{"id":253367,"date":"2026-06-03T06:50:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T06:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/253367\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T06:50:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T06:50:32","slug":"step-out-with-pride-queens-a-guide-to-lgbtq-friendly-businesses-in-ridgewood-qns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/253367\/","title":{"rendered":"Step out with pride, Queens: A guide to LGBTQ+ friendly businesses in Ridgewood \u2013 QNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Pride Month shines its rainbow-hued spotlight on LGBTQ+ events in New York City, Ridgewood<\/a>\u2018s roster of small businesses shows that inclusivity is a year-round commitment. From speed-dating sessions to pride trinkets, these neighborhood spots have hosted welcoming spaces where people across the gender and sexuality spectrum can feel at home.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re an ally or an LGBTQ+ identifying individual, Ridgewood is helping ensure your well-earned money supports programming and spaces that empower the queer community beyond June. So raise your flags for this colorful list of LGBTQ+ friendly establishments on a street near you.<\/p>\n

8-18 Woodward Ave.\n<\/p>\n

Founded by Michelle Delgado and Lisa Jee, the Ridgewood mother duo sought to celebrate diversity through locally made products from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artisans. Their collection consists of creative home and lifestyle products, including fragrance candles, self-care bath soaks, bilingual books and novelty figurines. The LGBTQ+ inventory features Happy Pride cards, Queer AF keychains and Love is Love headbands.<\/p>\n

\"\"The founders of Stay Forever, a boutique gift shop in Ridgewood. Photo via Stay Forever website<\/p>\n

6-12 Woodward Ave.<\/p>\n

Founded by Vanessa America, the artistic mecca recently relocated in response to an increased inventory of art supplies and workshops. As a hub that contributed to the growing Ridgewood arts scene, America also aimed to make it a neighborhood gathering spot for those with a shared love of local arts. For Pride Month, Tiny Arts Supply is hosting two speed dating sessions for queer women on Thursday, June 11, at Willows Tavern<\/a>, located at 64-18 Fresh Pond Rd. The first session will be held for those over 35 at 6:30 p.m., followed by the 21 to 40s group at 8:15 p.m. Interested attendees can register for the first<\/a> and second sessions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior of Tiny Arts Supply in Ridgewood. Photo by Paulina Albarracin<\/p>\n

6-56 Woodward Ave.<\/p>\n

Founded by Andrew Hurtado, the LGBTQ+-owned record shop showcases curated collections based on underground and queer culture \u2014 black metal, punk rock, hip-hop, industrial and other specialty genres are commonly found in their archives. Alongside his partner Anddy, he has run a queer improv show called \u201cFruit Basket Comedy\u201d twice a month, as reported by Epicenter NYC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7-88 Woodward Ave.\/59-22 Myrtle Ave.\n<\/p>\n

Co-founded by Cosmo Bjorkenheim, Benjamin Friedman and Anny Oberlink, Topos Bookstore Cafe is one of the best-known LGBTQ+ spaces in Ridgewood. Along with its sister bookstore Topos Too, its collections include feminist theory, queer studies and gender-nonconforming stories. The no-frills cafe has also hosted book readings that feature queer and transgender authors.<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior of Topos Too, the sister of Topos Bookstore Cafe in Ridgewood. Photo by Paulina Albarracin<\/p>\n

8-85 Woodward Ave.<\/p>\n

Co-founded by Christine Costello, Jane Herships and Pat Noecker, the secondhand shop is a highly inclusive LGBTQ+ space all year-round. Local fashionistas can peruse an abundance of pre-owned outfits that span decades \u2014 a trove where customers can find the perfect ensemble for Pride gatherings. Other locations include Bushwick, Williamsburg and Union Square.<\/p>\n

\"\"The exterior of Other People\u2019s Clothes in Ridgewood.Photo via Other People\u2019s Clothes on Facebook<\/p>\n

7-78 Seneca Ave.<\/p>\n

Founded by Joe and Angela Austin, the Black-owned cafe is renowned for its tranquil, queer-friendly atmosphere. Milk & Pull is also laptop-friendly, providing a stress-free environment for those who need to get work done. Their beverage menu includes cold brew, espresso, dirty chai latte and organic assortments from Bushwick Tea<\/a>. You can also check out their original space at Bedford-Stuyvesant.<\/p>\n

\"\"A cold brew at Milk & Pull in Ridgewood. Photo by Paulina Albarracin<\/p>\n

57-34 Catalpa Ave.<\/p>\n

Founded by Andrzej Kinczyk and Krzysztof Poluchowicz, the Polish restaurant and market is proudly LGBTQ+ owned with a delectable assortment of homemade pierogi, filled with classic flavors like potato and cheese and mushroom and sauerkraut, and other meals (e.g., schnitzel, potato pancakes). The neighborhood spot offers a casual dining experience for those with a penchant for Eastern European cuisine.<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior of Pierogi Boys in Ridgewood. Photo via Culinary Agents website<\/p>\n

8-01 Seneca Ave.<\/p>\n

Founded by an artist collective, the two-level neighborhood bar is widely considered a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. The bar\u2019s mantra denounces all forms of discrimination, encouraging patrons from all backgrounds to unwind past their doors. Bar Freda has also hosted queer competitions and soirees, preserving itself as a mecca for those on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior of Bar Freda in Ridgewood. Photo by Paulina Albarracin<\/p>\n

16-47 Weirfield St.<\/p>\n

Founded by various music industry veterans, including Michael Swier and Todd Abramson, TV Eye has long been described as a \u201cfunhaus\u201d<\/a> \u2014 that is, a multifaceted nightclub that functions as an art gallery, bar, cinema, community center and dance floor. A slew of punk rock and indie bands have graced (and moshed) the stage, further cementing it as an underground venue with the likes of Bar Freda and The Keep<\/a>. As a highly regarded LGBTQ+ friendly space, it has hosted a variety of queer-friendly gatherings, including the upcoming NYC Pride Indie Horror Book Fair<\/a> on Saturday, June 20, an event that celebrates queer authors in the horror genre.<\/p>\n

\"\"The exterior of TV Eye in Ridgewood. Photo via Google Images<\/p>\n

10-80 Wyckoff Ave.<\/p>\n

Founded by Jorge Mdahuar and Jon Gneezy, The Deep End has been described as an anchor of the neighborhood\u2019s LGBTQ+ community, regularly hosting queer dance parties, performance art pieces and drag shows. At the bar, a kitchen menu \u2014 from tacos to sweet potato fries \u2014 awaits hungry patrons. As the LGBTQ+ scene grows, a demand for queer-friendly destinations complements it.<\/p>\n

\"\"The interior of The Deep End in Ridgewood. Photo via TagVenue<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: This roundup features a small selection of venues curated by the reporter. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list.<\/p>\n