Friend's Tavern Introduce
For decades, Friend's Tavern has been more than just a nightclub; it's been an institution and a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ community in Queens. Situated on the famously vibrant Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, this gay bar and night club has created a welcoming and essential space for locals and tourists alike. Known as the oldest active gay bar in the borough, Friend's Tavern has a rich history as a safe haven, particularly for gay and bisexual Latino men who found a sense of community and acceptance that was often not available in their native countries. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of cozy and trendy, offering a relaxed environment during the week and transforming into a lively dance spot on weekends. The bar’s reputation is built on its genuine hospitality, fantastic drinks, and a sense of shared camaraderie that makes every visitor feel like a friend. It's a place where you can be yourself, enjoy great music, and connect with people who share a similar spirit.
What truly sets Friend's Tavern apart is its unwavering commitment to providing a top-tier experience. The staff, from the bartenders to the servers, are known for being not only professional and respectful but also genuinely friendly and welcoming. Patrons often praise bartenders like Jon for their exceptional service and ability to create a fun and comfortable atmosphere. The bar is famous for its delicious and well-crafted drinks, with customers raving about their frozen margaritas. The menu also includes a great selection of beer, cocktails, wine, and hard liquor. Beyond the drinks, Friend's Tavern is a hub for entertainment, hosting live performances, dancing, and karaoke nights that keep the energy high and the crowd engaged. It's the kind of place where you can go for a quick drink and end up staying for hours, drawn in by the good vibes and the friendly faces. The bar is a space where a diverse crowd, including groups, locals, and tourists, can all come together to have a great time in a welcoming environment.
Friend's Tavern is located at 78-11 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, USA. This address places it in the epicenter of Queens' lively nightlife scene, a neighborhood known for its diversity and accessibility. The bar's location on Roosevelt Avenue makes it incredibly easy to get to, whether you're a local or coming from another part of the city. For those using public transportation, the bar is conveniently close to several major subway and bus stops, making it a stress-free destination for a night out. While paid street parking is available, the excellent public transit options are often the most convenient way to reach the area. The bar's presence on this iconic street adds to its vibrant and authentic New York feel, placing it right in the middle of all the action. This central location ensures that it is a popular meeting spot for friends and groups looking for a fun night out in a bustling and dynamic part of the city.
Friend's Tavern offers a variety of services to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all of its patrons.
- Dine-in Service & Table Service: You can enjoy your drinks and the lively atmosphere with the comfort of table service.
- Full Bar & Beverage Offerings: The bar provides a full range of alcoholic beverages, including a great selection of beer, cocktails, wine, and hard liquor.
- Happy Hour: Friend's Tavern offers happy hour drinks, which are a popular highlight for those looking for a great deal.
- Reservations: The bar accepts reservations, which is particularly helpful for groups or for planning a special event.
Friend's Tavern's reputation is built on several key features and highlights that make it a beloved institution in the Queens community.
- Great Cocktails & Beer Selection: The bar is known for its delicious cocktails, especially the frozen margaritas, and a great variety of beer.
- Fast Service: The staff is praised for being quick and efficient, ensuring you never have to wait long for a drink.
- Lively Entertainment: The bar offers a variety of entertainment, including live performances, karaoke, and dancing, which keeps the energy high and the crowd engaged.
- LGBTQ+ Friendly & Transgender Safespace: As the oldest gay bar in Queens, Friend's Tavern has a long history of being a welcoming and safe space for the LGBTQ+ and transgender communities.
- Gender-Neutral Restroom: The availability of a gender-neutral restroom adds to the bar's inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
- Cozy & Casual Atmosphere: The bar strikes a perfect balance between a cozy neighborhood tavern and a lively nightclub, making it a great place for both casual drinks and a night of dancing.
For any inquiries or to make a reservation, you can contact Friend's Tavern using the following information:
Address: 78-11 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, USA
Phone: (718) 397-7256
When you're looking for a night out in New York City, choosing Friend's Tavern is a decision you won't regret. The bar's status as a Queens institution and its history as a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community is a powerful reason to visit. The fact that it has been a second home for so many people over the years speaks volumes about its atmosphere and the character of its staff. Patrons consistently highlight the great service, delicious drinks, and lively entertainment as key reasons they keep coming back. The mix of a relaxed, friendly vibe with the excitement of live performances and dancing makes it a versatile spot that can cater to whatever mood you're in. Whether you're a local who's been a loyal patron for years or a tourist looking to experience a genuine piece of New York's nightlife, Friend's Tavern offers a unique and memorable experience. The quality of the drinks, the professionalism of the staff, and the inclusive, celebratory environment all contribute to making this bar a must-visit destination in Jackson Heights.
Friend's Tavern Details
Service options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
- Takeout
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Karaoke
- Live performances
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Dancing
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Wine
Dining options
- Table service
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
Friend's Tavern Photos










Friend's Tavern Location
Friend's Tavern
78-11 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372, USA
Friend's Tavern Reviews
attentionpricespayserversecurityenergyhookahlatin musicmargaritasasides
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1John the bartender was amazing! He put the requested music and provided great service.Very good looking and super friendly to his customers. Definitely a spot to go have a drink.There frozen margaritas are too good to pass.
July 17 · Maria CortezFriends is the institution when it comes to Queens gay bars. It has everything anyone would be looking for in a gay bar: music, good vibes, welcoming and respectful service, and what now. I've been a loyal patron for many years now. Jon is my favorite bartender/server because hes now only hospitable but also very professional and respectful. I know a lot of people will enjoy this bar.
July 18 · Marck Bryan Albao DavidI went to this place back in my early 20s when I was finding myself lol and hadn’t been back in years… when I came back this place has truly become a vibe and literally cannot stay away for more than a week!! I love Latinos and I love Latin music and you will find plenty of both at this establishment! My favorite and the best server is Gerson and he is always attentive to my wants and hookah is also phenomenal! Definitely a place you should go if you like Latinos, Latin music, and hookah.
May 10 · Johnathan LoweBeen a regular patron and enjoy the dancers and hanging out with friends. however, got told to leave and thrown out and a rowdy group invaded our section and placed their items on our chairs. As a way to defuse the situation, we decided to move and find another area. while getting our items a female patron starts yelling not to touch their stuff when we politely explained we are moving. She proceeded to become aggressively loud and rude by putting her hands in my face which was disrespectful. I got loud after telling her to stop. this is what security ONLY saw. not the other side of the story. While I was already set to leave the security continued to grab me after I was in the motion of leaving and told him. I mentioned to look into the female who instigated the problem. never again. looks are deceiving. so its fine for females to talk reckless while the man gets short end. never again. swept under the rug like its nothing.
May 31 · Der SumiMy friends and I went last Sunday and had a great time. The atmosphere was very pleasant and everyone was very friendly.
May 29 · Denisse Lee
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