Flaming Saddles
Boogie over to Flaming Saddles Hells Kitchen the new kick ass Gay Western SaloonAverage Reviews
About
A Gay Bar That’s Part Coyote Ugly, Part Reality TV Fodder
This sounds like the premise for a sitcom or a reality TV show: A straight couple opens a gay bar. She favors off-the-shoulder tops and stiletto heels; he wears leather jackets and rides a Harley. The place — improbably for Manhattan — is a country-western joint where the staff climbs on the bar and performs dance numbers.
“It’s high drama and high energy for sure,” declared Kris Coughlin, a bartender there.
The bar, Flaming Saddles, at 793 Ninth Avenue, near 53rd Street, opened in 2011. The actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and the television personality Anderson Cooper bantered about it on Mr. Cooper’s daytime talk show. And New York magazine, which named it the Best Gay Bar in New York City last year, said the bartenders “do-si-do on the bar top like an all-male version of Coyote Ugly.”
This sounds like the premise for a sitcom or a reality TV show: A straight couple opens a gay bar. She favors off-the-shoulder tops and stiletto heels; he wears leather jackets and rides a Harley. The place — improbably for Manhattan — is a country-western joint where the staff climbs on the bar and performs dance numbers.
“It’s high drama and high energy for sure,” declared Kris Coughlin, a bartender there.
The bar, Flaming Saddles, at 793 Ninth Avenue, near 53rd Street, opened in 2011. The actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and the television personality Anderson Cooper bantered about it on Mr. Cooper’s daytime talk show. And New York magazine, which named it the Best Gay Bar in New York City last year, said the bartenders “do-si-do on the bar top like an all-male version of Coyote Ugly.”
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Reviews
Based on 642 reviews
Grace Ogren
21:58 03 Dec 24
I was visiting from Oregon first time on the east coast even this October, I stopped in at the recommendation from a gal behind the pine at the country themed bar around the corner when I mentioned loving coyote ugly. There was a super drunk guy coming on to me and staff promptly dealt a with the situation in a professional matter. I hung out for a while, and when I told them I was leaving they did an impromptu step-dancing performance to "white trash wedding" by the chicks. Said they couldn't let me go back to oregon without getting the full flaming saddles experience, even though they don't usually start dancing that early without a crowd. Incredible service and you all absolutely made my NYC experience. You made this queer country girl feel so at home in a place totally new. I thank you and hope to visit again.RJ
22:05 15 Nov 24
My friends and I have visited this place a few times and genuinely enjoy the atmosphere. However, there's a recurring issue with one bartender who intentionally ignores us, even when we're standing directly in front of him. This has happened on three separate occasions, and the only explanation seems to be racism. We even had another group of POCs quietly share that they’ve experienced the same treatment from him. If management chooses not to address this, it will speak volumes about their values and priorities.Wei H.
16:02 08 Nov 24
Cool country music bar (LGBTQ). Everyone is super friendly. Standard bar service (beer/cocktails). My friend bought a T shirt from them as souvenir.Michael R.
16:16 05 Nov 24
Pros: Flaming saddles is so fun especially when it's a bit later in the evening when there's more people. They even have a Photo Booth! Con: cash only,...Nehal Ahmed
02:20 04 Nov 24
This is a nice small bar, very packed on weekend nights. No cover. Open floor for people to hang out and dance. Few tall booth tables are available for drink and dine. The music is good here, but I didn’t see any DJ, mostly it’s a playlist.The bartenders are multi talented here. Alongside serving drinks, they also do amazing dance performances and also do clean up runs to collect empty bottles cups, and glasses.Nehal A.
18:18 03 Nov 24
This is a nice small bar, very packed on weekend nights. No cover. Open floor for people to hang out and dance. Few tall booth tables are available for...Chiara Keating
16:47 27 Oct 24
Incredibley rude staff member (number 4 shirt) spoke to me in a way I have never been spoken to before. I was just ordering a drink. It was a deeply distressing experience. Myself and my friends left straight away, it was shocking. We came over from Dublin Ireland for my friends birthday and the experience completely ruined our evening.Melissa P.
22:27 07 Oct 24
We had an amazing time here! The bartenders were quick to pour our drinks. We were delighted to find them on the bar doing a dance for us at the most...Cj R.
10:23 06 Oct 24
Came here for my birthday, ordered 3 drinks and went back to the bar to get a water for my friend. He needed another one after. This one bartender told me...Karen O.
20:33 11 Sep 24
I stumbled into this bar after having dinner across the street with some friends and not wanting the night so end. So we said we'll pick the first bar we...Juan Chavez
20:08 08 Sep 24
Great bar, staff is super friendly and it's fun watching the staff dance. Give them a try if you're in the area!J Raphael Richards
20:20 05 Aug 24
We had so much fun here. My husband doesn't even particularly like country music, but even he ended up enjoying himself. Great vibe, and the bar staff dancers were fire, very impressive, and we stuck around a lot longer than we meant to, just to see the next thigh slap and yeeha!Sascha S.
08:44 30 Jul 24
Well priced drinks, great music, the dancing from the bartenders is OUTSTANDING! I had an absolute blast visiting!!!Lin Lin
05:21 15 Jul 24
Never felt this unsafe in a bar’s bathroom! We came here for a celebration, but while in the bathroom, a security guard suddenly barged in and kicked us out for no reason, suspecting us of something unfounded. No one was puking, misbehaving or causing any trouble in the restroom. It felt like a complete power trip. When we tried to explain our side of the story to the bartender, they didn't listen and told us to leave. The negative reviews of this place are spot on. Listen to them! I've never felt so unsafe at a bar. Crazy how this security guard is still working here after all these negative reviews about him.Patrick Devine
15:18 14 Jul 24
I always make a point to visit every time I am in the city and it never disappoints. Friendly and talented staff makes a diverse and inclusive environment. Music is great, a good mix of 90’s, pop and country. Whether you’re gay, straight or something in between you are guaranteed to have a great time!Michael G.
14:35 25 Jun 24
It brought me so much joy to stumble upon Flaming Saddles while inebriated and walking around the area. Even though I wasn't the biggest Flaming Saddles fan...Alex B.
14:30 30 May 24
I’ve been here last year in a short time between two flights and had a great memory about that visit.I wanted to experience the show again while visiting NYC and still had a good time there.So if you wanna go there, sit at the bar and just wait for the show to begin.There’s a very nice atmosphere where you feel welcomed with no doubt.Thank youTaylar Nuevelle
03:19 07 Apr 24
OMG! Don’t believe the negative reviews. We were visiting from DC. The bar is amazing. Bar tenders are friendly and they dance on the bar in cowboy boots. The music varies—country & R&B. The drinks were priced right and strong. It’s worth a visit just to see the coordinated dancing on the bar! Also one of the bar tenders looks like Ted Lasso. ☺️😀Mark North
15:34 23 Feb 24
They bar if you like 🤠's and them dancing on the bar every thirty minutes. 😀Jennifer Bella
23:58 22 Feb 24
This place rules. We went because I’m queer and we stumbled upon it (out of towners). My best friend and I (2 cis women) were completely taken care of. It was wonderful. One of my best experiences in NYC. All lovely, not expensive, lots of sweet young men having fun.Luis Valenzuela
08:07 12 Jan 24
Such a joke. I was so excited to come to such an institution. Where the bartenders were in shape and would dance country on the bar. The crowd was crazy and fun and the place was busy. But not now. It’s a ghost town. An abandoned bar with rude service bartender and mediocre service. Sadly never going back. Country music plays only 10 percent of the time and mostly consist of pop music.Jack F.
12:52 10 Dec 23
Happy hour is an actual scam and the service is bad! There's a sign behind the bar that says "happy hour two for one"So we ordered two drinks, and were...Sebastian Darko
09:13 06 Dec 23
If I could write less the one review I would. I was in the restroom having a very personal moment because I had found out very bad news. If I could had made it outside without crying I would have. But the security guard yaji came down there and knocked on the door I asked who it was and they peaked over the door and told me I wasn’t allowed to sit on the toilet and continued to try and pry the door open thinking I was doing doing paraphernalia which I was not he could clearly see that after peaking over the stall which was very much a violation of my privacy. I left obviously after feeling violated and asked him his name. He told me and I went up to the bar tenders and complained they said they sent him down there and apologized for him doing that but wouldn’t really give an explanation as into why he did that other than checking for paraphernalia but never have I ever had someone peak over a closed locked door in the bathroom. I was very violated and anyone wanting to have a lowkey night without drugs mind you I would not come here and I hope someone complains to the police about them or the manager or someoneThis happened around 330am on December 6th , 2023 am btwLon M.
19:33 25 Nov 23
Awful service. Bartender had nothing but disdain for our entire group. I'll be spending my time and money anywhere else. Has been a tradition for years, but...Abraham M.
14:40 11 Nov 23
Cash only very inconvenient seems like a trend for many customers. Wish they would've led with thatJ B.
18:04 05 Nov 23
i went there on a sunday evening w friends hoping to have a great time, the vibe is good, people are upbeat and dancing, but it was disappointing to see how...Guilherme Ventura
10:29 09 Oct 23
I didn't expect to have this much fun at a country bar! They have a jukebox service where you can choose the music that's playing out of a filtered list, so in the end it's not playing only country music. Plus the vibe was very good, no matter the day we went.Jeff Walters
03:07 04 Sep 23
This is my favorite gay bar in NYC. The crowd and atmosphere is super friendly. I always meet new people here. They have a jukebox so you can play your favorite country songs. I always play Shania Twain and Jo Dee Massina. I grew up in Texas and feel back at home here.Pawlmer
15:19 01 Sep 23
Extremely friendly spot. Feeling very safe when I’m there to just relax and chat with others if I’m feeling it. Very easy going place, exceptional BOGO happy hour 3-8pm M-F, the staff are the kindest bartenders you’ll ever meet in NYC. Not really a place to turn up and dance, it’s on the chill side. Doesn’t always do country music. Have been maybe 6 times in 2 months bc it’s easy to come back to.Joe schmo
01:21 24 Jul 23
Every time we visit, we go to this bar and usually have a good time. This last time we went we were hungry and ordered a couple hotdogs, but the bartender didn’t even know how much to charge us for them because apparently nobody orders food there according to him. The hotdog buns smelled old and weird when we got the hotdogs. This bar is also cash only which I hate! When I go on vacation I pay with my credit card and don’t carry tons of cash, but this place only takes cash so we decided not to go back even though we were in New York City for an entire week. Every other gay bar throughout the city takes cash and credit cards. Also, the drinks of this bar seemed pretty expensive even for New York standards.Taylor Horner
02:30 21 May 23
Great bar. My partner and I are from out of town and we felt more comfortable than we expected. People our age (20-30 somethings), great music (not too loud but perfect for getting into the groove), and really attentive waiters. The bartop dancing is also definitely a highlight. I felt safe and had a great time. Plus, the drinks were delicious!Justin M.
08:19 29 Apr 23
On the way out the bartender harassed me about not tipping him. He was rude from the beginning.Ann Loder
12:53 28 Apr 23
What a fun time! We dropped in for a few drinks and it was a great idea. Great whether you're gay or straight!Michael Macgillivray
00:52 17 Apr 23
Great little country gay bar. Servers are amazing and really attentive. Dancing on the bar happens maybe every 30 minutes or so. Reasonable prices for beer in what can be an expensive area. Well worth a visit if you’re in this part of town!Ben Schmidt
20:16 27 Mar 23
Fun and unusually international crowd. What German and Australian put this in their respective LonelyPlanet guidebooks for an NYC tour? Just jokes! Fair prices for typical standard saloon fare- forget fancy. Cash only. Saturday can have a lot of Jane Doe & her drunken wedding party.Manuel T.
23:37 11 Mar 23
For some reason the guy dint let me in. He probably mistakes me for somebody else. I'm happy happy to verify with the friendly Bartenders i knew since lats...Hillari S.
14:13 08 Mar 23
This is a fun and cute bar. Fun entertainment on the bar by employees, but wish they did it more often like the one that used to be in WeHo. I'd recommend...Angel Gonzalez
01:39 04 Mar 23
Omg I went to a bar in a Tuesday people with 7 customers it got busy after 2 with people from all types and I want to remark that they performed the dancing for 7 the same way than for a full bar. Amazing, cute,well done and tequila for 10 until 2 am!!!! Haidan was the cutest cowboy 😍Christopher L.
14:48 26 Feb 23
Love Flaming Saddles. Found it very soon after moving to the neighborhood and it's popular and a great, upbeat vibe. Lots of bartenders dancing on the bar...Tanisha Cruz
15:07 12 Jan 23
I am not a bar person but this place was EPIC. I loved the atmosphere and how they knew how to entertain their customers. The dancing on the bar was GREAT. I would go again.PJ Sunset Cruise
02:12 27 Nov 22
Great country bar. Staff is super friendly and talented with their country music dance performances on top of the bar.Aaron A.
22:45 26 Nov 22
What an amazing experience! A gay country bar?! I can't say enough amazing things about this place. This is literally coyote ugly meets YMCA! And I...Luis R.
22:54 22 Nov 22
such an amazing time here in the bar. Jakob took such a good care of me and my friend. we promise to come back just because of him. thank you Jakob for...Gerard Mc
00:48 21 Nov 22
Somehow I keep coming back even though the service is atrocious and they make up prices for drinks lol. Every round of drinks is a different amount 😂 Also the cash only option is not only inconvenient but also kinda shady 👀 what makes up for it is the location & jukeboxMichael G
22:26 08 Nov 22
Every time I’m in Manhattan I have to go to the Saddles. It’s a fun environment with dancing cowbois stomping on the wood bar, cheap drinks, and great country and related music on the juke box. Cash only.Ryan O.
12:01 11 Oct 22
Fun. TouchTunes catalog is very limited. And shame on you for blocking all Selena songs.Foodie In Jax K.
16:55 24 Sep 22
Very friendly and welcoming. Very nice neighborhood bar with a great bartender dance floor show on top of the bar. Great cocktails and nice diverse crowd....Maggie C.
10:42 13 Sep 22
Fun little place, with old country music playing. Waiters dance on the bar every hour or so. There's a fun photo booth available, and a jukebox to choose...Shane S.
17:02 24 Aug 22
Flaming Saddles is great! The same owners of Coyote Ugly with the same concept. Good all around fun. The bartenders are top notch dancers and put on a great...DJ Crino
05:54 19 Aug 22
Typically I love this bar but if you only have have dollars in quarters to tip vs. a $20 bill, don't bother. Coins will get you cut off so they rather you don't tip at all 🤷🏻♀️Sam R.
05:19 06 Jun 22
Its a great time just go. Good entertainment and drinks are affordable. I'll definitely come backLeo B.
07:35 04 Jun 22
Slight update from 5 to 4 - still an amazing bar. But they need to start doing something about the amount of straight girls - they are taking over and gay...Brenna P.
12:38 26 May 22
pretty dead on a Monday afternoon, but that didn't stop the guys from dancing on the bar. I appreciated a clean restroom at a dive bar *bless*. I assumed it...Alcions D.
22:56 16 May 22
Visited 15th of May 2022 at 10pm:The place is very nice and the concept of the cowboy waiters dancing on the bar is very entertaining BUT, be careful not to be fooled by a waiter who tends to forget to apply the happy hour price. We were a group of 4 and the first of us who ordered didn't dare to dispute the price charged by this unscrupulous waiter. So we went to order again from the same waiter and as if by chance "oops" he forgot to apply the posted happy hour rate every time. So foreign tourists be careful. Don't be fooled 😉🏳️🌈I Hope it’s not a way to be encouraged by the house.Ashley M.
21:49 04 May 22
Such a fun place!! The bartenders dance to country music on the bar! A very fun vibe. There is also a photo booth. There isn't really a dance floor but some...aldo bardoino
09:46 28 Mar 22
Flaming saddle saloon was a country bar the first bar dance club I went to that was one floor, not a bad thing just no space to dance but no need because the performers get up on the bar table and country dance away, it’s right out of the movie coyote but with guys instead of gals and I loved every moment of it, the guys were also hot! Yes yes yes 🙌 I loved 🥰 I would recommend going back maybe earlier so I could explore the room before the crowdNicolas Jacobi
02:54 23 Mar 22
I used to come here twice a week . Unfortunately they have tripled their prices and now play mostly Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Cher. I definitely do not go to a country bar to listen to that. No reason to return.The Jolly Farmers
07:58 13 Mar 22
Fantastic bar, great atmosphere, and service. Taylor and Brad were brilliant. Happy to have spent the night there and will be back before the trip is over.Keremy Jucharek
18:51 10 Mar 22
Flaming Saddles is hands down the best gay bar in NYC, period. Always a fun time, and the bartenders are super friendly and fantastic dancers. It can get a little packed on Fridays and Saturdays but that's common in Hell's Kitchen (or really anywhere). Love coming in whenever I can!Lizbeth Zambrano
02:52 11 Feb 22
I love this place went with my coworkers it’s was packed at 10pm which is a good thing would definitely recommend and wouldn’t definitely go back. They only take cash which i think is easierChayton Pabich Danyla
18:30 09 Feb 22
Great place, Super kind bartenders! Remember this place is CASH ONLY, but there's an ATM on-site.Table dancing is always a classicValerie G.
16:03 05 Jan 22
This is a cute fun place! The drinks are a bit overpriced compared to some other bars around but still a nice experience.Shania G.
20:53 04 Jan 22
Four shots were kind of a lot tonight. $48 for some green tea shots. But honestly good music and epic vibes with friends!!Julio S.
17:04 18 Dec 21
I went with 3 friends to what I thought was going to be a fun night. I mean, who can go wrong with going out to have a gay old time to a neighborhood gay...Travis Nelson
03:01 17 Dec 21
Swung in here for drinks after dinner. We met some really great people from around the world. There were reasonably priced drinks, nice bartenders and great entertainment! I would definitely recommend it as a gay bar stop during your trip or if you are newly moved to New York CityElisa Mathews
05:07 20 Oct 21
The bouncer was not professional towards us. We were expecting a level of professionalism and respect for women and women of color, we exited left…, forever.Robert Crowe
04:36 19 Sep 21
Pros: Good drinks, dancing bartendersCons: Overrun with straight women celebrating their bachelorette partiesAlso fyi cash only, but they have atm on-siteStephen T.
16:45 10 Sep 21
Today, I came in this establishment for happy hour, and I saw two hard working employees keep this place afloat during happy hour on a Friday night. I give...Chad VanSteenberg
16:23 23 Aug 21
The place seemed a bit boring when we arrived but livened up quickly and became a favorite. Fun and friendly staff who put on a great show.Jeff Manning
22:56 16 Aug 21
Wanted to like this place but staff just wasn't friendly. Ordered a simple drink, Malibu and Pineapple, they didn't have either ingredient. Also beware, cash only bar doesn't accept credit cards!Elif P.
07:41 11 Aug 21
Came here last night after a tough day. I ordered an Old Fashion and approached by the sweet bartender Chris. Chris made a delicious Old Fashion for me....B F.
23:22 26 Jun 21
Bartender yelled at me for not tipping even though it was the beginning of the night and I was planning on doing so. Then got a security guard to gang up on...Pierre M
01:39 21 Jun 21
We were verbally assaulted over our vaccination status. We called the pharmacy for proof of vaccination, which we find an extremely intrusive and a violation of Personal Health Information rights. The employee chided us with racially charged insults and we left with a very bad impression.Corinne J.
12:25 13 Jun 21
I LOVE THIS PLACE. great place to go dancing and really entertaining bartenders who perform dances on the bar. so fun!Lee W.
15:09 06 Jun 21
There is a bar man who happily pockets all of your change from drinks however much it is. If I am in a bar I will tip a dollar or sometimes two for a beer....Lazaro L.
19:48 29 May 21
Out of town from Miami Fl and heard great things about this place... after making a 30 minute line once we got in they say taht we need to show our...Boo B.
18:45 10 Feb 21
Jakob was the best. Came out for a break from school and work. Jakob made us feel very welcome and was very attentive. Will definitely be back again.Philip Koch
15:23 16 Nov 20
One of the most fun bars in all of Hell's Kitchen. The happy hour from 3 p.m. till 7 every Monday through Friday is divine.Phil Gleaden
12:09 15 Apr 20
Great service from very friendly bar staff, one of the most fun bars I went to in Hells Kitchen.Laura P.
18:22 05 Dec 19
I went here for one drink with my coworkers. I liked the atmosphere and the bartenders were really nice.4 stars because they are a cash o my...Josh Parker
04:38 10 Jul 19
Tonight I sat at the end of the bar and ANY guy that came in was more important than me. The little boy who gave me my first drink never came back to ask me if I want another because he was too busy flirting and trying to get a hook up for the night. Whoever was at the end of the bar on Tuesday, July 10, closest to the door... he only cared about “attractive guys” and I tipped him $10 on a beer and shot and not once did he ask me if I was ok or if I wanted anything more.Cody Caffee
01:03 10 Jul 19
Yeah this place was fun.The drinks are strong and extremely reasonably priced!And the people are legit some of the friendliest people in New York. The bartenders are attentive and hella good at their jobs.We’llAlexandra Salcedo
01:18 31 May 19
A cowboy themed gay bar. Your drinks are served by hot men, the saloon style interior is charming and again, gay. Drinks are served in a glass beer glass and are mixed to perfection. We came in because it advertised a watch show for RuPaul. The entire bar was attentive and excited to watch. We all cheered, booed and laughed together like a big family... Of strangers.Erika Astarita
16:53 06 Jan 19
I come here frequently. I love this bar so much and I'm always excited to come here. Even when its crowded you never have to wait too long for a drink and can always weasel your way to a stool. Everyone who works here is really nice and the dancing is always on point. One time I tried to tip a dancer a bigger bill after a set and he refused without giving me a drink. I've come here the past two prides and had a fabulous time. I LOVE THE DANCING.My only gripe is the epic amounts of straight women and increasing number of straight couples who frequent this place. Recently a straight woman asked me repeatedly if I was a lesbian, when I was clearly with my partner, unable to comprehend that I was. If you're straight - come, have fun, but don't be rude and don't take up too much space.Darci Parken
12:27 19 Jul 16
So much fun! Happy hour Sunday-Thursday from 12am -1am. The bar tenders get on the bar and boot scoot and boogy! I despise country music but this place has a great atmosphere and makes me slightly love the genre!
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