this in my fav place in NYC! if you are ready to party this is the place to go, amazing music,great drinks ,friendly hot bartenders,fun happy hour,chic crowd... I LOVE RITZ!!! read more

I have been to the Ritz a couple times and it is so much fun! Music is great. True it gets crowded, but you can still find room to dance- I would definitely say its fun to just grab a drink at an off hour. Easy to get to and from- Cute bartenders are always alright by me! read more

Young, hipster gays. Top 40 tunes. Hot parties. This barely nicks the surface. This describes many of the trendy bars in Hells Kitchen. What sets THE RITZ apart is that when you walk through their doors, you're not merely a customer, you're family. From coat check to closing out, each beautiful individual you encounter welcomes you as a friend. Much can be said for the budget conscious drink pricing and, for myself, accessible smoking section, but this is a judgement free zone. 3 glorious floors open up to welcome all types. From the staunch NY lifer to the fresh off the greyhound gay with a dream, you are welcome and always feel like you've received a personal invitation to just let lose and dance! read more

this is my go-to club/bar! the music is always good and everyone is really nice there. it seems that the drinks change price throughout the night... read more

Ok, what can i say, get to the "meat". The GOOD, well, the music was good, better than usual for me, and the bartenders were nice, tip the nice "queen" with the shots, and NO Cover. The Bad: One of the guards for the bathroom was playing favorites as in allowing people to cut, especially friends of his. Carrying a drink without spilling is not possible, look at the picture, so many people... Some guy actually fell on me = Beer all over me plus. Another guy spilled on my bf, good thing we were not wearing our fav clothes. Oh that SMEELL, as you go towards the back, feel like i was in someone's armpit, too bad i am not into that... Bads outweigh for me = staying away from here. read more

i had the pleasure of going to the ritz one thursday afternoon just running in from the rain, i was ready for the 'usual bartenders to say' 2-drink minimum LOL but instead the bartender Xavier offered me a slightly broken leftover umbrella. I decided to stay and have a drink.....I must say, i enjoyed myself having a happy hour (as a woman) in a gay bar, everyone around me chatted me up (offered drinks) and i ended up leaving 3 hours later absolutely vowing to come back... The next week i decided to go with some of my gay friends on a friday night (well, what i saw was a TOTAL) opposite happy hour is supposed to be, it was what a FUNNNNNNN FRIDAY NIGHT (if you're in the mood to dance, sing and get drunk) is supposed to be! The music was HOT!!! (my friend has a crush on Xavier-who happens to be an award winnin DJ-according to my friends) The bartenders Steven and Mike were a riot behind the bar making everyone feel welcome. I had the pleasure of meeting Timmy a bartender there too, he was the cutest sweetest boy a gar bar needs... At times it got too crowded and a bit hot, but who wants to go to a dead bar on a friday night and read a book....It's new york city people! I read some hate reviews on this sight and i must say, whoever wrote those ovbiously do NOT KNOW what a wonderful gay bar is!!! Overall review, i was gonna give it 4 stars, but must say on my drunken way out that Friday after my friends stumbled out, The owner Tommy hailed a taxi for a lady.... CLASS ITSELF DESERVES 5 STARS.....eat that kids..... read more

Came in, mostly empty, wanted a drink. Waited 15 minutes while twink bartender texted friends and two other bartenders were too busy being chatty. Shame because I used to love this place years ago. read more

Love this place!!! Always a fun environment. Especially when they have drag performances. :D

Absolutely the best for anyone looking to finally sit down from the rush of life here very friendly local crowd thank you so much keep smiling! read more

So disappointed. Came on the recommendation of one of the regular drag queens. Was with a group of girlfriends celebrating a bachelorette. Was told "all were welcome". The bouncer John apparently had a different perspective. Was told that the bachelorette was too drunk. She definitely wasn't. The only explanation I have is that it was a group of 5 girls and 2 guys and that wasn't their audience. Totally ok but not what we were told "all are welcome". It cut our night short. Not coming back ever. read more

So, when did the Ritz officially become a club? They've tossed out the tables and chairs and the bed, and now there are amphitheater like slabs that look like Velcro to sit on and watch people dance or dance on. They have all these funky lights and smoke, very clubby, but really? The Ritz is way too small to be a club even though the DJ is fab!!! Mr. Black is open again, people! Go there to dance and make the Ritz a bar again! read more

I stopped by this establishment one night after a mini bar craving adventure with a friend. This was the least impressive of all the places I visited. I genuinely felt out of place. The clientele are from opposite social scenes. It was mix of knowledgeable experienced men of a certain age, a huge amount of Yuppies, and vapid, tone deaf, rhythmically challenged youth (male and female) that reeked of the desperation to fit in. The rest, were like myself, the average working man from the city. The music was quite atrocious, playing every bit of extremely mainstream rubbish from the past 15 years imaginable. The cocktails were average and were at the average Manhattan price. This is a place that is absolutely not for me in anyway at all. The clientele ruined whatever ambiance that could have been created. I have no idea what they are going for. The line for the restroom was ridiculously lengthy! I would never go here again! There are better, more balanced bars in the city. This is a place that I heard was good several years ago but that's not the case now. Roll the dice and take a chance going to this establishment if only if you must. Not recommended if you are genuinely looking to have a pleasurable night. read more

I've been looking for a gay bar with descent music. Lord knows that's rare perhaps even non-existent for me since gay house music is not my style and that I primarily like Hip-Hop/RnB but I'm not gonna subject myself going to a lesbian bar for that. The Ritz surprisingly comes really close. I came here twice and the music got me hyped up. The music was Pop-y and Top 40-ish but not too much to have the Jersey girls lipsyncing and screaming "OMG!!i LOVE this song!!". However, when I went there this past weekend, the dance floor was filled with queens and twinks which are ok but they tend to bounce around and are unaware of personal space. That was a Saturday. I went on a Thursday once and the dance floor was clear enough for me to dance which I love to do. Eye candy (of course you want to know about this) was ok. Most of the guys looked the same to me but there were a few standouts. All around a good time. read more

If you want to dance in one spot in a crowded, sweaty, hot room for hours on end, this is the place for you. The place is friendly and you get a pretty good value on the drinks. Crowd is hit and miss. read more

One of the cool places for dancing. VERY crowded on Friday and Saturday nights. But lots of fun.

This place is way bigger than I thought it was. First couple times I went for happy hour, I hung out at the bar and back room. Last time I went was a Saturday night and we danced on the first floor, got drinks on the second floor and then walked up a few steps and danced again on the 3rd floor. Music was alright. Super crowded. I personally wouldn't go back unless I had to ...like the last time I went. At least I didn't pay for anything :) read more

I went to this bar with my brother and some of his friends. Like an idiot, I put my purse on the floor only to find it gone when i went to leave. I wasn't drunk and the purse was touching me the entire time, but alas, when i went to leave I told the owner. He said he'd go check in the bathroom for me and brought back a shallow shadow of the purse I had brought in, but my wallet with my ID and credit cards was left in there (I mean really, this is all I really cared about!) I thanked him again and again and he asked what I'd lost. I said some cash but no biggie. He asked again and I just said "oh like $100" (really it was more) and he said to wait a min, went inside, and came back out with $100 from the drawer! I said " no no no no no this was NOT your fault" and he said he didn't care, he wanted to give it to me. I think EVERYONE should try this place out...such great people own it... :-) read more

This gay place where I used to have fun banned me for false information and all I did was buy drink and stay to my self I didn't know that I should be talking to everyone cuz I am not a social person to talk to anybody 2016 of November I was banned for nothing because she false information. When I asked what the reason the told me that they could not tell me , that place so phony and very disrespectful. I remember when the owner was getting handle by a customer I was the one to help the owner get the guy out the bar. More better when they would sniff cocoain in the bar and in the bathrooms I would tell them so they won't get shut down. Now I go tonight and they tell me that I am banned for no reason and this is 2017 mins you I was just in the bar last week nothing was said to me when the owner saw me in the bar he look me dead in my face didn't say nothing to me. But this very night they embarrassed me in front of everybody telling me he could not tell me what the reason was after talking to him for 6mins of talking to him he comes and tell me that I was talking to a girl the problem cause I was talking to a girl. Don't forget I am gay I don't talk to females or lady for the owner to come out and say that sorry excuse to my face cause he don't want me in the club is very sorry as a employee really I could not believe my ears. This place is very picky on who comes to the bar I spend money and I get treat like this seem to me this place is racist to the max they only looking for Fem queens of the matter not people looking to have and enjoy themselves. It's crazy that they would tell me a crazy lie cuz they choose to pick who they want to come to that whole in the wall join don't worry I want go there no more. I never want any of my good friends going to a over price and not a peaceful place where gay people can go and have a good time. Something bout the owner coming out saying crazy stuff that's not true does he forget who watched him get slayed by a customer who was drunk in the club and who was fight him and repetily continued to fight him in the club and all the security man handle him didn't call the cops but ruff up the customer to the point where there there was so much blood it was a major brawl outside the bar of Ritz on 46 th 8th and 9 th . Pose to be a place where people can have fun and not beat people up because your bigger or stronger. But I guess that how people want to run a drug infested place of people doing coke and molly in the bathroom. But I guess that cool and everything I am saying is facts but what they told me today was very very untrue that place is full of shit read more

I travel to NYC a few times a year from Washington, DC. I always make time to stop by The Ritz for a drink, or maybe late night dancing. The drinks are strong, the staff is friendly and the guys are hot! read more

the DJs were amazingg tonight! i had the time of my life truly! you guys are great! 100/10 recommend

Cheap, strong drinks and good dancing, but this place is sketchy. A friend and I both got metrocards and cash stolen from our purses, as well as her iPhone. Nice for a good time dancing, but keep a close eye on your stuff. read more

I had an amazing time here with my friend one night back in March! The happy hour deals were a bargain and the bartender, Timmy was so courteous and fun to be around! It wasn't crazy busy because it was a Wednesday night but between the good music and fun people around us we had an awesome night! read more

On 11/03/12 I had lost my ticket for coat check. I waited until the end of the night for everyone to pick up their coat. When I asked for my coat, sweater and winter gear were no where to be found. All they offered me was an apology and escorted me out into the cold. I had to walk to the bus station and then home in the middle of windter weather in a T-shirt and jeans. Thanks Ritz! read more

For years now, the Ritz is one of my fav places in the city. There are several floors of entertainment for you, so there is something for everyone. The staff is incredibly friendly, the drinks are always nice & strong ... the way they should be ! Musically, i am always impressed too; The mgmt. must have a fantastic ear for talent cause everytime i am there the DJ's truly impress me and i have heard DJ's all over the city and all over the world. These are some of the best around. One of the best parts about the Ritz is it's ideal location. Situated right in the the heart of Hell's Kitchen, it's in the middle of everything so you can start your night there or make this your last stop on a night on the town. Unfortunately the city is becoming very corporate and mom & pop businesses seem to be going by the wayside, but the Ritz is just one of those places that reminds you how amazing and unique NYC still can be. Make sure you check this place out !!! read more

What kind of bar doesn't even have enough glasses when there are only a dozen customers or so? The bartenders either have to reuse your empties or give you plastic cups. They run out of brands like Jack Daniel's and don't rush to restock them. The one toilet doesn't really flush so the bathroom gets disgusting after a couple hours. The toilet handle partly fell off so it's wrapped in tape so customers don't cut themselves, etc., etc. This place gets more run down every year. The pluses: most of the bartenders are pretty cool, and the backyard is nice in the summer. read more

I was obligated to go to The Ritz for a birthday party. I usually don't bother reviewing bars/clubs but the Ritz was so bad I wouldn't go if my own birthday was being held there. The situation with the bartenders is unreal. Truly outrageous. They are the most rude, ineffcient, and obnoxious bar-people I have ever come across! I am talking specifically about the one's downstairs on a Saturday night. I don't know who they think they are - but in my experience most staff at gay bars/clubs are pretty reasonable - or maybe they are just non-offensive so I don't notice. Perhaps they think that by hiring sanctimonious assholes it will make the club appear more exclusive? Well wake up owners - the whole "if they treat you like shit it must be good' went out in the 90's - and it was stupid then too. It seems one of the bartenders at The Ritz - a certain muscular and dumb as dirt type has this little entourage who struggle to gain entrance to his pathetic admiration society. Perhaps in the land beyond time where these poor patrons must have traveled from he is godlike. Unfortunately while he is primping and chatting with his fans the rest of the customers are waiting and waiting! When you finally get his attention and ask for a drink he behaves as if you just asked if you could shit on the bar. He would have never really known I was appalled (except for the appalling tip at the end of our evening) but oh dear did he piss a lot of other people off that evening. Well the odd thing is that I found is that the owner of the Ritz also owns Posh - which is just a little gay pub which I rarely go to but when I have it's always been the best of treatment. Perhaps Mr. Posh/Ritz should send some people incognito over to his Restaurant Row dance palace and see what his staff is turning the place into! It's like going to the Division of Motor Vehicles for cocktails. Stop it! Good Luck! read more

Hands down, best bar in HK! No cover and always an awesome time! The lighting is pretty sweet too

Fabulous place to hang out. Everyone is friendly. Always have a great time when I go there.

Cole Christie tends bar on Monday and Tuesday nights for happy hour. He is one of the kindest, most handsome, and most genuine person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. read more

The Ritz has a nice big space, with 2 floors and a rooftop, and potentially could be great. It's basically a small gay club, located inside a brownstone. Unfortunately, the decor and furniture are so tacky, and the music so generic, that it doesn't take the full advantage of its own possibilities. I know there are a lot of cheesy gay bars in HK (hello Bartini!), but this one takes the cake, which is a shame considering that they could do so much with that space and location. read more

Stopped by for a few drinks with a friend on Friday night after work, had not been before. Nice enough place but completely spoiled by the attitude of the barmen. They were more interested in talking to each other or just ingoring most patrons than serving. Actually, they were just downright rude and gave some of the poorest service I recall in New York. First time in my life I have never tipped, and I will never return. Amazingly, quite a few people at the bar made and shared the same comment, not sure why they stayed. read more

i hate/love the place. like everyone else, i agree it gets WAY overcrowded on the weekends. but i do like that (for the most part) the people are friendly and the music is always good. read more

I really enjoy early cocktails at "The Ritz" with their friendly staff & customers. I especially find Cole a good conversationalist, funny and outgoing. Oh, and he is not bad at all to look at while sipping on a gin martini - 2 olives, lemon twist & shaken twice! read more

Had the chance to stay here for a night even though I'm local. Great for a staycation weekend.

Great gayborhood bar.. Great music fun bartenders and average price for hk

Charged me 4 dollars for water during happy hour. In my opinion some of their bartenders can not hide their prejudice.

I love this bar but I had the worst experience last night. One of my friends got drunk and needed to throw up. I asked our other friend to take her into the first floor bathroom to help her. Mind you, both of them are girls. I'm well aware of the sign posted outside the bathroom stating only 1 person allowed at a time. However, the bouncer outside the bathroom overreacted and kicked both of my friends out of the club. After I yelled at him asking who his manager was, he grabbed me and carried me outside. As I've said I'm well aware of the 1 person at a time rule, but I'm sure that rule heavily applies to guys who try to slip in there and hookup. But the fact that two straight girls got carried out for being in there at the same time was really messed up. What if my drunk friend went inside by herself, fell on the floor, and got locked inside? In the past, I've seen a different bouncer stand outside the bathroom and kindly tell everyone that only 1 person is allowed at a time. There was no reason why the bouncer there last night on 8/10 had to lay his hands on us like that. Side note, me and my friend were sober so if management reads this and wants to jump to conclusions, no, we were not starting a problem with the bouncer. He was the one who escalated a minor issue. read more

Myself and several friends visited this bar. We all checked our coats with David at coat check. About an hour and a half later we came to collect our coats however my coat was strangely unaccounted for. Understandably upset I did not want to leave without the coat that had just been checked, but was told to leave and come back the next day. When I came back the next day my coat was not there. I then spoke with the proprietor who gave me his card and told me to call about it later. The next day I called. His friendly demeanor was now agitated and irritable. He tells me he checked the security footage and I was never in the bar! I tell him I have pictures of myself there, wearing my coat. I also inform him that I have several friends who can verify my attendance. He tells me he doesn't have time to do this for everyone. I noted this comment and asked him how many peoples jackets his bar loses on a regular basis. his response was to text him with the approximate time the coat was checked. I do so, and then follow up that text message with another message a day later and receive no further correspondence. The rest of the bar staff were friendly and courteous but the lack of effort to restore a coat that was lost by the bar is unconscionable. Disrespectful coat check and apathetic owner. There are PLENTY of other options, and you wont have to worry about getting your jacket stolen by a catty coat check diva. read more

hi i always love to go out in midtown i went to the ritz about two years ago since them i go every weekend that place have two floors all the bartenders are so nice and fun with everybody the music is one of the best in nyc thank you so much to have a place like that in new york bye read more

Listen, I've been to a lot of gay bars. The kind that throw you around and beat the money out of you, the kind that gently kiss you on the forehead and steal your wallet, the sophisticated kind where marco polo meets steve austin's personal assistant, and the trendy kind that are filled with the guys that shuffle your money and buy you nice cocktails while you wait for the bathroom. All in all, they come and they go. The Ritz bar however is down home natural. Fun, good vibe, laid back but with all the key elements of a fun night out on the town. Great music (dj's are rockin'), nice atmosphere (unpretentious and yet night clubby), style (great occasional drag queens with penache and a funny sense of humor + scandalous make-up) and best of all genuinely AWESOME bartenders. My favorite works thurs/fri nights usually and is seriously the BEST. He is a true professional and although it's busy enough that I can't really talk that much, I always feel really valued as a customer. The Ritz bar brings people together to connect, but on more than one level. It's a community, and a fun time but no drama and no negative petty bar stuff. My girlfriend loves going with occasionally since she is made to feel comfortable (it helps that she is a rock star let's face it guys don't bring your fruit flys unless they got it) and honestly I have to throw her out of there once it gets crazy (late nights are really the wild fun NYC used to be). I love the Ritz! So few places left in NYC that have that magic. A mixed crowd of style and age,and always good looking. Ritz you are as good as it gets. read more