Nearly a decade after its doors closed in 2016, one of Chelsea’s most beloved queer landmarks has come roaring back to life. g Lounge, once the sleek, red-lit haven that defined a golden era of New York nightlife, has reopened with both reverence for its history and a bold vision for the future. Under the leadership of original founder Michael McGrail and his team, the space is more than a bar — it’s a cultural home, a safe haven and a vibrant hub where legacy and innovation collide. In this candid conversation, the minds behind g Lounge reflect on what inspired its revival, how it has evolved and why its role in shaping queer nightlife still resonates today.
What inspired you to bring back g Lounge after nearly a decade since its closing in 2016?
When we looked back over the years, there was always this sense that something was missing in Chelsea — not just a bar, but a gathering place with history, dignity and soul. g Lounge wasn’t just bricks and a bar; it was a home, especially during its original run from 1996 until its close in 2016.
The inspiration came from wanting to restore that sense of belonging. So much has changed — neighborhoods shift, culture shifts — but what people hunger for doesn’t: authenticity, community, safety, joy. Bringing g Lounge back felt like an act of restoration, both for us and for all the folks who carried its memory. We also saw a gap: younger generations might not have experienced the original, but they deserve to know what dance, connection, expression feel like in the kind of space our founders envisioned. So reviving g Lounge was about reviving legacy, yes — but also about renewing purpose for today and tomorrow.
How does the new g Lounge differ from its original version in the late ’90s and early 2000s?
We want people who remember the original g Lounge to recognize its heartbeat — the feel, the warmth, the style — but we’ve also made deliberate updates so it works for 2025. Some of the differences:
Space & Layout: We reconfigured the floorplan. The DJ booth is no longer tucked away; it’s now front-and-center. We added a designated dance floor.
Comfort & Aesthetic: Gone are the hard wood benches; in are stylish, comfortable furniture pieces. Upgrade in lighting, upgraded sound system — all to make sure people can stay longer, feel more present.
Programming: While the original focused heavily on late-night cocktails, dancing and drag, we’re expanding things: daytime events, sober nights, workshops, political panels, creative sessions. We want g Lounge not just for party nights but for connection, growth and reflection, as well as fun.
Inclusivity & Safe Space: One big difference that was always there in spirit, but is more explicit now: creating dedicated nights for trans and non-binary folks. Making sure the environment is welcoming, respectful of diversity in race, expression, age.
What role do you think g Lounge played in shaping queer nightlife during Chelsea’s golden era?
g Lounge was symbolic of what queer nightlife could be: stylish and unapologetically queer, with dignity, creativity and visibility. In an era when many gay bars were hidden, dim or limited in ambition, g Lounge opened windows — literally and figuratively — and offered a space where people could be themselves, build community, be seen.
It was a stage for drag queens, for art, for romance, for protest in its own way. It attracted locals, tourists, creatives, performers, celebrities—even those who didn’t frequent gay bars—because its reputation was of being more than just a drinking spot. It shaped expectations: that queer nightlife could be safe, elegant, inclusive, empowering. So its influence extended beyond its walls. It helped define Chelsea’s identity as a center of queer culture and helped usher in a nightlife that valued both visibility and artistry.
Can you share a favorite memory from the original g Lounge that still resonates with you?
There are so many. One that often comes up: A summer night, mid-2000s, when we opened the big archway/windows to let in air from West 19th Street. The light spilled in; people lounged near the windows, cocktails in hand; drag performers rehearsed in corners; friends met each other unexpectedly.
That mix of light and darkness — natural daylight giving way to sunset, city sounds mixing with the DJs, conversations across tables — that moment of transition always felt magical.
Another is the time of a themed event (I recall it being Memorial Day weekend) when we transformed part of the lounge into a kind of pop-up beach: inflatable pools, a large chair for a “buff lifeguard,” free Cosmos flowing, people dancing in Speedos. It was playful, silly, over the top — and yet full of heart and liberation.
That sense that everyone belonged: the regulars, the first timers, the artists, the day workers, the drag queens, the tourists. That is something we try to resurrect.
What updates or renovations were most important to you in reimagining the space for 2025?
There were a few non-negotiables, because we believe that for g Lounge to serve both legacy and future, the space must carry both memory and modernity.
Acoustics & sound/lighting: We installed a more advanced sound system and lighting rig so that when the beat drops, the room responds. Lighting that flatters, that highlights performance, that doesn’t strain people’s eyes; sound that’s immersive without being overwhelming.
Floorplan & Flow: Making sure people can move — from the bar to dancefloor to lounge seating — comfortably. Ensuring the DJ is visible and central, not marginalized in a corner. Comfort of seating: replacing benches with furniture that encourages lingering, conversation, rest.
Design & Aesthetic: Paying homage to signature features: the oval bar (or “g-shaped” bar) is part of the identity. But updating surfaces, materials, color palettes so that they feel fresh, inviting, inspire pride. Also updating restrooms, accessibility, climate control etc.
Programming Infrastructure: Spaces or back rooms that can host art, workshops, daytime events. Technical capacity for lighting and staging for drag and performance nights, for DJs. And ensuring safety, inclusivity features: good ventilation, good sightlines, good hospitality training.
How will g Lounge balance its legacy with attracting a new generation of LGBTQ+ nightlife-goers?
This is central to our mission. Legacy gives us roots; new generations give us growth. Some ways we see balancing:
Honoring legacy in vibe, décor, stories: Keeping signature design elements, regulars’ stories, still welcoming the nostalgic moments: signature drinks, classic nights, remembering past events. Letting people who came in the ’90s and early 2000s feel at home, seen — like raising a glass to the past.
Listening to the new generation: asking what they want, what spaces they feel safe in, what styles of nights excite them — from sober hours to themed nights, DJs, drag, queer art, multimedia. We’re intentionally programming nights targeted to trans, non-binary folks, younger queer people, those exploring identity, etc.
Mix of old and new events: Keeping the weekly drag shows that longtime patrons loved, but also adding creative workshops, entertainment formats that younger people gravitate to (social media-friendly nights, immersive art, etc.).
Inclusive pricing, accessibility, comfort: Younger folks often struggle with cost; offering happy hours, mocktails, inclusive pricing helps. Ensuring accessibility—physical, economic, social—is part of making g Lounge relevant and welcoming to new people.
Marketing & community-outreach: Using social media and digital platforms to engage younger audiences, but also community partners (LGBTQ+ orgs, schools, art collectives) so that g Lounge is known as more than a nightclub; it’s a place of culture, support and activism, as much as fun.
What does it mean to you personally to reopen in the original location with your creative team?
It’s deeply meaningful. For Michael McGrail, being the original founder, to return to the same address — 225 West 19th Street — is like coming home. It carries memories, both joyous and bittersweet. There’s a responsibility in that: to not betray what people loved, but to elevate it. Being with a creative team who also understand the history, who respect it, and who bring fresh energy — it’s a rare gift.
There is something visceral — walking through those doors again, smelling the wood, seeing the light, hearing footsteps, echoes of laughter from years past — that fuels purpose. It anchors us: to serve the community in a place that already holds so much history, so many stories. It means we’re not starting from scratch; we’re building upon layers. And that heritage guides us in every decision: the bar, the music, the safety, the welcome.
How do you envision g Lounge serving the LGBTQ+ community beyond being just a nightclub?
We see g Lounge as a hub, not simply a place for evenings. Some of our intentions:
Daytime & early evening programming: workshops, creative-arts meet-ups, panels on activism, mental health events, political discussions. Spaces where people can gather outside late hours.
Safe space for marginalized sub-communities: nights devoted to trans and non-binary folks, people of color, those exploring identity. Offering sober nights or options for people who don’t drink or who want lower-stimulation events.
Cultural visibility & art: showcasing LGBTQ+ artists, photographers, drag, performance art; rotating art installations; supporting queer creators.
Community support & partnerships: working with local LGBTQ+ nonprofits, youth organizations, health agencies; perhaps hosting fundraisers, awareness events. Being a place where activism, mutual aid, education and celebration intersect.
Mentorship & legacy: preserving the oral histories, celebrating past performers, supporting up-and-coming queer talent (DJs, drag artists, fashion, etc.).
Inclusivity in every decision: ensuring staff training in inclusivity, ensuring the physical space is accessible, ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected, seen.
Many celebrities frequented the original G Lounge—can we expect similar cultural moments with this relaunch?
We hope so. Celebrity presence was always a part of what made g Lounge feel connected to larger cultural currents — Broadway stars, drag icons, media personalities — but that was never the point.
The point was culture, expression, spark. If celebrities show up, great — but what’s more important is that people show up as themselves and create moments that matter.
We’re building an environment that invites moments: big performances, impromptu art, drag reveals, creative collaborations. Those are the seeds of culture. We believe by centering design, performance, hospitality, community, we’ll attract folks who make culture happen — celebrities, sure, but also those whose names aren’t famous yet. We want iconic nights, viral moments, storytelling moments. So yes, we expect cultural moments, but defined broadly — as nights people remember, friendships formed, visibility asserted.
What do you hope people feel when they walk through the doors of the new g Lounge for the first time?
I hope they feel: welcome, immediately. That sense of recognition — that they’ve arrived somewhere familiar, safe; somewhere with dignity. I want them to feel nostalgia for what was — but also excitement for what is possible now. A warmth, a buzz in the air: music, laughter, light, possibility.
I hope they feel curiosity — to explore the space, to meet new people, to experience new art, to discover parts of themselves. Pride. Connection. And most of all, to feel that they belong — whether they’ve walked those doors before in the ’90s, or it’s their first time ever stepping into g Lounge.
Give us a runthrough of your weekly programming.
Our goal was to make the calendar reflect the full spectrum of our community — from high-energy nightlife to quieter creative gatherings.
Mondays & Tuesdays: We lean into community connection — things like Draw & Drink, a chance for folks to sketch, sip and socialize, or our Jazz Night, which is intentionally alcohol-optional, offering crafted mocktails for those who want a sober space.
Wednesdays & Thursdays: That’s when we spotlight drag and performance. Our resident competitions, like Polish the Queen and Unleashed, give rising performers a stage, while rotating DJs keep the energy alive.
Fridays & Saturdays: We go big — dance nights with themed parties, guest DJs, and collaborations with global queer brands, like Brazil’s #1 LGBTQ+ event Treta Festa.
Sundays: We close the week with a mix of chill and fun — community socials, industry nights and programming that shifts depending on season or cultural moment.
What ties it all together is variety — so you can come for drag, come for dancing, or come for a low-key night where you actually hear your friends. We want g Lounge to be where the week feels complete, no matter what kind of night you’re looking for.
When are the happy hours? Are you still serving up the frozen Cosmos?
Happy hour is definitely alive and well. We’ve structured it so everyone gets a chance to enjoy: Sunday through Tuesday until 2AM, and Wednesday through Saturday until 9PM. That means there’s always a night — or a time of night — where you can unwind without breaking the bank.
As for the frozen Cosmos — let’s just say we heard you loud and clear. While we’ve introduced a full cocktail program with signatures like the gPaloma and the gTini, plus mocktails made with Ritual Zero Proof, we know the frozen Cosmo is part of g Lounge history. We’ve brought it back with a little twist, honoring that classic ’90s nostalgia while making sure it tastes just as good in 2025.
