Excelsior

I like the place cris is the best he is all the time in good mood it’s fun to go there and chat my friend love it

This place is amazing! Staff is sweet and helpful! Bartenders are awesome!
Owners are the best! They provide such a comfort that it’s hard to go elsewhere.
This is my newly found home!

Wow! These guys did a great job on the new place. Everyone is always really friendly and the bartenders are always super nice.

Amazing staff that treats you like family and wonderfully entertaining shows up in the Mezzanine Lounge!
The new location is great and they’ve put a lot of detail into the design of the space. Lots of seating no matter how crowded it gets, (in the front, at the bar, upstairs, and in the back,) sound-​proof glass to keep the music from upstairs separate from the more relaxed vibe downstairs, two bathrooms, and a cozy patio out back.
This is a staple to gay nightlife in Park Slope and Brooklyn. This bar welcomes all walks of life, I’ve seen every color, race, and creed in here! The bar staff is more diverse than any I’ve seen at other gay bars in Brooklyn. Excelsior rocks!

I’m so glad it reopened! But it’s not the friendly neighborhood haunt it once was… I hope it will eventually get there. The layout is tough and the lighting is weird and bright, not at all homey. At least there’s a back yard!

I am delighted that Excelsior has reopened with new digs. The space is on two levels and has better seating options than the old location. The familiar staff members remain and it is so nice to have an establishment that encourages community and safe place in a neighborhood that is way less diverse than before.
While I have not seen it in action yet myself, I understand the upstairs can accommodate dancing as they have a cabaret license.
This has always been my neighborhood establishment and I am so happy they are back in action.
Locals and familiar faces are often here, but so are people from outside Brooklyn or visitors from out of town.
I love this place.

OK… here’s my honest opinion, though it pains me to give it:
For years, I’ve wanted to like this place. As a proud member of the rainbow tribe, I believe in supporting all venues where we gather. That said, I can’t help but call this the MOST BORING GAY BAR EVER! The move didn’t help. In the old joint, the owner, completely void of personality, would sit in the corner while chirping out answers to ‘Jeopardy’. The answers would come typically with head buried in a crossword puzzle or periodical. About two weeks back, I get a tweet that the new location has opened, so I sprint out the door to at least lay eyes on the place, and while leaving the past behind, attempt to start anew with Excelsior. Well, whatta ya know, I open the door to see the aforementioned owner still with a look on his face akin to that which is made when one smells sh! t. The new location has a huge and comfy interior, but the outside area pales in comparison to the old location. It certainly appeared that most of the folks were invited, but for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why there were only TWO people of color in the whole joint, which brings me to my other point of contention with this place over the years: Diversity is next-​to-​nil, and while I hate saying this, as a person of color, I’ve never felt comfortable there. After all those years open, these folks never befriended people of color!?! Why on God’s green earth would you not have access to more than two for your GRAND OPENING!?! In this day and age, and in an area that prides itself on being «liberal,» it’s such a tired look. I’m sure others feel to the contrary, but I’m speaking from my own personal experience/​perspective. I’ve officially retired any interest in this place.

They new and improved Excelsior retains its neighborhood feel. Excelsior has my heart more than any other NYC gay bar. It is a friendly place, attracting people of all ages and colors. The new Excelsior has two floors, a lovely outdoor patio and the same fabulous bar tenders. I love it.

I love the new location. The patio is a lot smaller than the previous location but that doesn’t make or break the new location. I had a great time and a good crowd.