These photos prove The Ritz Bar and Lounge is back and better than ever
| 06/06/25
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
One of New York City's iconic queer spaces is under new ownership!
The Ritz Bar and Lounge reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 17th. Among the attendees were New York drag icon and LGBTQ+ rights activist Brita Filter, Councilman Erik Bottcher, and State Assemblyman Tony Simone, alongside The Ritz's new queer owners Anton Harr, Lance Hodge, and Eric Hanninen. "It's very exciting to be able to renovate a place that is safe for people," Hanninen said, "A place that is a community that can grow together, and meet new people again."
RuPaul's Drag Racealum Brita Filter was ecstatic for The Ritz's grand reopening. In this space, she first learned about drag, queer culture, and history. "I was in my early 20s, and I didn't know anything about queer nightlife," she reflects, explaining the importance of queer spaces now more than ever. "It can be that place for so many other people right now…With [The Ritz] being reopened and reowned by the people within our community, it's such a beautiful thing."
The Ritz Bar and Lounge is located at 369 W 46th Street and is open daily from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Briton David for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
The Ritz Bar and Lounge Grand Re-Opening Party, New York City, May 2025
Leyda Luz for The Ritz
Like and follow at @ritznewyork for the latest on events and specials.
