Relating to nightlife, to be homosexual is to strike gold. If there’s a silver lining that’s manifested after years of persecution—the place we’ve needed to construct our personal areas to securely be ourselves—it’s that we’ve completely perfected the high-quality artwork of the homosexual bar. What’s extra, they’re reassuringly related the world over, making them acquainted secure havens for LGBTQ+ vacationers to retreat to between sightseeing escapades in any huge metropolis.
It’s nearly necessary to no less than dip your toes into the native homosexual scene when touring, however if you wish to go all in (or “balls to the wall,” as they are saying within the UK—to not be taken actually), a well-organized homosexual bar crawl is what you want. Properly, as a lot as any plan that entails herding tipsy gays between bars may be thought-about “well-organized”!
Presenting ready-made bar crawls and LGBTQ nightlife itineraries in 5 of the world’s most iconic homosexual neighborhoods in the most effective homosexual nightlife cities in Europe—adopted up by some recommendation on DIY-ing your individual nightlife journey, wherever your tipsy travels would possibly take you!
Madrid – Chueca Route
Madrid is our hometown, so let’s simply say we all know our means across the homosexual scene. As one of the vital gay-friendly cities on the planet, Madrid’s gayborhood, Chueca, has a myriad of homosexual bars to select from. Keep in mind: in Spain, issues don’t get going till round 11 PM, so we recommend beginning your route at 9 PM on the earliest.
La Kama Cafe
Many a fantastic night time out has began with cocktail—or completed prematurely in the event you go for a Lengthy Island Iced Tea. La Kama is the most well-liked homosexual cocktail bar within the metropolis. Its two flooring have a Caribbean theme, the place sizzling bartenders with arms thicker than your head serve large cocktails—significantly, they’re large. Each the bartenders’ arms and the cocktails, we imply!
LL Bar
Drag queens make the world go spherical, and that is the place you’ll discover essentially the most genuine exhibits in Madrid. The queens have a tendency to come back on between eleven and midnight every night time, however arriving earlier is suggested to squeeze into the group. There’s a €10 cowl, however that features two beers or one spirit. LL Bar’s exhibits are intimate, and as a foreigner, you’re nearly assured to be playfully heckled by the Spanish and Latin American drag queens in the event you wander in mid-show.
Zarpa
A beloved bear bar within the coronary heart of Chueca (though actually every type go there), simply off Plaza Zerolo. Zarpa has a relaxed, no-frills vibe with a decent-sized dance ground within the again that fills round midnight on weekends. The music leans towards rock, pop, and Spanish classics. Plus, the BDSM teddy bears adorning the partitions are good for amusing.
El 12
Simply across the nook is the last word bar earlier than the membership. It presents a little bit of all the things, from drag exhibits to iconic DJs relying on the night time. If there’s a bar that epitomizes the spirit of Chueca, that is it—you’ll discover every type right here, from bears to twinks to muscle bunnies. There are comfortable couches on the entrance to absorb the environment and a small however vigorous dance ground on the again. There’s even a quaint darkroom discreetly tucked behind the loos downstairs, good for any newfound buddies you would possibly make upstairs. On weekends, it will get busy sufficient to warrant a line exterior.
Delirium, Kluster OR Robust
Nonetheless standing? In Madrid, you may have choices in relation to golf equipment. Delirium is at all times open, has a youthful crowd, and performs pop music. Kluster is on Saturdays and serves topless guys, home music, and WE Get together spirit. Robust is open most nights and has the largest darkroom in Europe—but additionally a good dance ground!
Barcelona – Eixample (Gaixample) Route
Heading as much as northern Spain, Barcelona is each bit as gay-friendly as Madrid and can also be the most effective homosexual nightlife cities in Europe. Eixample (lovingly nicknamed “Gaixample”) is the principle gayborhood (although not the one one) and makes for one hell of an evening out.
Axel Skybar
Dishonest barely, as this might be your lodge, however Axel truly has a beautiful rooftop bar to begin the night time. You don’t have to be a visitor to enter, and it’s exhausting to beat the terrace view. It’s additionally a fantastic place to satisfy sizzling guys from all over the world—each lodge company and people seeking to mingle with them. The cocktails are a bit dear, however you’re paying for the view and the corporate, each properly price it.
La Chapelle
Heading down into the motion, begin at the most effective cocktail bars within the metropolis. It additionally has a fairly—let’s simply say—distinctive inside, because you not often discover a homosexual bar bedecked with crucifixes and Catholic imagery. As odd because it appears, it provides to the allure. The employees are pleasant and enticing, and the group is even friendlier.
Punto BCN
The busiest and hottest homosexual bar in Barcelona, Punto encapsulates the town’s vigorous homosexual scene. You’ll discover a wholesome combination of ages co-existing in a spacious, modern-looking bar. There’s loads of seating, a raised indoor balcony, and vary of drinks—supreme for kickstarting any night time.
Priscilla Café
Named after the queen of the desert herself, this is without doubt one of the campest bars you’ll ever see, sporting pink décor and partitions lined with ornate mirrors and portraits of homosexual icons. Including to the quirky issue, the seating areas on the entrance have previous hairdresser-style spinning chairs and pretend hair dryers. Drag exhibits are widespread, and generally they host karaoke.
Enviornment or Safari Disco Membership
Barcelona holds its personal in relation to enjoyable golf equipment! Enviornment is open each night time and boasts two dance flooring mixing pop, home, chart remixes, disco classics, drag exhibits, and even occasional striptease performances. Safari is the weekend hotspot: Fridays are both Bananas Homosexual Get together (pop, hits, remix & reggaeton) or POPair (bear-themed pop & electronica). Saturdays are YASS!—a no-nonsense enjoyable night time with a blended LGBTQ+ crowd.
London – Soho Route
London is large and has a number of homosexual scenes scattered across the metropolis. You’ll discover homosexual bars in Vauxhall, Shoreditch, and Soho. The latter is the unique gayborhood and properly price dedicating a bar crawl to since all of the bars are inside straightforward staggering distance. In contrast to Spain, ingesting begins earlier within the UK, so starting round eight (after dinner/work) is commonplace.
Comptons of Soho
Conventional wood-paneled British pub meets homosexual bar. Comptons is the most effective place to have a pint if you first hit Soho. It’s hottest with the bear crowd, however you’d battle to seek out anybody who doesn’t like Comptons. It has three flooring of area, and one thing in regards to the pub environment makes all the things really feel cozy.
The Yard
Heading down the road, you’ll hit one of the vital trendy bars within the space. It’s fashionable for its backyard courtyard and loft-style upstairs with uncovered brick, wood beams, and shirtless cuties behind the bar. You’ll discover cool children, enterprise gays, individuals on dates, and dependable regulars.
The Village Soho
Proper on the junction of Previous Compton Road—you may’t miss the neon signal. Recognized for its upbeat environment, neon-lit interiors, and open-front road seating, it attracts a various crowd and straddles the road between bar and membership. It has informal lounges upstairs and a dance ground downstairs that fills on weekends.
Ku Bar
Venturing barely exterior Soho (in the proper course in the event you’re heading to Heaven/G-A-Y), this award-winning homosexual bar sits on the nook of Lisle Road and Newport Place. It has three ranges, together with a low-lit membership downstairs. Cease by for the champagne bar, nightly DJs, pleasant vibe, and really enticing employees of (usually shirtless) younger males.
Heaven
A brief stroll by Trafalgar Sq., throughout to Charing Cross, and below the arches brings you to Heaven—sure, that’s the membership’s title. One of many world’s most well-known homosexual megaclubs, it has a number of rooms below the arches taking part in totally different music kinds. It hosts the favored G-A-Y get together and usually options pop artists, Drag Race queens, and stripping competitions.
Berlin – Schöneberg Route
Techno and kink are the 2 issues that spring to thoughts when pondering of Berlin. However past the golf equipment and darkrooms, it additionally has nice homosexual bars. Schöneberg is one in all Berlin’s most well-known homosexual districts and has been a hub for LGBTQ+ life because the Twenties.
Hafen
Hafen is strictly what you’d count on from a Berlin homosexual bar—cool, various, and it is aware of it. There’s queer artwork and graffiti all around the partitions and oddities like swing seats on the bar. Regardless of its edge, the vibe is unpretentious, and when the climate is good, guys take pleasure in beers exterior on the pavement.
Blond
The self-professed greatest homosexual cocktail bar in Berlin lives as much as the title. Situated in Schöneberg, it has retro-kitschy allure, playful décor, a novel seating format, a big terrace, and ’80s trashy pop music.
Roses
This kitschy bar is a beautiful, superb sensory overload—with an nearly utterly pink inside. There are comfortable pink-furred couches, leopard print partitions, quirky artwork, and chandeliers in all places. Dim lighting provides to the temper, and it’s one of the vital fashionable weekend spots. Drinks are moderately priced.
Prinzknecht
Want some testosterone to steadiness the camp? This bar is as rugged because it will get whereas nonetheless retaining a humorousness. Its biker-bar aesthetic attracts a giant crowd, however there’s loads of room between the lengthy bar, dance ground, and outside terrace. Be aware: it’s men-only, so have a plan B in the event you’re with girls buddies.
Schwuz OR KitKat
Berlin’s golf equipment are legendary—and so are the bouncers who randomly flip individuals away. Schwuz doesn’t have that downside and is the largest queer membership within the metropolis, with a number of rooms taking part in all the things from pop nostalgia to underground techno. In the event you’re feeling courageous, you may don some fetish gear and try KitKat Membership. In the event you get in, you’ll discover three flooring of sex-positivity, techno, and lots of stunning options you received’t quickly overlook.
Amsterdam – Reguliersdwarsstraat & Zeedijk
Amsterdam has labored exhausting to scrub up its party-city popularity in recent times, but it surely nonetheless boasts wonderful nightlife. Fortunately, the homosexual bars are tucked away from the everyday bachelor-party crowd. Two primary homosexual areas occur to be inside strolling distance of one another, with scenic canal views alongside the best way.
Café ’t-Mandje
The oldest homosexual bar in Amsterdam is a good place to begin any night time out. Opened by the legendary lesbian “Aunt Guess,” it’s an necessary image within the metropolis’s homosexual historical past. The employees are pleasant, and the classic inside is adorned with pictures and artwork that mirror its previous.
Prik
Prik doesn’t imply what you suppose—it truly means “bubbles” in Dutch, referencing the Prosecco they serve on faucet! It’s an award-winning cocktail bar that’s welcoming and unpretentious. Locals, expats, and vacationers hand around in the stylish pink inside and huge terrace, with a busy dance ground on weekends.
Taboo Bar
After a stroll by the town, you’ll attain Reguliersdwarsstraat, simply identifiable by the abundance of homosexual flags. The road is closed to automobiles, permitting bar patrons to spill out and socialize. You possibly can go to any of the bars right here and be within the motion, however Taboo Bar stands out for its enjoyable fashionable environment, cocktails, and drag exhibits.
SoHo
Additional down the road is one other standout bar—attractive, sassy, and all the things you’d count on from a homosexual get together bar—but its wood-paneled décor provides it an old-school pub really feel. It has three flooring with polished mirrors, cozy cubicles, and a dance ground taking part in pop downstairs. It’s the right pre-club spot.
Membership NYX OR Church
On the identical road, Membership NYX epitomizes Amsterdam nightlife: enjoyable, inclusive, and a bit odd. Its three graffiti-covered flooring play all types of music, and there’s even a DJ within the restrooms. Alternatively, Church is Amsterdam’s most well-known fetish membership with a dance ground—and regardless of the title, not a lot praying occurs, although you would possibly find yourself in your knees!
DIY Your Personal Homosexual Nightlife Tour – FAQs
How do I plan a secure LGBTQ bar crawl?
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Begin with a neighborhood hub – Most main cities have one primary LGBTQ+ space (or a number of micro-districts). Decide a central level the place bars, drag golf equipment, and late-night eats cluster collectively. Then work out how far the stroll/stagger between them is.
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Flip up the thermostat slowly and sensibly – Start with laid-back bars with seating, then progress to tug exhibits or bars with dance flooring earlier than ending at golf equipment.
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Know when issues get going – Some cities exit early; others begin at 1 AM. Alter accordingly.
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Have an exit plan – Know your route again to your lodging. Strolling? Taxi? Is the metro open?
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Ask the locals – On-line or AI information isn’t at all times 100% correct, so don’t hesitate to ask individuals on the first bar. It is also a good way to speak up the locals expertise!
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Waft, however don’t drown – Adapt plans in case you are fortunate sufficient to befriend the locals and get invited into their plans, however keep secure and keep on with your individual buddies too.
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Late-night snacks – Kebabs, pizza, tapas, loaded fries—line your abdomen earlier than and after at 24 hour eateries on the route.
What neighborhoods have the most effective queer nightlife?
Europe’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is famously wealthy. Iconic areas embody Schöneberg (Berlin), Chueca (Madrid), Eixample/Gaixample (Barcelona), Le Marais (Paris), Soho (London), Colosseum/Through San Giovanni in Laterano (Rome), and Vesterbro (Copenhagen).
Many European cities even have rising queer scenes past their primary district. The secondary homosexual scenes are likely to be taught extra into queer vibes and being extra LGBTQ+ inclusive exterior of the mainstream. Try our guides for more information.
How a lot ought to I finances for an evening out?
Typical ranges:
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Drinks: €3 – €5 (beer and wine), €6–€15 (spirits)
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Covers: €5–€20 (usually features a drink token)
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Transit: €2–€5 for buses/trams/metro; €10–€25 for rideshare
Most individuals spend €40–€90 for an evening out, with London, Paris, and Copenhagen on the increased finish. Keep in mind drinks generally is a lot stronger in locations like Spain, so that you may not want to purchase as many drinks anyway.
The place can I discover drag exhibits tonight?
Drag is flourishing throughout Europe. Search for:
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Instagram pages for native queer bars
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Occasion platforms like Eventbrite, Cube, Resident Advisor, or LGBTQ+ magazines
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Fb occasion listings
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Native queens’ social media pages
Main cities like Berlin, Madrid, London, and Barcelona have drag exhibits almost each night time.
What late-night transit choices are most secure?
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Evening metros and buses in cities like Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, and London are usually dependable—keep on with populated automobiles and well-lit platforms.
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Rideshare apps (Bolt, Uber, Free Now, Cabify) are the most secure point-to-point possibility.
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Stroll in teams, particularly in nightlife-heavy areas or quiet aspect streets.
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Licensed taxis are reliable—search for official signage or stands.
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Save your lodging tackle, drop a pin on Google Maps, and preserve your telephone charged.
With homosexual bar crawl the night time is yours, wherever the spirit (or fairly spirits) of it’d take you!