Gay bars have long been an important part of the LGBTQ+ community, providing a safe and welcoming space for people to socialize, celebrate, and connect. From dance clubs to dive bars, these establishments have played a pivotal role in the history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community. Here are the 50 most popular gay bars in the US, according to customer reviews and ratings:
#50 X Bar
Denver, CO
Happening gay friendly hangout with DJs, dancing & drag queen bingo, plus big outdoor patio.
#49 This Is It!
Milwaukee, WI
Gay bar & cocktail lounge, open since 1968, with a jukebox & events such as karaoke nights.
Las Vegas, NV
Compact-but-lush gay nightclub offering theme nights, drag shows, VIP skyboxes & cozy outdoor patio.
#47 The Mix
Tacoma, WA
Gay bar & nightclub featuring karaoke, music videos, DJ dance parties & drag queen shows.
New York, NY
Happening saloon with a retro athletic-club atmosphere that includes boxing & wrestling memorabilia.
#45 Diesel
Seattle, WA
Comfortable gay bar with a short menu of pub grub, a long daily happy hour & a pool table.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Gay leather bar with different theme nights, DJ music & weekend crowds in the mood to cruise.
Arlington, VA
Tiki-style gay bar with drag shows & karaoke serves beach-inspired cocktails, beer & pub grub.
#42 RIPCORD
Houston, TX
Laid-back gay bar with a patio, pool tables & darts, serving a diverse crowd since 1980.
Provincetown, MA
Gay dance club with various theme nights in the basement of a vintage inn, open tourist season only.
Memphis, TN
This easygoing gay hangout with a compact menu of bar snacks features pool tables & dartboards.
#39 Larry's Lounge
Washington, DC
Welcoming gay bar offering a popular happy hour, pub grub & a dog-friendly outdoor patio.
#38 Play Dance Bar
Nashville, TN
Pumping music, a large dance floor, a full bar & snacks energize crowds at this gay-friendly spot.
#37 Roscoe's Tavern
Chicago, IL
Neighborhood gay & lesbian bar dating back to 1987 with a dance floor, pool table & outdoor spaces.
#36 Dudley's
Charleston, SC
Energetic LGBT-friendly hangout with drag performances, karaoke, billiards & dancing.
#35 The Stable
Providence, RI
Small, gay-friendly cocktail bar with an equestrian theme, plus backyard seating.
#34 Blue Moon
Pittsburgh, PA
Energetic LGBT-friendly hangout with drag performances, karaoke, billiards & dancing.
#33 The Boom
Oklahoma City, OK
High-energy gay bar featuring cocktails & American eats, with dancing, regular drag shows & karaoke.
Cincinnati, OH
Trendy spot with upbeat music serving over 100 vodkas, with featured vodkas served at 6° F.
New York, NY
This historic piano bar draws a crowd of gay locals & musical theater performers in dimly lit digs.
#30 Pint
Jersey City, NJ
Neighborhood joint offering a wide range of American craft brews, plus jumbo "fishbowl" cocktails.
Manchester, NH
Gay bar & American grill with a laid-back vibe offering a pool table, dance floor & patio seating.
#28 Mixx Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Nightclub offering food & drinks, plus a dance floor & outdoor patio with a fireplace.
#27 700 Club
New Orleans, LA
Chilled-out neighborhood gay bar lined with TVs, plus pub grub from the grill served till late.
Las Vegas, NV
Easygoing gay bar with a loungey feel offering karaoke, pool & a dance floor in a low-key setting.
#25 Shipwreck Lounge
Provincetown, MA
Brass Key Guesthouse’s bar serves martinis & wine in cozy, parlor-like digs with a fireplace & patio.
Louisville, KY
Relaxed gay bar featuring DJs & a patio, plus trivia nights, showtunes sing-alongs & other events.
#23 Rain on 4th
Austin, TX
Predominantly gay club draws a mixed crowd for dancing, weekly events & specials, even bingo.
#22 Downtown Olly's
Indianapolis, IN
Longtime, always-open bar & grill with sidewalk seating, a neighborhood vibe & karaoke nights.
#21 Sidetrack
Chicago, IL
Behomoth gay club drawing a diverse crowd, serving up slushy drinks & known for showtune nights.
Honolulu, HI
Snug & lively karaoke bar serving specialty cocktails in dark, cozy space outfitted in Asian decor.
#19 Blackstones
Portland, ME
Low-key gay bar with a leather-&-Levis slant, serving cocktails from a classic wood bar since 1987.
Honolulu, HI
Snug & lively karaoke bar serving specialty cocktails in dark, cozy space outfitted in Asian decor.
#17 Club One
Savannah, GA
Boisterous, multi-level night club known for dancing, drag shows & a basement video bar.
St. Paul, MN
Modern lounge & piano bar with cocktails & a full calendar of entertainment, including cabaret.
#15 Pony
Seattle, WA
A 1930s-era gas station now houses this gay bar with a tiny dance floor, outdoor patio & fire pit.
#14 EGO
Providence, RI
Energetic gay bar featuring a dance floor, DJs & a stage & a lineup of regular events.
#13 Darcelle XV
Portland, OR
Upbeat nightclub & featuring cocktails & musical performances starring female impersonators.
#12 Club Cafe
Boston, MA
Happening gay-friendly cabaret, piano bar, dance club & classy New American bistro.
#11 Club Marcella
Buffalo, NY
Late-night dance scene features guest DJs, hip-hop nights & a variety of drag shows.
#10 Cubbyhole
New York, NY
Longtime lesbian & gay Village local has jukebox, free popcorn, drink specials & colorful decor.
#9 The Loft
San Diego, CA
Neighborhood Gay Bar with Happy Hour, Pool Table, Snacks, Karaoke, and Saturday Brunch.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Eagle is a gay bar in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood, in the U.S. state of California. The bar caters to the bear community and the leather subculture. Lex Montiel is one of the bar's owners, as of 2018
#7 Oasis
San Francisco, CA
Sprawling gay nightspot in a former bathhouse featuring cabaret & drag shows, DJs & dance parties.
Nashville, TN
Gay-friendly, all-are-welcome bar with karaoke, trivia & dancing plus pub grub in a bright setting.
#5 Akbar
Los Angeles, CA
Lively, gay-friendly bar with an unpretentious vibe, tiny dance floor & well-stocked jukebox.
Pheonix, AZ
This gay- & lesbian-friendly nightclub features Gothic architectural elements, DJs & karaoke.
#3 Bulldog’s
Atlanta, GA
A wide variety of drinks are available at this small gay night spot with DJs & a dance floor.
Orlando, FL
Parliament House was a gay resort on the Orange Blossom Trail in Florida, United States, that included several bars and hosted performances such as drag shows. There were 112 rooms in the complex, which encompassed ten thousand square feet, including an outdoor stage, a swimming pool, and a dance floor.
New York, NY
Gay bar & National Historic Landmark, site of the 1969 riots that launched the gay rights movement.