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Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhoods: Theater District, Hell's Kitchen50th St-8th Ave (C, E)
50th St-Broadway (1)
7th Ave-53rd St (B, D, E)
Mon-Tue., Thu-Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.
"If I could have clicked my ruby slippers and be transported back to SF w POSH I would have done it! POSH was hands down the best bar in NYC!…" read more »
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I went to Vlada tonight and had a really good time with one of my friends. I met a few very special characters who made my night exciting.
Pros :
-the infused vodka.
-fairly priced drinks.
-great table service.
-fun music mixs.
-polite bartenders.
Cons:
-everyone stays in their own cliques for the most part.
I spent most of my Halloween '09 at this bar, and I blame that mostly on Mother Nature (damn spooky rain!) and the fact that they had an open bar. I will say that the dude who told us about the open bar was a little turd head, so be prepared to experience that because I bet he's the type of gay that works there every night passing judgment on others. And he shouldn't. Cuz he was busted.
There was a very pretty boy working behind the bar dressed up as St. Sebastian (thanks Scott B. - I never would have figured that out, I just thought he was a body glitter hooker), and throughout the night, there were marginally attractive people here. They closed up the upstairs for a private party... on HALLOWEEN of all nights. Why? I don't know, but that doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I've been here before... I think multiple times, but the longest I spent there was for one of the last HX mixers ever. It's usually pretty cheap to get drunk and with re: open bar, the booze can help take away the fact that this place isn't very spacious. And it's not very cozy, either. It's just cramped. Also through in the fact that it's not really near ANYTHING else and it's above 42nd St, and you have a bar I get to maybe once every year.
Don't let all the negatives through this place out for you, though. This is still better than anything in New Hampshire or in Boston I came across. It just doesn't have the decadent charm of Splash or the I-don't-give-a-crap feel of Nowhere, and the dirtyness of the Hose. There's nothing that sets this place apart in my mind. I told my friend Jen (who was with us) that the bar was pretty... but I must have been drunk when I had that thought because it was nothing special. That's how I feel about Vlada; not special, just okay.
This place is like a Chameleon: it can look totally diff'rent depending on its needs, and there are tons of shifty eyes looking in all directions here.
Without getting too heavy, let's just make a list of good and bad - in no particular order:
a NIGHTMARE on weekend nights: be ready to be squeezed, poked, pushed, and screamed at (and none of these in the fun way). There are enough stupid shirts with skulls and neo-gothic design on them to fill a Tim Burton costume warehouse. Really poorly designed for high traffic. and nearly impossible to get to the bar downstairs.
Infused vodka: Yes, please. Try the bell pepper vodka in a bloody mary on a Sunday after work. You will be happy. And probably tipsy in half an hour. GREAT place to go late afternoon or early evening. Relaxed, inviting, and cheap drinkies.
Upstairs? A mess. I think they still don't get that nobody really ever wants to sit on those wall couches and watch an-over-size TV that's too close. It's kind of awkward.
Drag shows! They are fun, and the small space upstairs seems to be a nice fit for them - the space is a lot like Barracuda, only you'd rather be here than there.
This was and is my favorite "almost night" spot in the city. You have to know when to go there, though, to avoid the gay clones that over-run the city on the weekend nights
Good music, strong drinks, and alot of boys styling and profiling. Stopped in for a spell with two girlfriends and my gay boyfriend. We got eyeballed a bit when we first walked in. But that didn't bother me, REAL DIVA COMING THROUGH! We went on a Saturday night and the place was packed. I didn't see alot of dancing going on, but there was a good mix of club/r&b music playing. My gay boyfriend thought the selection of men were "corny". But I guess you can judge that for yourself.
Last time I was in New York I came here because my friends raved about this place. And by friends I mean 2 people.
Loved that the place was popping on a Saturday night but wasn't ridiculously full. And there wasn't a cover either. That was pretty shocking.
Came in and immediately ordered drinks. The bartender (OMG SO HOT I THINK I JUST PEED A LITTLE OMG) bought one of our drinks. I love this place.
When my friend ordered the next round, he actually bought the entire round. LOVE.
The music here was really good too. Taylor Swift remix! I died. I was here on the day when Bea Arthur died and somehow they played a "Thank you for Being a Friend" remix. I think it was a remix anyways. Whatever it was, it was fucking fabulous.
So yes, hot bartenders, hot music and strong drinks make Vlada a must check out in my book. Hoping to come back soon and live it up again.
I don't go to Vlada, even though I can swing free drinks, which is as telling as any review I could write. Like most bars, if you go on the right night with the right people you can have fun, but if the magic isn't there Vlada is not going to add any for you. Also, I think most of their "infused vodka" is made with the addition of cheap sugar syrups... which explains the hangover.
A few friends work here, and I love Sunday night karaoke. :) Starting at 10pm it's usually far from… Read more »
This place has the infrastructure for a great time...awesome music (Gaga-galore), great space, and yummy drinks.
But the clientele....two words: ice queens. The boys were hot and well-dressed, but clung to their cliques. It's very see, be seen, roll eyes, deliver up-down glare type crew. Too bad.
Visiting NYC on business, I decided to ditch the corporate white collars and make my escape at a GAY BAR, GAY BAR, GAY BAR.
I really enjoyed the casual lounge atmosphere of Vlada and the ice bar that kept my delicious flavor infused vodka beverages nice and cold for the sippage.
The barkeep was fast, friendly, and cute - awesome. The crowd was chatty with me - am I cute? Is there spinach in my teeth? Oh wait, I'm just not used to gays talking to each other...WE'RE NOT IN BOSTON ANYMORE.
Since I had fun on my weeknight visit to Vlada, I would definitely make my way back the next time I'm in NYC to check out the weekend scene. And the boyzzzzzzzz, natch.
I like Vlada a lot, yet I don't go out of my way to get there.
But one cold winter night I decided to meet a friend for a happy hour and it was the best bar we went to out of a total of three. So sometimes it is worth the trek.
I'm a fan of the flavor-infused vodka, but sometimes I think I'm a bigger fan of the IDEA than the execution. Someone else said this, but I think they could be a little more creative with their inventions. On the plus side, their glasses are small but they pack a lot of liquor in. After two you're already feeling it.
If it's not happy hour and I'm in the mood for more, their martinis are excellent. Again, on the strong side, but I'd rather have a sour face for a few seconds than an empty wallet because I need to buy more.
I feel like the seating situation is always a mess. Rarely have I been able to get a coveted seat other than the benches with the table near the door (which is terrible in winter). The upstairs never seems open! In fact, I've only been up there once and that's because my friends and I sneaked into a private party that was taking place.
Kudos to the bartenders, who have always been jovial and talkative. Once I watched a standard bar inspection and the bartender had a good laugh over it. Oh, V.
The problem with NYC queer bars is that they're all just okay... I know this sounds harsh but let's be honest: you can spin gay house music and dim the lights, but you're still the same place. Of course, I am from the L.A. area so perhaps I have a bias (believe me: I am not a huge fan of L.A. but they have the variety). Vlada Lounge has some cool aspects (the curved wood walls, the frozen snow-like strip on the bar) but it still remains a bar like any other. Posh, Barrage, the Ritz... Add 'em to the list.
This place had the best DJ -- a woman by the name of Brenda Black, I believe -- that spun decent house music. My qualms? Why bother having a DJ when she is upstairs where no one can see her? I understand that it was dead (and when I say dead, I mean there were five other people there)... But fuck, can ya bring a sister downstairs so we can see her skills? She was the lone highlight of your establishment: show her off.
I forgot how much the drinks were since I never pay attention in NY 'cause they're all overpriced. Nonetheless, despite how pejorative this may all sound, check it out. The place is sleek -- as I said, the decor is awesome -- and it looks like it has major potential to be all out fun.
I'm not sure what to think about this place. I like it, but it wasn't absolutely amazing by any means. The crowd was younger, which was nice, but the space is a little cramped. The bar is cool with its ice counter, but it doesn't really make a lot of sense to have it, other than the "coolness" factor.
I really would give this place 3.5 stars, but since I can't, I don't want to skew my review by giving them 4.
The drinks in-and-of-themselves were nice and strong, and not terribly over-priced. I did find it strange that a kamikaze on the rocks drink was $8, yet a Capt Morgan rum and coke was $9. ^.~ Anyways, this is certainly a nice lounge to go to, but I think there could be a better one somewhere.
Vlada is a fun place for a low-key night. There is no cover and the drinks are moderately priced. There is plenty of seating, including a lot of leather couches and stools. The music wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but at least it wasn't so loud that you had to scream when you wanted to have a conversation. I would definitely come back here.
Vlada has a great happy hour with half-off drinks and plenty of space to bring your friends after work.
Last time I went, my buddy and I got toasted by around 7, went to Therapy, ate something somewhere and came back around 10pm, and things looked much different.
There were wall-to-wall people, and everyone really gave off the impression that they didn't want to be bothered. Basically- I agree with Nicole R.'s review when she talks about the cliquey ice queens.
Verdict: great happy hour, fun atmosphere- but it's BYOF(riends).
I have never come here and 1. left sober or 2. remembered anything that happened during my time in the bar.
I think that is proof that this is a great establishment.
Try the cranberry infused vodka and dance on a table. (Ok, don't do the latter. I'm pretty sure I assaulted some type of furniture during a recent visit. Surprisingly, I'm still allowed to hang out here.)
The vodka is potent, the boys are pretty and the atmosphere allows you to turn any corner of the bar into a dance party.
Came here with a friend, and it was nothing more than mediocre. A little too seen-and-be-seen and nobody seemed to want to mingle much. What's the point of going out if you're just gonna sit alone by yourself?
Would not go back.
GREAT bar, great energy. When you walk in it is crowded enough to make it near impossible to get a drink(so I tasked that with the cutie I had met who decided to bring me here). Upstairs was less crowded and the music was fun. The Dj who was spinning kept making fun of Madonna but kept spinning her records.. I was happy :)
Vlada will always be for me, where I sealed the deal with a kiss with the smokin' hot hottie with the rad Ian Somerhalder eyes whose name escapes me.
I'm a sucker for really good music. Just ask anyone who has access to my iTunes. You would find that I have really amazing playlists that can make you really happy, really sad or really really freaky (srsly).
So when I find a bar that hits my spot for amazing music I immediately fall in love... that is until they seriously F up and start playing something ridiculous like Journey (ugh) - the DJ at Vlada didn't do this. YAY!
In the hour or so I spent there, I talked to some incredibly attractive people, drank some ridiculously strong drinks (so I could be wrong about talking to really attractive people) and bobbed my head to some of the best songs DJ didn't-know-his-name could offer.
As I am an out-of-towner myself I didn't know who was local and who was not but it didn't matter to me... Oh and the woman bouncer. WHOA, INTENSE. Let's just say, don't put your feet on the furniture, she will practically cuss you out and make you feel like a horrible person.
ps. There's nothing wrong with Journey, I just don't want to hear it at a bar. Also, I was here on a Sat Night. ...I have no idea what you're in for if you come here on any other night, xo!
Vlada is a total nightmare on weekends. As soon as you walk-in, there's a bottleneck between the bar and the seating along the wall, making it nigh impossible to shove your way back and upstairs, where it's also too narrow to be comfortable.
But weekday happy hour is a totally different story. Not only is it infinitely less crowded, but their array of delicious infused vodkas are like $4 or something ridiculously cheap. And unlike weekends, you can actually hear your friends talk! I'm also fond of the layer of ice that covers the bar. Reminds me of this hideous bar in Atlantic City, but like good nostalgia. Only problem: Who thought horseradish vodka was a good idea?
They have a great performer on Tuesday nights called Wendy Ho. This self acclaimed white trash ghetto girl from the trailer parks of Kansas City will have you in tears. If she were there more often I would give Vlada an extra star.
Their handsome selection of flavor infused vodkas satisfies but it doesn't make up for the stand off-ish crowd. Everyone looks the same - V-necks central. Meh. I've experience better.
UPDATE: As I wrote this review I got a text from a friend, "Hey I'm at Vlada, Donde estas?" I'm heading out in my grungie half pajama/hipster get up. I like to dress down to add some contrast to the clean cut v-necks.
Vlada is two floors of inebriated fun. It's so much fun that when I was there, they actually had the stairs to the second floor roped off. It was actually funny, people lining up by the velvet rope, just to go upstairs.
But oh lordy, I guess they know what they're doing. The second floor is more fun than the first. Great DJ who was spinning lots of Madonna, who in my eyes can do no wrong, and some weird but cool graphics on the back wall. Thank god there's a bar on the second floor, because in my drunken state I was having a hard time walking down the stairs to the downstairs bar.
Those damn vodka shots will do it to me every time.
This is a great spot for a good looking crowd. The music is hip and dancey, drinks are cheap (a round for five people for $28?? Seems too good to be true!), and the boys are fun.
The downstairs bar has an ice bar where you can rest your drink so it doesn't start to sweat and melt. It's a pretty neat concept but given how crowded it always gets, there's a good chance you may not even want to stay by the bar.
The upstairs has a bit more dancing going on than the downstairs but the bar is always mobbed with men. There is always a bit more air/space in the area by the windows, if you can fight your way over there :)
Fun place to start off the night, or to end up as well. People definitely come in waves here so if it happens to be a bit empty, just wait a little bit and it will definitely fill up quickly.
I rarely give 5s but this one was really close. This is my type of gay bar, a little dramatic but also incredibly chill. The whole place was basically groups of guys hanging out, not so much pressure but also there were a lot of good looking people.
During my time there some guys got on the mini-stage upstairs and were dancing in unison to beyonce and such...really hilarious and really good. The bar downstairs is cool because it has ice but watch out your drink might move and you might freak out like i did!
Minor complaint: music was really touch and go. Top 40 pop but then there was some salsa (which was appreciated) but it was followed by 4 maroon 5 songs and a couple coldplay songs...in a row. I think they need a new dj.
Oh my Vlada i wish I remembered more of you. By the time I'd gotten here that depressing snowing Sunday night in March I'd already had two cocktails with dinner at Nooch, like 3 solo cup sized vodka cranberries in the hotel room, and a cocktail and shot at Posh and all that sitting on some light ass asian food I was SO done for. I just remember it wasn't crowded at all. Again where does NYC gay ppls partty on Sunday night please enlighten me, and the drinks in this place, unlike posh, were very expensive. I think the music was okay and thye have comfy couches here. Oh and I busted my ass on the sidewalk getting into the cab leaving this placed needless to say crazy night just wish the bars would have been more fun.
I went here with my ex-boyfriend last summer (his brother is a bartender there) and we had a lot of fun :) The atmosphere was great, and the infused vodka was delicious. The music was a lot of popular songs remixed to techno...it was SICK.
Ultra Mod, Ultra Sexy, Ultra Moist.
Everyone in this place was having a great time.
The bartenders were fun and cute.
The vibe was less pretentious than most NY bars I'd been to
The DJ was hilarious...he was definitely egging on the sexiness of the place.
Vlada will most definitely be on the list of musts next time around!
Somehow after living in New York for 9 years, I've become very well versed in gay bars. Some past highlights:
-A drag queen announcing on the microphone that I lost my karaoke virginity. (Suite)
-Having a gay pal point and me and yell "maybe this is why you're still single!" as I dirty danced with my gay boyfriend. (Therapy)
-Going to a "No Lights, No Limits" party. Don't ask. (The Cock)
-Watching in fascination as two guys got it onnnn in the most dirty fashion. I am not easily shocked but this was dirty! (HK)
So it should come as no surprise that I was officially promoted to Flame Dame at Vlada last night. On behalf of all flame dames out there, I wholeheartedly accept this title. What can I say, I love me some gays!
ps: the cherry infused vodka at Vlada is amazing.
NY Yelper: Do you mind if we go to a gay bar?
Keane: I AM from San Francisco...
NY Yelper: *nods*
Vlada Lounge forever redefines what a "hip" bar should be. They prominently feature a varied selection of infused vodkas from citrus to gourd. Parallel rows of blue lights run cross-counter, outlining frosted ice within. I don't care how old you are; the ice will call to you, and it will somehow find its way into another person's nether-regions.
I tried a Yelper's horseradish vodka martini, and it was disgusting. It tasted as if it needed a sausage stirring stick...
A wiener in my drink?
Not what I want in mind at a gay bar.
I hate Vlada because everyone there is always mean to me!
If I ever need to feel stupid and ugly and socially retarded, I just have to walk into Vlada for 5 seconds.
I could whine forever, but honestly, this is probably my own issue. To be honest, Vlada is pretty cute inside if you like orange, which I don't. Their flavored vodkas are fairly good, but I never remember they exist. Those are the positives.
I don't know where the Evil Bitch atmosphere comes from considering these are the same people you see at all the other Hell's Kitchen bars. Nonetheless, I get scowls and holier-than-thous and also PUSHED AROUND and I'm like "I'm bigger and prettier than you!" but it never works.
You'll have to excuse my incoherence, but I'm a bit hungover. Some of you know why.
ANYWAY, to conclude, I'm going to tell you a story about something that happened here but has nothing to do with the bar itself. You guys liked my Metropolitan Opera story, so I figure I'll try again.
--------------------------------
We were at Vlada, and this guy (like 39?) bought my friend and I a drink because he and my friend had chatted online before or something. We talked with him for a while, but we were with two out-of-town kids who disappeared, so we eventually excused ourselves to use the restroom and to check on them to see if they were ok.
We found them and all was well in the world, so I eventually made my way back to this guy because he was fun to talk to. I tapped him on the shoulder and said hi, and he totally rounded on me and started yelling! "YOU DITCHED ME! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" I said (politely) "Um, no I didn't. I'm right here." But he would have none of it.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD JUST WALK AWAY AFTER I BOUGHT YOU A DRINK! YOU'RE SO TYPICAL!" Incidentally, this tirade was littered with some choice curse words, most of them describing me. I'm paraphrasing. "I HAVE CLASS! YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CLASS AT ALL!" That part was funny!
Luckily, I don't get riled up very easily. The best way to deal with this guy was to look amused and let him go on. He concluded with another "You don't have any class!" (In caps lock, of course.) I said "You're right." "GET OUT OF MY FACE!" "Ok."
The guy he had been chatting up had snuck away, and this other guy leaned over to me and made a nasty comment about him really loud. Victory was mine. This is pretty much the best experience I've had at Vlada.
I was... THERE??? how come I don't remember anything?
hmmm... oh! ohh!! ohhh!!! I can picture one thing! I was playing with the ice on the bar... and put my icy hands on someone's *BOOBs*... who were you?? @.@
ahhhhh~~~
I
L
O
V
E
G
A
Y
...............
I mean..
BARRRRRR... =P
Arnab and Glenn took me with them...
Minus a star because I'm not gay.
Just kidding. But does my opinion matter? Come on, can a straight girl really review Vlada? Ladies! You are filling up the bar with your uselessness.
Hmmm... Vlada is a lot of fun, makes me wish I lived closer to HK. Cool venue, good and strong drinks (ohhh... infused vodka on the rocks=trouble), friendly (and sexy) bartenders, eye-candy aplenty, how much more does a gay boy need? The happy hour has pretty cheap drinks (my friends and I got two infused vodkas and a glass of wine for $14), and it is great if you just want to kick back and relax for a while. The place fills up and get seriously packed after 12am or so.
(Update 08/31/07) Snippet from a conversation I had last night, while hanging out there with Glenn L:
40 year-old Mexican woman (harangues us): Ze two of you belong togezer. I can read ze eyes. Make out now.
Glenn: But he's my friend!
Mexican woman: No no you belong togezer. You boyfriends. Make out. I can read ze eyes, I see you in love.
(Glenn kisses me on the cheek).
Mexican woman: No no, with ze tongue, like zat (sticks her tongue out to show us).
Glenn: But he's my friend!
Mexican woman (to me): He piece of shit, he no good for you.
Vlada. So hot right now.
Met my friend at Vlada one night when I was in the city last. He was still at dinner, so I popped in by myself (does going to a crowded bar by yourself count as drinking alone?) and got a drink. Wow. I really like this place. Great ambiance. Even better looking crowd. Friendly bartenders.
I wish L.A. had more bars like Vlada.
Every time I go with someone, I always say how I love the refrigerated bar top. What a clever idea! They also make their own vodka -- if you chit chat with the bartender before it gets busy, you might be able to sneak in a "taste" (read: shot) or two.
Upstairs, it's nice -- they sometimes have live entertainment there, and you cant rent it out. The place is a walk-down from the sidewalk, and when its not packet, the entryway/patio is nice.
I didn't just love this bar because the bartender looked like Zac Efron. Although according to Erick he wore less foundation than the real Zac. There was also the tall, dark and handsome dude from CBS. Yum. Okay, I know it's a gay club and I'm barking up the wrong tree but what can I say? They were hot.
I also loved this bar because of the vibe and the different flavored infused vodkas. I felt extremely comfortable having drinks and would gladly return.
My first bad review. Listen, I like to drink. I like drinking with gays. I like bars that are made of ice/snow. But this place is just all wrong.
It's so narrow that you can't walk to the back without disturbing someone at the bar on your left or seated at the right. None of the infused vodkas did it for me (plus they could create some really great signature drinks with the vodka selection, yet they don't). And the clientele just skews a little old and a little young for me. But at the same time. Like lots of 70 year olds with 20 year olds. As long as they're happy. Is this the official bar of the Gay/December relationship?
It's always my favorite places that inspire the most anxiety in a review. I can tell you that Therapy is tired, Barrage is a bust, and Posh is anything but ---- but how do I convey my love of this sleek and sexy Russian vodka bar?
Kudos to the owners for coming up with a gay bar that isn't called C.C. Bloom's or The Cock. The gays have taste, and it shows here.
The infused vodkas are fun. My fave is a peach cosmo on the rocks, but I'm due for a change. (I'm a little clumsy with those bottomless martini glasses.)
My only complaint is the cramped, railroad-style space.
At first I couldn't stand this place, but I have had a change of heart.
It consistently has the best HK crowd (kind of vital when you're at a gay bar) and on some nights have legit good music (modern fun pop and 80s sleeze).
$8 vodka infusions on the rocks AND THEY TAKE CARDS is amazing too.
Two words:
SUPER GAY!
Oh, and two more:
INFUSED VODKA!
One of my most ridiculous nights out on the town involved a drag queen named Bianca del Rio making our very own Sam P. sing the theme song to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" while Norah K. got called a Flame Dame and there was much yelling and confusion over whether a girl was Asian or Hispanic.
Just another night at Vlada, I guess.
On a hot Phoenix day I want to strip down commando and hop up on Vlada's frosty bar. Hot damn, I need one of those mo-fos in my kitchen! (and in my office too!).
Sexy space, cute boys, good music. Busy, but not as crowded as the Chelsea bars. Only minus is the tight-squeeze corridor to the back of the bar/ upstairs. It redefines the concept of sucking it in....Great use of the step-down patio out front. Worth the trek from downtown, if you ask me!
Vlada is like Sex in the City if it were gay, which I KNOW is redundant but this is Yelp and I'm allowed.
The funny thing about this bar is that people pretend to be unfriendly when they're actually not. I don't know what they put in the drinks or how the lighting affects patrons, but if you're here then you HAVE to be unfriendly and only talk to your friends. Hell, I got so caught up in not talking to people that I was virtually unrecognizable as the friendly bloviator that I usually am.
Case in point: My friend and I saw an older man physically rejected by a younger would be conquest. The older man had saddled on over to say a word or two, and the younger man, repulsed, moved away and got up from his chair. The older man left the bar.
I know its sad, but I still laughed for about 2 minutes straight. Which brings me to the end of this review; if you are like me and love to witness human suffering, and if you are in the mood for being unfriendly and imbibing in peace, then Vlada should be your one stop shop.
Fact: They were holding a raffle for a Boy George concert and nobody wanted to claim the tickets--nobody save for some fat girl who was drunk and ran up on stage to snatch them. Go fat girls!
Neighborhood: Theater District
Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhood: Theater District
Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhood: Fashion District
Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen
Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhood: East Village
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