The Ninth Circle was a staple of 1970s–80s Greenwich Village nightlife. Housed in a former steakhouse at 169 W. 10th Street, it evolved into a popular gay bar known for its lively jukebox, casual pool tables, and a slightly sleazy charm that felt surprisingly welcoming. The crowd was diverse—leather types, twinks, hustlers, and even celebrity drop-ins like Andy Warhol drifted through its doors. It was a time before niche marketing dominated, and Ninth Circle’s eclectic mix made it feel both raw and alive. The bar closed in the early 2000s, but its memory endures as a snapshot of a freer, unfiltered era in queer club life.
