BSNY 
(212)929-9684
Better than Ever,
May 15, 2008
Under new management and renamed Boots and Saddle (the riginal name) it been a lot more fun. They have added a DJ, more specials, 29 types of bottled beer and Stella, Hoegarden Becks, India Pale Ale and Bud on tap. Drawing a younger crowd in the evenings too. More fun than ever. Hot go-go boys, too.
Still There!,
Mar 29, 2007
Was there last night and it is once again BSNY! The Climaxx thing was only temporary and connected to a play that was supposed to go on in the theatre down seveth. It's still a gay bar, more so than what I saw at Stonewall, which I left to go to BSNY because it was way too crowded and noisy.
Renaissance?-- "Boots and Saddles" is no more!,
Jan 29, 2007
ALERT: As of February 14th, 2007, Boots and Saddles [which for two years or so has actually been known as BS/NY, even though everyone still called it Boots] will have a grand reopening under the name CLIMAXX, which sounds like a 70's disco [which is odd in that the bar is quite small and has no dance floor]. The owners are courting the straight community while not trying to alienate the gays, the reason being an understandable profit motive. However, with "bear" nights, go go boys, and Hunk of the Week contests all scheduled, it doesn't sound as if CLIMAXX will be straying too far from its roots. Still it's a bit unsettling to some of the long-time patrons, who see Boots not just as a safe haven [especially for older gay men] but as a memorial to all their buddies who partied and worked there and died of AIDS. Will this new/old establishment respect that? Will too many straights come and the gay men flee to Ty's and other environs? Is Boots on its way to becoming totally straight [they will inevitably hire more straight bartenders -- let's hope they don't bristle if anyone suggests they're gay! THAT is a complete turn-off and not exactly "gay-friendly"]
So I'm posting this UPDATE to let everyone know of the change and let's keep our fingers crossed. It won't be the BOOTS of old, and it will undoubtedly lose some of the gay ambiance of the past, but there is a good chance that it will remain fun and friendly and not TOO heterosexual. I'll post review under new name soon!
Still a great bar!,
Jan 09, 2007
Yes, there have been some changes here, and yes, they do employ a couple of straight [or bi] bouncers and bartenders, but these tend to be very gay-friendly. Sometimes they not only dance around with the customers but with each other! The gay bartenders are hot and likable. When I was last here in December 2006 they had affectionate go go boys on the weekends. The straight adorable bartender may have been hired to attract a gay-friendly straight crowd -- may I say this bar has had the same pleasant straight owner for decades -- but so far I would say this is still chiefly a definitely GAY establishment. Occasionally you'll see some straight women; less rarely, straight men. This is by no means a mixed bar although the owner may be hedging his bets as many of the gay guys go for a while to TY's which is jam-packed on weekends. They come back here, however, when Ty's closes early. This is more relaxed than Ty's but still lively. While the crowd tends to be over thirty or forty, you still see younger people here as well [come on in, you'll like it!]. Generally a great place to have fun. You can be black, white Hispanic, young, old, gay or even straight [if you have the right attitude] and you'll be welcome. While not as cruisy as it once was, it's a great place for drinks [which have alas gone up in price], laughs, conversation, connections and crazy flirting and necking. This historic gay bar has a lot of life to it and it's right in the middle of a great renaissance! COME!
Nice, but ...,
Jun 23, 2006
This is a pleasant, generally friendly place for "bears," generally older, butcher gay guys and guys who like them. It attracts both regulars and tourists from around the world due to its village front and center location. The only "negative" is that the bar occasionally employs [supposedly] straight bouncers and bartenders who may or may not fit in. I mean, who goes to a gay bar to listen to the cute bartender going on and on about women or even petting with his girlfriend in the corner? Hey, it's not as if there aren't any straight bars in New York! Most of the bartenders are friendly and fun, however. Recommended with some reservations. If you fear maybe being served by a straight guy, go elsewhere.
