Celebrate 31 Years of Pride, Progress, and Community at Pieces Bar

In the ever-changing landscape of New York City’s queer nightlife, Pieces Bar has stood as a steadfast beacon of inclusivity, joy, and resilience.

Nestled in the heart of the West Village, Pieces celebrates 31 years of operation this year, a milestone that reflects its enduring role as a safe haven and cultural hub for the LGBTQIA+ community. Founded in 1993, the bar has witnessed and adapted to immense shifts in politics, society, and the queer experience, cementing its legacy as an essential chapter in the city’s queer history.

When Bob Estey and Kenny Harlan opened Pieces in 1993, their vision was simple yet profound: create a space where gay men could find camaraderie, community, and joy during a turbulent time. “It was the end of the beginning of the AIDS crisis,” recalls owner Eric Einstein, who joined Pieces in 2005 and took over ownership in 2009. “Gay men needed a place to meet, make friends, and find support within our community.”

The bar’s motto, “It’s Always a Party at Pieces,” embodied the founders’ determination to infuse levity and celebration into a period marked by profound loss and activism. From day one, Pieces offered a refuge from the struggles outside its doors—a “third space” where people could be themselves, connect, and heal.

Over the decades, the West Village has transformed from a mixed-class haven to an increasingly gentrified enclave. Yet, Pieces has remained a constant, adapting to the evolving demographics of its patrons. “Our clientele is more sexually diverse now,” says Einstein. “Straight men, gay women, and straight women are part of the crowd. It reflects how much more accepted being gay has become.” They’ve hosted Drag Bingo since 2006.

Ruby Roo, a longtime drag performer and now the bar’s manager, credits this inclusivity as a cornerstone of Pieces’ success. “Rarely do you find a space that is gay-owned and operated, cares about its staff, its patrons, and New York City nightlife,” she says. “Pieces fosters an amazing and diverse queer family.”

Pieces’ intimate stage has launched the careers of countless drag icons. From Bob the Drag Queen to Monét X Change, the bar has long been a proving ground for New York’s top talent. Drag wasn’t always central to the Pieces experience, but in the mid-2000s, Einstein revitalized the art form on its stage. “When I arrived, there wasn’t any drag left. It wasn’t popular then,” he shares. The $100 Queeramid game show starring Mimi Imfurst marked a turning point, eventually giving rise to a robust drag scene.

Ruby Roo, who started at Pieces as a drag performer, reflects on the legacy of its stage: “Nearly every single queen from New York City that has made it onto RuPaul’s Drag Race has at some point performed here. And almost all of them come back, even after fame.”

The bar’s infamous theme nights—underwear parties, hoedowns, and Guys Gone Wild—have also become legendary, shaping a nightlife scene where creativity and boundary-pushing are celebrated.

Pieces has been more than just a nightlife destination—it’s been a lifeline for the queer community. The bar has raised tens of thousands of dollars for LGBTQIA+ charities and served as a gathering place during critical moments in queer history. From celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage to providing a space for remembrance during times of loss, Pieces has always been there for its community.

During the Covid pandemic shutdown, the bar reinvented itself with an outdoor “bistrotheque,” creating a space where patrons could reconnect safely. Ruby Roo recalls the challenges of those months: “We worked long hours in very new and confusing times. But it only made me love Pieces more. It feels like a family.”

Pieces has played host to an array of celebrity guests. Remember when Adele and Jennifer Lawrence shared drinks (and a friendly tumble) on the floor in one of the first truly viral celebrity moments? Well, that happened at Pieces!

“Celebrities come here because they can just be themselves,” says Einstein. “It’s a space to be real, no matter who you are.”

For countless patrons, Pieces is more than a bar—it’s a home. Longtime regulars share stories of meeting friends, falling in love, and finding community within its cozy walls. “Customers feel a real attachment to our space,” Einstein notes. “We’ve hosted engagements, weddings, wakes, and birthdays. Pieces is often the first gay bar someone ever visits—and for many, it’s the one they keep coming back to.”

As Pieces celebrates its 31st anniversary, its mission remains unchanged: to offer a space where everyone, regardless of identity, can find connection, safety, and joy. “At Pieces, it’s always ‘the good ol’ days,’” says Einstein. “We let you check your life at the door and just be yourself.”

You’re invited to Pieces Bar’s birthday party on Saturday, December 14. More info here.