Overview
It's 18 to party and 21 to drink at Times Square's only Latin Gay bar.
History
Eighteen to party, twenty-one to drink
La Escuelita, "the Little School", opened around 1970 as an LGBT nightclub known for Latin house music, drag shows and balls1. In 1996 the building's entrance moved around the corner, from Eighth Avenue to 301 West 39th Street1.
Beyond the shows there were drag competitions and, later, balls such as DJ MikeQ's Vogue Knights parties1. Our old review laid out the house rules: eighteen to party, twenty-one to drink, at Times Square's only Latin gay bar.
After decades as a refuge for LGBT people of color, it closed in 2016 over ongoing troubles with the State Liquor Authority1. Its owners looked to reopen in Jackson Heights, without success1.
Sources
Researched October 2026.