As we approached the evening, they pretty much all left. The bartender was friendly and even lesbian-friendly (which you don't find in many gay dive bars). Rose, Jen, and I had a blast here. But it was kind of the saddest bar in the world, playing '80s music over and over and refusing to decorate the place past that decade. I think it's a good place to go for an hour, meet up with some friends at, or possibly dip in for a quick drink. But don't spend your life here, kids. Then you'd be the saddest little boy or girl in the world, too.

Oh hell's kitchen, that little area tucked away behind Times Square. So close, yet so far from the tourists we wish to leave behind. 9th Ave Saloon seems to be the place you come to get drunk before you head out for some Gay Clubbing. Be prepared for your sassy gay bartender to give you some witty attitude. rail drinks $7

Our first night in NYC... ATMOSPHERE: The decor carries the name well. Thank goodness no one came in gun slinging! The bar is small and dim and nothing to write home about. The only entertainment was ESPN on the TV's... Snooze! DRINKS: Heineken - Over priced like everywhere else in NYC at $7. SERVICE: The male bartender was friendly. OVERALL: Nice place to chill and have a conversation. If you want dancing, head over to The Ritz around the corner.

This is our favorite bar in Hell's Kitchen. Small and friendly. Popcorn. Two TVs. All the bartenders are very different. Uses AMI juke box app for music selection and has a photo booth. If you need to poop ask for the key.

This is a great neighborhood hole-in-the-wall gay bar. Nothing fancy. Friendly crowd. Used to be cheap but now one can find much better happy hour deals in the neighborhood. And it's way past time for one particular bar tender to RETIRE. I'm tired of having to beg for service and tired of his attitude. He clearly does NOT want to be there so replace him. Other bartenders there are very nice. I will no longer be going there when Joey is working.

I was in here Tuesday on my way to an event because I needed to cool off. Their happy hour specials are $1 off call drinks, $3.50 for house drinks, $1.50 for a Bud light draft I had asked the bartender about the specials and he pointed to a sign on the wall.

Friendly atmosphere the staff and owner made me feel right at home. Loved the friendliness of everyone here. Will add this to my list of must visit places every time I come to New York!

My best friend from jersey loves going here. It's a great vibe, great music, company and drinks. The leg lamp is my fav. Bless this mess!

We visited most nights when in NY, fantastic service and not only that the team make sure everyone feels welcome regardless if local or visitors as we were from the UK

I absolutely love 9th avenue saloon ! Me and my friends always have a blast when we come here !!! The bartenders are awesome , friendly and very generous especially if it's your birthday . There is a jukebox which I always appreciate and totally take advantage of in bars , also a touch screen with tons of cool games , drinks are good and very economical As far as the patrons they are supercool , friendly and just fabulous ! I love me some gay , fabulous men ! If you haven't been here before , well... I think it's time ! Ps for the ladies u get some pretty good fashion tips too ! Hah !

Great after work bar to hang with the lads. They take cash and credit cards which is always a plus and give you freshly popped popcorn. The place has a great vibe and the bartenders for the most part are always friendly and willing to make what you ask.

Hello! This place is alive and kickin. Wonderful atmosphere with plenty of laughing folks and a few singers chiming in with the 80s music. Vibrant gay bar that offers a good, stiff drink and friendly service. Definitely come here if you are in Hells Kitchen Hood.

One of the best and most welcoming bars I have found in nyc. The bartenders remembered me from when I visited a year ago to when I live here now and know my drink order. Very friendly both bartender and patrons.

Bring back the photo booth please ... Bartenders are cool. Would give it a better review if they played less of the tv with sound

It's a nice enough bar. Older crowd. The one guy I tried to chat up (before friends arrived) was friendly and then back to the phone. Men suck.

By far the best gay bar I have ever been to. Everyone from the bartender to the ID checkers, to even the patrons were the nicest I have ever seen (and I'm from the midwest). It's nice and casual and the drinks are fantastic!

I have grown to love this bar, live 2 minutes walk away now and come often! So it is what it is, a fantastic gay dive bar. Many of the clientele are in there every evening so you always see familiar faces that will say hello when I pop in. The staff are extremely friendly.

Bartender names Joey is not a pleasant person. I waited quite a while to be greeted after he clearly saw and ignored me upon entry. After I signalled to him that I was ready to order he rolled his eyes and walked over to me. Throughout the rest of the experience I had to just let it go that I wasn't going to even get a smile or any hustle whatsoever out of him, but later he preceded to tell me to change my topic of conversation. This was between myself and another patron at the bar, and neither of us were being loud or disruptive, just talking. He then told me to finish my drink and/or pay my tab, as if he would actually kick me out after 1 1/2 drinks in total. I left with no issue, but felt that the people of 9th Ave and abroad deserve to know that this is not a friendly place.

We ordered drinks and the bartender told us they were $4 so we had a couple more rounds. When we got the bill he told us they were $7 because he made a mistake and there was no happy hour on Sunday. The drinks were really weak too. I used to really like this place but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon

Is this my 7th gay bar review in a row? Yes. Why do you ask? The best thing about this place is that the drinks are STRONG and very affordable. Say you drink vodka sodas. The friendly, bear-ish bartender will take a big beer mug, fill it with ice, then vodka, then squirt a little soda on top. Then you'll give him $7. Then you'll stop noticing the passage of time and dissolve into the red lights and big gay jukebox. Then at 3:30, when you have a wicked buzz and a pocket full of photo booth pictures, they'll kick you lovingly out into the night. Then the next day, if you go back, they'll remember your name and help fill in the blanks from the night before.

Stopped in for a post Theater drink. Classic old fashioned gay bar. The gentlemen were very welcoming to four 60-something lesbians. Drinks were great. Jukebox was outstanding.

Oh, Saloon, you're one of those strange girls who takes some time to get used to, but the investment is worth it. Classic divey gay bar (originally Cleo's, the first gay bar in the neighborhood) just west of Restaurant Row. Cheapish drinks. Smiling pot-bellied men standing around the stools on either side of you, trying to catch the bartender's eye, trying to cruise a little, trying not to eat too much popcorn.

$3 dollars for a water or a club soda? I used to come here all the time but I'm never coming back after this.

This bar is definitely one for locals only. The older bartenders were bitter and seemed jaded. My mate and I both thought "Tabitha" really needs to come in and take over and teach them how to treat customers. The younger bar tenders were much better, but we overheard them complaining how management are clamping down on the free pours. It's the only bar I've ever visited where they reused the same glass for each round. Oh, and the popcorn machine looks like it's not been cleaned out in years. There are toilets there, but you need to ask for a key. It really is a below average bar, but they have no real competition in the area, so I can't see things changing any time soon.

Obsessed doesn't even begin to describe the way I feel about this place. I first discovered it by accident, as the best things usually happen. The place is a small, wonderful, divey gay bar with an older crowd. The draw for me was the photo booth - I like to seek them out. The next plus was the drinks. I am a lightweight, but these put even my heavily drinking friends to shame! The bartenders are certainly not stingy! The free popcorn doesn't even help block the buzz. It's a great place to meet friends, especially since mine span three boroughs, so it's an easy middle-ground meeting spot. Since discovering the bar in 2008, I have been back consistently, and even had my birthday party there. We are usually the youngest ones at the bar by a good twenty years, and the only girls, but that makes it even better, I think. And look out for karaoke on Wednesdays!

It was cute, the bartender was friendly, and the prices were good. Little dirty, but that's to be expected in Hell's Kitchen. Would totally go back. :)

Three visits here have uncovered an unusually comfortable place to have a cocktail. The bartenders are nice, and the patrons mildly sleazy, usually sloppy, and delightfully talkative. It's a friendly neighborhood bar, really, and you can actually hold a conversation there. It's not fancy or frilly, and there was much discussion over whether the "boys of leather" flag was really legit, but this is a solid place to have a drink when you're tired of all the youth and flash in HK. (Did I just say tired of youth? OY! I'm getting bitter.)

Always a great time, every bartender is welcoming and attentive. However, the rude, very nasty one on the weekends I would avoid. Not friendly, not nice, and very unappreciative

Great local NON-Touristy place to grab a few drinks and relax There is a jukebox and you can play anything... Freddie the bartender was extremely nice when I went in with some friends and at times his service was slow but that was because it is a neighborhood bar and EVERYONE knew him and he knew them so he was holding TONS of conversations with everyone.