Boxers NYC Washington Heights

Boxers NYC Washington Heights

Company type	Private
Industry	Nightlife, Bar
Founded	September 14, 2018 (2018-09-14) in Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Founder	Bob Fluet and Rob Hynds
Defunct	September 29, 2020 (2020-09-29)
Headquarters	Washington Heights, Manhattan , United States
Area served	Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City
Products	Bar food, alcoholic beverages
Parent	Boxers NYC

Boxers NYC Washington Heights, also referred to as Boxers Washington Heights or Boxers WaHi, was a gay sports bar situated in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan, New York City. It marked the fifth establishment introduced by the Boxers NYC nightlife brand. The venue regularly hosted events such as Latin-themed nights, karaoke sessions, urban music evenings, open mic showcases, drag show performances, along with broadcasts of NFL games and episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race. Although there were early apprehensions regarding its impact on local gentrification, the bar's launch in September 2018 proceeded without major obstacles. It quickly became well-liked and was recognized for its inclusive environment. Boxers Washington Heights ceased operations on September 29, 2020, attributing the closure to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Description

Consistent with other venues under the Boxers NYC brand, Boxers Washington Heights operated as a gay sports bar, featuring male bartenders dressed in red boxer shorts and female bartenders wearing sporty tops paired with red shorts. The menu included various bar food options alongside alcoholic beverages. Its weekly lineup showcased NFL game viewings, Latin nights, RuPaul's Drag Race watch parties, karaoke events, urban-themed nights, open mic performances, and drag shows with artists such as Marti Gould Cummings.

History

The Boxers NYC brand was established in 2010 by Bob Fluet and Rob Hynds, launching their original location in Chelsea, Manhattan. Over the course of the 2010s, they expanded within New York City, opening additional sites in Hell's Kitchen and the Upper East Side, as well as extending into Center City, Philadelphia. In March 2018, Boxers secured a 15-year lease for a new venue in Washington Heights, which officially opened on September 14, 2018. At that point, Boxers WaHi was the sole gay bar operating in the neighborhood, which had been without such a space since 2014. Fluet and Hynds selected Washington Heights due to its increasing appeal among New York City's millennial and LGBTQ populations despite a scarcity of businesses catering specifically to these communities.

An article published in September 2018 by Instinct voiced concerns about the possibility of accelerating gentrification and displacing the local Dominican population. Hynds highlighted that Boxers WaHi aimed to be inclusive of all groups, maintain a diverse workforce, and organize events designed to attract a broad audience. Although some residents worried about rising rents linked to growing commercial interest, the neighborhood community board approved the bar’s proposal with little opposition. The venue’s soft launch on September 10, 2018, drew several hundred attendees.

Hynds and local drag queen performers observed that New York City's gay nightlife had become more dispersed geographically, with Washington Heights emerging as a potential new focal point. Bronx native Monét X Change remarked that new gay bars opening in Washington Heights and Harlem could shift activity away from traditional hubs like the Upper West Side.

Similar to many nightlife establishments, Boxers WaHi temporarily shut down in early 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May of that year, it briefly operated as a food distribution center serving vulnerable New Yorkers before reopening for outdoor dining and takeout services in July. Fluet sought to renegotiate lease terms to alleviate financial strain caused by the pandemic but was unable to reach an agreement. On September 29, 2020, it was announced that this location would close permanently; however, management expressed plans to return to Washington Heights once conditions improve.

Reception

The Boxers NYC brand has often been referred to as the "gay Hooters". Richard Morgan of The New York Times observed that within the context of a wider queer and transgender cultural evolution, Boxers embraces a traditional, macho style reminiscent of a meat-market, with bartenders whose combination of straightforwardness and sensuality evokes the image of a Men's Fitness magazine cover. Daniel Nardicio, promoter and co-owner of the East Village gay venue Club Cumming, characterized Boxers as "a sort of gay Hooters, but more like a gay TGI Fridays", underscoring the importance of accessible, mainstream environments in the LGBTQ community.

Concerning the Washington Heights branch, Ryan Shea from Instinct praised its blend of elegance and allure, highlighting features such as an expansive bar with shirtless bartenders, a friendly vibe, and entertainment options including pool tables and sports broadcasts. Shea pointed out that the notably relaxed atmosphere at Boxers WaHi sets it apart from other establishments catering to the gay community.

See also

• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBT community
• LGBT culture in New York City