Gay Bars That Are Gone 2026

Celebrate queer history from across yesteryear as we trace gay bars that are gone for our 11th year!

From discos and dive bars to piano bars and underground clubs, this free community-led walk looks at the shifting typology of the gay bar in New York City. Long the center of cultural evolutions and political activism, gay bars are critical locations to understand Queer History in America. Together, we’ll (theoretically) bar hop through stories of community, protest, artistic achievement, and plain old gay gossip from the 1850s until quite literally last year.

Gay Bars That Are Gone is an annual event that started in 2015 and celebrates 11 years walking this year. Let’s mark Pride month together and honor spaces where queer people found refuge, joy, tragedy, and everything in between. Spread the word and bring friends. If you’d like to share a memory or some history about a gay bar that is gone, please drop us a note.

EVENT INFO

We’ll start at 264 W. 43rd Street (between 7th & 8th Ave) and wind west through Chelsea and the Village before ending at the (still open) Julius’ (an important site of gay history in its own right) for drinks and music by @DJYestergay.

Meeting spot is 264 W. 43rd Street (between 7th & 8th Ave); we’ll step off from here at 6:15pm

Running late? Our second stop will be 407 W. 43rd St. (between 9th & 10th Ave)

Running really late, babe? Our third stop will be 301 W. 39th St. (between 8th & 9th Ave)

Your hosts for this walking tour are Kyle Supley & Michael Ryan. This annual walk has been featured in The New York Times, The Advocate, and Paper Magazine. Follow @gaybarsthataregone for more updates.

Walk is rain or shine; free (RSVP for event updates or just show up!)