From happy hours to nightclub-sponsored pajama parties, Brooklyn's gay bar scene is going strong. Try one of these nightlife options.
The Abbey
536 Driggs Ave(718) 599-4400
A 30-foot long wooden bar sets the scene at The Abbey, a dive bar where a pinball machine, a pool table, and a jukebox keep customers entertained for hours on end.
Bar 4
444 7th Ave(718) 832-9800
Locals come to this Park Slope spot for its extensive martini list and cozy, candlelit corners. Listen to live jazz, or hit the bar on Tuesday, when Bar 4 hosts an open mic.
Cattyshack
249 4th Ave(718) 230-5740
This lesbian bar in Park Slope has a full calendar of events like "Frisky Fridays" and "Back of the Shack" with music, comedy, and spoken word performances. Cheap drinks and a pool table add to the laid-back atmosphere.
Excelsior
390 5th Ave(718) 832-1599
An upscale gay bar, Excelsior is a friendly place to down a martini. Enjoy the bartenders' drink-making expertise in the spacious backyard, or settle in by the jukebox for a night of music and fun.
Ginger's
390 5th Ave(718) 832-1599
Weekly karaoke and daily happy hour specials make Ginger's a favorite of both the gay and straight crowds. The place gets busy, so stake your spot at the pool table or in the outdoor garden early in the night.
Metropolitan
559 Lorimer St(718) 599-4444
Metropolitan was Williamsburg's first gay bar, and it's now a staple for New York City's gay community. Boasting two floors and an enormous backyard, fans love the spacious bar, which also has two fireplaces and a pool table. Don't miss the free barbeque on Sunday nights in the summer.
Outpost
1014 Fulton St(718) 636-1260
Café by day and lounge by night, Outpost attracts a mixed clientele. Live music, DJs, free wireless, and daily events like "Beer for a Buck" Mondays make it a bar worth visiting.
R Bar
451 Meeker Ave at Graham Ave(718) 486-6116
Williamsburg's R Bar gets raucous on Tuesday nights with its popular pajama party -- Any customer who shows up wearing bedtime attire gets a free drink. During the rest of the week, both gays and lesbians come for happy hours, cheap beer, and free food on Sundays.
