Words by Fopé Ajanaku

I have a theory that the best way to understand New York is through its gay nightlife. Just like every other queer person, I am desperate to go to chic places, and what’s cooler and sexier than being gay in New York City? I want to know where the hot people are going, what they are dancing to and, most importantly, where I can have a gay ol’ time.

If you also want to know where hip queers are actually congregating, start with the people throwing the parties. Follow the DJs. Look at who is on the flyer. Look at who is taking up space in the photographs. Because in New York, as everywhere else, a venue can technically be 'queer' while the party happening inside it feels completely different. And I'm here to help you do the research.

I scoured the web and sent DMs to anyone who would accept them to bring you my London Girlie's very unofficial guide to where you should be partying in NYC. If you think you know better, subscribe to Gay Times Magazine so you can tell me in the comments.

Gay, Gayer & Gayest

If you are Black and queer in New York, Gay, Gayer & Gayest, or GGG, should be on your radar.

The collective describes itself as a space for Black queer sapphics, and its Instagram currently has more than 34,000 followers. Their next Black sapphic gathering is Saturday 29 August, running from 2pm to 7pm, with the promise of a sultry afternoon and music to flirt to.

That sentence alone should tell you everything.

GGG was created because its founders could not find enough nightlife spaces that centred people who looked like them. That gap in the market is real. FADER recently documented the collective's rise, describing its parties as spaces where Black and Brown queer women can exist without having to code-switch.

This is why you should always follow the party, not just the venue. That’s my general rule for life to be perfectly honest. 

Follow @ggg.nyc for the next event.

If you want to know the four other hot New York parties to ride a white horse into this September (if you don't get this Studio 54 reference we can't be friends) subscribe to Gay Times Magazine for the insider intel. Sign up in August for 50% off.