The LGBTQ+ retail scene in New York spans a range from serious literary bookshops to sex shops with everything you can think of in stock. Most of the action is split between the Village (bookshops, some legacy lifestyle stores), Hell's Kitchen (sex shops, fetish gear), and Chelsea (fetish, leather, adult stores).

Books

The Oscar Wilde Bookshop on Christopher Street in the Village was the first gay bookshop in the world, opening in 1967. It closed in 2009 after a long run. Its legacy is part of the neighbourhood's identity and several other LGBTQ+ focused bookshops and literary spaces have operated in New York since, though the landscape shifts. Check what is current before making a special trip.

The Strand, while not an LGBTQ+ specialist, has a substantial queer section and is worth knowing about for browsing. McNally Jackson also tends to have a well-curated queer selection.

Sex shops and fetish stores

Hell's Kitchen has a cluster of adult stores within walking distance of the main bar strip. These carry the full range: toys, restraints, harnesses, leather goods, rubber, poppers, underwear, and branded gear. The staff at the better shops know their stock and can actually help you find what you are looking for.

Chelsea has a longer history with fetish retail, tied to the leather and bear communities that were centred there in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of those shops are still operating. The Leather Man on Christopher Street in the Village has been selling leather goods since 1965.

The shops

    • [venue:bureau-of-general-services—queer-division-5405] — The Bureau of General Services—Queer Division is an independent, all-volunteer queer cultural center, bookstore, and event space hosted by The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City. We aim to foster a community invested in the values of mindfulness, intellectual curiosity, justice, compassion, and playfulness. The Bureau seeks to excite and educate a self-confident, sex-positive, and supportive queer community by offering books, publications, and art and by hosti
    • Nick Stryker — Part of New York's diverse gay retail offering — a solid stop for LGBTQ+ products, gear, or gifts in the city.

Practical notes

Hours vary. Most shops in this category run 11am-9pm or later. Some adult stores stay open until midnight or past. Check before making a special trip, particularly on Sunday when hours can be reduced.

Prices for sex toys and gear in New York are roughly comparable to online retail. You are paying for the ability to see and handle the product before buying. The knowledgeable shops are worth it for that reason.

For the broader picture: Gay New York Guide.