Queer Pool Hotties Lines Up The Perfect Sapphic Night Out

Julia Refol, 25, and Sam Roberts, 31, have always loved playing pool. But when their girls’ nights kept getting hijacked by groups of men, they found themselves wanting something different—a space where they could relax, learn, and be around people who actually felt aligned with them.

Queer Pool Hotties began as a small idea sparked by a night marred by mansplaining, but it has since grown into something much deeper. What started at a Brooklyn dive bar with a single pool table has evolved into a full residency at the East Village’s Sugar Mouse, with six tables and crowds of more than 300 people.

“There’s a lot of queer, inclusive spaces within the city, but we wanted to have an event specifically for our people to just be free and not have that passive-aggressiveness that comes with being in a space shared with the norm,” Refol tells GO.

At its core, Queer Pool Hotties is about creating a space that isn’t centered on drinking or romance, but on friendship.

Margy Delacruz, 21, first attended about four months ago and has been to every event since. She describes it as something she didn’t know she needed. The sense of comfort at Queer Pool Hotties came easily.

“People always talk about free, third spaces, but it’s not really a thing,” Delacruz says. “I feel like this is the only place that feels like a real community, instead of performative.”

Queer Pool Hotties positions itself as an umbrella for queerness—an inclusive space where anyone, whether part of the LGBTQ+ community or not, can socialize and build meaningful connections.

“It’s open to the girls, gays, and theys,” Roberts says. “I’d love to see even more types of queer people in the space. If you’re new to the city, come find us. We’ll introduce you.”

Sam Singh, 29, has been part of the community since its earliest days. Growing up in North Jersey and coming out later in life, she said she never had a space where she could fully express her queerness. For her, Queer Pool Hotties represents the beginning of something larger: a growing movement to create spaces for queer women that bring people together through a shared passion.

“Regardless of your sexual orientation, if you want to find a place where you feel welcome and create a genuine connection, this is the place to do it,” Singh says.

Community isn’t the only priority at the forefront of the organization. Roberts and Refol were intentional about building Queer Pool Hotties with a nonprofit-minded approach. The events are free to attend, and funds are raised through donations, and a percentage of vendor sales. This money is directed toward a selected charity, the Immigrant Defense Project, totaling several thousand dollars to date.

“As queer people and as New Yorkers, what makes our community so great is the diversity,” Roberts says. “It’s important to protect the people in our community who are not white and not visibly cis, and to use our money in ways that support them.”

Queer Pool Hotties began with two people searching for connection and has since grown into a thriving, ever-expanding community. Whether you’re new to the city, looking to make friends, or simply want a space to show up and learn a new game, Refol and Roberts welcome everyone with open arms.

“It has turned into this really beautiful, safe space for our community,” Refol said. “The queer joy I feel in these spaces and the people I’ve met along the way is something I want to foster for everyone.”

Look out for the next event @queerpoolhotties.