Fun, intimate bar. I went to trivia hosted by the amazing drag queen Elle and had a blast.

Cute little bar with great specialty drinks. They have a small patio and music videos playing throughout. read more

The Tool Box - Gay Bars Near Me - New York, New York

It's a dive vibe. The themes nights are a blast! But they should probably tell the bartender to tighten up a bit.

It's an interesting sensation to feel neglected and ignored as a customer in a near-empty bar with two working bartenders, but somehow Toolbox accomplished it. It's possible the bartenders drank themselves beyond the point of realizing that all customers matter ? Sorry I wasn't welcome to the party Based on this most recent experience, I strongly recommend skipping and going elsewhere. The value of an out-of-the-way neighborhood bar is a friendly reception, and I'm sad to say they fail miserably. read more

Tool Box is my UES guilty pleasure and by guilty, I mean proudly clutching my bingo card on a Monday night like it's drag brunch meets church service. Mark and Virgo keep the room buzzing with sass, shade, and just enough chaos to make you forget you came here for bingo in the first place. William behind the bar? Absolute legend. Fast pours, a killer smile, and the uncanny ability to make you feel like you're the star of the night. If you can't find me, check Tool Box on a Monday I'll be the one yelling "BINGO!" louder than necessary. read more

I love coming in here. It's always good vibes- from the music, to the service, to the patrons. They also have special nights such as trivia and karaoke!!! read more

Cute place, but bartender is a little coked/-ethed out and is full on drunk at 6PM, he spilled his champagne drink for the fourth time into the ice bin area, there's no one here and it's embarrassing for the establishment. I mean, my expectations were low, but it's the beginning of the evening. Oh well, he's nice enough and the drinks are cheap. read more

Fun neighborhood bar. Mason and Dave will give you a buzz!! Drink up, cheers. Upper East side. read more

The Tool Box - Upper East Side bar. Look for Mason or Dave for your drinks!! - Gay Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I think that I have to give The Tool Box another shot. I stopped by here on an early weekday night (sometime around 5:30 pm), and the bar was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. One of the bartenders told me that the bar was having issues with the sound system, and they could not play any music. So it felt kind of weird because no one was really chatting with anyone, and the lack of music amplified the weirdness. I guess this is a negative result with everyone having smartphones - no one really talks to anyone anymore. However, I thought the bartender and server (I think) were pretty nice guys. I hope to visit again when The Tool Bar is operating on all cylinders. read more

Great neighborhood spot! Mason and Tylan are the best bartenders the city can offer!!!! read more

Alright. Let's get into some things. First off, the people who work here aren't personable. I walked out to get some air for a few minutes but when I went back in, a bouncer rudely asked for my vaccination info but I didn't realize until later because I'm deaf & he continued to be rude and kicked me out. I didn't even have an opportunity to show it. Also, I had been there for about 30 minutes already. He also had a girlfriend there standing around, trying to taunt us--get a better nighttime job. Seems like a spot for locals & I'm sure they're treated with respect, but I'm never supporting this place again. Consider hiring bouncers that are in tune with the LGBT community and don't stand around acting as if they're tolerating the patrons they're supposed to serve. read more

The Tool Box - Gay Bars Near Me - New York, New York

(7/18/20) this bar is gone‼ This only gay staple in the UES is gone. Was always great having it around. To have drinks with friends, to sing karaoke and play bingo. Thanks for all the memories. read more

The Tool Box - For rent(7/18/20) - Gay Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I have loved the toolbox for the last 6 years, frequenting the place once every other month or so, but Jack made me feel uncomfortable. Luis made my first drink. A normal pour. Luis is great. I asked Jack for my second drink. He under poured by 30-50% - I am unsure as to why. I made a joke to Luis about his pour. I then asked Luis if I could add redbull to my drink, as a silly solution to the 0.5 ounces of Espolon that Jack put in my drink - he agreed. The third drink I asked for came from Jack once again. Jack poured a drop (Luis was off for the night), or two, or three, of Espolon into my drink, and I said something to the effect of "Well make it 4, then." Jack responded, "Are you going to pay for 4?" I took a beat and walked out as I prefer to discuss things "professionally." I returned and asked for my check, which had been closed out on my behalf. I asked why the check had been closed out. Jack said I had, "Stormed off." I was under the impression I had walked away from a situation which Jack had been creating. I felt temporarily walking away from the situation had been the mature response. The point of this review is simply to say that, while I don't know what Jack is going through to treat me like this, he also remains clueless as to my recent experiences, which have been traumatic. And I went to a place, The Toolbox, that I have felt safe at for the last 6 years, and suddenly, I didn't feel safe. I want to return to Toolbox. I want to repair the silly damage that has been done. But when I needed a silly little bar the most, it failed. I will no longer be returning to The Toolbox due to Jack. read more

The new Toolbox is back and better than ever! This gay bar really transformed into making sure all the customers are comfortable in its new gorgeous atmosphere. This mom and pop bar is extremely friendly and has a cheers (tv show) like feel, where everybody knows your name! Even the customers are kind and easy to talk with. The price of drinks are affordable and very well made! Each day has a theme and it starts off with a bang with Monday night bingo! This is a night that is very popular and each bingo card is only $1 to play. This special night is hosted by Dylan and he really makes this event exciting and funny with his quick wit humor. This bar is always about giving back, so not only do you actually win real hard cash but the toolbox sponsors a specific charity to donate part of the money. So it's a true win win all around. Whether you are a spectator or getting in on the fun I promise this night to be fabulous!Please make reservations for this event! No matter what night you choose to hangout at the toolbox it will be an exciting and fun experience! This place is hip and the coolest bar on the block! Check it out and see why everyone is raving and is saying that The new Toolbox is the in place to be! Best gay bar ever!!! read more

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I've wanted to make this a local hang. And I've tried. But this is the homeliest, and least friendly, gay bar I've ever been to (this includes the bar staff). They should change the name to Queeny Uggos. read more

I absolutely love this bar. I had 3 gin and tonics. met a cute guy. had sex. then went home. it was a brilliant evening!

Just a gay bar with reasonably priced drinks on the UES of Manhattan. It's my least traveled area in the city. Bartender is nice. Would go back again. read more

Wonderful upper east side watering hole. Long time customers, and new friends too. All having great drinks and wonderful company.my only complaint is ,too small a place to hold everyone that loves this spot. read more

This bar is RACIST. We were asked to stop cheering for people during karaoke while other bar patrons were allowed to continue. Then when we performed, they only gave us two microphones when we had four people, and the next group was given four microphones. I will not be visiting again, we were just trying to have a fun night but were instead treated unfairly. read more

A female friend of mine who was a frequent patron, was kicked out and banned from this place for no particular reason. She ordered a drink and couldn't even finish it. Gay bars tend to frown upon too many females at their establishments these days (understandable), but how my friend was treated was uncalled for and it seemed personal. The bartenders are not friendly and some of the other regulars are actually creeps. read more

I'm a regular here as I work in the UES. Ordinarily it's a 5 star experience. Tonight I was rudely searched by the bouncer and my bag opened up. My water bottle was removed during a 95° heat wave and management didn't care. Offered to literally pour it out or to have them smell or taste it. Will be taking my business closer to home in Astoria with Icon and Albatross being accessible. Not a cute look tonight especially handling a regular that spends 400 a month here or more. read more

They redid this place and it's cleaner and updated. Feels more fun with a young presence and drag queens. Bartenders were very nice. Happy hour is a good deal and lasts til 8pm. Small bar and one of the few uptown gay bars. Loud music and videos. read more

Some of the staff and I think the manager is not quite friendly to the establishment. From observation the doorman or whomever he is makes it more uncomfortable to be here. With that being said, I've been coming g here for years before these people came here. Where's all the old timers? Bartenders have been a un accountable turn over. Make this staff go away! read more

Dave the bartender is great. No frills straight to the point gay bar with a good happy hour deal

Mason makes the best espresso martini in Manhattan- he is so friendly. Highly recommend!

When I came there around 9 pm Friday night I was going to drink beers and chat with my friend. A little after 10 pm they turned the volume up and it was impossible to talk. So I asked the bartender to turn the music down a bit. He nodded but I didn't notice any difference. So I asked him again. He nodded. Again, no result. So I asked him the third time. He acknowledged me but never turned the volume lower. My friend and I finished our beers and left. What kind of animal treats people like this? I don't care about your 'happy hour' or affordable drinks if you can't care less about the costumers who come to chat by the table and not dance by the bar counter. read more

Please bring Eric back!!!! He was just so perfect in every wayt. He was caring, sweet, attentive and just overall amazing! As a straight woman, I have NEVER felt uncomfortable or unwelcome....love the place, but truly miss my Eric! read more

Really great local bar with super nice people. 2-4-1 specials and the bartenders don't skimp in the drinks.

Had such great time here. It's really tiny, but the people are so much fun, the music is good. It's nice and not always common to feel welcome as a girl at a gay bar, and I appreciated it. Also, I feel like I should mention that I had so much fun that I left my credit card on the bar after closing out - they returned my call asking about it and held onto it for over a week, and then I even had a nice time going to retrieve it. Bonus points. read more

I don't know what I was expecting from 'The Tool Box' ... but I have to admit, I was expecting something. I really only find out about gay bars one of two ways: I read about them, either through some website or the latest issue of HX or NEXT, or Scott B. tells about a place he's been to and we try it out together or one night I go it alone along his suggestion. The Tool Box is the one place I found by myself, by accident, while I was trekking downtown on the M15 bus. After seeing the almost unseeable rainbow flag as a blip on the landscape, I busied myself when I got home, trying to see what the place was exactly. I decided to go there on a cold, almost frigid, winter's night. It was a Monday. With the reputation that this place gets as being lame and devoid of people, it really didn't disappoint on this particular evening. I think there were 3 other people when I got in, if that. Within the first hour there, I had a solo audience with the bartender. He told me about the place; he said on Fridays and Saturdays, it gets pretty busy. He was a NY native; he works on Mondays and Fridays. He's a cool dude, if you ever get the chance to go there and meet him. The Tool Box isn't for everyone. It's not a Chelsea bar where everyone is attractive (or at the very least, thinks they are). It's more of a dive place where people who live around there and go, and everyone is kind of nice and treats you like a human being. The ungayest of gay bars. I had fun, and I actually spoke with people at the bar for once... something I don't usually do, unless I'm really, really drunk. It's more of a relaxed vibe, so if that's you, this might be your place. They also have a pool table, which I'd love to play. I wish it was bigger; one reason they may not be super busy all the time, it's the severe lack of space. Still, if my night was any indication, you'll have a lot of the place to yourself. read more

This place was much cleaner than what people have been saying. It's the only gay bar on the UES. Drinks are decently priced, it's a small place but there are some nice couches in the back to lounge on. The best thing about this place is the artwork. I won't give it away here, please go check it out for yourself... I promise you won't be sorry! It's a little far from my place so I don't go there that often, but if you don't feel like trekking downtown to go to a gay bar, check out the Tool Box! read more

The place is great. Simplistic and genuine. The owners left me with with a warm feeling and filled me with intrigue. I had a great experience while I was there and I will go back soon. The cute bartender was all smiles and the customers I met while I was there were great; friendly and courteous. If you're looking for a good time than this place is great. ps -I think that Jen R is inaccurate in her description. I think she's a drama queen that was jealous that her friend was getting hit on. Check yourself before you wreck yourself, Jen R. read more

My first gay bar to visit on the UES and what an experience, from the staff to the drag queen performing that night to the bartender, simply friendly endless and accepting. A must visit. read more

Didn't know what to expect but I love the Toolbox. It's a great gay bar in the neighborhood. I haven't had any bad experiences so far - the bartenders are wonderful and hilarious to chat with. The jukebox is awesome. The 2-for-1 beer deals on Mondays are awesome. It's tacky and seedy, but what else would you expect with a dive bar. If you're looking to pick people up, this is probably not the place... the crowd is middle aged gay men. But if you want to chill somewhere with your friends, it's a great neighborhood spot. The stripper pole platform is hilarious. read more

This bar is an amazing spot for everyone. It's an establishment for the Upper East Side.

It was my first night out in NYC, people were friendly, easy to interact with. Everyone played their rolls, bartender, dancer, customer. But we all slipped in and out of character from time to time. read more

The Tool Box - Gay Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Best COCKTAILS IN THE BRONX, love the Malibu bay breezes. Always stop in when I'm in the area. Great snacks too.

Great happy hour. Does every single gay bar in NYC need to have standoffish bartenders and play the same Dua Lipa / Ariana Grande songs in loops and LOUD as hell? The setting is boring and uncomfortable. Let's change it up, I'm exhausted. read more

Friendly gay bar, good happy hour. Drink chips. Been there about six times. The seating at the bar is ridiculously cramped. if there are more than ten people in there it is incredibly hard to get past, but that's not really their fault. Its a small place, a toolbox if you will. Two bartenders I met were incredibly nice and good looking. they both wore fake dog tags so I guess that's their uniform. Some guy was in the middle of the bar playing solitaire on two of the occasions I was there. WHY??? Why would the bartenders allow him to take up valuable real estate, at the bar, being completely anti-social and NOT DRINKING. Not only is there a weird guy, by himself, ignoring everyone at the bar; but HE'S NOT EVEN A PAY/TIPPING CUSTOMER. Someone told me he is related to the owner. So what? If that's the case, he should be in a corner somewhere unobtrusive. It's really bizarre. I actually like this bar, despite my review. If Solitaire Man is there, I won't stay long. read more

Friendly staff n good drinks. Mostly locals. Fun place to hang out with friends or just chill at the bar.