BY: DM
Published 4 days ago
The lights are back on at 225 West 19th Street. After nearly a decade away, g Lounge has officially reopened under original founder Michael McGrail and a new programming team. The relaunch blends nostalgia with new energy, featuring upgraded sound and lighting, a re-centered DJ booth, and a calendar packed with dance nights, panels, sober-friendly gatherings, and community events. Here is a look at what the newly upgraded g Lounge has to offer.
Same Establishment, New Vibes
g Lounge first opened in 1996 and spent nearly two decades as a polished, celebrity-filled staple in Chelsea’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife scene. The space closed around 2016, and for several years operated as Rebar — a venue that drew its own loyal following before shuttering in 2024. That closure opened the door for McGrail, joined by his husband Michael John Kay and nightlife producer Juan Boria, to bring the original energy back home.
“We wanted to restore the feeling that g Lounge always had, a place where people felt at home,” McGrail told Gayety. While Boria added, “g Lounge isn’t just about parties, it’s about connection, creativity, and celebrating who we are together.”
The relaunched space has a similar vibe as the original g Lounge, but with upgraded amenities. The DJ booth now anchors the room, the lighting and sound systems are refreshed, and the menu offers both classic cocktails and craft mocktails for sober guests. The team plans to operate seven nights a week and post a full events calendar on its social channels and website.
“Back then, it was about bringing dignity and visibility to queer nightlife,” Kay told Gayety. “Now, it’s about doing that again, while making sure safety and inclusivity remain the heart of every decision.”
g Lounge’s Reopening Comes at the Right Time
Chelsea’s queer nightlife has changed dramatically in recent years. Longtime neighborhood staples like Splash and Rawhide shut down in the 2010s, and even later fixtures like Barracuda have faced closures or turmoil in 2025. That said, g Lounge aims to fill that gap. Management says the goal isn’t to fossilize a ’90s memory but to adapt that spirit to 2025.
“Think of it as “g Lounge 2.0.” The DNA is the same—a warm, stylish, inclusive space with soul—but the context has changed,” the team told LGBTQ Community News. “The team isn’t recreating the past; they’re reviving the spirit of g Lounge for a new era.”
If you roll through Chelsea and want to peep the comeback, g Lounge has posted its calendar online and on social platforms; look for drag shows, themed international parties, daytime workshops and panels that aim to build more than a weekend crowd. “Beyond nightlife, we’re expanding into daytime workshops, creative meetups, panels on activism and wellness, and sober-friendly events,” McGrail told Out. “G Lounge is now a hub for art, connection, and community as much as a place to dance and celebrate.”
Do you think all nightlife spots should include more sober-friendly and daytime events? Comment below!
