INTRODUCING: LGBT EVENTS IN HARLEM 2016

June is Pride month for the LGBT community and there are quite a few things to do in Harlem for those who want to celebrate.  As can be seen in the above photo of Congressman Charles Rangel at Harlem Pride from 2014,  gay culture has become more mainstream these days but there still are no gay bars centrally located in Harlem.  Gay establishments have been around in upper Manhattan since before the Renaissance years but disappeared by the time the 90s rolled around.  With that said, there is one bar on the outskirts of Morningside Heights that many uptowners head to as an option and more gay friendly alternatives are starting to appear in the northern neighborhoods.

LGBT Pride at Hogshead Tavern, every Sunday night starting at 8:00PM, Hamilton Place at 142nd Street.  Hogshead started a Pride night last year which is a pretty chill mixer with drink specials.  Apparently things are going so well that now Monday night even has a Drag Bingo theme which sound like it might be just a bit spicier than its predecessor: LINK

Suite Bar,  Amsterdam at the corner of 109th Street.  This old standby on Amsterdam has been around for well over a decade and is pretty quiet except on the weekends.  Friday and Saturday nights have a drag show at midnight which are probably one of the more fun ones to watch in the city: LINK

Peque Tapas Pride Fridays in June,  231 West 145th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.  Harlem's charming tapas bar will have drink specials every Friday in June and will donate part of the nights earnings to the Harlem Pride organization: LINK

Harlem Pride 2016 at Jackie Robinson Park.  Harlem Pride started out as a block party on 119th Street about 7 years ago and has since become a permanent annual celebration that takes place at Jackie Robinson Park.  Live performances at the bandshell, visiting politicians and vendor booths are some of the highlights of the day: LINK