For nearly three decades, Rawhide was a cornerstone of New York’s leather and cowboy scene — a dimly lit refuge where denim, desire, and disco all shared the same air. Opened in 1979 on Eighth Avenue in Chelsea, it was one of the last true old-school gay bars: cash-only, attitude-optional, and proudly unapologetic.
Inside, the smell of beer and leather mixed with jukebox anthems and flirtation that lasted until last call. It was gritty, loyal, and real — a rare survivor from the city’s pre-digital era of cruising and connection. When it finally closed in 2013, an entire piece of gay New York disappeared with it.
