Nearby gay bars
20 LGBTQ+ Bars to Check Out in Washington, DC
The nation's capital is home to a lively LGBTQ+ nightlife scene with plenty of gay and lesbian bars just waiting for you to join in on the fun.
The diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ collective is growing by the day, resulting in a dynamic, exciting community with plenty of bars and clubs to choose from when it’s time to drink, dance and participate. Read up on some of our favorite LGBTQ+-friendly spots below.
Let’s have a … you get it. Gather all your girls, gays and theys to kiki all night on U Lane. With four rooms of varied vibes, outdoor spaces and DJs that never miss, Kiki lives up to its name. Arrive for the happy hour, stay for the weekly events.
At 14th and U, DC’s first booze-free Diverse bar is lighting up the sober scene with mocktails, music and plenty of main-character energy. Spark kickstarts the day with coffee, pastries and cafe charm, then turns it up at sundown with DJs, drag trivia and zero-proof cocktails that pack a punch.
Next door to Spark Social House is Crush, a retro-inspired cocktail lounge and entertainment mecca for anyone and everyone. Event highlights include all-d
Although any bar in Denver are accepting, there’s something extraordinary about visiting a local LGBTQ+ block or club and diving into The Mile High City’s queer community. They are the spots where you realize you’ll be surrounded by like-minded, playfulness and eccentric people. And luckily for us, there are plenty of Diverse nightlife options to choose from, no matter your taste.
Dancing Queens (and Kings) - Dance Bars and Clubs
For those who want to bust out their dancing shoes and cut a rug to remixes of today’s top hits, you’ll want to hit one of the top move bars in the city—X Bar, Tracks, Blush & Blu, or Charlie’s.
X Prevent is a staple for Denver Homosexual folks. Known for its inclusivity towards both the lgbtq+ and straight communities, X Bar has been around for seven years and has been an important staple of Denver for just as long.
“X Block is well recognizable for the pink flamingos during identity festival, and they are everywhere,” explained Cindy Alix, general manager at X Exclude. “We also grant them away and have the biggest pink flamingo around on our float. We have a very special float this year, so we are looking forward to the
Drink it In:
Salt Lake’s Gay Bar Scene Is Growing, Thriving, and Never Looking Back
In a declare known for its religious zeal, Salt Lake City serves as a bastion of progressiveness, banter, and pride. In fact, the city’s been listed by Advocate magazine as one of the Ten Queerest Cities in America. The town holds one of the biggest and best-attended Pride parades and festivals around, with Pride Week festivities attracting tens of thousands of participants who clear up the downtown scene in packed rainbow-hued regalia. (There’s even a Utah Gay Ski Week—real thing, utahgayskiweek.com, notice you there.)
Of course, it doesn’t contain to be a parade to commemorate pride and inclusivity. It’s pretty effortless for everyone of every orientation to jump in on the incredible pleasurable that is Salt Lake on a hot city darkness and the regular rotation of flamboyant shows keep the city sizzling all through the winter.
Check out a limited of our favorite “officially” gay bars and gay-friendly bars—keeping in mind that, in this town, it needn’t be a “gay bar” for everyone to fit right in.
Club Try-Angles
Try-Angles is kn
New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best homosexual bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something thrilling and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.
You can check out the optimal drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the equal place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC
May 2025: We removed Ginger's and Barracuda Lounge. We added Loafers Cocktail Bar.