The Boiler Room

Photo of The Boiler Room

Located in New York, New York

Address: 45 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003, United States

Phone:

Rating: 3.8

Services

  • Dine-in
  • Delivery
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Dancing
  • Food
  • Happy-hour drinks
  • Spirits
  • Wine
  • Toilets
  • Accepts reservations
  • Cash only

Categories

  • Gay bar
  • Bar

Photos

Latest NYC Bar Directory

Comments

  • Review 1 (2023-10-07 - Rating: 5)

    Dear reader, although it pains me to say it, I have to give this rather dilapidated bar five stars.Why? You ask, with a look of horror on your face.Well… because at this place people actually TALK to each other.I stumbled into here after a fancy evening on the Lower East Side and quickly met a number of gentlemen from all walks of life. Really fantastic stuff, it’s these sorts of meets that hold society together.So, although this place had a crumbling ceiling, a toilet in desperate need of renovation and a forest of mold erupting on its shutters, I am afraid I have to give it a five.Well done the Boiler Room! Although it would be nice if, next time, you accepted a $100 billNB: Drinks are very cheap here! Being only $18 for three rum and cokes - a bargain!

  • Review 2 (2022-06-15 - Rating: 5)

    Such a fun bar! Lovely spot for a post work beer. Bar staff is super friendly and the atmosphere is super casual and easy. Come as you are!

  • Review 3 (2024-03-18 - Rating: 5)

    Such a cute and welcoming place! The people there seemed super friendly and the bartender was nice and helped us find other gay places in town to try out. And you cant beat $6 drinks. We will definitely be back.

  • Review 4 (2023-12-29 - Rating: 4)

    My friends and I went here kinda late last night and the vibes were pretty chill. The bar is open till 4, theres no cover at the door, and the bartender, Leo, was very sociable and played some good music (including asking us if we wanted to play anything). The only things I didnt like were 1. the bathroom (it definitely needs renovation) (but was also expected for a dive bar in the les) and 2. you HAVE to buy a drink before you can get water (and they will say no if you ask for a cup of ice instead).As for drinks they probably have cheaper options but I got a baileys cocktail that was $15 which is a lot for a college student :0 but I definitely enjoyed it.

  • Review 5 (2023-11-19 - Rating: 5)

    I went to the boiler room out of curiosity on a Friday night around 12am. The crowd was decent. The attitudes of the people there was most definitely chill, sociable and laid back. The bartender was friendly and attentive. I had two shots of tequila. The shots are extremely generous lol. Its a dive with good vibes. My friend and I had a very enjoyable time. Will most def go back.

  • Review 6 (2024-02-04 - Rating: 5)

    I was just going to leave a review to compliment the bartenders for dealing with a super busy and demanding crowd and read the above review. Ive been sitting at this bar all night and witnessed the abuse that these bartenders took from some foolish girl and her family. The bartenders tried to keep their cool while being insulted and screamed at. Im a bartender myself and know exactly how they felt. The customer was awful and entitles. These 2 guys handled the crowd and specifically that horrible girl and her horrible mother like professionals. Cheers to them!

  • Review 7 (2024-04-04 - Rating: 4)

    Est. 1994Layout/atmosphere*Pool table; TV; Internet jukebox; high tables; photo booth; cash onlyService*Bartender Alec was awesomeFood/drink*No food menu

  • Review 8 (2024-08-23 - Rating: 5)

    First of all, they are cash only, so hit up your bank before swinging by if possible. The ATM inside the bar has a fee of $3. Had a great time here, and in one of the most expensive cities in the world the affordable drink prices are refreshing (pun intended), but important to keep in mind that this is a completely different business from what the images show.If you like gay bars this is a very good spot, but the dive bar aesthetic that I was hoping for from previous images is no longer here. The bartender Alec is extremely friendly and a blast to talk with.

  • Review 9 (2023-07-22 - Rating: 5)

    Best gay bar in the cityJason and Leo were friendly and great. Well priced drinks. Excited that they’re moving to a new space close by. Will definitely come back soon

  • Review 10 (2024-03-12 - Rating: 5)

    One of the most chill spots in the LES, Alec is the best bartender Ive ever had the pleasure to hang out with! Drinks are affordable(my mother has trained me not to say the word cheap) and served with perfect banter. You can hang outside, or play on the one pool table. I bring all of my out of town visitors(they love it) and refer to the Boiler Room as the Cheers of the gay bars. Happy hour is always calm, and after 10pm things really pop off for the late night crowd prepping to go out OUT. Everyone is welcome! An absolute gem. No food served(well a bag of chips if that counts), but you can bring in your eats, so many great close options in the LES. Highly recommend for a true NYC staple.

  • Review 11 (2018-10-14 - Rating: 5)

    I absolutely love this place. Great dive bar. Can get busy on the weekend but its pretty quiet most of the time. The bartenders rotate but the regular bartender is super friendly (I need to learn his name). Great drinks, great music, great time! I usually pre game there. It usually an older crowd which is nice b/c you dont have to deal with the young pretentious gay NY scene.

  • Review 12 (2024-03-08 - Rating: 5)

    Great dive bar. Pool table and Photo Booth. The bartender Alec is the best. Such a sweetheart.

  • Review 13 (2023-08-10 - Rating: 5)

    This is my absolute favorite place in New York City. Jason always takes care of us every time. One of the final true Queer vibes in the city, and a complete miracle. I love boiler room.

  • Review 14 (2023-05-02 - Rating: 4)

    This place is great during later evenings to night sharp, however, we went there during evening time and it has few people but bar tender was very friendly and funny. We had few drinks as pre game and played pool table. They had photo booth, outdoor seating and other playstations. Drinks are reasonably priced, however, CASH only bar.

  • Review 15 (2024-08-18 - Rating: 5)

    New location glow up! ✨ Still cash only, still cheap and divey, but NEW pool table and BETTER everything ❤️ Also food now!

  • Review 16 (2023-05-01 - Rating: 5)

    Took my cousin for her birthday and had a great time visiting from Houston Tx! The bartenders Jason and Leo were awesome! Will treasure the memories!

  • Review 17 (2024-03-31 - Rating: 4)

    Luv Luv Luv this bar!Jason is the best bartender who plays wonderful old disco hits!!

  • Review 18 (2020-01-28 - Rating: 5)

    Great place to get drinks. When school starts up it can get packed in there on the weekends. Rum and cokes are a must here cheap and tasty. But you could be waiting a while to hear your song play on the juke box.

  • Review 19 (2022-04-28 - Rating: 5)

    The BOILER ROOM is the most famous gay bar in New York City. Sometimes they take the bus up from Philadelphia and just say TAKE ME TO THE BOILER ROOM. If you want to go looking, sometimes you can see men kissing each other there. Sometimes they play songs from the 70s. They have somebody watching in case you try to cheat at pool.

  • Review 20 (2023-07-18 - Rating: 5)

    Come rain or shine, the Boiler Room has been there for roughly 3 decades, and I would feel lost without it. If you dont know the place, you should. Drinks are cheap and good and bartenders are great - they like to make sure you have a good time.And its Cash Only which is fine by me - theres an ATM by the door.

  • Review 21 (2018-01-07 - Rating: 5)

    I always stop here when I go to the city. Great. Boys bar on the weekends packed 😎😈🤘🍸🚰♂♂👬🚹🚹💿🎼🎧 juke box style dj machine that takes dollars ...it takes a long time to play a song if u only pay 2 dollars it sux ..I wish they had a DJ..thats my only complaint. If u have a song machine that can let u pick a song it shudnt then go into a fighting order depending on how much money you can do first. Ppl will pay 4 dollars for their song to play first ... But sometimes it nevrer plays...Idk.. I think a DJ wud b cool. But the drinks r 5 dollars and thats so cheap for the city . All well shots too!! Just the bar belt bottles but still thats cool. And the 🐓 is rite up the street . Cool gay boys BLocK in the L.E.S.

  • Review 22 (2016-01-08 - Rating: 5)

    What a dive with great employees! Always have fun here. Crowd has changed throughout the years, but locals always return. As long as it can avoid frat girls, it will remain fun

  • Review 23 (2022-08-16 - Rating: 5)

    Super friendly, decent outdoor patio, and the staff was great. Low key atmosphere, very welcoming. Will definitely be back!

  • Review 24 (2019-09-02 - Rating: 5)

    Boiler room is awesome but the best part was the adorable Jason... not just a bartender but he kills as a DJ if you’re lucky 🍀

  • Review 25 (2018-10-03 - Rating: 5)

    This place is what it says it is... no frills! But thats why I love it. My friends and I always go here when were in town. The drinks are cheap and strong, great for pregaming a night out.

  • Review 26 (2024-03-31 - Rating: 5)

    Been coming here for a while now and I love this place. Even though it’s run down and kinda gross the bartenders are always cool. Jason is the best! Great DJ and funny as hell. He always makes it a good time for me and the bar regulars. I’ll miss this place

  • Review 27 (2024-03-29 - Rating: 5)

    Great, old school gay bar/dive. Cash only, pool table.

  • Review 28 (2023-08-20 - Rating: 5)

    Good drinks at cheap prices! Always dark and fun. Divey in the best way!

  • Review 29 (2013-03-27 - Rating: 5)

    WHat more do you want? $4 drinks after 10pm. A great juke box. Great mix of guys. My favorite watering hole without the gay pretension

  • Review 30 (2021-10-12 - Rating: 5)

    My fave gay bar in East Village. Chill vibe, super friendly staff, pool table and juke box, what more do you want?

  • Review 31 (2024-02-17 - Rating: 5)

    Great dive with a lovely chill energy and lovely bartenders. often have gone on weeknights and it’s never too busy. strong, gay bar pour for very inexpensive drinks (~$6/ea for well drinks). hope to be able to keep going for a long time

  • Review 32 (2024-10-10 - Rating: 5)

    🤟🏻 Yes to the new boiler room!

  • Review 33 (2018-12-09 - Rating: 5)

    Nice casual gay bar that’s typically bumpin’ on the weekend. No frills drinks and beer; it’s a cute neighborhood spot.

  • Review 34 (2019-01-23 - Rating: 5)

    Really chill place with good beer selections and decent prices on liquor. Not flashy or shiny but a really down to earth LGTBQ bar.

  • Review 35 (2024-02-05 - Rating: 5)

    I always have a great time at Boiler. One of the few gay spaces left where you can drop in, grab a drink, and strike up a conversation. David who usually works on Mondays is super sweet and engaging, brings a lot of energy, and helps bring people together.

  • Review 36 (2024-02-27 - Rating: 5)

    This spot is a hidden gem. Love the atmosphere, love the music and they have a pool table with chill players to vibe with. Chill spot. Bartender David is so dope.

  • Review 37 (2024-01-16 - Rating: 5)

    I have been coming to boiler room for what feels like a lifetime. I hadnt stopped by since a little after the pandemic hot dogs were a thing in NYC, but stopped by last week and I have to say: legendary institution that still holds its iconic legacy.Cheap drinks, great staff (Alec was my bartender and he made sure the night was a joy for every person in the bar!!), and as always one of the best gay dive bars below 14th street (which lets be honest those are truly the queer spaces that keep nyc gay nightlife legendary, unlike some of the other uptown gay bars that come and go before you can finish your drink.)Glad to know Boiler Room is still open. Cant wait to be back. Cheers to more drinks and guys who like to have fun with fun guys!!

  • Review 38 (2024-04-07 - Rating: 5)

    Jason brings the heat! Not only is he fabulous but so incredibly inspiring and inspiring!

  • Review 39 (2017-11-29 - Rating: 4)

    Great space with good music. Bartenders are friendly and the pool table isn’t constantly occupied.

  • Review 40 (2023-07-20 - Rating: 5)

    Ive been going to this bar since the late 90s, the drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is comfortable. I usually go on Sunday afternoon where the crowd is more laid-back and the music is awesome. The bartender goes out of his way to keep the music interesting, and not another annoying Britney Spears marathon like youd find on the west side. Its honestly like an old shirt you keep wearing even though it has holes in it. Its to comfortable to replace and you dont care what it looks like, because it feels so right. My only complaints are the bar stools & the dying AC. Otherwise its like going to Cheers except the gay dive version.

  • Review 41 (2023-08-21 - Rating: 5)

    This is an east village institution. touch tunes and a dark bar 5 stars baby

  • Review 42 (2012-06-14 - Rating: 4)

    Come here with your boys for some drunken fun at their Happy Hour from 10pm to 4am when well drinks are $3.75 and the cheesy & fun pop music is blasting.

  • Review 43 (2024-03-09 - Rating: 5)

    Love this place. Saturday afternoon is THE best.

  • Review 44 (2023-02-27 - Rating: 5)

    Love it especially the ‘82 throwback videos and Jason’s soundtrack

  • Review 45 (2022-02-24 - Rating: 5)

    Great serviceThe drinks were so good, it was a nice place

  • Review 46 (2023-08-10 - Rating: 5)

    Nothing like it. A wonderful queer establishment. Jason is the best and has been for years. Can’t wait to come back!

  • Review 47 (2023-08-12 - Rating: 5)

    The bar staff was cool and very knowledgeable. The music and atmosphere of the bar is that of a nostaligic, quintessential, east village dive bar experience. And the drinks are inexpensive!

  • Review 48 (2023-06-20 - Rating: 4)

    Regardless of which friends I brought with me, they all had a great time here. The drinks are strong which is always good. Gonna miss this place, hope they find a new location.

  • Review 49 (2024-03-09 - Rating: 5)

    Great vibe, Jason is a master of the video jukebox

  • Review 50 (2023-11-04 - Rating: 5)

    Jason is THE BEST! Great bartender - conversation, music etc!

  • Review 51 (2023-08-10 - Rating: 5)

    Such a safe space, love Jason behind the bar.Always great for a drink/ game of pool

  • Review 52 (2013-07-28 - Rating: 5)

    Started hanging here in the 80s and its still a rockin place. Cool tunes cheap beer...FUN!

  • Review 53 (2013-02-04 - Rating: 5)

    Have been going to this place since 2003 .. love the staff. They are the best. . Tip them well ladies. ...

  • Review 54 (2023-08-31 - Rating: 5)

    Exactly the atmosphere you expect and want from a proper dive bar, cheap drinks, and very friendly, welcoming staff.

  • Review 55 (2023-09-17 - Rating: 5)

    Always a good time here, great service, bartenders are great craic and super welcoming

  • Review 56 (2023-02-10 - Rating: 5)

    Cash only was a little bit of a surprise but otherwise a really great spot. Seemed very laid back.

  • Review 57 (2024-03-31 - Rating: 5)

    Love this place!

  • Review 58 (2023-02-07 - Rating: 5)

    Talk about a true hidden gem. This cash only gay bar really was a wonderful surprise, the crowd was very friendly- and I enjoyed the vibe of this “dive”. Enjoy a cocktail and meet a new friend.

  • Review 59 (2023-03-23 - Rating: 5)

    Brilliant bar! Great staff (Jason - love you!) Amazing juke box. Go Go Go! Txx

  • Review 60 (2022-09-15 - Rating: 5)

    Great old style gay bar. Nice front outdoor seating. The best is the bartender... incredibly nice and friendly.

  • Review 61 (2022-11-08 - Rating: 4)

    In all my years I never heard of this queer bar. Although I came at later hours, david the redhead bartender was the sweetest in creating a safe & warm environment!

  • Review 62 (2022-09-22 - Rating: 5)

    Nice but they didnt play beyonce @kaitlin I Agree by the way

  • Review 63 (2019-01-04 - Rating: 4)

    Great drink deal, fun dive bar, plus pool! During happy hour you can get a Rolling Rock for $2 which is pretty much the craziest deal Ive ever heard of. Depending on the crowd, you could have a great selection of music or a really poor one (it is a jukebox situation). While I was there someone decided to play Rocket Man by Elton John FIVE TIMES so that got old real quick.

  • Review 64 (2019-01-08 - Rating: 5)

    No frills, but one of my favourite local gay bars. The jukebox is awesome and the clientele are usually pretty fun. Cash only - dont forget!

  • Review 65 (2023-05-12 - Rating: 5)

    Highly recommend great atmosphere

  • Review 66 (2023-08-10 - Rating: 5)

    The bartender was wonderful

  • Review 67 (2019-08-18 - Rating: 5)

    NYCs best Gay Dive Bar.

  • Review 68 (2013-09-03 - Rating: 4)

    Great dive bar in the east village. Can get a bit crowded on the weekends. Always fun music on the juke box. Pool table in the back. They always have cheap drinks!

  • Review 69 (2017-09-06 - Rating: 4)

    Relaxed bar all nights of the week, amazing happy hour every night from 10-4am, all house liquor $4

  • Review 70 (2016-12-29 - Rating: 5)

    Good, strong drinks. Fun vibe. Good staff. Low price

  • Review 71 (2017-09-30 - Rating: 5)

    Chill bar. Great customer service Jason was amazing 😉. Good music drinks were good

  • Review 72 (2016-07-19 - Rating: 4)

    Good music - the price are drink! ;-)

  • Review 73 (2013-07-18 - Rating: 5)

    When you think of classic East Village gay bars, there is no other place that should come to mind. This establishment is more of an institution than anything else. Located just a few blocks from my alma mater, the bar offers some of the best drink specials in town. Not only are the drinks cheap, but they are super strong to. If you are looking for a place to rock out to Kylie Minogue (without feeling guilty), this is the place to be. I have brought gay friends, straight friends, and friends trying to figure it all out. I dont think anyone has been disappointed.

  • Review 74 (2023-08-20 - Rating: 5)

    One of my absolute faves in the East Village

  • Review 75 (2015-12-12 - Rating: 4)

    Great place to have a beer and meet with friends.

  • Review 76 (2017-01-18 - Rating: 5)

    Have gone there once. Now come back regular for the food and the people.

  • Review 77 (2016-11-25 - Rating: 5)

    Nice, quiet bar with extremely friendly staff. =)

  • Review 78 (2014-05-22 - Rating: 5)

    For your info.boiler room is open.and has never been.closed

  • Review 79 (2018-01-11 - Rating: 4)

    This staff is adorable.

  • Review 80 (2019-09-27 - Rating: 5)

    Bar tender was really dope.

  • Review 81 (2015-11-12 - Rating: 5)

    Cheap and fun gay bar!

  • Review 82 (2016-02-09 - Rating: 4)

    Perfect to have some drinks with friends.

  • Review 83 (2018-05-17 - Rating: 5)

    Great place and great bartenders

  • Review 84 (2014-12-15 - Rating: 5)

    I love it

  • Review 85 (2022-12-16 - Rating: 5)

    Excellent bar

  • Review 86 (2018-02-01 - Rating: 5)

    Really nice place.

  • Review 87 (2018-12-17 - Rating: 5)

    What is the number

  • Review 88 (2017-08-02 - Rating: 5)

    Staple bar

  • Review 89 (2021-04-10 - Rating: 5)

    Love love love it.

  • Review 90 (2024-10-22 - Rating: 5)

    Friendly and pleasant bartender

  • Review 91 (2017-11-29 - Rating: 4)

    Gay bar to have a few drinks. Pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Music at a good volume to be able to talk.

  • Review 92 (2019-04-03 - Rating: 4)

    Nice place to spend the night, moderately priced drinks

  • Review 93 (2016-11-05 - Rating: 5)

    Gay bar

  • Review 94 (2018-05-11 - Rating: 5)

    Its a gay baaaaar

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