Ginger's (lesbian bar)
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| Address | 363 5th Ave, Brooklyn, 11215 New York City U.S. |
|---|---|
| Public transit | New York City Subway:       at Fourth Avenue/Ninth Street station
 NYCT Bus: B63, B61, B103 |
| Owner | Sheila Frayne, Brendan Donohoe |
| Type | Bar |
| Opened | March 17, 2000 |
Ginger's is a Irish dive and lesbian bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York City, and is one of two lesbian bars in Brooklyn.[1][2] It is also one of two queer bars in Park Slope following the closure of Excelsior.[3][4] The bar was opened by Sheila Frayne on Saint Patrick's Day in 2000 and is seen as both a lesbian bar and a woman-friendly neighborhood bar.[5][6][7][8]
History
Ginger’s was opened by Sheila Frayne on March 17, 2000.[9] The bar shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened on October 28, 2021, after a 19-month closure.[9] In late 2021 Frayne brought on hospitality professional Brendan Donohoe as co-owner to help with the bar’s relaunch; fundraising efforts, landlord forbearance, and pandemic relief also supported the reopening.[9]
Donohue opened Mary's Bar in 2023, a sister bar to Ginger's located in Greenpoint; the bar closed temporarily in November 2024, according to an Instagram post.[10][11]
In February 2025, Ginger’s marked its 25th anniversary with a three-day festival over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, highlighting the role of lesbian and queer bars amid ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ pressures.[12]
Description and programming
Sources describe Ginger’s as an unpretentious, dive-style neighborhood bar with a front room and a pool table in back; the space also features an enclosed garden/patio.[13][14] Regular programming has included karaoke, DJ nights, drag king shows, and other events aimed at lesbian and broader queer communities.[9][14][2]
Reception
Ginger’s has been included in New York magazine’s "Thousand Best" list and in multiple roundups of notable LGBTQ+ bars in New York City.[13][14][15] The bar is frequently cited as a longstanding lesbian-focused space in Brooklyn nightlife coverage.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Wehner, Oliver (May 25, 2023). "The Bush, A New NYC Lesbian Bar, Opens in Brooklyn". EveryQueer. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Silver-Willner, Arielle (March 15, 2022). "Inside Brooklyn's last lesbian bar". Brooklyn Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ Mixson, Colin (June 4, 2019). "Proud history: Longtime Park Slope gay bar Excelsior announces closure • Brooklyn Paper". www.brooklynpaper.com. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Manzella, Sam (July 21, 2020). "Is Your Favorite NYC Gay Bar Closing For Good?". LOGO News. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Gieseking, Jen Jack (September 15, 2020). A Queer New York: Geographies of Lesbians, Dykes, and Queers. NYU Press. ISBN 978-1-4798-0300-2. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ "Addresses Project | Gwen Shockey". map.addressesproject.com. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Carmel, Julia (April 15, 2021). "How Are There Only Three Lesbian Bars in New York City?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Hugh (March 5, 2019). When Brooklyn Was Queer: A History. St. Martin's Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-1-250-16991-4.
- ^ a b c d e Cassell, Heather (March 23, 2022). "Drinks Flow Again at Ginger's Bar, a Lesbian Mainstay". Gay City News. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Conlon, Erin (April 4, 2023). "Ginger's Bar is Opening a Queer Irish Pub in Greenpoint". Greenpointers. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ Kumamoto, Ian (February 28, 2025). "Ginger's Bar is throwing a 25th anniversary festival on St. Patrick's Day weekend". Time Out New York. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Ginger's". New York Magazine – The Thousand Best. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c "The Best NYC Queer Bars and Restaurants". Eater NY. June 3, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ "Ginger's Bar — Review". The Infatuation. May 29, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
40°40′16.8″N 73°59′3.3″W / 40.671333°N 73.984250°W