What's Killing New York's Lesbian Bar Scene?

A walk down Christopher Street in Greenwich Village is a tour of gay rights' most historic New York sites — and what has become possible in the movement’s wake. Within a few blocks of the subway station are nearly a dozen bars, adorned with rainbow flags and paper lanterns, that attract a largely gay clientele. The neighborhood’s gay bars offer more flavors than the Village's Big Gay Ice Cream Shop.

Nearby, also in the Village, are two of Manhattan’s three lesbian bars. A decade ago, there were almost a dozen. Last year, just two remained: Henrietta Hudson, founded in 1991, and the Cubby Hole, which opened three years later. Both are neighborhood joints with raunchy signs on the walls and cheap draft beers at the bars.