Straight owner, Helen Burford, and her homophobic boyfriend employ mostly straight employees. She runs the business like Gestapo questioning her employees every move as well as cries poverty despite having had two sizeable Go Fund Me accounts and assistance from the government. She also received a generous rent reduction during the pandemic from her landlord leaving her liable for only ONE QUARTER of the monthly rent. She refuses to invest in improvements or should I say repairs i.e. Bathrooms and NO AIR CONDITIONING. The establishment is living off the reputation of its predecessor, Freddie Lutz, who established the business and was gay. The burgers are now preformed patties that have never won an any award, in fact the restaurant has born poor ratings by the NYC DOH and was even shut down at one point. The original owner, Fred Lutz, purchased premium ground beef at the meat market and served hand formed burgers on toasted Kaiser Rolls and for this only he bore the honor and reputation for Best Burger. This you will never see again! Many of the former gay employees have been fired for bogus reasons or outright quit. A shame for a once institution of the gay community. I would NEVER patronize this establishment and I'm sure will be banned after stating facts! read more

This place is absolutely disgusting. I went with two girlfriends on an early Friday night. Place was packed but we were able to get seats at the bar. We were told by some gay male friends that the bar is very welcoming of women and that it has a large straight crowd who go for the bar's history and hamburgers. Well, the bartender must have had some mommy issues because he was completely rude and demeaning to us while perfectly nice to the older male customers. He made a mistake with one of our drinks, and when my friend pointed this out, he grabbed the drink, poured it out, and slammed down a new one with a look on his face as if he wanted to murder her. This is not someone who should be working with people. We tried to enjoy the evening anyway, and went to the back area to sit down. We saw drunken behavior and heard language that no decent bar would tolerate. We really wanted to try the burgers but I had lost my appetite and wanted to leave. My friends got burgers - both well-done when they asked for medium rare. This place could not seem to get anything right. And don't get me started on the alleged ladies room. Julius' may be considered historic but in this case historic only means old, backwards, and nasty. Avoid at all costs. read more

On our first visit to New York, we Ubered over to Julius (the Yelp reviews looked promising) to check it out. It's a quaint little corner bar with typical dive bar decor--paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, signs with humorous sayings/slogans, and (this was a new one for me) writing and carvings on the surface of the bar. The 2 bartenders were both friendly and one even asked to take our (my companion and me) picture because he said he liked our look! Being from Texas probably made us stand out! It was after midnight on a Saturday, and there was a good-sized, but not packed group of people there. The music (I think it was from the jukebox) was very much to our liking (Tina Turner, 80's songs, etc.) We only stayed for one cocktail, as we wanted to visit some other bars in the neighborhood. The night's events (good) kept us from returning that evening/morning, but I would love to go back again some time when in town again! read more

Love love this bar, my favorite gay place in New York I think. It's relaxing and fun place to chat to friends.. I have not been recently with Covid but before that I would come in often. It's a strange place really with having the kitchen in the middle of the main room, never seen a set up quite like this. It hasn't changed appearance inside a long long time and this is its charm. The staff are almost all very friendly, the type of place where you walk in the door and they are already pouring your drink when you get to the bar. read more

This bar can close for good, as far as I can tell. I only stopped by the other day to support it. First, they incorrectly stated that we can't take our drinks to go even though NY governor said we could. Second, they said we should order food and one per person. That's also incorrect. Third, it's cash only. Even on this day and age, and during a pandemic they only take cash. Lastly, the redneck bouncer doesn't belong in this city. I will gloat when this piece of NY gay history goes down in oblivion. I'll live without it. read more

This bar is an iconic gay bar - the problem is this place has really fallen apart - the bar staff are rude and it's hard to get served - the food service guy is nice - and their range of tap beer is terrible - get ready to pay $8 for Narragansett - this is a cheap horrible beer - and their wine is horrible - and the early big crowds just don't go to Julius - it's obvious that the place is probably going to close soon read more

Definitely a trip back in time. I heard that is was one of the first bars of any kind in the city. Recognized the place immediately because a scene from the film "Stonewall" was shot in here. Love the hundreds of photos from the past. Looks like a regular, local, loyal crowd. A serious, but relaxed mood. It should stay this way forever, but please give the restroom a facelift. read more

I wrote a year ago about the HORRIBLE BURGER GUY and I can still see from the reviews that this jerk is STILL working there. Julius clearly doesn't care about its customers or the way they are treated, which is why they continue to employ him...and why I have made good on my promise never to return there again. read more

OK, so I wanted to see what life was like in ancient times. I liked it! Of course, I felt like chicken. The drinks were good and cheap. A dude was flippin burgers. the place was rockin! -- or maybe that was several pace makers I heard. All in all, it was a memorable night. I would return. read more

Although this may be the oldest gay bar in NYC, the cooking area is so disgusting that I pray for the stomach of anyone brave enough to eat the food from this place AND one of the bartenders threw up in a plastic bag at the bar and continued on working. Health violations galore! read more

If you are not a regular, don't bother, especially after work or on the weekend, they pack the place and are rude to any new people that walk in. The staff will serve you but don't bother complaining, if you are not a regular you are not welcome. read more

I'm writing this review specifically for the employee Chad one may often come across in front of Julius'. It is impossible to have a poor day if you've encountered him. He is such a joy, the sunshine on an overcast day. read more

Discriminatory bouncer would not take my friends US government ID. Clear he was discriminating sad to see gay bars treating others like this

Bouncer though I was drunk and declined me. God forbid a white man be lively. Didn't realize reverse racism on a white gay men existed

This establishment is not closed. They have been open for a while

A lovely friendly dive. And they'll cook you a hamburger.

Prime Dive. Read their history on Wikipedia - amazing.