Gay men's bars cover the spectrum: from relaxed, mainstream cafés to some hard-hitting clubs full of glamour and attitude. Most of the more established places are in Greenwich Village and Chelsea, and along Avenue A in the East Village. For women, Park Slope in Brooklyn edges out the East Village and Hudson Street in the West as the center of happenings. Things tend to get raunchier further west as you reach the bars and cruisers of the wild West Side Highway and the Meatpacking District, both of which are pretty hardcore.

MAINLY FOR MEN

The Bar 68 2nd Ave (at E 4th St) phone 212/674-9714.
A longstanding neighborhood hideaway with a pool table in the East Village. Fairly relaxed on weeknights, cruisier at the weekend.

Barracuda 275 W 22nd St (between 7th and 8th aves) phone 212/645-8613.
A favorite spot in New York's gay scene, and as laid-back as you'll find in Chelsea. Two-for-one happy hour from 4-9pm during the week, crazy drag shows and pick-up lines and a hideaway lounge out back.

Brandy's Piano Bar 235 E 84th St (between 2nd and 3rd aves) phone 212/744-4949.
Handsome uptown cabaret/piano bar with a crazy mixed and generally mature clientele. Definitely worth a visit.

The Cock 188 Ave A (at 12th St) phone 212/777-6724.
With amateur "talent" contests and strip karaoke to kill for, it's dirty, sleazy and a social hodgepodge - and a whole lot of fun.

The Dugout 185 Christopher St (at Weehawken St) phone 212/242-9113.
Right by the river, this friendly West Village hangout with TV, pool table and video games might be the closest you'll find to a gay sports bar.

Dusk Lounge 147 W 24th St (between 6th and 7th aves) phone 212/924-4490.
A place to chill out and unwind, this Chelsea stalwart is perfect on a weekday afternoon.

Julius 159 W 10th St (at Waverly Place) phone 212/929-9672.
As the oldest gay bar in the city, this quaint, wooden affair deserves at least one drink.

The Monster 80 Grove St (at Waverly Place) phone 212/924-3558.
Large, campy bar with drag cabaret, piano and downstairs dance floor. Very popular, especially with tourists, yet has a strong neighborhood feel.

Phoenix 447 E 13th St (between 1st Ave and Ave A) phone 212/477-9979.
This relaxed East Village favorite is much loved by the so-not-scene-they're-scene boys and guys who really just want a drink.

Rawhide 212 8th Ave (at 21st St) phone 212/242-9332.
Hell-bent for leather, Chelsea's Rough Rider Room opens at 8am for those who have beer for breakfast (and closes fairly late too).

Stonewall 53 Christopher St (between Waverly Place and 7th Ave S) phone 212/463-0950.
Yes, that Stonewall , site of the seminal 1969 riot, mostly refurbished and flying the pride flag like they own it - which, one supposes, they do.

Wonder Bar 505 E 6th St (between aves A and B) phone 212/777-9105.
Cramped, festive and lesbian-friendly, this is a truly wonderful and unpretentious find for the thinking boy. Still mainly for the men, though.

MAINLY FOR WOMEN

Ginger's 363 5th Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn phone 718/788-0924.
Relative newcomer that's dark and atmospheric, with a great happy hour.

Henrietta Hudson 438 Hudson St (between Morton and Barrow sts) phone 212/924-3347.
Laid-back in the afternoon but brimming by night, especially on weekends. Lounging, pool and dancing areas are all separated and guys are welcome too.

Julie's 204 E 58th St (between 2nd and 3rd aves) phone 212/688-1294.
Fairly sedate and couply throughout the week, except for Thurs nights when the single girls come out to play. One of your few choices around midtown or uptown.

Marie's Crisis 59 Grove St phone 212/243-9323.
Well-known cabaret/piano bar popular with tourists and locals alike. Features old-time singing sessions on Fri and Sat nights.

Meow Mix 269 E Houston St (at Suffolk St) phone 212/254-0688.
One of the city's hottest girl venues. Bands or performances most nights, for which men are welcome if they behave themselves.

The Rising 186 5th Ave (at Sackett St), Park Slope, Brooklyn phone 718/789-6340.
A relaxed neighborhood favorite, this laid-back brunch spot has live music on Wed, Fri and Sun and a DJ on Sat nights.

Rubyfruit Bar & Grill 531 Hudson St (at 10th St) phone 212/929-3343.
A cozy, friendly place for grown-up dykes, Rubyfruit is all about couches, cheap drinks and good company.