May 2018 Issue #17 May 2018 Issue #17 4GUYS | Page 64

8. Therapy
A particularly large and unusually stylish gay bar for this part of town. Therapy (348 W 52nd
St.) is decked out in wood and brickwork: the leitmotif is chic, cozy and sumptuous. Candlelight
(real and electrical), adds to the warmth factor, or certainly did on the October evening of my
visit.
Mirror balls hang from the ceiling atrium and a small stage area upstairs plays host to regular
drag cabaret – which you can enjoy with a meal. There’s a decent food and cocktail selection,
plus booths on the first floor for a more intimate gossip session.
9. Atlas Social Club
A dark and dive-y, long and narrow establishment. Old photographs of boxers gracing an entire
wall and boxing gloves hang above the bar. With low-wattage bulks providing dim illumination,
there’s something a little antique and ‘horror’ video game about Atlas Social Club (753 9th
Ave.). That said, this perception was lessened by Barbra Streisand in Hello Dolly playing on
one video screen and Olivia Newton John singing (Let’s Get) Physical on the other!
10. Rise
A relatively new kid on the (Hell’s Kitchen) block. Rise (859 9th Ave.) was opened in late 2015
by John Blair, Beto Sutter and Ted Arenas. The contemporary, box-like venue has exposed
ceiling beams, brickwork, huge video projections and a wall-full if different liqueurs. It felt buzz-
ing, even on the Monday night of my visit.
11. Hardware
Another long, dark bar, with a dancefloor and DJ box in a room at the back. Despite its name,
Hardware (697 10th Ave.) isn’t a hell-for-leather cruise spot, but attracts a more mixed and –
on the night of my visit – messy crowd (hey, it was Saturday night!).
There are frequent drag shows and a coterie of drag hosts. Weekend staple, Slay Saturdays,
is busy – helped by there being no cover charge.
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