From ambiance to happy hour to events to location, here’s everything you need to know about Phoenix, the popular NYC gay bar
The Highlights of Atlas Social Club:
- Address: 753 9th Ave New York, NY 10019
- Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen
- Hours: Open from 4 pm – 1 am, Sunday – Thursday. 4 pm – 3 am Friday and Saturday
- Best Time to Go: Weekend nights and happy hour
- Vibe: Retro inspired no-frills gay bar
- Cover? Never
- Website: N/A
- Instagram: @Atlassocialclub
Atlas Social Club Overview:
Atlas Social Club just celebrated 10 years in Hell’s Kitchen. It is the undeniable DILF bar of 9th Avenue, but this retro-inspired pub is so much more than just your dad’s daddy bar.
Yes, Atlas attracts a slightly older crowd. However, Hell’s Kitchen is a market saturated with spots swamped with twinks. In this case, older simply means mid-30’s (which let’s face it is in no way old.) Atlas Social Club has no qualms leaning into this reputation, and this steadfast nature makes it a standout underrated spot.
With very few themed event nights beyond the occasional Drag Race watch party, Atlas is a bar for people who enjoy bars. There are no distractions from the music, dancing, or hunky bartenders. They make very little effort to pander, which makes their patronage stand out as a breath of fresh air compared to the more scene-y bars of Hell’s Kitchen.
What truly makes Atlas stand out though is the music. In their effort to maintain a vintage style, Atlas usually plays oldies. They play disco, classic rock, new wave, AKA The Hits. While you may not hear Ice Spice or Charli XCX remixed into an unrecognizable dribble, you will hear songs you know and can dance to. It’s a novel approach more gay bars could take a note from. This is the bar to go dancing if you want to hear all the gay classics.
Why go?
- Great Music
- Low Key
- Daddies
Atlas Social Club Ambiance:
Atlas Social Club’s decor leans masculine with boxing imagery along the walls. The bar is usually lit up in red lights, with a disco ball and dance floor in back.
Their bar area is at the front of the house, allowing for a separation of dance and drink. They were also early adopters of outdoor drinking (pre-COVID even), and have essentially a small porch where you can see patrons enjoying themselves daily.
Things at Atlas don’t pick up until later in the evening, so this bar usually serves as a meeting point for happy hours where patrons can chat and drink. They also employ some of the buffest bartenders in the city. If you see them doing manual labor out front, you’ll know what we mean.
Happy Hour: N/A
If you like these other gay bars… you’ll like Atlas Social Club:
- 9th Ave Saloon
- Boiler Room
- Nowhere
Atlas Social Club not your thing? Here are other gay bars nearby:
