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Rawhide
Categories: Restaurants Nightlife Bars Gay Bars Restaurants, Gay Bars [Edit]
212 8th Ave(between 20th St & 21st St)
New York, NY 10011
Neighborhood: Chelsea
(212) 242-9332
- Nearest Transit:
-
23 St (A, C, E)
23 St (1, 2)
18 St (1, 2)
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Rawhide
Review Highlights
"...people watch and the two 30's go-go men they had were hot."
(in 4 reviews)
"Bartenders have always been very nice."
(in 3 reviews)
"...than desirable, but that's what makes this place so cool."
(in 3 reviews)
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Shane P.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2011
This place is BUSTED...but in a good way!
Coming from SF, my man and one other friend were tired of the queens we had been seeing in Hells Kitchen/Flatiron. After a quick beginning at Stonewall, we headed to the Rawhide and were pleasantly surprised when we walk in the door. This place has the distinction of the old Detour in SF. Dark, Tom of Finland pictures everywhere, and just your average t-shirt and jeans gay.
The bartender was quick and had no attitude, and the go-go boys...well, they're just trying to make their money. Thrusting their groins in our faces a couple times here and there wasn't going to make me bust out a George, but it was great entertainment to see who would.
I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Ryan D.
12/6/2011
Here's another blast from the past.
The best thing about this bar is that, after getting past the doorman, you can go to the back and use the bathroom without really getting shamed for not buying a drink. And before you get all judgmental, YES I'VE DONE IT! The only other bar you can really do this in is 9th Avenue Saloon, and my plan only really works if 9th Ave is crowded. This place is so dark inside you can go in, do you business, and make a clean getaway.
But oh! You wanted to talk about THE BAR. Okay, well then... let's. First, they had an ad forever on the outside about a harness night I never went to. I'm sure that was a good time. Tuesdays I believe. But I also don't think they do it anymore, based on the sole fact that the sign is no longer up and outside. They have a pool table inside, too (if I'm not mistaken, been awhile...) which is hard to play on when the bar gets crowded.
I've said crowded more than once because it does get that way, at least when I've been there. The sleazy vibe they try to promote isn't really present. It becomes a weird cross between Boiler Room and the Eagle, without really having the benefits of either. The crowd is also definitely older, which is not necessarily a bad thing, and may even be welcome over the youth-obsessed pretty twink boy establishments of Chelsea.
Recommended, but... I like a lot of other places better. But that's just me. -
Review from Samuel M.
New York, NY
9/30/2011
This is a funny place. It can't get more real and yuck than that. I wanted a vodka tonic and i was walking and walking, from east 60's till west 20's, so this bar was the only gay bar around. I got in. There were 20 persons, 16 old fat guys. Even the bartender was outside the place. I just wanted a vodka. This place was so raunchy, so truck driver, that i loved it!
I hope to never ever in my life be inside that pace, but for the 15 minutes i was insiede, i drank a vodka the fastest i could. It was hilarious. So fun to hear Bon Jovi... This is a trashy place, for real. In 2011 to go to a bar like that and have a drink should be considered a one of a kind experience.
I felt like a old gay truck driver who stops in the middle of nowhere to put some alcohol in his veins and keep on the road.
The Galaga and Mrs Pac Man machines gave the best retro look. It can be the worst bar in the world, a shame, but also a place were you hide from the world a few minutes, were nothing matters but drink something. I woud never talk or interact with anybody there. -
Review from Suresh D.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 3/18/2011 1 photo
Came here around 5:30 Pm last night. All the irish places from 36 St and further downtown were packed so I skipped them and headed here. I wanted someplace that would be cheap and that I don't usually frequent. When I passed this place I figured why not. I ordered a a pint of Bass. When I finished that one the batender asked if I wanted another, I said sure.
Being St. Patrick's Day I figured might as well have some Irish whiskey. I ordered a Jameson on the rocks I thought about Johnnie Walker but I believe that's Scottish and not Irish.
I was about to leave after the Jameson but decided on on one last one. I got a buyback which is alwatys nice, especially for a non-regular.
The place had a few people in it but definitely not crowded,
The drink prices are pretty good even the Jameson.
One thing i did not see was how to lock the bathroom door. So I had to place the garbage can by the door so it would sta closed in case someone could open it from the outside.Listed in: New York gay and lesbian bars
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/26/2010
First time here yesterday.
Came here to end the early night with a friend. I did not want to hang… Read more »
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Review from Steve L.
Brooklyn, NY
10/22/2011
I really liked this bar for the most part but unfortunately I will most likely never return. Decent drinks, one super hot bartender with a shit attitude, two not so hot bartenders. Average gogo dancer. Ok crowd, not amazing but nothing to complain about.
The thing that really pissed me off was the fact that the bouncer walks around the bar to check on who is not drinking and kicks them out. I was told to leave the bar twice, while I was watching and trying to take care of my drunk friend, because I didn't have a drink in my hand. I'm sorry that I'm not an alcoholic and I've already had three drinks from your bar and do not feel like drinking at the moment but you feel the need to tell me to buy a drink or leave. Twice. Don't you worry you will never see my fucking money again. -
Review from George M.
San Diego, CA
7/12/2011
If I lived in NY I would go there all the time. Like a great neighborhood bar that just happens to have some really hot stripper...I mean, dancers. I stopped in to check it out on the way to the Eagle but ended up staying for over an hour and coming back after the Eagle. The drinks were inexpensive and they did not skimp on the alcohol. One of my favorite bars in NY.
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Review from diego i.
New York, NY
8/21/2010
Ok, stay with me on this one. I want to like this place so badly. I dont dislike it, but I want to like it more than I do. If all real estate is "location, location, location" then the Rawhide wins, hands down. But a good gay bar needs more.
It is in the "leather bar" family but all types are welcome. No, it is not the largest space, no where near as large as one floor of the Eagle, but the intimacy can make it feel more attractive and welcoming as well as force shy guys to talk to strangers.
The issue, as with most venues is the clientele. They are an older bunch that may not be the cup of tea for everyone. I would love to see more younger guys hit the spot, not because I want them to take over, but diversity in age, as well as race, makes for a successful bar and enjoyable night for patrons. The Rawhide draws more of an over 45 crowd, from my experiences, from every race, body type and background under the sun. These are nice guys that are friendly but not "grabby".
I have been to the Rawhide many times over the last 5 years and have never experienced anything negative from the staff or patrons. Yes, you will be carded, but that is anywhere in NYC now, get over it! The bartenders have always been kind and attentive to me and my friends and I have never seen them hit anyone or break any laws.
I gave the Rawhide 3 stars because;
1) The crowd needs younger guys and hotter daddies!
2) It can be very crowded....then at times, very empty within moments.
3)They need hotter go-go men, if they must have them. ( I dont think they do)
4) The mixed drinks are wicked strong. (good or bad, depending on your time in AA)
5) It could be sleazier. The bathrooms are not the cleanest but I want sex and madness from a leather bar, not Mr. Clean and roses. Its not my Mom's house...its a bar!
6) Maybe better promotions or parties could help. I want this place to do well, I really do! So many bars are filled with nasty people, this is not one of them. Take a chance, have a stiff drink and let an older guy tell you how sexy you are. -
Review from Robert P.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2007
Coolest. Bar. Ever.
OK, well maybe not EVER, but it was my favorite part of Chelsea. This place is dark, it smells, it's dirty and the bar patrons are less than desirable, but that's what makes this place so cool. The bartender kept giving me free shots and even gave me money for the jukebox. Sure, the fact that I'm only 25 might have played a role in all the attention I got, but hey, I'm not complaining!
This is the perfect place to take your boyfriend who you wouldn't want to take home to Mom.
With that being said: Don't take your Mom. -
Review from Christopher M.
New York, NY
10/7/2010
I've been in here twice and never been served.
I went both times with a friend. Each time we stood by the bar and tried to flag down the bartender. We get the "be with you in a sec!" finger but never drinks!
I don't understand it. I fit the image of the clientele (and am usually eaten alive by the eyes of multiple patrons). You'd think you'd want to keep such a person in your establishment. So why can't I get service???
I was going to give a 1-star review. But something tells me that, if I could get service, I'd really enjoy it here. So I'll be more than fair and see if I can get a regular to break me in some time. Just know that you have one more strike before I right you off for good, Rawhide! -
Review from Otto M.
Jersey City, NJ
12/6/2008
I used to work at A Different Light bookstore in Chelsea and Rawhide was our after work, get hammered, do coke until dawn, spot. We thought it was so cool that you could grind yr stash on the counter and ask the bartender for a swizzle straw before disappearing into the bathroom. But back then NYC had good blow.
Now we're all sober, NYC has bad blow and Rawhide has slid to even lower depths. The go-go 'boys' are a mess. The staff is weary and sick of you before you order your first drink. The door guy is an a-hole. The bathrooms always stink: either piss or ammonia. And the patrons appear to have escaped from a lost gay Eugene O'Neill play about the perils of rough trade.
This spot should be on an Alcoholics Anonymous walking tour.
Music? DJ/Live/Juke box? I have no idea. Whatever music is played works like the score of a bad porno. it just gives the dancing whore something to passively grind to. -
Review from Jeff P.
Oakland, CA
12/3/2008
Really two stars but add one for the shear entertainment value of it all !!!
I lived in Chelsea for more than 9 years. As Rawhide is on Eighth Avenue, I walked passed it nearly every day. I was terrified of it . . . lots of unsavory people stumbling in and out . . . it was only closed from 4-6am . . . they had a vent that spouted severe cigarette smoke onto the sidewalk.
Then, one night, I was out with some people from work and got hammered. As I drunkenly ambled down Eighth, I thought to myself "WTF! I'm going in." I got a beer and was immediately approached by some guy who after a bit of flattery asked me to help him buy an Amtrak ticket. Say what? I gulped down the beer and left.
Fast forward 6 or 7 years to last week. I'm back in NY for Thanksgiving and hanging out with a couple of friends and we have 20 minutes to kill before I need to catch my train for LI. They insist on going here having never been inside themselves. I tried to dissuade them but lost.
So, in we go. They had fake cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. I assume they were left over from Halloween. (I hope it was this one). We ordered some drinks. They had some go-go boys dancing. Rather, they were go-go men. Their boyhood had ended long ago and, from the looks of things, so had their gym memberships! One looked as if he had never exercised in his life as he hopped about in his mesh briefs. The crowning moment was when he whacked his dick against from friend's hand. Just tragic. Tragic, but amusingly entertaining however unintentional. -
Review from Sean O.
Los Angeles, CA
12/10/2007 1 photo
Rawhide is my favourite bar in NYC.
It is dark, dirty and the go-go dancers really go the extra mile for that dollar bill.
The bar staff have always been super friendly to me but you don't really want to strike up too many conversations with the regulars. Especially if you are getting more attention from a go-go than the old-timer who just slipped him a twenty. There are some mean and scary queens in this place... really just adds to the charm.Listed in: Chubby gay man dancing
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Review from Henry Y.
Union City, CA
6/25/2010
you know... it's the only damn club i can find in NYC that randomly plays Electronica music (trance/techno/etc)...
unce unce unce.
ALSO cheap drinks... cheaper than most bars that have "drink specials"
and hot sexy leather daddys!
there's a bartender from new Zealand that is hilarious... i didn't catch his name but he's the best! -
Review from Douglas Q.
New York, NY
1/31/2010
Rawhide is skanky and smelly. Some of the go-go dancers are repulsive, and a high percentage of the patrons are career trolls. The drinks are fine. If you died in the corner no one would notice until closing.
The bartenders are usually quite friendly, and the same for the guy who works the door.
To sum it up- Rawhide is pretty much perfect. I wouldn't change a thing. If you're across the street at Gym Bar (ugh, ugh, ugh) I'll wait for you at Rawhide. -
Review from Shelley H.
Los Angeles, CA
4/23/2007
Despite my self-proclaimed "faghagness", I was always intimidated by Rawhide and never had the nerve to walk in. Maybe b/c it seemed so closed off with no windows and burly bouncers outside. Maybe because the name "Rawhide" conjured up images of leather straps and barbed wire being used in creative and somewhat uncomfortable ways. I've been to most of the Chelsea joints, but this was my last holdout.
I told my gay bf that I was scared of this place as we strolled up 8th Ave on a Saturday night. He said that there's nothing to be afraid of and led me right in. The bouncer assured me there's nothing to be scared of as he stamped my wrist with the "Rawhide" stamp.
Walking in, it was very dark. Felt like a gay version of a Cheers type neighborhood bar. It was really humid inside. Not your typical swanky gay bar like the rest of the strip. I saw only one other woman inside and the males looked at me leerily, but in a non-threatening way. I wish I saw one of my coworkers there. That would have been cool.
As I walked out, my friend asked what I thought of the place. I told him I saw only one other woman in there. He said "That wasn't a woman Shelley."
I love surprises :) -
Review from Jay S.
New York, NY
6/27/2010
This bar is disgusting. Was hoping it was a place with hot leather guys (like the posters outside) but it was actually full of old, fat men. Add apathetic, unattractive bartenders to the mix along with the urine smell and you have an idea what it's like. An embarrassment to the Gay Community.
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Review from Irene F.
4/20/2010
Wow. Woaaahhhhhh wow. Um. Hi there. Yeah, umm...hm. Where do I even begin? We walked in to find a man in underwear smaller than some I own (and I own some small underwear, just sayin) doing handstand push ups. I was handed a drink that was essentially straight up vodka (you need it in this place) and watched guys fondle the hot Israeli dancer who made his way down the bar. Five stars for the experience (and the story I will not tell my kids until they are over 18) and one star off for being afraid to use the bathroom.
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Review from Billy A.
3/23/2007
For a leather/Levi/cruise bar, the self-described "oldest gay bar in Chelsea," they sure take a dim view of oral sex in the bar. Sheesh.
Listed in: Places To Go Out, Funny, The Gayborhood
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Review from Eric P.
Lawndale, CA
7/5/2010
So after I went and saw the fireworks in Chelsea, I walked over to Rawhide. It was not what I expected at all. First of all, it was incredibly tiny. It was dark, which wasn't a big deal, but the people inside were not fun. Both bartenders seemed to not be in too much of a rush to service me, then when they did, they were short and unpleasant. That type of bartender behavior is great when they are SLAMMED, but they were not. They seemed to be able to easily handle the volume of people. I guess I was expecting the clientele to be more muscular, hairy, cub and bear types. Nope. A lot of them were way beyond 60! And the vibe inside was just off. Add to that a "go-go dancer" who looked like, and danced like, he would rather be anywhere else in the world than in that bar. All in all, a place I will not likely go to again, which sucks because a pint there is just 4 bucks.
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Review from K M.
New York, NY
9/26/2010
I've been here a few times and have typically had an ok time. The dancers are good and the door man isn't bad. The bartenders are such a toss-up. I went one night an there were two very nice men behind the bar. Last night there was a total jerk that refused to serve me water (even though I had bought a drink for my friend). The guys that go here tend to be mostly regulars.
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Review from Robert P.
Jobstown, NJ
1/19/2009
This was my second visit to a Manhattan gay bar in 11 years (Monster, 1997). I was visiting a friend in New York for a day on the town and to finish off the evening I wanted see the night life of this city that never sleeps. After dinner we began our bar crawl and Rawhide was our third and final stop. I was so disappointed. Filthy dirty and the restroom smelled like it had never been cleaned. The place wasn't crowded so I didn't understand why it took so long to draw me my flat beer. They had a chubby dancer working the room and nobody was paying attention. How depressing. I used to think the Bike Stop in Philly should be torn down but this place takes the prize. For you New Yorkers trying to impress us out of towners find something better for our first time.
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Review from Kelvin C.
New York, NY
7/5/2010
the clientele and gogo dancers may not have universal appeal, but if you're focused on getting a stiff drink in an atmosphere sans pretense, this is your spot.
fed up with $15 martinis, i veered towards the other end of the spectrum and parked my wreck here. here was a low-key bar where the bartenders were generous and other drinkers respected your space.
according to the bathroom, sanitation isn't a priority, but there's usually a trough full of ice water for pooches. who could say no to pups and galvanized steel? -
Review from Brandon B.
Chicago, IL
10/18/2008
The doorman is friendly I agree! And lived in chicago....one of the first times that I ever struck up a conversation with the doorman for 5 minutes before entering the bar. Smallish but really has the feel of an "old time" bar with a darker decor, pool table, campy/metallic wall hangings, and a go-go booth that looks like it was built one weekend with plywood. Once again those boys on the bars, sitting there enjoying a beer and some burly dude with an overstuffed jock suddenly crawled over my drink. Yikes. Nicer people in the place but didn't stay too long.
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Review from Ben W.
Long Beach, CA
10/18/2007
How can you go here and not have fun? The place is tiny. Always a great crowd to people watch and the two 30's go-go men they had were hot...and the one was HUNG! So, I was meeting some friends there and we ordered drinks. Drinks are always strong. As we people and go-go man watched it was fun to chat with the random crowd. The only downside was the older man who had 26 too many drinks and lost it between his friend's legs at the bar. Thank gawd they cleaned it up quickly. I like dive type places and this is a fun one. Bartenders have always been very nice.
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Review from Mike W.
New York, NY
9/9/2007
The humble Midwesterner in me typically tends to circumscribe any identification with the whole bitchy, too-cool-for-school thing. (Especially since my perfect attendance record at Monster, among other things, belies any attempt toward such a goal.) Regardless, this place is unabashedly Etch-A-Sketchy. My friends and I went in for the cheap drink specials, which, by all means, delivered in potency and price. But other than that? We clearly did not belong there. The bartender barely maintained civility and even quizzed me on the details of my ID, which I guess was a fun throwback to when I was seventeen and actually underage. Except not fun at all. Unless you're looking for darkened anonymity or older, lurky men (not that there's anything wrong with that), stay away. Blarg.
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Review from Eric R.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 7/28/2008
ps. Cliff (doorman) you are one of the sweetest people in the entire city,
1 Previous Review:
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4/14/2008
Go- go men. Orlando behind the bar. Good drinks, Its enough, salute Rawhide!
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Review from Yan C.
Brooklyn, NY
4/21/2010
I agree this place is pretty seedy, but doesn't NYC have to keep some of that? It's pretty dark inside and the average patron is on the more mature side. On the plus though, I did walk in here one night and get lots of free drinks without having to do anything unsavory (or anything at all rather). I just sat next to a nice gentleman who wanted to have a nice conversation. Unfortunately, after several jaegermeisters (not my choice of booze, but it was free...) I drunk texted someone I shouldn't have... but whatever. I still think this is an okay place as long as you're not scared of the dark , older gentleman lurking in the corners or skanky (yet acrobatic) go-go dancers. Plus, they have a Sopranos pinball machine (cool).
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Review from Phil M.
Oakland, CA
7/18/2009
Fun place to visit!
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Review from Mike P.
Plainfield, NJ
12/15/2010
OK, so it is the oldest gay bar in Chelsea. That doesn't mean you are going to find some hip, prada wearin queens in here (although you might). It's just a low key dark dive for all types of people to hang out. Don't expect more than that. Great service, friendly bartenders, strong drinks and cheap (for that neighborhood). We get together with a group of friends on a Saturday every now and then to go out for a nice dinner. We meet at the Rawhide for drinks beforehand. They always remember us and call us by name. And, by the way, tip nicely and you might get a few on the house ;) They have a pinball machine, a megatouch game and a pool table, so it can be fun to drink and play games with friends. It is a small place and a little musty sometimes, but you don't have to go there for the atmosphere. Just go there with good company and you will have a good time. If you go there alone you're probably only there to pick someone up, but don't be too picky ;)
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Review from Lance S.
New York, NY
8/26/2009
I love this place!!
XOXO
Nando -
Review from Phillip L.
Brooklyn, NY
9/9/2007
I'm sorry, I think that Mike W and our girl companion are just a bit too much of scardey-cats. Given, you enter Rawhide through a leather curtain, where anything might pop out once you emerge on the other side, but it wasn't THAT scary. True, I was attracted by the cheap cheap drink specials, but as Mike mentioned, the bartender was not too pleased with my inability to hear his request for my ID. I just think it's funny when girl companion shudders at the go-go boy dancers being groped by old men at the bar and Mike emerges from the bathroom shaking due to some choice sounds he heard from the next door bathroom. Despite the "One patron at a time" sign on the bathroom doors, there is no way to lock them and it's obvious you're not expected to follow that rule. I didn't really see any semblance of leather at this place, but alas, I guess I won't be returning, despite those damn cheap drinks. Monster again it is.
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Review from Jerome Espinosa B.
Staten Island, NY
5/16/2009
visit this place when you don't mind smelling something like chlorox while inside. enjoy the go-go dancers, who are almost always some of the most masculine looking fellows you'd see dancing. it's great place to visit if you're turned on by something leather as a gear, an outfit, or as a personal statement to feel sexy and attractive. i don't really get to see many asians coming here, or maybe because i happen to be here at the wrong time. anyway, it's always worth the visit.
