New York City’s Oldest Gay Bar Becomes West Village Landmark

Share on facebook
Share on whatsapp
Share on twitter
Share on email

The Landmark Preservation Commission designated Julius’ Bar on Tuesday an official New York City landmark.

WEST VILLAGE, NY — Julius’ Bar in the West Village, considered the longest-running gay bar in the city, was officially made a New York City landmark on Tuesday.

The building at 159 W. 10th St. was designated a landmark for the role it played in advancing the rights of gay and lesbian New Yorkers, the Landmarks Preservation Commission explained in a news release.

“The ‘Sip-In’ at Julius’ was a pivotal moment in our city and our nation’s LGBTQ+ history, and this designation today marks not only that moment but also Julius’ half-century as a home for New York City’s LGBTQ+ community,” said Mayor Eric Adams, in a news release. “Honoring a location where New Yorkers were once denied service solely on account of their sexuality reinforces something that should already be clear: LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are welcome anywhere in our city.”

Julius’ Bar, first opened in 1864, sits in the Greenwich Village Historic District just a few blocks away from the Stonewall Inn, which was made a New York City landmark in 2015.

The “Sip-In” took place three years before the nearby Stonewall Riots, which is generally considered to be the beginning of a new wave of LGBTQ activism.

Join our
Mailing List

* indicates required
/ ( mm / dd )