New York will always be a meeting point for lovers of urban hustle and bustle. Where there are options to satisfy all tastes. From bars, clubs, sex clubs to museums and shows spread across every corner of the most cosmopolitan city in the world.
Since 1969, with the Stonewall Inn rebellion, the Greenwich Village neighborhood became history and became a gay hotspot. At that time, amid so many protests, bars were closed and people were arrested. All due to the disrespect of police officers who constantly raided gay bars, arresting innocent people.
Until on the night of June 28th of the same year, drag queen Sylvia Rivera took on the pain of her friends and faced the police. It is to celebrate freedom from inappropriate actions by authorities at that time that the gay parade is celebrated in the month of June. Since then, Greenwich Village has been the stage for many parties. And even today it is a place of great tourist visitation, due to its history and the architecture of the buildings.
As the years passed and the city's economic development increased, the LGBT public gained another area of concentration: Chelsea. In this neighborhood there are places worth visiting, such as Splash. The place is full of spotted gogo-boys and lots of beautiful people. In addition to clubs, there are many art galleries in the region.
Currently, Hell's Kitchen is where the main clubs are located. With the not-so-pleasant name (Hell's Kitchen), the place is highly recommended for shopping, dining and flirting. When you think of New York, you are, even if unconsciously, thinking of Hell's Kitchen, as this is the area where offices, famous and not so famous stores, television stations and Broadway are concentrated.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SHAKE
Even with New York's gigantic size, don't rent a car. Driving in this city is pure pandemonium. If you need to, take a taxi, otherwise, buy a metro card and get a map of the city to understand the itinerary. By subway, you can go anywhere in NY.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast, hotels in the United States generally do not include breakfast with your stay, meaning you will have to pay extra. If that's the case, go for a walk and find a coffee shop. There are many scattered throughout the streets and avenues. Belly full, feet in the sand, or better yet, feet on the asphalt. Just walking around New York is an unparalleled pleasure.
HAVE TO SEE!
SoHo is an area of designer stores, restaurants and lots of crowds. It is ideal for shopping lovers. Dedicate at least one day to the neighborhood. If you go in the morning, take advantage and have breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien, on Grant Street. Next to this street, more precisely on the corner of Greene and Houston, are the best interior design stores in the city. You can walk west to the massive Prada store. Prepare your credit card.
No Greenwich Village (photo below), go to Christopher Street. There you will find a little of everything, as well as learning about LGBT history at the Stonewall Inn bar. Inside the bar there are photos and texts reflecting the transformation decades ago. Just ahead, there is a small square with statues of four people, which symbolize sexual equality.
Washington Parque is ideal for hot days. Handsome men exercising and showing off their bodies. Another cool park is Bryant. Next to one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, the municipal library, built in European style. Very romantic, this park is ideal for reading a book, meeting friends for a typical New York lunch or simply admiring the landscape.
The best-known park in the United States, the Central Park, has around 86 hectares. Famous for the films filmed there, such as: "Sex in the City", "When Harry Met Sally" and "Little Manhattan". In the summer, some Americans take advantage of the weather and take off some clothes. It looks like a beach, but instead of sand, well-groomed green grass stretches across the ground.
Still in the park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is located. It is likely that this museum is the most complete in ancient arts in the entire country. With arts from Europe and the United States, inside the neoclassical style building. This museum receives thousands of people a day on average. Visit the website to check the times and day for visiting.
Broadway is famous for its plays. Theaters are spread across every corner of Manhattan. Be sure to check out "End of the Rainbow", with actress Tracie Bennett, as the unforgettable Judy Garland, at the Belasco Theater. Another attraction that caused buzz during its premiere was Evita., which stars singer Ricky Martin in the role of Che Guevara.
ATTENTION TO THE MENU
New York has a rich and very diverse gastronomy. On West 46th Street and 8th Avenue you will find many restaurants, Russian, French, Italian, as well as American cuisine. Fire Bird, a Russian cuisine restaurant, has a unique style in the way it serves. Le Rivage, as the name reveals, is for lovers of French cuisine. Financier Patisserie has three units, also serving French cuisine, it's great.
If you want to taste New York pizza, stop by John's Pizzeria. Get ready to meet someone famous, as this pizzeria is very close to the Broadway theaters. And it receives hundreds of customers around five and six in the afternoon. On Eighth Avenue, on the corner of 48th Street, Brazil Grill is located, a mix of steakhouse and restaurant, with an exquisite and special menu for those who cannot do without Brazilian cuisine.
NIGHT
To enjoy the night, one of the best clubs at the moment is XL. Ample space, with three bars, each with sexy bartenders, who love to pose for a photo and show off their skills. With two VIP areas and a huge dance floor, XL offers different themed parties. To find out what kind of party is going on, visit the house's website and stay tuned for productions. After 11 pm, there is a huge queue and the excitement starts only after 1 am. What to do? Go minutes before eleven, get your arm stamped and come back later to hit the dance floor.
But the best thing is to have your name on a list of special guests. Just for the bartenders it's worth it! The club is located in a prime, previously sleepy area, right in the heart of Manhattan, on 42nd Street between 10th and 11th Avenue, in Hell's Kitchen. On Thursday nights it's quieter, but on Friday and Saturday things get going.
You can schedule it according to your schedule, but don't forget to go to Splash, another club/bar in Chelsea. On Tuesdays it's kids' night, as in New York young people over 18 years of age are allowed access, unlike other American states. On Friday, the hottest gogos do the show in tiny swim trunks.
Another option is to go to the Ritz bar, which is located in a charming part of West 46th Street, with beautiful people and the city's old architecture. The bar only has a small dance floor. The idea is to go early, around eight in the evening, have a few drinks, chat with friends and then go to a club to enjoy the night.
SEX!
The hottest spot in New York right now is the West Side Club. Worth the visit! 27 West 20th Street in Chelsea
WHERE TO STAY
A great option for gay audiences is The Out NYC, the first openly gay venue in the city. A hotel with excellent services and good vibes. Large rooms, modern decor, swimming pool, this resort is next to the XL Club, that is, after catching the steak of your dreams, if it will be there, you can go up to your suite and have an even better night.
The Hilton Garden Inn is also very friendly. Located in an easily accessible area, on Eighth Avenue, close to subway stations. It has small rooms, but with the guarantee of good services from the Hilton family.
WHEN TO GO
May 20 – Aids Wake. One walks in protest against Aid.
June 21 – 24 Gay Parade: One of the best in the world
June 17 – Folsom Street East. There is no shortage of accessories and fetishes at this event.
*Material published in A Capa magazine #56
