GAY AND GLUTEN FREE IN NEW YORK CITY

Hi I’m Eden — yes the owner and host of Garden Of Collective in Chicago — but first and foremost I am a raging lesbian and gluten free (10+ years) loser who loves NYC more than life. For years I’ve been sending my notes app of goodies to friends and family, but now I’m gifting it to you here on the internet for your enjoyment! Must sees will be marked with *, and sapphic only (or specific) spaces will be marked with ~. Have the best time in the best city in the world! Stay off of work island (Manhattan) and go into Brooklyn as much as you can.

Coffee Shops!!

Volkan Cafe — the sweetest coffee shop off Atlantic and how I fell in love with Brooklyn. She’s tiny but mighty, if you come with more than 3 people it’s very unlikely you’ll find a seat, but still stop by! Delish Gluten Free options, the bread is amazing, truly. You know how rare that is.

Little Zelda — another street that is just too cute, perfect to stop by if you want to make your way up to the Brooklyn Museum! Not a ton of food but always the most insane gluten free cookies.

Bars!!

Elsa — cutie lil cocktail bar in Brooklyn. That’s all she wrote.

Long Island Bar — Close to Elsa’s if you want to bar hop, and not suuuuper far from Brooklyn in or Clover Club. She’s a cute retro bar filled with booths and a sweet tabletop.

Clover Club** — one of my favorite bars in Brooklyn. Amazing wine and cocktails, and the Brussel sprouts will change your life and you CAN quote me on that. Get a reservation if you can!

Brooklyn Inn — Tiny dive bar on one of my favorite streets in Brooklyn. Super close to Public Records if you want to make a night out of it.

Cubbyhole~ — She technically is a Lesbian bar but it’s more queer than anything. You will see men. But this is a tiny lil dive bar that’s incredible in queer history! Cash only.

Stonewall — Similar to Cubbyhole, the queer history here is crucial and worth stopping in even for that!

Gingers~* — Lesbian bar that truly stays pretty sapphic. Pool table, dive bar vibes, cutie patio out back. Cash only, so be prepared for that! If you’re choosing between Gingers and Cubbyhole, I’ll say Gingers every time because Brooklyn.

Let’s go dancing!!

Joyface** The 70’s bar of your dream — complete with Playboys on the wall and an actual waterbed to crawl on. Small space, tough door, 70’s-80’s music in a hazy dream. This will be one of the most magical nights of your life. Like I said.. door is tough. Want to skip the line? Bring your parents (they literally say this on their bio and they mean it.) Want to beat the line? Get there before 10pm. Want the best chance of getting in? Wear your coolest and most unique outfit.

Nowadays — A favorite of mine out in the middle of nowhere Brooklyn. Prep for an incense drenched disco dance floor with the coolest dj set, and an amazing (and massive) outside seating area if you need to beat the heat.

Henriettas~** — a lesbian bar so I HIGHLY recommend going if you identify as sapphic only. Yes, you can go if you’re not sapphic, but you will get looks so keep that in mind. Prepare to be locked in on the dance floor with hundreds of sapphics in a sweaty, dancing mess. Drinks are expensive and you will be in line for an hour for the bathroom, but you’ll leave feeling gayer than ever.

Public Records** — a favorite of mine down the street from the Brooklyn Inn. Multi unit club with an amazing outdoor space, each room is a journey through a different Brooklyn vibe. Yes, tickets are expensive (everything is in NYC). Yes, they sell out. Yes, you will leave ironically saying “tonight was a movie” until it doesn’t feel ironic anymore and your friends will force you to go silent time mode.

Basement — Another baddie in the middle of nowhere Brooklyn. I do NOT recommend Basement for everyone. She’s weird. She’s kinky. She’s dark. She’s an underground (hence basement) set of catacombs. You will likely get lost at some point but each room will be delivering different sounds and different dj’s. Make sure to check the event list before heading there, because you could walk in on a kink night unexpectedly. TOUGH door, do not come in a risky outfit. Even if it’s Halloween. Not a gay bar but always queer af.

The Woods (ONLY ON WEDNESDAY) ~* Sapphic/Dyke night at this bar every Wednesday without fail. No cover, and prepare to fight for your life shoulder to shoulder on the dance floor with feral sapphics. Open back patio area that is *slightly* less crowded. Crow tends to lean younger (21-24?) but sapphics of any age will have a great time, I still love her at age 29.

Let’s eat!

Sottocasa**** — authentic Italian pizza with the best gluten free crust you’ve ever had. After 4 years, I still ask “Are you sure this is gluten free?” When they bring it to the table because WHY IS IT SO FLUFFY. Truly unparalleled, and such a cutie family spot that’s perfect for anything from a date to a big friend group get together.

Cotenna* — Amazing Italian spot in Work Island (Manhattan). Michelin star but affordable? Please. Incredible gluten free truffle oil mac and cheese. Yeah, you read that right.

Birria truck in Williamsburg — that’s it, that’s the spot. Will change your life. Make it a priority if you’re going over there to bar hop or explore Williamsburg!

Reunion** — An Israeli place that will change your LIFE in Brooklyn. The chicken schwarma lives rent free in my brain, I miss her daily. Super cutie for a date night, I do recommend you get a reservation!

Dudley’s — A personal favorite of mine, definitely try to get a reservation. In a cutie park of Work Island where you can bar hop, check out some great vintage, see some of the best outfits the Gen Z’ers have to offer.

Grey Dog — Yes, she is a brunch chain in the city. Yes, I still love her. Always beyond packed, but perfect if you’re wanting a yummy classic brunch vibe.

Coppelia************** — If you go to Work Island and you don’t go here, lose my number. This is a 24 hour Latin fusion diner with Lomo Saltado that will change your life. They do have GF things, the Lomo has soy sauce, I personally persevere the stomach ache for the sake of losing my mind in the booth but I know not everyone has that luxury.

Wild*** — ALLLLLLL gluten free, babyyyy. There is one on Work Island and one in Brooklyn. You’ll never hear me say this again, but I do prefer the M*nhattan one. She’s cuter, vibier, and has GF mozzarella sticks that will have you freaking it. You MUST make a reservation, I don’t think I’ve ever walked up and waited less than 40 minutes.

Felice — Cute Italian place by the waterfront in Brooklyn. Great wine, great gluten free pasta.

White Tiger — Korean joint that 1. Is cute but 2. Is the most INSANELY DELISH FOOD ever. Gluten free fried chicken and kimchi fries? Forget about it. They also have this matcha sake cocktail that I would have drank 10 pitches of if given the chance. Soooo many gluten free options that you don’t get on the regular!

Gluten free bakeries!!

Brooklyn bakery — this is the only one listed that isn’t exclusively GF but they do have some yummy GF goodies. It’s down the street from Cafe Volkan, Clover Club, AND Brooklyn Inn. I used to live on this street so I’m biased but I love her.

Posh pop bakery

Modern bread and bagel

By the way bakery

That’s all she wrote, folks. This should give you, at minimum, a jumping off point for your Brooklyn (and Manhattan, I guess) endeavors. Try to stay in Brooklyn as much as you can! Walk around Dumbo! Boerum hill! Williamsburg! Have the best time and be gay!!! Love you, bye! xx