Lesbian Events in NYC for Regular Meet-Ups & Community Spaces

A photoset of images that show a woman at a rock climbing gym, people at an outdoor bar, and a woman outside a stadium in NYC.

Did you know that New York City is the greatest city in the world for lesbians? In addition to our city having the most lesbian bars in the world, we also offer an abundance of daily queer/lesbian events and spaces, from sapphic sports clubs to workshops and meetups. These are some of the coolest places for queers, trans, enbys, and lesbians in NYC to enjoy, connect, and explore! 

I. NYC Lesbian & Queer Events (Weekly/Monthly) 

1. PAT at Union Pool (Monthly Queer Party) ★

Every month on Thursday, this lesbian-leaning queer multi-room party is hosted in Williamsburg’s Union Pool. The event is called PAT, and it features a diverse roster of DJs. But best of all? The venue has 3 different rooms with their own vibes including an outdoor patio with a food truck, a disco dance area, and a spacious bar with cafeteria-style tables. This allows party-goers to switch atmospheres, take breaks, talk, or just dance the night away. 

True to their mission of making music and parties more accessible, the hosts and venue promise to keep admission to this monthly event FREE of charge! For updates, follow this Instagram page.

  • Address: 484 Union Ave., Williamsburg  Brooklyn
  • Hours: Thursday (4 PM – 2 AM)

2. Dave’s Lesbian Bar Events ★

This pop-up lesbian bar hosts unique monthly events all around Astoria, Queens. They support and feature everything lesbian/queer: artists, businesses, and causes. Every event is different but packed with community and value. There’s open mic, bazaars, contests, and even battle-of-the-queer bands, so there’s always queer live band playing.

Dave’s Lesbian Bar is also known for hosting community events for mutual aid funds. My favorite event was their queer bazaar, where you could find different kinds of queer clubs in NYC to join. At another event, visitors could enjoy various services provided by queer vendors, such as haircuts, tattoos, and manicures. 

Note: Every pop-up features different bands and services, so follow them on Instagram for updates! They hold an annual battle of the bands, too!

  • Location: Dave’s Lesbian Bar usually hosts their events around Astoria, Queens, where they plan to build a permanent space.

3. MISSTER Wednesdays at The Woods (Lesbian Night)

This Williamsburg bar hosts queer dance parties every Wednesday night at its indoor disco dance floor and outdoor backyard space, both of which blast different music. You can dress any way you want! Up or down.

The back outdoor patio features a food stand serving tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and burritos, with fish tacos being the most popular. Both food and drinks are reasonably priced! 

The only downside is that the party starts quite late at 10:00 PM, attracting a younger crowd, typically Gen Zs. So, if you’re older and want to meet people, it’s best to arrive early. The crowd is also culturally and queerishly diverse.

The Woods is also within walking distance of Domino Park, which offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Add it to your Williamsburg itinerary during the daytime.

  • Address: 48 S 4th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
  • Hours: WEDNESDAYS around 11:00 PM

4. Grotto Sapphic Pop-Up Bar Events

This sapphic cocktail pop-up bar experience happens about every month now. It answers the growing demand for more sapphic bars in NYC.  They host a variety of uniquely curated events with dynamic performances, from Chinese New Year to Halloween witchy coven soirees. 

Grotto has also hosted lesbian cocktail bar events in Soho House, Ludlow House, Rockefeller Center’s Pebble Bar, and TALEA bar. Check out their website or Instagram to know where to find them next! Queer women, transgender, and non-binary folks are welcome! 

5. WNBA Liberty Games

Paige Bueckers! Caitlyn Clark! These girls are revolutionizing women’s basketball games through their skill, charm, and influential presence. In fact, Caitlin Clark’s debut with the Indiana Fever on Tuesday drew 2.1 million viewers on ESPN2, making it the most-watched WNBA game in history on either ESPN or ABC. There are massive shifts happening for women’s sports. But the lesbians have always had a strong presence both as players and fans of the WNBA. 

And in NYC, the Liberty Games is one of the best places to see a lot of cute and sporty lesbians of all generations in one spot! You can easily catch a game at Barclays Center, located steps from 11 different trains at Atlantic Terminal. Enjoy the games by booking your tickets here.

Fun fact: Not only is the New York Liberty a socially conscious sports league, but it also introduced the “Kissing Cam” for gay women! 

  • Address: Barclay’s Center, ​​620 Atlantic Ave. Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

6. Gotham FC Games

Just 15-ish minutes from World Trade Center via PATH train, you can catch a Gotham FC game. It’s like one big lesbian sports party from the tailgating to the actual sports match. The professional women’s soccer team Gotham FC has represented New York and New Jersey in various games. Aside from being excellent players, the team fosters a very inclusive spirit towards members of the queer community. Celebrate the power of women and inclusivity by catching their home matches at Red Bull Arena. Get your tickets here. Don’t be afraid to go alone, I met a ton of solo travelers here. Also, be sure to do the tailgating part of it which starts 1-2 hours beforehand in the parking lot between the PATH and the arena.

  • Address: Red Bull Arena, 600 Cape May St., Harrison, New Jersey

7. We Met IRL Queer Speed Dating Events

We Met IRL” hosts safe and meaningful speed dating events, singles mixers, and other social gatherings for singles aged 25 to 35. The best thing about it is that host these events with diversity in mind, and specifically for lesbians/queers. Women, enbys, and trans masc folks are welcome!

I went to one of their speed-dating events and went on a “speed date” with 15 other women/NB. They led some great icebreaker activities before and after the speed dating part, too. Afterward, a bunch of us all went for dinner and created a group chat. So if you don’t find romance here, you can at least make some new queer platonic connections!

This initiative is a great response to the need for more interactions beyond the digital realm after the isolation imposed by the pandemic. So, if you want to date queers in an inclusive and supportive environment, check out their Instagram and get updates for their next event!

II. Queer & Lesbian Community Spaces in NYC

8. Lesbian Herstory Archives

The Lesbian Herstory Archives houses the world’s largest collection of records and materials by and about the lesbian community! This includes books, magazines, journals, newspaper clippings, diaries, biographies, autobiographies, zines, and the like. Photographs, shirts, tapes, films, artifacts, and other memorabilia are preserved here, too.

You can book a visit in advance to peruse their selections (think: giant lesbian library in a brownstone house) or go to their weekly events (crafts, sales, volunteer nights, etc). This is great if you’re interested in our history, are trying to dive into the history of the lesbian community, and/or are simply curious about the diverse narratives of lesbian lives.

  • Address: 484 14th St., Park Slope, Brooklyn
  • Hours: Updated monthly. Check their calendar here.

9. Audre Lorde Center ★

The Audre Lorde Project is an organization that spearheads various programs that promote our community’s wellness and social and economic justice through education and capacity-building. For instance, this year, they hosted a free BIPOC-only event for Audre Lorde’s birthday full of freebies, goodies, workshops, music, dancing, and food.

More examples of their work include the following:

  • Safe Outside the System (SOS) Collective: An anti-violence program that challenges hate and violence through community-based strategies.
  • TransJustice: A political group that moves transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to take up space.
  • 3rd Space: A support group for individuals who are struggling with socioeconomic issues.
  • Address: Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 S Oxford St #2, Fort Greene, Brooklyn

10. New Women Space

The New Women Space community space offers workshops and events that fosters inclusivity, connection, creative expression, and economic opportunities. These range from queer speed dating, yoga, writing workshops, social media marketing classes, and documentary screenings.

They serve as a hub for empowerment, creativity, and community-building among women and marginalized genders. And it’s led by women, POC, Q/TGNC individuals, and allies!

Good if you want to learn new skills, partake in meaningful dialogue, or find community.

  • Address: 188 Woodpoint Rd., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
  • Hours: Weekdays (5 PM – 10 PM); Weekends (12 PM – 10 PM)

11. The Center 

This famous non-profit uplifts the rights of and empowers the NYC LGBTQ+ community through mental and physical health services, youth assistance, immigrant support, as well as culture and community programs! Check their events page, which includes writing circles, youth discussions, and exhibitions.

The Center is also home to a community-based archive and library for learning and development. And they feature permanent and rotating exhibits of pieces that center on the LGBTQ experience, including Keith Haring’s iconic ‘Once Upon a Time’ mural. 

Don’t miss their coffee shop and queer bookstore that doubles as a space for readings, discussions, and the like!

III. NYC Lesbian & Queer Meet-Ups

12. Crux Queer Rock Climbing (Bi-Weekly Meet-Ups) ★

In collaboration with Movement Gowanus, CRUX hosts bi-monthly rock climbing gatherings for queer femmes for only $15! All skill levels are welcome!

CRUX is a non-profit group dedicated to making rock climbing and outdoor recreation more accessible to the queer community in the metropolitan and  eastern areas of the state. 

Check out their calendar here.

13. Queer Pickleball (Weekly) ★

Hosted by lesbians and queer women, Queer Pickle Open Play (partnering with CityPickle) hosts weekly queer pickleball meet-ups every Friday evening at the Long Island City location. It costs $30 to join for two hours of open play. All levels (including brand-new beginners) are welcome. So light coaching is provided to newbies if need be. Every meet-up is followed by a local brewery hang-out where you get to connect with other queers looking to form more community. 

14. Close Friends Collective

Close Friends leads queer history walking tours through iconic neighborhoods like the Lower East Side, East Village, and Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. These tours are run by educators, historians, and artists who share the untold queer history around NYC. They often work in partnership with notable organizations like Green-Wood, Henry Street, and Bluestockings Cooperative.

Close Friends is also known for their beautifully crafted zines, which have been featured at zine fairs around the city. These blend queer art, history, and personal narratives, offering a space for queer people to engage with their heritage creatively. You’ll find their work on the shelves at queer NYC bookstores like Bluestockings.

The collective also hosts events that feel like a queer family gathering. From fall parties to love letter readings, their events are all about building community through storytelling. I loved that they use the Socratic method in tours, opening up the floor for thought-provoking conversations. Check their Instagram for updates!

15. Queer Archery Club (Bi-Monthly)

Queer Archery League NYC gives queer and transgender folks a safe space to sharpen their skills in a safe environment. Meet-ups are held twice a month at Gotham Archery’s ranges in Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can sign up here. While the league isn’t formal, they may host competitive games in the future. 

16. Queer Tennis Meet-Ups 

Queer Tennis League is a smaller group that meets maybe once a month for tennis games or tennis-related events like their Challengers movie watch party at Nite Hawk. This is great for tennis players and enthusiasts who want to connect. They don’t meet as regularly, so follow/DM them on Instagram to check in on their next event. They once held a court-side cookout after one of the games! 

17. Queer Walks & Hikes (Weekly) ★

Joining Queer Walks and Hikes will take you from New York City’s hidden gem trails to the best hikes in upstate NY. Depending on the season, they host weekly to monthly meet-ups. This is a great way to connect with like-minded people, stay active, and discover new places that may otherwise be a mystery to you! From Green-Wood Cemetery to the Hudson Valley, you might find friends who will walk with you for a long time, figuratively and literally.

18. Queer & Lesbian Bike Clubs (Weekly)

Ready your two wheels for Queer Joyride’s weekly bike rides. Tuesdays are open for social riding for all skill levels, while weekends are dedicated to the more adventurous bunch. But, if you’re non-binary and want to do rides with people who identify the same, you can also join Non-Binary Bike Club’s Wednesday rides!

19. Queer Boxing

OutBox Gym is a trans-owned gym in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), offering a safe space for queers to do boxing and other fitness training. It’s a comfortable, nice mix of queers, with the majority being lesbians and enbys/trans.

OutBox offers beginner and advanced classes, strength training, sparring, and even one-on-ones. They also have specials like Butch Monthly, designed for butch lesbians.

They also host events and collabs with local organizations. Notably, Alok Vaid-Menon, a prophetic gender non-conforming artist and activist, visited the gym and praised its inclusive atmosphere​.

20. Queer Self-Defense Gym 

Fearless Queers hosts monthly self-defense classes for queers and, sometimes, allies, emphasizing the importance of self-defense in today’s world. Given the rise in hate crimes and violence against the LGBTQ+ community, knowing how to protect oneself is crucial. The classes are donation-based, ensuring they remain accessible to everyone, regardless of financial status. Held in various locations in NYC, these sessions cover essential self-defense techniques, situational awareness, and de-escalation strategies.

21. Lavender Laughs (Lesbian Comedy Club) 

Lavender Laughs NYC is a vibrant platform that holds bi-monthly comedy shows in lesbian bars across New York City. These events cater to women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, offering a space where queer voices in comedy can thrive. The platform was established to counter the dominance of straight, white, cisgender men in the comedy industry, providing much-needed opportunities for marginalized voices.

Lavender Laughs started as a grassroots open mic in Atlanta in 2021 and quickly grew to include booked shows. In 2022, they expanded to NYC, where they now regularly host comedy shows and open mics.

22. Other Lesbian Clubs in NYC

  • Butch Monthly is a community of butch lesbians who do multiple monthly meet-ups. One of their regular events are boxing and strength training classes in Out Box. They also do fundraiser parties, karaoke nights, and beach meet-ups. They previously held a “Butch Panel” event with Lesbian Herstory Archives, where they exchanged dialogue on butch life, love, and identity. 
  • BASL Women+/WTNB Softball: This conference hosts softball games for players of all skill levels, from experienced athletes to those who have never played before. The league’s mission is to create a fun, friendly environment where everyone can enjoy the sport without the fear of discrimination. For queer women, transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals.
  • Queer Athena (sports bar) is a NYC-based LGBTQ+ community that holds multiple events and activities per month. Examples are game nights, field days, karaoke parties, picnics, movie nights, and sketch ‘n’ sip activities.
  • Queer Meetups is another queer community that hosts various events every month. Their locations range from Flatbush and beyond. Some of their previous events include dance parties, walks (along with Queer Walks & Hikes), club fairs, skate nights, queer-aoke, and bar meet-ups.
  • Death of the Party NYC holds space and events for queer folks and allies who wish to navigate and express their grief with people who identify the same.
  • Sapphest: Sapphic theatre-related events 1-3 times a year, including a lesbian play festival where you can see six 10-minute short plays in one night.

IV. Bonus: The Lesbian Bars in NYC

New York City is home to FIVE official lesbian bars, making it the city with the highest number of lesbian bars in the world! Let’s go! I have an entire guide dedicated to NYC’s 5 Official lesbian bars and 8 lesbian-leaning bars. But real quick, here they are:

Many argue that Mary’s Bar is also a lesbian bar, but it’s self-described as a “queer Irish bar” and not yet a part of The Lesbian Bar Project. There’s also Grotto (listed above), a pop-up sapphic cocktail experience that moves around NYC with a more elegant vibe.

Speaking of bars, The Stonewall Inn (birthplace of the USA gay rights movement), also hosts lesbian parties every Friday night in its upstairs lounge. Lesbo-a-Gogo is a girl dance party hosted by DJs and go-go dancers. However, due to its iconic status and tourist appeal, you may encounter many gays who are unaware of the lesbian-specific event happening upstairs. 


Did I miss a lesbian club, organization, or meet-up you want to be featured? Leave it in the comments below so I can go visit their next event!

V. More New York City Lesbian Spots

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