Splash Bar New York

Every girl needs a guy. Us girls on a bachelorett party couldn’t get in. They only wanted guys

I can’t believe this place closed! Hopefully it re opens under a different name or something … I know they tend to do that with many night clubs in NYC.
This was my first gay club experience and it was a blast! All the guys were extremely friendly … met some cool people. The DJ was awesome!
The only down fall is that they didn’t take credit cards … what nightclub doesn’t take cards … it’s 2013!

I cannot believe this place is closed. This was my first experience at a gay bar and let me tell you, it was definitely an EXPERIENCE.
So we were recommended to this place by our waiter earlier that evening (I had asked for a suggestion in the area that was fun and he did not let me down) since it was my guy friend’s birthday. It’s two straight guys and me, no admission fee. Happy hour, buy one get one free and I don’t know if this is a thing at gay bars but holy moly, their mixed drinks were STRONG (like 99.9% hard liquor, 0.1% other stuff that makes it a mix drink). So birthday boy is obviously drunk and guess what?! It’s strip night! They have guests go up to strip and the winner (chosen by the cheers of the crowd) wins $ 200 bar tab for drinks! And the rest… is history. Let’s just say we had tons of fun and met some really cool peoples here.
This place wasn’t a fan of females and there were only two of us there. The other girl (from another group) got picked on a lot but since I’m Asian, I pulled off the whole transvesite thing. Also, there was only one bathroom. No male or female bathrooms. Just one large bathroom w a trough that ran along one wall for guys to pee and a couple stalls.

So here goes. I’ll probably be the only one writing a review of this gay bar/​club as it is closing its doors. I know there’s not much point, but oh well. I came with a friend last night (the grand finale party) and we were only able to stay a short time because they wouldn’t let another friend of ours who showed up into the place because they were closing. You’d think that they could at least have the place open until sunrise at the very least or until people decide to leave? I mean, come on, make an exception, it’s the very last thumpa-​thumpa that will happen within these walls! As for the interior, it’s a nice little club but nothing special, really. A bar and a dance floor with a nice big and fat disco ball. I didn’t see the area downstairs (supposedly there is one). Bouncers weren’t rude or anything, just following the rules. Too bad our time was so short-​lived and too bad this place is closing because of the power that money has. Oh well.

Well, it’s closing so there’s not much point in reviewing this but I’ll do it anyway.
I only came to Splash on Musical Mondays, so I didn’t have the bouncer/​crowd/​music issues other reviewers had. It was never that crowded and you could get a beer pretty quickly. It is a big space so it was roomy and people were kind of nice, so from that perspective, this place will be missed.
I’m not a club type guy so I don’t care about the weekend dance club aspect of this, but that’s just because I’m old and square.

Décor: ³⁄₅
–Feels larger than XL, possibly bc it is multi-​level?
–The music selection was alright. Mostly pop was played with little EDM.
–The sound system was not as good as XL
–The crowd was also a bit on the creepy side with older men walking around then standing and staring. I guess that’s to be expected during college night
Service: ²⁄₅
–Admission was $ 5 for both male and females during Tuesday College Night
–The bartender didn’t honor their advertised drink specials

Been going to this bar on and off for the last few years and I have to say I really have grown to like this club/​bar a lot. I have gone there mostly on Saturdays, however I have gone there on other days and I have always met some really cool people there. The way I see it this is a where people go to have good time and these people couldn’t give a damn if they were in the «in» bar hanging out with the «in» crowd at the «in» party. They’re just there to have a good time. There are a quite lot of regulars, and the bartenders are very cool. The crowd is nice mix of young, the not so young, and somewhat old. The big square layout of the bars are really great because you can approach bartenders from all four direction, which means you’re not stuck behind crowd waiting to order your drink, like you are at most other places.
Yes, this is an NYC institution which get’s its fair share of tourist but that’s all part of what makes it so great.

Really enjoyed my time here. There was a $ 10 cover for girls! Complete with loud dance music, hot male go-​go dancers, I felt like I was at Babylon (QAF?). There’s a downstair bar which is a little quieter, and I met some interesting people. Pretty spacious place.

Splash Bar is often referred to as a «New York City institution.» To me, it’s your standard bar-​lounge with multiple bars, 2 for 1 happy hour (with table service), themed nights, music video «walls», open bathroom stalls (equipped with bouncers to ensure good behavior), cushy chairs on the lower level, and a seating area that turns into a dance floor after 10pm. Getting here early enough will release you from paying a cover charge. Getting here later will subject you to pay for the risk that they hired a crappy DJ.
If here for happy hour, it’s best to go to the bar yourself (as the waiters take their time — especially when it gets close toward the end of happy hour — and the end of the 2 for 1 redemption). Just make sure you hold on to that «receipt.»

Before my gay buddy took me into this place, and a couple other bars of the same orientation, this is what I had always imagined a gay bars were. Loud music, Topless male gogo dancers, seizure inducing lights, smoke machines… This place is a stereotype come true.

I forgot how much fun I have every time I come to Splash! I’ve only been here for their happy hour, but as a straight female, Splash is one of those places where I can go, let loose, and not have to worry about some creep trying to hit on me! Nonetheless, every time I come here with my gay friends, we always have a blast!
The main floor is the primary dance floor with wide open space for dancing. The music videos are usually dance remixes of popular songs (I just wished they played more electronic dance music). And the bar itself is never packed where you can’t move around and have no space to dance. Not to mention, the bartenders are friendly and attractive. There’s also a bottom floor with more of a lounge area.
Go for the 2 for 1 Happy Hour — it’s always a blast!

SUPER HOT bartenders/​dancers. They wear just a right amount of clothes. That’s all I want to say.
P/​s: Drinks are pricey though.

What do gay horses eat?
Haaayyyyyyyy!
That’s how gay this place was. It was almost pooping rainbows. Loved it!
Was here on a Monday night with a couple of my NY buddies. Show tunes Monday!
Barbara, Liza … you get the picture.
When I initially walked in show tunes night had not started yet as it was early. What I did walk into playing was Kylie. I was sold from that moment on!
It was buy one get one free. Now I think the Corona’s were $ 7 anyways, but with the BOGOF it was OK. Drink deffo seemed more expensive here. (in comparison to other bars I had been to but that’s how it is in NYC)…
You had the muscle Mary drinks waiter dudes in their underwear taking your orders at your table. Not something I would see in a Dublin gay bar, so that in itself was an experience.
Toilets. A little scary. Dark. Very open plan. I ran in and ran out of them I must say.
Showtunes Monday got a little much after a while. SUPER LOUD and I just wanted to dance to GaGa at this stage so we left.
Good fun tho. Would deffo go back next time the Big Apple beckons!

I would iove to give a review of Splash but am not able to because my friends and I weren’t allowed in because of our age! Our group ranged from 21 to 26! We showed up to the door and some pumped up princess with a bad nose job looked at my friends and I and singled out my friend, who does look younger but is 21 turning 22 next month and basically interrogated him about his age. He asked if he had more than one form of ID, asked his birthday and then followed up by asking the rest of us our age. I’m 21, my friends were 23 and 26. After he asked us our age he then proceeded to be a dick and said «get out of here. I’m not going to let you in. This is nyc, theres a million other places to go.»
It’s understandable if an establishment would like to maintain a 25 and up clientele, but being being completely rude about it is uncalled for. He could have just said «We’re 25 and up» which is fine or it would have been different had it advertised that age preference. I plan on advising all my friends to not go.

«I was born this way»
All I can say is, a young gay guy coming right out of college to NYC, I lived here. I had all the splash cards (if some of you even remember those… pink, white, red!) and I danced on cubes. Who could ask for anything more? (Okay I did and I went backstage numerous times with my friend Jon)
Splash is what it is boys. It’s a great place to come with friends and have a blast. It is literally a meatpacking club relocated into the heart of Chelsea. And let’s face it there is a reason she is still hanging on, unlike her predecessors… The Roxy… R.I.P.
Will always admit sometimes I am in the mood and sometimes I am not, this usually depends on the music. You do never know what you are going to get.
I’ve watched her undergo many a change and she still delivers for me. Bartenders are always friendly and surprisingly so is the door staff. (P.s. if you GIVE them attitude, you might GET it back) Always check your coat btw! Its not a place to try and hide it in the corner. Dancers are always a riot; in it to win it; and not afraid of audience participation.
I have also brought girls here and although welcoming of them, the girls felt a liiiittle overwhelmed. But if they can hang and dance with you then you’re set.
Come before midnight to avoid the higher cover. Although you might be able to sweet talk the door guy.
Happy hour 2−4−1 is a special event, especially if its Musical Mondays.

Ok. We get it. Splash is a boy club.
However, I arrived to meet my crew of boys with a few girls who had been at dinner with us earlier. At the door, the bouncer told us that every girl in had to be escorted by a boy. Even though we were meeting other guys inside, it didn’t matter.
We said we were going to call our friends and he basically said, it doesn’t matter, even if you call them, I’m not letting you in.
Seriously? We just left Avenue where our table reservation was $ 2000 and this cheese dick at the door didn’t let us in because I had two girls with me?
Splash is not the place to go. It’s so 1998. And as long as that dick works the door, I’ll tell everyone never to go. Dougie Meyer, get rid of that guy.

Alright, the Splash review, let me point this out first: deal with the fact that this is gay bar/​club, and meant for gay men. That’s just how it is, lets all smile about it, yeah? Granted, it totally sucks that there aren’t any real lesbian clubs around, but maybe the lesbians need to come together and do something about it. I saw the bouncer say «you know this is a GAY club?» to a lesbian that ran in for her life, a second after he rejected a group of straight gals wanting to see some gays (one gal per gay). Yeah, its F-​ed up, but, its not like there are hundreds of gay spots around… so don’t hate on the gays. At least it isn’t one of those grimy straight places where «girls free all night, guys, 20 $»
Bartenders/​Drinks:
Just pre-​game. Yeah, its college-​esk (in FACT, its college night on Thursday, which you should only go to if you want to see some sleazy 18yr olds, watch out for that X on their hand! 18 years of no action means they’re looking hard, and if not, they’re on Grindr. Do it boys. No shame in the game), but I’m not a fan of double digits prices for a jack and coke. A good half of the bartenders are straight, if you’re smart you’ll realize this. Great bodies, but I’m a gay that likes to see some gay men, not straight guys showing off because we pay better. Its whatever though.
Crowd:
Yeah, they can be a bit much. Especially the ones trolling around the bathrooms looking to fill their throats. Like any other horny guy, I thought about it, duh, but ew, lets be mature about it. I was pissing when a guy literally poked his head from the other stall in the trough hole. I’m not a shy guy, but I would have appreciated some class. If you’re looking to hook up that night, SURE, Splash is the place to go! I’m sure theres a guy that’ll «do» for ya. Watch out for the tourists, they will holler, and persist in some hotel action. Tempting, but not tonight, «I leave tomorrow!» Exactly. Enjoy Jetblue.
Music:
If you really want to dance that night, head over :) Music is quite acceptable, and you’ll be able to dance with the ample room upstairs AND downstairs. If you want to jam to the music with your cocktail? Sit at the mini-​lounge downstairs, that always works out for me. It may sound wallflower-​ish but if you’re a gay with a visibly (tight or not tight shirt) athletic to muscular body type, ooooh will you be touched by many. Almost tiring. I prefer to see who’s man enough to walk up to someone sitting down enjoying himself.

Expensive, miniscule drinks. Check
Cheesy Straight Bartenders. Check
Offensive policy limiting women in the bar. Check
Trollish tourists. Check
Bad sound system. Check
Bad DJ’s. Check
Avoid at all costs.

Not bad. I liked the layout. The DJ knew how to spin/​mix. The bartenders were HOOOOOOOOTTTTT!!! …and they’re made even hotter by the fact that they’re heavy-​handed :-) And I really liked the quieter lounge downstairs with the nice couches, dampened music, and the hottest bartender in the place.
But $ 5 for a bottle of water? Come on! I know that it’s NYC. But really guys. I’ve traveled to a lot of foreign countries. And Splash charges the same rate I paid in Copenhagen AFTER calculating the exchange rate. I can deal with that when I’m in a country with a more valuable dollar than mine and when liquor is almost all imported. But it’s few and far between I care to spend that amount of dough for Stateside well-​drinks
That being said, I definitely wanna go back. I really liked the experience. But it would probably have to be for a non-​cover night… and when they have a 2-​for-​1 deal… and I’d probably pre-​game. since the only thing that pulled me out of having a stellar experience was the cost. I’m not cheap. But my frugal side wants a bit more than what I experienced for that kinda dough.

I’m a little embarrassed to be reviewing Splash Bar New York («Splash» as it used to be known, or SBNY for short) — but, truth be told, even though it’s really not my scene, I come here a little less often than once a year but perhaps a little more frequently than once every other year — because I have a friend who’s a manager here, because I have a friend who’s a DJ here, and because I have a friend who sometimes dances here.
Thursday night I was here for my friend’s birthday, he was the DJ, so I spent the evening listening to an awesome mix of popular hits, being fed glass after glass of gin, and eating bits of birthday cake when my friend wasn’t looking… I left with a huge smile on my face.
Before that, the last time I was here, it was College Night, a little more than 2 years ago, and boy oh boy did I reap the rewards of having an «in» — it’s really easy to impress a 21 year old from Long Island.
The time before that, my friend Erin (a girl) and I walked in, and within minutes we were talking to the son of some Foreign Diplomat, I don’t remember much about the evening, but a little while later he loaned us his driver and limousine, which was loaded with alcohol, and it drove me home (to the Upper West Side) THEN drove my friend home (to the West Village).
Before that, some ridiculously, phenomenally, jaw-​droppingly HOT HOT HOT guy picked me up – but the condition was that his «friend» (a tourist from another country, a few years older than either of us) «could come along…» I asked if they had any alcohol (how very me of me), the answer was «Yes, there’s an unopened bottle of Belvedere.» And, um, ahem…
Blah blah blah, enough of my going down memory lane — the sound system is decent, the bartenders are hot, there are drink specials, sometimes there are ways of getting around the steep cover charge, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy oneself, and, um, there are lots of young boys that come here looking to, um, enjoy themselves.