From ambiance to happy hour to events to location, here’s everything you need to know about Rise, the extremely popular NYC gay bar
The Highlights:
- Location: 859 9th Avenue, New York, New York 10019
- Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen
- Hours:
- Monday – Thursday 4PM – 2AM
- Friday: 3PM – 4AM
- Saturday: 1PM – 4AM
- Sunday: 1PM – 2AM
- Best Time to Go: Any time it’s open, Rise will be a vibe. Happy Hour is a cult favorite.
- Vibe: Always a party and a classic ‘meet-up’ spot
- Cover? Never
- Website: risebarnyc.com
- Instagram: @risebarnyc
Overview:
There’s only a few things NYC gays can agree on, and one of those things is that everybody loves Rise. Opened in 2015, Rise is more popular than ever. With an incredible BOGO happy hour featuring perfectly strong drinks, nonstop pop music, cute boys, and locals and visitors alike, the only thing this bar needs is an additional few thousand square feet to take on the popularity and demand. That doesn’t mean Rise is small by any means, though – during COVID it took over the former sushi restaurant next door, and is now double the size as it used to be pre-2020.
Rise is a great place to catch up with your friends over strong drinks after work, the right spot to bring a friend from out of town on a weekday evening after dinner for a drag show, or one of the best meet-up spots to kick off Friday and Saturday nights. You’ll see the friends you planned to see, as well as friends you didn’t – and even the hot guy you chatted with on Grindr last month.
It’s a classy spot while still being friendly and casual. You can come after a volleyball game or all dressed up. It’s a top contender to start your night out or to have a weekday night cap.
Why go?
- Strong drinks, and BOGO happy hour
- Quick bar service
- Good meetup spot to start a night out with friends in Hell’s Kitchen
- TWO different oversized restroom by NYC standards – one on each side of the bar – making using the restroom a breeze (which if you live in NYC you know… is a major positive)
- If you’re hungry… surprisingly good bar food – the chicken tenders are seriously good
Ambiance:
Clean and spacious. Sleek, updated and modern without being state of the art – lots of video screens featuring music videos. Friendly, local vibes.
If you’re from the West Coast, think of Rise as a version of WeHo’s Hi Tops. Nathan’s in Miami is similar to Rise for those who go to South Beach.
Happy Hour: BOGO Happy Hour until 9PM daily.
Events (Subject to change – check out Rise’s Instagram account for the latest events information)
Pop dancing and music videos every night with various DJs.
Weekly drag shows with NYC must-see queens including Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Brenda Dahrling. Weekend drag brunches with staples Marti Gould Cummings, Izzy Uncut, and Skye Walker.
If you like these other gay bars… you’ll like Rise:
- Vers
- The Exley
- Hi Tops on the West Coast
- Nathan’s in Miami
Rise not your thing? Here are other gay bars nearby:
