32 Best Gay Bars in America – Top Gay Clubs, Drag Bars and LGBTQ+ Bars – Esquire
When we gathered over Zoom to plan stories about LGBTQ+ lives, Esquire’s Market Editor Alfonso Fernandez Navas said something so profound and significant that we will quote it in full:
“Can we, like, have fun?”
It is not an exaggeration to say that Alfonso’s request inspired a real and welcome shift in perspective. So much of the narrative around the queer experience is centered around trauma. Illness and alienation. The pain of finding your true self, by yourself, in a hostile world, and the pain of living in a world that is swinging back toward that hostility.
And it is important to remember those things. We have to know where we’ve been.
But we also have to know where we are. We have to acknowledge that we survived what’s come before, and we have to celebrate being alive to face what’s ahead.
We simply have to celebrate.
The word “gay” speaks to our ability to do exactly that. The original queer spaces were founded in secret, through codes and glances, and when we were able to be ourselves with one another, there was undeniable joy. Defiant joy. The word “gay” calls to mind our special knack for finding the light in the darkness, for building the dance floor off to the side of the cruel world.
After the meeting, I pulled Alfonso aside to thank him for the suggestion, and he continued. “I forget this too,” he said. “But I’m free, and I should celebrate that, and experience the happy endings, and not live in fear.” And then, again, a few short words that speak a library: “Fear kills happiness, doesn’t it?”
So, Alfonso, you’re goddamn right. Let’s celebrate. Let’s take a look at some of the best gay bars in America, from the open-air, devil-may-care spaces in West Hollywood to the neighborhood pub in downtown St. Louis. Let’s swing open the doors and walk into the places where we can feel at home whether we know a soul or not. Let’s put a buck in the jukebox, grab a cold one, and hang out with our people. We made it through the darkness, and we deserve it.—Dave Holmes
The last time I went to The Raven was over a Memorial Day weekend. At 10:30 pm, it was still broad daylight, and the outdoor patio was jammed. After my first drink, two muscled young men in Daisy Dukes came tumbling out, drunkenly arguing. A fistfight broke out between them, and people cheered and jeered. It eventually died out before anyone fell into the courtyard swimming pool/fountain.—Brett Berk
Situated in a stand-alone building just past downtown, entering O. Henry’s feels clandestine, a sense that’s magnified by the requisite $5 membership fee—the relic of a state law that, surprisingly, doesn’t pertain only to LGBTQ+ establishments. The oldest gay bar in North Carolina (founded in 1976) it draws in every category and demographic. A dance club in back, The Underground, adds to this mix.—B.B.
Giving new meaning to underground club, this long-running nightly dance party/music venue is not only somewhat secretive, it occurs in a pair of entirely subterranean spaces. The entrance is through an unmarked shed behind a Chipotle, and features a blended but unexpected gay/not crowd in which same-sex grinding is de rigueur.—B.B.
Let’s go dancing, because RAIN has all the bops, y’all. Don’t be surprised if there’s a line piling up around the corner to enter. With good reason too. The crowd here dances well into the AM and is eager to work up a sweat. You bet we’ll be bumping accidentally (or not) into strangers in the dance floor – one that lights up, naturally. The outside deck area is perfect to catch fresh air and scan the mixed crowd. —Alfonso Fernandez Navas
Back when I was a young gay, I saw the coolest, most beautiful woman in the world at Cheer Up Charlies. She was wearing a ratty, ribbed, gray tank top, cowboy boots, and skin-tight black jeans. I almost fainted when she walked past me. Then I noticed she had a double nose ring and was successfully pulling off a chain wallet, and that’s when I actually passed out. I guess what I’m saying is go to Cheer Up Charlies if you want to stare at queer people who are so good looking they make you want to die. —Abigail Covington
Full of contradictions, The Exley is a little different than other gay bars. What should be a chaotic, dingy spot next to the BQE in North Williamsburg is now a former garage with a dimly lit space that feels welcoming and intimate. Gurl, how? If you go twice, you know the doorman, and the bartenders always remember you. It’s gay Cheers. It feels like everything a gay bar should be. The Exley is sexy because it isn’t trying too hard, it just is. By focusing on its tasty cocktails and locally brewed draft beer, the Exley recognizes that gurls just want to have fun. Go by yourself and run into exactly who you were supposed to run into that night.—A.F.N.
Cubbyhole is where you go to pick up a girl. Gingers is where you go once you’ve married her roughly three months later. Sheila Frayne opened this humble Irish bar on St. Patrick’s Day in 2000. At the time there were several lesbian bars in Brooklyn. Now Ginger’s is one of the last, and for a while during the pandemic many people feared it would close too. But Ginger’s persevered, buoyed by a GoFundMe campaign, and a revamped vision courtesy of new co-owner Brendan Donohoe. When the bar finally reopened in Spring 2022, an entire borough’s worth of gays celebrated by flooding the new back patio all summer and Ginger’s has been crowded with queers ever since. —A.C.
On a Tuesday night, when most of Bushwick is still sleeping off the weekend, this extremely queer dive is in full Coyote Ugly mode. From 9pm until midnight or so, femme burlesque dancers stomp up the bar with their black leather stilettos. There’s no cover for the weekly “Discipline Burlesque” sessions, but come armed with plenty of cash to stuff into G-strings and fishnets. The program varies the rest of the week, with offerings ranging from from fetish figure drawing to drag bingo. Everyone across the LGBTQ+ spectrum is welcome, although some events like “The Witching Hour”—which spotlights queer female, non-binary, and trans performers—and “Thrust Boylesque”—which is exactly what you’re picturing—cater more to specific crowds. Weekend evenings here get messy in the right kind of way. Bring a friend, bring a Feeld date, or fly solo and make out with the cute girl sitting at the corner of the bar.—Diana Hubbell
For two decades, this inclusive Williamsburg spot has served as the neighborhood’s de facto LGBTQ+ meeting point . Metropolitan is the rare bar that’s open and vibing seven days a week, from 3pm until 4am. There’s a regular rotation of events on weeknights, from “Queeraoke” to drag trivia. Former cast members of RuPaul’s Drag Race have been known to make cameo appearances, both on and off the stage. Weekends run rowdier, often with drag shows, live music, and DJs to get the party going. Although it’s worth keeping an eye on the calendar, the bar tends to pack in a crowd regardless of the schedule. Kick off your evening in the large outdoor space in the back—the only area where the decibel level will allow you to chat up prospective trade. When staff usher everyone inside to keep the neighbors happy, hit the prosecco-coated dancefloor and plan to stay until late.—Diana Hubbell
Sometimes you just want to throw decorum out the window and dance. And drink. And scream-sing. On these magical nights, head north of Chicago’s Boystown into the city’s more mature yet much rowdier Andersonville, and throw down here. Big Chicks serves a diverse crowd— it’s young, it’s old, it’s one of the only places you’ll see gay men and lesbians together!— and, well, sometimes it over-serves them. You can stand and model somewhere else. —Dave Holmes
Not every gay bar is explicitly a gay bar. They just have major gay vibes and lots of queer couples making out in the bathroom. Such is the case with Carol’s Pub, a country western dive bar and live music venue located in the northside neighborhood of Uptown. Established in 1972, Carol’s Pub was forced to shut down in 2016 due to a dust-up about unpaid taxes. But a local nightlife exec turned the lights back on in 2018, and so far, the change in management hasn’t caused this gritty bar to lose its edge, even though it stays open until 4 am. Come to Carol’s especially if you like country music. The legendary houseband, Diamondback, has a 25,000-song repertoire and a boot collection that could make a gay cowboy cry.—A.C.
Farragut’s is a lesbian bar, but I’m pretty sure only half of the patrons who are there on any given night know it. That’s how low-key this neighborhood joint is. Stop by on a Tuesday for a $2 pour of one of Farragut’s 16 drafts or on a Sunday for a round of free pool or darts. While you won’t find any Pride flags at Farraguts, you will undoubtedly hear Celine Dion and Melissa Etheride blaring from the bar’s dusty, old jukebox and, honestly, isn’t that just as gay? —A.C.
Equal parts cowboy boots and disco ball, Round Up Saloon opened 42 years ago in Dallas as a gay country western dance hall. That’s pretty iconic. Living up to the saying “everything is bigger in Texas,” this sprawling Saloon, filled with Texas paraphernalia and neon lights, boasts six different bars – including a patio bar and a tequila bar, endearingly called The Tequila Shack, serving over 40 bottles. Even with pool tables lined up against walnut wood-paneled walls and a separate area hosting karaoke night, the crown jewel remains the fenced-in wooden dance floor with its colorful overhead lights. For those eager to line dance, this is the spot. And for beginners? They offer dance classes too.—A.F.N.
The Grapevine is shitty, but it is the shit. The long-running dive bar, established in 1996, is outfitted with a basketball court, a pool table, a huge patio, and a little to-go window where cheesecake can be purchased (actual edible cheesecake; food can also be ordered for delivery on the premises, as there’s no kitchen.) Like the best of these places, it’s the improbable inclusivity that makes it work.—B.B.
Stonewall? In West Virginia? Seems like we’ve got our wires crossed, but make no mistake, The Stonewall in Huntington, West Virginia is keeping the Appalchian drag and queer scene alive. Billed as West Virginia’s oldest gay bar, the venue regularly brings in some of the biggest queer performing artists in the game right now. Part of that reason is likely because The Stonewall has the market cornered out in Huntsville, but you can’t be successful if you’re not a great bar. Equipped with a stellar bar and a large performing stage, the Stonewall is plucky and fun with reasonably priced drinks and a spirit that reflects the good people of West Virginia who run the joint. Marked only by a multicolor sign on the exterior, The Stonewall may seem meek, but don’t be shocked as the queer scene gets to rolling in the witching hour, well past the time the residents of Huntsville have gone to bed.—Justin Kirkland
Is Kansas in the American West? Depends on who you ask, and in what century you’re asking. At Side Kicks, it certainly is. Live out your Brokeback Mountain fantasies at this cavernous club, where cowboy costumes are not considered drag, and line dancing is not an explicit expression of homophobia. The local gay dart league meets here, people gather to watch sports (!), and drag queens perform throughout the night.—B.B.
Far from the parrot-hatted buffoonery of the northern end of Duval Street, this multivalent dive, founded in 1997, is open from noon until 4:00 am every day and features a little something for everyone. Drag, karaoke, bingo, go-go boys, porn, a pool, and private rooms abound, with all of it becoming increasingly raunchy as the night progresses.—B.B.
Founded in 1962 by Rudy Del Campo—an actor and dancer famed for having been one of the Sharks in the original West Side Story film—Casita has always been a haven for Silverlake’s queer community (the hilly neighborhood has been called “The Swish Alps.) The gloriously lively bar and restaurant scene is enhanced by a black box theater downstairs, where farcical plays, lesbian standup, and gay dance troupes reign.—B.B.
English Ivy advertises itself as an “LGBTQ+-enthused” “gay-thering place” and that is not an overstatement. If you want to get away from the typical scene at fellow gay bars Olly’s and Gregs Our Place, English Ivy is an ideal place to meet friends: mature enough for a proper Ladies Lunch (or brunch or dinner.) And for those of us visiting from the coasts, the portions and prices on the locally-sourced food and beverage offerings are stunning.—B.B.
You can’t miss Lipstick Lounge. The giant, red, lips-shaped couch positioned next to the entrance is a dead giveaway. It’s also a harbinger of the fun to come once you’re inside. Technically a lesbian bar, the Lipstick Lounge attracts queers of all stripes who are united by their love of karaoke. But this is Nashville we’re talking about so the gays who perform at Lipstick Lounge aren’t your average karaoke queens. They are stars in the making and their rendition of Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” will shatter your pint glass and break your little, gay heart.—A.C.
Go to Cubbyhole on a Tuesday night? Sure. Grab a three-dollar margarita? Go ahead. Will you regret it tomorrow? Maybe, but not likely. Everyone at this corner bar in NYC’s West Village is trying to enjoy their night, just like you. This is an old reliable, a neighborhood bar that invites chatter, and that just so happens to be one of the last remaining lesbian bars in the city. With its eccentric array of seasonal paper lanterns, plush bears, and wooden toys coating the ceiling, the décor is as eclectic as its crowd and more colorful than any rainbow.—A.F.N.
You will never not feel better after a visit to Marie’s Crisis, a place that could only exist exactly where it does, just off 7th Avenue in Greenwich Village. It’s not a gay bar in the traditional sense, but a place where trained pianists play selections from Broadway shows and all of the drama teachers and musical theater majors of the tri-state area converge to sing along. Not only does everyone know every word to “Somewhere That’s Green” or “Another Hundred People,” they know whether they’re a tenor or a baritone, and how to maintain proper breath control after a couple of Maker’s Marks. Now that we mention it, perhaps Marie’s Crisis is a gay bar in the most traditional sense.—Dave Holmes
Oddly Enough is a swanky new spot in Brooklyn’s BedSty neighborhood that caters to every member of the LGBTQ+ community equally. Its thoughtful cocktail menu changes regularly and always has a few zero-proof options for non-drinkers. The small plates are divine too so don’t forget to indulge in between sips of Oddly Enough’s signature cocktail, the cheekily named “New Moon in Leo.” But the best part of Oddly Enough? The dance parties and karaoke nights that typically start at the polite hour of 7 pm. Oddly Enough: because not every gay can stay up until 3 AM.—A.C.
Bars, like trends, come and go. But there is only one original. Julius’ is Greenwich Village’s oldest bar and New York’s oldest gay bar, having attracted gay clientele since the 1950s. It was the site of an early gay-liberation “sip in” in 1966, years before Stonewall, and has been a low-key haven ever since, with a diverse clientele, a small menu, classic cocktails, and an extensive (and packed) 4:00-7:00 happy hour.—B.B.
In an innocuous airport-adjacent strip mall, between a dispensary and a vape shop, the sign for this establishment reads simply BAR/FOOD. Both are in excellent supply inside, which features a long, varnished wood bar that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the Titanic, exquisitely crafted but un-fussy classic cocktails, and savory bar food. While the place doesn’t declare itself a queer bar, gays and grays populate the plush booths. It opens at 4:00. By 4:30 there’s a line to get in.—B.B.
Accessed through an alley in Downtown Phoenix and guarded by a doorman, this cavernous basement space contains a main lounge, a skee-ball arena, a concert venue, and secret lounge decorated like someone’s apartment. It’s like one of those dreams where you find a new room in your house, but it’s filled with a random assortment of delightful weirdos.—B.B.
In the summertime, when you are in P-Town, you go to the Boatslip for the afternoon Tea Dance. Longtime DJ Maryalice plays the hits, the Atlantic Ocean is spread out before you, and what goes on under the deck is none of our business. People arrive all at once (generally around 4:30) and leave all at once (generally around 6:45). It just happens, and you don’t question it. Whether the marching orders are transmitted via pheromone or telepathy is not important; it is queer magic and a joy to behold.—Dave Holmes
In the city’s historical Soulard neighborhood, amid the Irish pubs and the sports bars, just a hop, skip and jump from Busch Stadium, stands this place. It’s not quite French-themed, it’s not quite Mardi Gras-inspired, it feels as close as we have experienced in this country to a gay neighborhood pub. It is simply comfortable; a place where everybody knows your name, and has forgotten it.—Dave Holmes
Comfortable and fun for leather daddies, trans women, bears and cubs, and lipstick lesbians alike, Lumberyard is a throwback to an earlier era, but in the best possible way. The original was burned down in an anti-gay hate-crime a few years back, but the revival has just opened across the street and is bigger and better, with a new performance space.—B.B.
Utah is is not the easiest place in the country to be gay. So when we visit, we ditch our jaded cynicism, and relax into the weirdness. This includes the punning name of this establishment, the inventive drink specials (Cyber Slut: Malibu Black, peach schnapps, vanilla rum, raspberry rum and triple sec), the summer Sunday BBQs, and the monthly leather, underwear, and furry parties.—B.B.
This nightclub is the brainchild of D’Arcy Dollinger, a cured ham of a drag performer. And it reflects the kind of hilarious, tacky, sexy, faux-glamour that Dollinger displays in his inspired movie Shit and Champagne. Themed weekly dance parties and absurdist cabaret is interspersed with name acts like Justin Vivian Bond, and queens from Ru Paul’s Drag Race.—B.B.
In a town where it can feel like every other bar is crawling with Capitol Hill staffers looking to talk shop, Trade is the rare, gloriously gay dive where absolutely everyone is welcome to just kick back. Doors open at 5pm during the weeknights, or 2pm on weekends, and parties run louder and looser than at most neighboring establishments. Evenings get going courtesy of the bar’s XL Happy Hour, in which all of the cocktails come in dangerously oversized glasses. In case the name wasn’t a tip-off, Trade is one of the better queer spaces to cozy up to strangers, although it’s equally suited to just dancing with your friend circle. Regular theme nights feature tunes from the usual suspects—Beyoncé, Kylie, Gaga, and so on—while resident DJs lean more into house mixes as the nights wear on. Regular drag events and the obligatory RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties draw a diverse crowd.—Diana Hubbell
This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.