The Stonewall Inn
Gay bar · New York Greenwich Village
This is where the modern Pride movement began in 1969: the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street is the most historic queer place in the world and still a lively bar with bingo, karaoke, drag and dance parties on two floors.
- ★ 4.4 on Google (1,723)
- National Historic Landmark
- Two floors
- Drag show every Sunday
- Address
- 53 Christopher Street
New York, NY 10014 - Opening hours
- Mon–Fri 2 pm–4 am
Sat/Sun 1 pm–4 am - Entry
- usually free for the weekly formats, some parties $5
- Crowd
- very mixed, all ages 21+, lots of tourists
- Programme
- Bingo every Monday
Piano bar Tue/Wed from 9 pm
Karaoke every Friday from 6 pm
Dance party Fri/Sat from 10 pm
Drag show “The Invasion” every Sunday from 9 pm - Getting there
- Christopher St–Sheridan Sq subway (1 train), 1 minute’s walk
What makes the Stonewall Inn special
In the early hours of 28 June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, as they often did at gay bars at the time. But this time the patrons fought back, and the days of uprising that followed are seen as the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement. Pride parades around the world commemorate that night. Across the street in Christopher Park is the Stonewall National Monument, the first US national monument dedicated to LGBTQ history.
The Inn itself is not a museum but a very lively bar. Downstairs people party and drink; upstairs there is a piano bar, karaoke, shows and, at weekends, dance parties with DJs and go-gos. With Brooklyn Brewery there is even a Stonewall Inn IPA, whose proceeds go to the “Stonewall Inn Gives Back” initiative.
Atmosphere and crowd
The crowd is as diverse as almost anywhere: New Yorkers of all generations, lesbians, gay men, trans people, allies and many guests from around the world for whom the visit is a kind of pilgrimage. At weekends it gets very full; during the week and in the afternoon it is more relaxed. Many guests describe their visit as moving.
A good fit if you …
- want to raise a glass where it all began
- like drag, karaoke or bingo
- are experiencing queer New York for the first time
Not ideal if you …
- are looking for a quiet insider tip
- are looking for a men-only bar
Contact
Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Sources: Stonewall Inn website, National Park Service, Google reviews (4.4 stars, 1,723 reviews). Opening hours, prices and programme may change, please check before visiting.