Julius'

Great food, drinks and service. Lots of lovely people who will chat if you wish.

This bar was still trying make it as a straight bar in the mid-Sixties, despite having gay customers - trust me, I was a customer then. This was the reason the Sip-in was successful here, gay-identified customers from Mattachine were refused service. The Candle Bar uptown on West 74th and Amsterdam was operating at this time as a real gay bar - and is still operating as one. Julius's is okay for a nostalgia trip and burgers.

julius is the oldest gay bar in new york---and perhaps---the world. if one is familiar with gay history, it is the bar where the "great refusal to serve" precipitated the gay movement (stonewall came after). burgers on the grill, great menu specials on saturdays, a one time "best gay bar in new york" according to new york magazine, cited by esquire magazine as one of the best BARS in new york (gay or straight). welcome there are gay men, lesbians, straight men, straight women, transgendered men and women, bisexual men and women: an all inclusive neighborhood bar, "where everyone knows your name." and if you're a vistor, folks will ASK your name, say hello and include you in the conversation. don't miss the lamppost outside and it's insciption: there from money rasied from julius patrons; or the FREE thanksgiving and christmas feasts of turkey/ham/etc and all the trimmings--a half dozen in total, plus dessert, so folks who have no place better to be than there with friends have a great holiday feast. many of the julius friends have departed, but we carry on with the friendship that remains, together. a magical place. some don't get it. come say hello. embrace it. don't be so shallow that you miss the point. peace.

The best time to go to Julius is on Fridays, from the cocktail hour until around midnight, when the bar is very busy and even cruisy, and the bartenders are gay. No, the bartenders are not the most gregarious you'll ever meet -- one guy is rather pleasant, however -- but many of the customers are fun. Younger people come in on Fridays as well. I actually found it to be quite lively although not for every taste.

Julius was once a cruisy fun place with a busy crowd of mixed ages and great, super-friendly bartenders. The problem isn't that the crowd tends to be mature; the problem is the bar itself, which can be very pleasant but is also a bit on the dull side. The customers go elsewhere when they really want to let their hair down. They've even gone so far as to hire a straight-identified bartender for week nights, a sure sign that the owners want to go mixed or even straight to bring in more business. The gay bartenders are no great shakes, either, being minimally friendly until they get to know you a bit. One tall skinny guy is one of the least friendly bartenders I've ever come across. The place may not be awful for some, but you can have a lot more fun at Ty's, The Monster, and even upstairs at the Duplex, all of which are within walking distance. This certainly isn't worth a special trip any more. What a shame, as I believe this historic place is the oldest bar of any type in the village but it's just too bland; and the straight bartender is a definite minus -- and a warning sign, although many of the customers seem foolishly oblivious.