I like Phoenix. It helps that I spent the last part of my evening here making out with a cute boy but this bar is the perfect level of dive bar, especially for Wednesday nights. After 10pm, Bud Light is $2 and even though I like better beer most of the time, I'm totally willing to hang out and drink Bud if I can chat up a nice guy and make out with him against the ice machine near the pool table. read more

Love this place!!! Amazing down to earth atmosphere!! Plus pool table!!! And always open late!

It was my first time here (I'm a female person of colorp btw) and I didn't know there was a $20 minimulm for credit cards. I only wanted one drink and had $7 exactly in cash. The bartender scoffed at me for not tipping (I usually tip, but I was only staying for a short time hence, one drink and it wasn't worth $20 tbh). I know that tipping is important, but the bartender was so rude about it. Customer service could have been better read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Phoenix. I've never found such an inclusive bar that really presents itself as a safe space for the community. It's a fun bar, great priced drinks, pool tables, fantastic company, TRIVIA, and good music. What more can you ask for? Love this bar. A+ read more

The Phoenix = the most welcoming bar in the city, with the most generous pours and the best staff. It's that home-away-from home everyone needs in NYC. For years we've been bringing our friends; ALL of them -- gay, straight, men, women, and from every ethnic group -- have felt at ease. We're grateful that the owner and the bartenders go out of their way to make this a relaxing retreat and to give back to the community. It's a dream spot to have a quiet drink or a big celebration, during Pride or any evening of the year. read more

Hot spot? Absolutely. This place is where I always meet my boys when we're on the east side. There is no better bar in the east village than Phoenix. It is always such a good time with a consistent crowd, strong drinks (Girl!!!---Watch out!!) and cool bartenders. There is a good regular following here, but you also get a good mix of people, too. Most folks seem to be from the neighborhood when I go, but I tend to grab my boys from all over the city to join in on the fun. :) read more

yes, it does smell like sex in here. phew!* i was here for Jen D.'s going away to SF party... the space isn't too bad, but the bathroom is a nightmare. i have chills thinking about it. there's no door to the stall and you basically have to hope no one walks in on you peeing. the seating is quite uncomfortable. their drinks and the abundant amount they serve of them is charming, though. i wouldn't rule this place out... but it's not my first choice. read more

The bartender tonight deliberately ignored us. Went past us twice and just started taking orders to the guys beside. I'm not sure why, maybe he has something against serving to Asian guys. Not coming back. read more

The quintessential gay dive bar of New York. $1 beers on Wednesdays. Now that Starlight has closed (can't even talk about it, will start crying), perhaps the crowd here will get a bit better, but the few times I've come to Phoenix, I have been not so impressed with the people here. Call me a snob (guilty as charged), but with dive bars come dive bar crowds. And dive bar crowds, particularly gay dive bar crowds are scary. If you're into the whole "unpretentious" scene, this is your mecca, but I'll probably be a few blocks south outside of Starlight weeping and banging on the door... read more

Never again! AVOID THIS PLACE DURING PRIDE MONTH!! Was heading to Phoenix with my boyfriend to meet up with some friends. They got there before me and I found out that the security guard and some random TROLL wouldn't let them in because they were seemingly only "straight" and that bar only caters to "white gay men". My friends were all of age, 27+ BUT were people of color. We've been coming to this place for years, since 2011. It was part of our stomping grounds in college so there's a nostalgia here for us, a safe space to just chill and hang. But after this deplorable treatment, I'll never come back here. Nor do I recommend anyone else to come here. This is NOT a place to celebrate pride month at all. Did the management change? If so, not for the better!! I would give this place 0 stars if I could; discrimination of any kind is NOT acceptable! read more

I came here with my friends for my birthday because the original bar we were headed to was packed and we couldn't get in. This night was very rainy and we had just walked for about 15 mins in the rain! So we were glad this place wasn't too far from the other one. I'm glad we came here! It was super fun and the drinks are very strong, and it was a pleasant surprise for me when a drag queen came out to perform. Honestly this place is just a really nice place to hang out, play pool and meet new people. Definitely will be headed back there with my friends! read more

This was my favorite gay bar during my first recent trip to NYC. Neighborhood vibe, friendly people. I chatted with a very nice drag queen and then a guy born and raised in the city. Inexpensive, safe, relaxed, great music. I'll be back during my next trip! read more

And this is why Sam and I will never marry... I heart unpretentious gay hipster crazysexycool dirty hottie bars. I can't believe NONE of my friends told me about this place. As an SF transplant, I love it. read more

Disclaimer- I'm not into white boys. This place makes wonder bread look like wheat . And am I in New York or Phoenix!? The style is so outdated. Really a stale vibe here. read more

What to say. This place is your standard dive-ish gay bar. 1) Wednesday nights are $2 drafts from 10pm on. Can't beat it with a stick. Gets packed with an array of younger hotties. 2) They have a friendly-competitive pool table. However, after a while using the cue stick becomes impossible because of the crowd. 3) If you get there before 8/9pm, you can probably sneak out back for a smoke (and take your drink). Yay, outdoor space. 4) To the left of the entrance there's a long room with seating, perfect for making out with someone you've just met. The one drawback is that it gets crazy hot in the summer. Oh, and if you're looking for a bar you can dance in, go somewhere else. read more

If I could give 0 stars, I would! My friends and I used to love this neighborhood gay bar until we went out with a large group for my friend's birthday. Several of my friends had already gone inside, and my female friend and I (both straight women) tried to enter, we were refused entry because "there are too many women inside." We were told to wait until more women left before we could enter. Meanwhile, men were entering freely while we waited. Then when several women left, we asked if we could now enter. The bouncer then berated us for being annoying, pushy, and unreasonable. We explained that his practice of not allowing women to enter was discriminatory, and on top of that, we had waited as he requested until women left the bar. The bouncer began to yell aggressively at my friend and I about things completely unrelated to our entrance to the bar, such as my friend's status as an only child. He told us to leave and never come back, which after that treatment, we happily did, along with all of our friends inside. NEVER go to this discriminatory bar!!! read more

So I used to love a good dive bar and I used to go out in the East Village but now I am in my 30's and go to bed early. I had fond memories of the Pheonix and stopped in recently on a Saturday night. I was one of the older people here and it wasn't so gay. It was honestly jsut like any other crowded straight bar with a drag queen. It was packed- but with no one hot or anyone I wanted to get to know. There are still fun gay bars around but this is no longer one of them. read more

Why the hell are people calling this place a dive bar? It's dark and has brick walls but it's no dive joint. Phoenix has become one of my favorite (maybe my favorite) bars in the city. The guys here are great -- nice scruffy EV stock, no attitudes, no divas, and people of all ages. Every night is a little different, and the drinks are cheap and mostly tasty. And I object to Brock F's comment about "big fat men serving drinks" being a drawback. A lot us are sorta (kinda) into that. read more

Came in on a Thursday night just to hang out with some friends. Paid the buck to play a game of pool and paid an obscene amount for drinks. Before I was even able to play the bartender (female, brown hair) kicked me off and was extremely unapologetic, and grossly aggressive, about it. Fine, I get it. If you have something going on then I understand. But there's no reason to treat a patron like a piece of shit, and have him leave your establishment feeling like an idiot, just because you had some nightly event. What could have been handled with simple words and basic explanation turned into making me feel unwelcome - when all I wanted was to have some drinks with friends and play a game of pool. First time I came here place was busy and I got shitty service, but having worked in the service industry I chalked it up to just overwhelming demand and not enough people to serve supply. But the pretentious attitude of the bartender secured the fact that I never need to spend money here again. read more

Laid-back, inexpensive, and spacious (by local standards) dive with a mixed gay crowd from all over. Pool in back and a very dark side room with curious stool seats. The pinball table is by far the easiest I've ever played - great for a confidence boost. read more

This is a great place to meet some friends, drink some cheap beer and enjoy one of the best, most eclectic jukeboxes in New York. I'm amazed no one has mentioned the jukebox! For shame, fellow gays. I love me a dirty bar and a cheap beer, and this place has been on the top of my list for a while. Unpretentious, relaxed and un-cruisy. Because sometimes a fella just needs a break from the undressing-with-the-eyes. read more

This place can be really crowed...I was here on Halloween...there was basically no where to walk... I felt like I was bumping into every one defiantly not as crowed as fat Buddha...the bar is crazy packed nobody want to move away from there spot at the bar.. So hard to order drinks...music is nice and load...people were really friendly..love the atmosphere...bathroom are downstairs...there was a dj that night...I did not like that fact they don't know how to make the simpleness drinks...such as a mojito...Nd the shots are limited as well...kinda disappointing...but the atmosphere and the people are spot on so that's always a plus..took hours to find parking.. really cowered area... What made me step inside was the decor...drinks are around 8-10 dollars...definitely recommend to check this place out just cause... Enjoy! read more

Phoenix kicks ass. The stupid twink who said the bartenders are ugly should do everyone a favor and stop going. I personally think the bartenders are hot. Especially the cute Greek one who gives me free drinks :) read more

KUDOS to an honest NYC gay bar. Visited last week, enjoyed the bar, music and drag queen on duty. Dumbass me left my phone behind, not realizing til I was home and Phoenix had closed for night. Next day, a Sunday, sure enough they had it! Bartender answering phone couldn't have been nicer. He was even more gracious when embarrassed me picked it up in person. Well done and a HUGE thank you to Phoenix NYC read more

I come here all the time. Good jukebox, and drink specials throughout the week. It's the E.Village so of course it's a divey bar - everyone writes "no pretense, etc.," well that's what you get when you actually go beyond the borders of Chelsea and Hellsea. You live in a huge city, why limit yourself to a neighborhood. read more

The bar itself isn't charming and I probably would have passed it by had it not been for Sideshow, The Queer Literary Carnival. And that is what made it four stars in my book. I love queer friendly spaces that foster creativity with no cover and no drink minimum, that serve cider and have an unpretentious crowd of art makers and porn stars. Support a business that supports us! read more

This place was great! Very nice bartenders. Came here after a friends comedy show and we had a blast. I don't remember much after 1am but I know I danced to what a girl wants by Christina aguilera and woke up in a new apartment the next morning so that means I had a great time! read more

Last night, I (a straight woman) walked into the Phoenix to get a drink with my friends (two gay men) who are dedicated clientele of the bar, visiting the Phoenix multiple times a week for the last several years; I am often with them. So it was pretty much a typical night. But when I had to use the restroom, I was verbally attacked and then asked to leave the bar by the manager. I have never in my life been the target of such unsolicited hostility. First, being called a crude expletive (c**t) for walking past him on a staircase. (Really! There was NO prior interaction.) And then, after I responded by calling him an a**le (a kind of natural reaction, I think) being physically threatened - he said that he would remove me from the bar if I didn't leave. I have never experienced such blatant hostility or sexism. His behavior was inexcusable, unprofessional, and completely ignorant. This guy is the MANAGER! Apparently this behavior is par for the course with this guy - when I began to describe the incident to a friend who knows the Phoenix, he jumped in to identify the guy saying that he is known to be openly rude to any woman who walks into the bar. I am quite familiar with several of the bartenders from over the years. The nicest of them which have left the Phoenix and opened their own bar (Section 8); they took their fabulous jukebox with them. So, frankly, unless you have a bad sense of smell and are willing to risk being not only harassed, but physically threatened, the bar does not offer much. The depressing atmosphere always seemed tolerable in the past because there was at least an unpretentious and relaxed quality about the bar. And they made strong drinks. However, with the dwindling cool factor and the management's apparent poor judgment in choosing this manager, I would recommend staying far away from the Phoenix. read more

I knew Phoenix in its early incarnation, years ago, when Dick's Bar was still in the East Village. The Phoenix has always always been a bar with complete lack of pretension, and you should come to it with a complete lack of pretension. The new manager has revived it, spruced it up a bit, but not too much -- the attraction is that it's a cozy, dive-y Irish version of a place like Julius Bar in the WV. You can come in this place in a suit, jeans, overalls, jockstrap and fur, or any other way. You are all welcome. The fun you make is up to you. It's definitely a place where there is a younger crowd generally, but not exclusively. And it's open to everyone -- not a "gay male and only gay male" bar. The music is jukebox and dj. Some great old and new tunes. Divinyls, Beatles, k.d. lang, Rupert Wainwright, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Elton John. . . enough to make you tap your foot or start dancing like a rubber band around the pool table. Yes! A pool table too. Don't play pool? You'll learn. The bartenders are open and friendly, but as with every bartender (they've seen it all) you have to listen to them. Are they having a bad night (hell, it's hard work)? Don't make it worse. Cheer them on (easy to do, considering how damn beautiful most of them are). Friendliness attracts friendliness is the way to go here. You can just sit in a corner and read --- great to do if you get there early, around 4. Or just sit and watch and enjoy the ever increasing crowd on a weekend. The drinks are more pricey for some things than advertised, but I think that's happening all over. Phoenix is about spirit. So bring it your best; it will give you its best back. Come for the Guinness, come for the brogues. Come for the good spirit. Just come. Don't be a dick: when you go into any bar, get the feel of the place. There are going to be people there who might not look like you, or talk like you, or dress like you. But isn't that what's great about a bar? You can make friends with completely unique new people. So, noses out of the air dears. I'll tell you what always works. A smile. And "Hello." read more

I'd never been to a gay bar like this before, and I definitely enjoyed myself. The highlight for me is definitely the jukebox. Between The Rapture, Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Bloc Party... it is a musical wet dream for me. Cheap beer, a pool table, good music, and some competitive erotic photo hunt and I'm set. read more

I've come to really love this place. It started as a convenient meeting place for me to start off the night with a Brooklyn pal, but we have found that what started off as a meeting spot is now our regular hang spot. They always have a great deal on drinks, the guys are cute and friendly, there is a pool table and one of those video game machines that has dirty photo hunt. What I really like about it, though, is its not super cruisy and I don't feel weird going and just shooting the shit with friends. Don't get me wrong, I love a nasty cruise bar, but this is a great place to go with friends and just chill. read more

The E. Villiage gay bars are not usually my thing but here was better than expected. Nice layout and decor and good music (although the DJ didn't have the song I requested). Hopefully the days of the seedy, trashy bars (hello .Eagle, Eastern Bloc..) are coming to an end! read more

Thursday nights are fun again at Phoenix. Great music by DJ Hertz van Rental and mean drinks by cutie Frank Lombardi. Check it out it's a great start to the weekend. read more

The reviews I have read so far speak volumes about the authors, if not the bar. For sure, this joint is not everyone's cup of tea. If you enjoy a down scale Irish pub (full of gay men), where people actually talk to each other, this is the place for you. I spent a lot of time in Europe. In general, people in gays bar are actually willing to acknowledge each others existence. And it may not be just because they want to sleep together! Oh sure, there are connections to be made, but I do like to occassionally use my mouth for things other than pleasing another man! The site of men chugging down cheap beer obviously turns off a good number of NY gays. Frankly, these are the types fo people I usually dont care to talk to anyhow. So keep chugging boys! See you next Wednesday! read more

As a female I love gay bars. One of they only places where you are not expecting to get groped while just sitting at the bar. This place was perfect for what we wanted. Nice atmosphere, it was all decorated for Halloween which was cute. Bartenders were very friendly and prompt and the drinks were good, moderately priced. It didn't seem like it was very good for dancing but then again it was 10pm so I may have just been there too early. I will definitely be back here read more

This bar is wicked! The people here are really fun and the environment is great! Atmosphere is awesome, there is a line on friday n Saturdays but it's so worth it! read more

I've never been here when it has been crowded, as I've only been here on the earlier side. Great place to go alone and be able to sit at the bar no problem, bartenders are nice and friendly at least the two or three I've encountered. Feels like a bar, the atmosphere is more bar like as opposed to gay bar like, there's a pool table and arcade game. There's also another little room where one night I saw some stand up that wasn't bad. The clientele has run the gamut the guys unpretentious. Good place to chill, I always go here if I'm the area and feel like a drink. read more

Went here on a Monday to meet a friend for drinks, went around 9PM. I thought it would be crowded, but it was very empty, except for us two and 4-5 other people at the bar. Bartender was nice, and was in a conversation with us throughout the night, and explained that Mondays weren't that busy since, well, it's a Monday. Drinks were well made, and quite cheap. It was very spacious, considering that it was empty, and they had some pinball and Pacman games in the back. I would definitely come back, but when it's more crowded. It's a little bit far from the other gay bars and clubs, especially on the LES, and the West Village. I was told by the bartender that Friday and Saturday are the best and hottest nights, when it gets packed and filled with hot guys and cuties from all over and all walks of life. So that's when I'll be coming back. read more

I went with two of my gay friends for having a lovely evening and meeting some of our other friends in the city. When we ordered our first drink, the barman was very impatient with us when we tried to say what we wanted to drink. After that, he took a lot of more money than the bill was, saying that it was New York and it was mandatory to give tips. We were more than happy to give tips, but he didn't even tell us that he already took the money when we were going to pay. So, basically, for a drink that cost $4 he finished taking 8$, which we think it was more than abussive for a tip, considering the way he treated us and that it actually is the 100% of the product prize. That was not all; after that, we stayed there having fun and meeting new people and when our new friends tried to pay a round of shots he refused to serve us anything else, saying that we were very rude with him, all of this after we had a couple more of drinks and giving more tips as good intentionally we considered it. We all left that bar very upset just because of the way he treated us and unprofessionally told everybody that we were rude for no reason. I'll definietly not recommend this pub to anybody. read more

Love this place, haven't been in a few months but I used to go a few times a week. Great place to go with friends for a few drinks or to play some pool, owner is a sweetheart! read more