Gym Sportsbar

Never had a friendly experience with a single staff member. Was recently abruptly asked to leave an hour before close because they wanted to get out early (don’t worry, still tipped 20% on two frozen drinks that require no effort to make). Drinks are bad and cloyingly sweet, everything is sticky. Come here if you want to hang out after your adult intramural water balloon league.

I went on a Saturday evening around 7pm. The doorman was quite nice. The bartender though was rude, extremely indifferent. No smile - very curt in stating that credit cards require a two drink minimum. I found a $10 bill to pay for my $9 beer, and of course I was going to tip, but the bartender didn't even return for me to make the gesture of leaving a tip. He just took the money and didn't return. The crowd was typical, I'd say. They seemed to know each other. In all, Gym Bar is certainly not as friendly as Flex, where the bartenders are extremely friendly and where they even smile. I used to go to Gym Bar every time I was in NYC. I will not be going there again unless they have bartenders who at least feign a modicum of friendliness.

Cool gay sport bar in Chelsea. Love to go to this place specially during happy hour. The drinks are cold and in a large cup and they have draft beer as well. It have 2 floors, one of the rooms is open during specific time and dates. The staff is very friendly and professional. Great place to listen music or just chill. Great location. It have arcade games and a pool. Laid back place, you don't really need to dress up for enjoy a good time. One of my favorites bars in Chelsea. So if your looking for a laid back , relax and comfortable place to enjoy a beer and your favorite game, this is the place.

Blue margarita was yummy. The bartenders are very nice. They call you babe and make you feel very nice. I come here after work to chillax and it's all about a good talk, good drinks and sports on the screens. Lol 😅

Spent Pride Weekend at this place , the Bartending Staff was Extraordinary and the atmosphere was amazing. The DJ kept it pumping. What a great place! Their drinks were oh my, so delicious! I recommend GYM BAR NYC! A must visit.

Local crowd with a few vacationers makes for a great place to feel comfortable and have a drink while being served by a very consistent and polite staff. Clean and open spaces, and you can get a poker chip with a happy hour drink and use it then or later (on the specified days and hours)

One of the best bars in nyc. Great atmosphere music is always good and the drinks are strong which is necessary. Vibe baby vibe

Went to Gym Bar late this afternoon, 6/25. Went to the downstairs bar and ordered a Heineken 00. When I gave the black bartender with the dreadlocks two $5s, I expected $3 bucks back (my first Heineken 00 at the upstairs bar was $7, and I gave the bartender a $3 buck tip. The bartender downstairs didn't even hand over the change; he just threw it in the tip bucket. That wasn't right. Not right at all. But I still love Gym Bar !

It can be a bit hit or miss... but when it's fun it's really fun. Drinks tend to be sting and reasonably priced. The crowd is diverse and generally friendly.

Who could say no to a fun atmosphere and a drink that "hit the spot"! The vibe here is great and felt very welcoming. The bartender changed the channel for us because we wanted to watch a particular NCAA March madness game. This is a great staple within the gay sport community!!

I really like the vibe at this bar. It felt very friendly and social without be pretentious. There is a game table and the drinks flow. The bartenders were friendly and attentive- they even remembered my drink. On the night I went they had some free cocktail food - which most in NYC call dinner - given the cost of a meal up here.

Unfortunately prices everywhere have gone up but service here has never changed. The people are always friendly drinks are always strong and you can't go wrong with the music

Had a great time this past weekend attending the dragrace watch party. Great, efficient staff and a welcoming crowd. Has the chance to meet the owner Matt who was a super warm, friendly guy who made me and my mom feel at home there.

We had a great time watching the Super Bowl here. The bartender are very friendly, and so is the crowd.

I found this place super fun. I went alone, sat at the bar, and struck up conversations quite easily. I had to show proof of COVID vaccination or you can show a recent negative test. I had the frozen margarita. Well, I actually had three. Does the job perfectly--hits the spot and relaxes you. Maybe, I'll branch out next time. Collin was the bartender and he is super friendly. Sometimes, I had to get his attention because he was chatting up other patrons, but that wasn't an issue for me. I get it--he is friendly and lots of locals hang out there. He is very good at his job.

I came here on a busy night, when my friend was in town. The drinks were a good price and the drink menu had a lot of options. My friend got the frozen margarita and it was delicious. They serve the drinks in beer glasses so you really get your money's worth. The music was good for dancing (they were playing pop) but no one was dancing! People were talking to each other and tended to come in large groups. My one complaint that isn't the bar's fault is that a ton of men went out of their way to point out it was a gay bar and I was a woman. I 100% understand the need for safe spaces but I'm a queer woman and was with my gay friend. It became a bit off-putting and we ended up leaving. ‍

Like a good neighbor, Gym Sportsbar is theeere I've lived in Chelsea for almost ten years and Gym Sportsbar has persisted. We'd lost XES, Rawhide, Splash - so it's been comforting to have Gym nearby, so much so that I smile every time I walk by. Compared to Boxers, I've felt the bartenders and crowd here are overall friendlier and more approachable, and more people actually watch sports at Gym. Not to say that I don't like Boxers, but it is sports bar in theme and name only so I know what I'm getting when I go - a scenier stick-within-group affair. Drinks are cheap and strong, and I love the BOGO casino tokens. It's one of my favorite non-judgmental go-tos to catch up with a friend.

Cale is the best employee ever. He is always nice and friendly for the customers. Love to see him as a bartender or manager sometime soon.

Love this bar, the staff and customers are friendly and it's a great place to have beers and hang out. All ages and everyone is treated well by staff. In Manhattan it's easy to find shitty bartenders who are so full of themselves that they act if they are doing you a favor! You will live the staff! Go have fun!

I know that this review will probably not make a difference, but I felt that I still neeeded to express my most recent experience. After ordering 6 rounds.....yes 6 rounds of drinks, I asked the Neanderthal bartender how many rounds it would take to get a free round. He dimly looked me right in the face and said 5. I guess that it would be crazy for me to expect that the bartender could count higher than two or three.....but dare to dream. This place is a shady dump and should be avoided at all costs. You Have Been Warned!!!

Regular for years - discriminated against by tired bitter old queen nasty bar tender(s) - broken down environment; drinks typically with an air of a cheap medicinal quality. Met a near and dear friend for his birthday and made eyes with the bar tender I had had issues with in the past so sat at the other end of the bar to be served by someone else. Drink orders were taken, drinks were presented, had a sip of my red bull whilst my friend had a sip of his beer, card was handed for payment and I was asked if I wanted to open a tab. Next thing I knew the same bar tender who had taken my order and brought my drinks said "I'm sorry sir your not welcome here you need to leave and please don't ever come back" as the drinks were taken away. Well I'll tell you what this is the absolute dirtiest I have ever been treated and really if the other bar tender had an issue with me there are a number of ways this could have been handled in a much better fashion; something simple as "take it easy tonight" considering I had been four times since she and I had our unpleasantry. I certainly will never go back to this filthy watering hole that always smells like a bathroom (located right in the center door always propped open). Clearly it's time for some people / places to throw in the towel. Looking forward to new venues, fresh faces and the world class customer service for which New York is known.

Surprisingly nice beefy bartenders. Kinda fun some days, exhaustingly boring most. I would recommend with a friend (Gay). Don't go alone , it's not that kind of bar

It is more like a gym-themed bar. I typically come here for the Sunday beer blast ($3 dollar drafts). The place is fairly large but can get really packed (sardines in a can) on sundays. I would not say that this is an actual sports bar ... More like a bar with a game or two on the tv. Actually, I do not think anyone, including myself, comes here purely to watch sports. The bartenders are a mixed bunch of personalities, some are fun and others are kind of standoffish. But, the service is pretty fast so I will give them that. The bar has a pool table in the back and a second bar (the locker room) downstairs, which is quieter than upstairs. The crowd is a nice mix of people of differed races, ages and body types, so everyone can "fit" in. One cool thing about this place is that it has a smoking patio in the front of the bar and you can get your smoke on while drinking and watching folks in Chelsea. They take credit cards but you must have a 20 dollar minimum, which is quite easy to do in Manhattan.

Ok- I love this place. It is a fun bar- the scene is there for a good time and the drinks aren't really expensive at all. You can go in for a game or go in to shoot some game (if you catch my drift), but really it's a pretty big space with a significant amount of selection and the neighborhood is rather welcoming as well. They are powered by wind energy according to their window decal so it's a home run for me to help support a business that cares about reducing their footprint. Really like coming here right off the L train- it's a fun place to meet up.

Lots of space and lots of TVs playing sports stations but no one watching! Maybe because everyone would rather drink and socialize than watch sports on TV, but I didn't see one person in the entire bar interested in anything playing. The drinks were very strong and worth what was paid for them. The people at the bar were a wide range of ages from 20 to 60+. Something for everyone here! Bartenders gave quick service and were very friendly. Bathrooms were clean for a bar. Overall, I would say this is a place to revisit.

Definitely the winner sports bar in New York City (compared to that other chain). The bar staff is incredible and the fact they have virtually no turnover in their staff shows they are well taken care of and it shows in how they run the operation behind the bar. A nice patio which is heated in winter with a good view of 8th Ave. The Happy Hour deal is always reliable and popular. Some feedback: consider rotating the beer selection to make it interesting. Don't think it has ever changed in the years I've been coming here.

I've always hated this place cause it's so loud and the bartenders have so much attitude. I was reminded of this tonight when I popped by for a quick drink on the way somewhere else. One of the bar tenders looks right at me with my money out and walked away. Guess if you're not 25 or under they're not interested in your business. Any location of Boxers is more friendly than this crappy place. Take your business there instead.

Bartenders are very nice here and they hustle to make sure you get your drinks in a timely and efficient manner. I came here with some friends after spending a couple of hours over at Boxers and the difference in service is night and day. Although I like the layout of Boxers better, it's just easy to have more fun here because you don't get frustrated trying to get a simple bottle of beer. I don't mean to keep comparing this place to Boxers, but if you want to watch a football game in Chelsea, those are kind of your options so this should be your pick. Plus, they have these cool little soccer goals in the can so when you're getting rid of your beer, you can try to "score a goal" with the little soccer ball dangling from the goal. It's easy if you have good aim! I think the crowd is nice and even though the place is crowded and laid out a bit awkwardly, it's a fun place to go.

I was there today for their beer specials. I ordered Landshark. After about the 2nd or third, an employee taps me on the shoulder there is free food in the back. I'm expecting chips, salsa, pretzels, etc. I looked and there were barbecue wings and hot wings. There was macaroni salad. There were tortilla chips too and what looked like fresh guacamole and fresh salsa.

Great happy hour, minimal attitude, awesome drink specials, strong drinks, good music, friendly staff, and a fun place to watch games....may not be everything that you want but it's pretty damn good. Like any good watering hole, they look out for the people that become regulars, after a few trips you would think you were going to cheers! It would be nice if they had a bigger space, and like most neighborhood bars you could maybe have a pizza or food delivered there but what can you do. I think they have been there for five years, maybe the future will bring a bigger space. Right now we have what we have and it's pretty damn good. Too many people read into the gimmick, if you thought David Wright was gonna be bar-tending and everyone there would look like the Manning brothers then you are an idiot. What makes this place special is it's a spot that you can go to where MOST people don't have an attitude and EVERYONE can hang out. A throwback to when we were all below 14th street for the most part and all got along and could exist under one roof. If you want to go to a bar where everyone looks like you, then you are entitled to that, stay there and have a happy life.

It honestly took me a loooooooong time to to warm up to Gym Bar. I initially had some meh experiences there but then I realized that it was more of the people than the fault of the establishment. Gym Bar, for me, is like a fortress. You have to get through the overcrowded outdoor "patio" in front, full of second hand smoke, to get in. Then, you have to traverse the Grand Central Station-like crowd mobbing the bar area. Then, you pass the restrooms to the pool table. Here is where I was able to find some sanity; down-to-earth regulars who come here for some good beer, some ok music, and some good pool.

Went here 12/2018 for happy hour. It was relatively dead when we walked in (maybe 4 people at the long bar), which was fine with us. We received prompt service and some friendly conversation and tips about other bars we might like in the city. It quickly filled up to about 100 people wihtin the hour, so I can see this is a popular place. There were all types here, including an 80(?) year old woman all dolled up (so cute). We only stayed for two drinks each (buy one, get one during HH), but enjoyed our stay. The only negative (and its a big one, but not sure how they can fix it) is there is only one toilet. There are two bathrooms - one is men only with only urinals and the other is a one stall locked restroom with only a toilet and sink in it. If someone is having any kind of issue in there, everyone else is screwed, especially ALL females, as men can at least use the urinals in the other restroom. Yikes! Regardless, I will return.

I like the guys who bartend here, they're usually very friendly and attentive. Drinks are pretty cheap compared to most other places. Still this place could use a little TLC or a full revamp. It just feels dark and dingy here most of the time. Boxers in Chelsea definitely has a better atmosphere and most straight sports bars have more to offer than just a drabby little pool table. They used to show "American Horror Story" downstairs in the basement but they've since discontinued it.

It was happy hour yesterday, 8th Nov and the barman charged USD 5.00 for USD 3.00 and did nt give the token. When asked: "oh no, I gave to someone-else by mistake" there was no-someone else as this all happened in a space of 60 secs. Seems to be commonplace in NY bars that tourists are (some locals complain) not given the token. Happy to change bars, as having to discuss prices when drinking is not on.

This is the best sports bar in NYC!! Eric, the owner is by far one of the nicest guys ever! He is a genuine and cool guy. Someone you would want to watch a game with and have a drink. I highly recommend enjoying a cold beer at Gyms!

This is the gay sports bar version of the bar in Boston where everybody knows your name. It's small enough for everybody to know your name if you are a regular and there are a dozen TV playing any sport on television worth watching. It's just too bad that in a gay bar the crowd is more busy watching each other than the television screens!

Good happy hour specials but the wine isn't great. It's a nice, sexy crowd of men of all shapes, shades, and ages. Even though I don't follow sports regularly, it's cool to see a tennis or soccer game when decompressing from a work day. The space is a nice, large layout with a pool table in the back.

Always a good time minus the weird smell from the wood floors after many drinks being spilled on it. LOL

The prissy, bitchy negative reviews of Gym don't surprise me; they come mostly from stereotypical preppy Chelsea clone queens with sculpted eyebrows and too-tight shirts who congregate in gaggles in almost every other bar in the area except Gym. Some gay men love sports! Get over it! Just because you don't know the difference between a reverse and an end around or a change up and a slider, don't assume that nobody's interested. You can get your videos of the latest Britney or Beyonce jam at 20 other bars in the city- go there. I like the mixed, low-BS, low-attitude crowd. Yes, an occasional troll surfaces but if you don't know how to deal with unwanted advances, maybe you should stay at home, princess. I say, "Hell Yes" to 2 for 1 drink specials. The crowd thins out noticeably after this ends at 9. I prefer a pool table (even if it takes forever to get on it) to a stage with a lonely, emaciated boy dancing in his underwear. It's not an issue of wanting to be striaght-acting, it's an issue of comfort and realizing that not all gay guys have to like the same thing just because they're gay.

Gym bar is to gyms as a crowbar is to crows. I could try and describe it, but you've already seen the movie: Think the Trash Compactor scene from 'Star Wars': A scary narrow space with trash pressed against the walls. You feel claustrophobic - You must get away. As you race for the door, some one-eyed monster grabs you from behind! You're going down! Hold your breath! You get away, regain your bearings...think, there must be a way out...Too late! Suddenly the walls begin to close in. You are about to be crushed by garbage! Garbage from New Jersey! Quick! get Hans and Leia and run for your life! Leave Chewbacca. He will probably get lucky here.

Gym bar is an unsightly dive under the guise of being the "only gay sports bar". I think many people (out-of-towners especially) come here in hopes of finding throngs of young gay athletes for viewing pleasure. Not so, not so! On average, the crowd is less attractive and older than the typical chelsea gay bar (like Chelsea gay bars weren't already aging themselves). In fact the crowd is so dismal that it's laughable. It's not the charming kind of older gay men who love Liza and cordials - just the "I'm older, unattractive, rude and checking out your supple ass" crowd. Sometimes people do come from the gym/sporting events (or pretend they are) and have huge gym bags with them which get strewn all over the bar, making it difficult to find somewhere to roost. The bar typically smells like a bathroom, which is just so charming. Speaking of bathrooms, the bathroom at Gym is only mildly private so it may be in the cards to have your bits oggled by a peeping onlooker. Drinks are ok, draughts are cheap, happy hour is cheap. Gym is typically lower-priced than most gay bars. The drinks, as expected, are nothing spectacular. When it comes down to it, I really dislike Gym. A lot. I'm definitely not into the rest of the Chelsea bar scene but this place is just dismal. An ugly bar with even uglier (and unfriendly) patrons - no thanks!

The bar has a very relaxed atmosphere. Guys just go to have a drink or two or three haha, very good vibes, unpretentious and good music. When I go to NYC it is a must!

A neighborhood gay bar for very manly sports fanatics. Leave your lisps, limp wrists, and Jack Spade shoulder bags at the door.

I've never had a great experience at Gym. I find the sports bar motif ridiculous. Sure, they might have games on in the background, but who can pay attention with the loud dance music? That's the thing about Gym - it's whole atmosphere feels really fake. They want to be like a laid-back sports bar, but they're really not. Also, the bartenders have been rude to me on more than one occasion. One bartender actually had the nerve to complain about not getting a tip - sorry, but when you're rude, take forever despite the fact that you're not helping someone else, and only open a beer for me, you're not getting a tip. The mixed drinks are weak, and everything is crazy expensive, especially for a supposed laid-back sports bar. There are much better bars to check out, both in Chelsea and the rest of New York. That's the thing I don't get about bitchy bartenders - why on earth would I stay and give you/your establishment money when I have any number of better places to go?

Gym Bar raises big political questions for me. Is being gay so commonplace nowadays that there's simply a bar for sporting gays? Or is this bar pandering to the idea that straight-acting is more attractive (vs. gay-acting)? Seems to be more for the gays who want to be perceived as liking sports than for the gays who actually follow games. I just don't enjoy the vibe in here. At any rate, usually crowded and with good drink specials. Ah, drink specials -- the great equalizer!

My exchange with the bartender: -May I have two soda waters? Bartender---Yeah...6 dollars - Really? Bartender---Welcome to Chelsea.

So, Yama and his partner came to town from Cali. Yama is my gay lover by the way. We just have this connection, you'll never understand. Anyways. So of course we go to a gay bar, and it was AWESOME.They have a patio, so we basically stood around drinkin teh booze and killing our lungs. It's not a HUGE patio, but it is a decent size. And after about 20 mins, everyone cleared out so it was nice having some space to stand around in. The drinks were not too pricey. The gays in Chelsea are the funniest ever. I actually wished that i was a man, so I can actually hit on some of these men. Here's the kicker, my lesbian lover Jenna called and was close by so she wanted to meet up. 10 minutes prior, I get a text from Evan R. Asking me where i was at. 20 minutes pass, Evan R and his friend show up. Then Jenna, and her bf show up. HAHAHA, none of them knew i was dragging them to a gay bar. One guy even rubbed Evans nipples. Sorry Evan. All in all, it was a great time. The guys were good sports about it. And Jenna and I were clearly belligerent after we left. So it was a fantastic night, and a fantastic bar!

What a sweet little spot! Buff and friendly bartenders, nice and mixed crowd, good happy hour specials, and you can't beat watching sports while jamming out to LOUD pop music! Having some time to kill before a comedy show, we went during happy hour with standing room only and felt 100% comfortable, although some drinks were stronger than others. There's an ATM, a small patio and pool tables. Two thumbs up!

I'm not so sure why this place is getting so many bad reviews. Perhaps I'm some slimey reprobate that's foaming at the mouth, walking around with my fly open and grabbing asses. (Really, I'm not that charming.) But I happen to like this place. GYM Bar hosts a pretty nice crowd varying in age, attitude and appearance. Most of the guys are decent. Sure, some of them can be fairly sketchy, but come on, there's no obligation to chat to anyone you don't want to. All you need to do is smooth back your eyebrow, turn your head and move on. It just so happens that I've met a few interesting and rather cute fellas at this place. I went to GYM Bar last night and had a pretty nice time. A few college type kids were playing a drinking game in the back of the bar. I'm a little out of their age range, but that didn't deter me from taking part in the event. After chugging a few beers, but losing the game, I stumbled upstairs to the smoking patio (although I had quit smoking several months ago.) There's not much room out there, but whaddayagonnado? Anyway, check out this place. Play some pool or just drink beers and mingle. Now I need some paracetamol and coffee.

Great drinks! Great Bartenders! Great Music! I've been coming to the Gym bar for about 4 years now. Some times it could be a little packed so it takes some time to get a drink. But that's great, because that means there's more cute guys.

Yeah I buy into the fact that this is a nasty little bar - only redeemed by a nice staff. More than anything it is the crowd - nothing against an older crowd, but when you are an older crowd with no concern for your personal hygiene, dress or manners, then you become the nasty pervy crowd that drives most of us away. The configuration is just one big cluster-fuck with all the nasties mentioned above and the music - well there is no musical theme of note.

I'm a regular here and find it really funny that I am carded at the door every single week but when I walk in with my gay male friends, they are not carded. And they are not regulars. I go to Gym for certain people only, especially Gary the bartender. Otherwise, because of the ID situation leaving a very nasty taste in my mouth, I'd stop giving this place my business. What a shame.

Did I see my high school science teacher at this place? No. Well, I could have. Let me start over. I don't do sports. It seems, however, neither do the gents in this hole in the wall. I was brought to this bar midweek by a friend, insisting on its authenticity and always-busy atmosphere. He didn't lie in his description, but he never said anything about it being pleasant or having attractive men. The place was like any other sports bar you've ever patronized (or not, like myself) except for the husky man-on-man contact. And I'm not talking the kind you see on the field. The bottom line is, this place welcomes everyone but should be attended by no one (unless you're into bartenders dripping their body soil into your $6 beer). Sorry boys, cross this off your lists unless you want a good eye-roll. Or suddenly find yourself over 55. ****Brent DaVorne****

I really enjoyed the time I went here. I'd gladly go back any time. I like the comfy couches. The prices are decent. The crowd is a bit older but this is nice since it makes for a pleasant environment and respectful flirting :-) And, most importantly, the drinks were poured well. Overall it was a nice, chill, laid back experience. I definitely recommend GYM for a nice early evening, post-work detox.

It took me a little while to warm up to the idea of a "sports bar" in Chelsea (hey - I grew up in the neighborhood!) but eventually I did - more-so when I started going there with co-workers and getting to know some of the regulars and bartenders a bit. I actually find the crowd way more approachable than at many a Chelsea local... and find a good chunk of the men in the cute/handsome/hot range. As a side-note, I couldn't care less about sports(!) but that doesn't mean it doesn't draw an open, friendly, sociable crowd. It has long replaced my former watering hole, "The Break", and the drinks are FAR better priced and has a friendlier crowd, and no drag queens (nothing against 'em, but there's gotta be something else out there!) ... sorry Barracuda. Also... great house and sometimes even rock-music(!!) on Saturday nights in the basement by Rob Sperte. A talented DJ and super-nice guy. Strong/cheap drinks, a decent pool table/players, decent music and little to no attitude or fashionistas. Me says: Yeah! See ya there...

Gym Bar is fine if you're interested in crusin' (yes, I said it!). This bar is such a scene for dudes to check out other dudes. I was totally under the impression we were headed to a gay sports bar to actually watch the NCAA games, but was so wrong. Plus, the place gets super crowded early on a Saturday evening.

Here are the strong points about Gym: 1. 2 for 1 weeknights...you get a token that resembles a casino chip for your second drink which can be redeemed at a later date. 2. VERY strong drinks...order a cocktail and the flavoring is usually just there to add color. 3. Bartenders are friendly...speaking from personal experience. I can't say this about every other place. 4. I can come here to watch sports...they have enough tvs broadcasting different events. 5. There's a pool table....wanna play? Get here early or forget about it. Here are some things I do NOT like about this bar: 1. The bathroom is awful....sorry guys, even after the "renovation" it's still so cramped I usually just go someplace else. 2. The pool table is fun...but only when it's not crowded, which is almost never after 6pm. It doesn't help that the space is so small anyway that you often find yourself in the middle of traffic and have to constantly shift. I'm disappointed that they didn't expand to the space next door. After all the anticipation, it was just another porn shop (frown). 3. I can come here to watch sports...and the game I want to watch is broadcasted on a tv that requires me to move for a better view, then move again and again....see #2 directly above.