Gym Sportsbar

Far from positive opinion. And the bad thing is — I am/​was a regular at the spot, not a random traveler. I don’t come alone there either, we have a social group that did monthly meetups. I am sure some people were even more frequent patrons that I was as I am not local to Chelsea. We plan ahead, sometimes months in advance, as people travel, not everyone is around the corner, and we put in an effort to keep this going. And it so happened that the venue chose to inform me in person that I am not their best customer. I didn’t know I was in the running. May be I should have not been surprised.
The issue at hand was the venue has an online calendar. Great! But it’s nearly blank. The only regular event — Happy Hour every weekday. Not sure how that is a blaring event for the rest of the world to see, but apparently it is. Our group chose Thursday nights for the meetup. Lockerroom space downstairs is so much more preferable for us as the music is not blasted overpowering any human conversation as it is on the main floor. Must be the gay tradition — doesn’t matter if it is a sports-​themed venue, no one’s watching it anyway, why bother with the audible audio feed — you’re here for a hookup.
On a very recent occasion there was a private event at the Lockerrom (space downstairs) coinciding to a Thursday that our group met. Things started with its end announced at 8:30. Then 9:30. There was even a printed note on the stairwell door. Then a hand-​written correction that it changed to 10 pm. All that time we gave the courtesy of waiting, shouting to each other over the music on the main level. The venue hasn’t posted that event online (and in this day and age one can say — ‘why bother?’. That’s too much trouble. It’s only one of 3 remaining gay bars in whole of Chelsea, where else were they gonna go?). But you know what? — if one’d bother to give a written word to the rest of your patrons and regular customers on service availability, I’d manage the situation to keep it. It’s just me.
Clearly my opinion was very wrong in the eyes and ears of ‘The Management’. The bartender downstairs that I have complained about it said only «And I AM the bartender». I don’t think that also meant that the guy was «The Management» but I took it. In under 2 minutes being upstairs I was interrupted by a cute tall guy who did introduce himself but hasn’t made it distinct enough for anyone to register. He was pleasant. He reiterated he was an employee. He did as he was told. But ‘The Management’ was very insistent on their displeasure with my business and my attendance at the venue that they decided to sprint in and inform me.
No need for long explanations. There has to be an economic benefit to commercial activity. Positive for good, negative for bad. If one would be so insistent not to keep their word and customers happy, I see no reason to be a patron and repeatedly spend my money there. And I can tell anyone else — don’t waste your time, ‘The Management’ is always right, they earn enough without you. Note how many other recent low-​rated reviews are in. ‘The best’ out of the whole 2 in town? Take your money and enjoy yourself elsewhere.

Reviews for me are: you were amazing or you pissed me off. Meh doesn’t drive me to Unilocal.This bar established a very low bar for gay sports and has just gotten worse every year (they proudly celebrate 10 of them, if you need to stack up the fails). Go to boxers for better men, better atmosphere, less attitude and, most importantly, decent, friendly, professional bartenders.

I am not a fan of this bar. Nothing about this place screams «comfort» for me and that’s an issue. No matter where you are you will feel boxed in. I don’t know this bar and me just don’t gel.

I like the guys who bartend here, they’re usually very friendly and attentive. Drinks are pretty cheap compared to most other places. Still this place could use a little TLC or a full revamp. It just feels dark and dingy here most of the time. Boxers in Chelsea definitely has a better atmosphere and most straight sports bars have more to offer than just a drabby little pool table. They used to show «American Horror Story» downstairs in the basement but they’ve since discontinued it.

The bar has a very relaxed atmosphere. Guys just go to have a drink or two or three haha, very good vibes, unpretentious and good music.
When I go to NYC it is a must!

Always a good time minus the weird smell from the wood floors after many drinks being spilled on it. LOL

It honestly took me a loooooooong time to to warm up to Gym Bar. I initially had some meh experiences there but then I realized that it was more of the people than the fault of the establishment.
Gym Bar, for me, is like a fortress. You have to get through the overcrowded outdoor «patio» in front, full of second hand smoke, to get in. Then, you have to traverse the Grand Central Station-​like crowd mobbing the bar area. Then, you pass the restrooms to the pool table. Here is where I was able to find some sanity; down-​to-​earth regulars who come here for some good beer, some ok music, and some good pool.

This place has a great, friendly staff! The drinks are awesome (STRONG) and you cannot beat buy one get one @ Happy Hour! Sports are always showing on the TV’s, so you can go here and catch the game at any time.

Lots of space and lots of TVs playing sports stations but no one watching! Maybe because everyone would rather drink and socialize than watch sports on TV, but I didn’t see one person in the entire bar interested in anything playing.
The drinks were very strong and worth what was paid for them. The people at the bar were a wide range of ages from 20 to 60+. Something for everyone here!
Bartenders gave quick service and were very friendly. Bathrooms were clean for a bar.
Overall, I would say this is a place to revisit.

What a sweet little spot! Buff and friendly bartenders, nice and mixed crowd, good happy hour specials, and you can’t beat watching sports while jamming out to LOUD pop music!
Having some time to kill before a comedy show, we went during happy hour with standing room only and felt 100% comfortable, although some drinks were stronger than others. There’s an ATM, a small patio and pool tables. Two thumbs up!

An unpretentious version of Boxers. Monday nights are a good crowd here. Most people are friendly.

You’ll be shocked. Most patrons aren’t into sports. I know, shocking. The sports theme is over played. It’s okay here, just okay. I’d take it over most places in Hell’s Kitchen (which is everywhere, since I am not a fan), but yeah it’s the old queen of gay bars. Don’t expect to be charmed. Oh, and i hate the $ 20 credit card limit, boo.

This is the gay sports bar version of the bar in Boston where everybody knows your name. It’s small enough for everybody to know your name if you are a regular and there are a dozen TV playing any sport on television worth watching. It’s just too bad that in a gay bar the crowd is more busy watching each other than the television screens!

Love this bar ever since my friend told me about it. Been here twice, and the vibe and atmosphere has been great. They have a good happy hour and it’s always packed, especially in the outdoor front patio they have. You buy one drink, you get a token for another free during happy hour. Guys are mixed, but mostly older.

Strange thing happened, ordered a couple of beers, paid with a $ 50. Left after the beers and noticed that I only had $ 6 in change. I went back to the bar and the bartender apologized and gave me my change. What a great guy!

It is more like a gym-​themed bar.
I typically come here for the Sunday beer blast ($ 3 dollar drafts). The place is fairly large but can get really packed (sardines in a can) on sundays. I would not say that this is an actual sports bar … More like a bar with a game or two on the tv. Actually, I do not think anyone, including myself, comes here purely to watch sports. The bartenders are a mixed bunch of personalities, some are fun and others are kind of standoffish. But, the service is pretty fast so I will give them that.
The bar has a pool table in the back and a second bar (the locker room) downstairs, which is quieter than upstairs. The crowd is a nice mix of people of differed races, ages and body types, so everyone can «fit» in. One cool thing about this place is that it has a smoking patio in the front of the bar and you can get your smoke on while drinking and watching folks in Chelsea. They take credit cards but you must have a 20 dollar minimum, which is quite easy to do in Manhattan.

I was here for a very short amount of time, so I am not sure if my review will be adjusted later. Nevertheless, pretty low-​key vibe, which I liked. Also, good for guys that are sports fans, as they have sporting events on TV usually.

This place could use a little TLC or something to give it more pizzazz, and maybe some febreeze in the basement… dank! lol… but last time on Sat night the DJ played great music… so 3 ½ star out of 5.

My first time here was about 2 weeks ago. I used to go out all the time, but have been MIA from my friends lives because because of a difficult relationship. It was nice, 2 floors, nice attentive bartenders, clean. I was the only female there which surprised me, usually there is 1 straight girl for every gay man, but I seemed to be the only one there that night. They also have an outdoor area. The clientele were all seemingly average guys. No pretentiousness that I observed that night. Good happy hour with poker chips, games on every television, good prices on drinks. I would go back again with friends, I had a good time!

Bartenders are very nice here and they hustle to make sure you get your drinks in a timely and efficient manner. I came here with some friends after spending a couple of hours over at Boxers and the difference in service is night and day.
Although I like the layout of Boxers better, it’s just easy to have more fun here because you don’t get frustrated trying to get a simple bottle of beer. I don’t mean to keep comparing this place to Boxers, but if you want to watch a football game in Chelsea, those are kind of your options so this should be your pick.
Plus, they have these cool little soccer goals in the can so when you’re getting rid of your beer, you can try to «score a goal» with the little soccer ball dangling from the goal. It’s easy if you have good aim!
I think the crowd is nice and even though the place is crowded and laid out a bit awkwardly, it’s a fun place to go.

My husband an I got married here! Rick, the owner, let us have the downstairs to ourselves. We had a mixed crowd, including my daughter and nephew. Rick went OVERBOARD! We served hot and cold finger foods, and even got us a brown derby wedding cake! We had a blast! After the wedding we went out front for pictures, and everyone on the patio was cheering and clapping for us. what a great group of people! The staff and crowd were all so nice and friendly. can’t wait to go back!

There is nothing like hittin up Gym Bar, watching NFL games on ½ dozen flat-​screen tvs, while sipping on deelish bloody marys, served by a big bear bartender, and shooting the shit with Chelsea gay boysss… on Sundays.
What…wha?!

Love this place for happy hour. I’m always like the only girl in here but it’s cool I like how im not getting hit on every second, def a plus. The drinks are sooo flipping strong hits the spot right. All of the bartenders are rude except for the Aussie which I think he might be the only straight dude in the entire place. It does get over packed, if your (this is for my gay boys) not into older gay men or homo thugs, then this is not the place to go to.

W.O.W. the reviews of gym bar are really mixed here. I think it’s a great place to hang out for a drink solo — or better still — with friends. Good prices, great staff and a no-​nonsense atmosphere. Happy hour is an awesome deal!
I see a lot of back and forth about the «sports bar» moniker. Gym has multiple TV screens with various games and recap shows playing. Its a bar. A bar with sports on the TV. Watch or don’t. Who cares about the label?
Crowd here is a big mix and that is what makes gym bar a standout. I’ve seen all types of guys from all over the world, in lots of shapes and sizes. THAT is reason enough for anyone to feel comfortable to stop by and enjoy.

So I’m down with gay bars. Hell, I have enough gay friends, anytime we all go out we generally turn the bar INTO a gay bar. And its always fun to go out and not get harassed by vile, drunk men who think girls LIKE getting their booties grabbed.
This place is a trip, its my kinda bar — dark, narrow, men everywhere. Oh yeah, thats right. They’re gay, so I have to buy my own drinks. Dammit. Oh yeah, thats right, its a gay bar so there isn’t any ladies room and I have to share with the boys. I’m down with unisex bathrooms, too but I’m not down with dudes bangin on the door cause it takes me longer to pee then they do (I can’t just whip it out boys!).
Anyways, this place is fun, my boys go here a lot cause they’re on a rugby team and they come by for drinks/​nosh, whatev. Next time I go here I’m either bringing one of my firemen friends to siphon drinks off the boys or, I guess, some money.
sigh.