“While Pride still might look a little different this year, bars and clubs across the United States are finding ways to safely welcome patrons back for stiff cocktails, cold beers, and some of the best local drag shows…,” wrote Ryan Cox, a senior regional manager for Yelp in the review site’s recent blog post ranking the top LGBTQ+ bars across America.
Gathering places for members of LGBTQ+ communities — often referred to generically if not necessarily accurately as “gay bars” — have been around in one form or another since the 17th century. Historians, though, generally credit the Zanzibar in Cannes, on the French Riviera, as being the first such establishment in the present-day sense. It opened in 1885, closing only in 2010.
The first modern American gay bar is considered to have been Julius Bar, opened in Manhattan in 1966. A second such establishment nearby, opened the following year, was the Stonewall Inn — site of the 1969 “Stonewall riots,” credited with kickstarting the struggle for LGBTQ rights in America. Today, bars catering to various segments of the LGBTQ community are common around America — though more so in some places than others. These are the best and worst states for LGBTQ people.
Click here to see America’s favorite LGBTQ+ bars
Yelp’s list of the top 100 LGBTQ+ bars across the U.S. was curated by the review site by identifying bars in that category, then ranking them using several factors, including total volume of reviews and rating scores from users between January 1, 2016 and April 28, 2021.
24/7 Tempo’s list of the top country’s top LGBTQ+ bars is based on reader reviews and ratings from Yelp. The entries cover the country from New York to California (with the latter state winning most positions on the list) and range from upscale to divey. See also our list of the best dive bar in every state.
25. Tin Lizzie Saloon
> Location: Costa Mesa, California
[in-text-ad]
24. Good Friends Bar
> Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
23. Redwing Bar & Grill
> Location: San Diego, California
22. Mercantile Saloon
> Location: Sacramento, California
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Akbar
> Location: Los Angeles, California
20. The Boiler Room
> Location: New York, New York
[in-text-ad]
19. Flux Bar
> Location: Bellflower, California
24/7 Wall St.
18. Flaming Saddles Saloon
> Location: New York, New York
17. The Stable
> Location: Providence, Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Gossip Grill
> Location: San Diego, California
15. Round-Up Saloon
> Location: Dallas, Texas
[in-text-ad]
14. Stir
> Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
24/7 Wall St.
13. Lone Star Saloon
> Location: San Francisco, California
12. Triangle Denver
> Location: Denver, Colorado
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Urban MO’s Bar & Grill
> Location: San Diego, California
10. Tavern On Camac
> Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
[in-text-ad]
9. Pint
> Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
24/7 Wall St.
8. Crush
> Location: Portland, Oregon
7. Oasis
> Location: San Francisco, California
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Bacchus Waikiki
> Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
5. Big Chicks
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
[in-text-ad]
4. El Rio
> Location: San Francisco, California
3. The Phoenix Bar & Lounge
> Location: Las Vegas, Nevaa
2. The Garage
> Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Sidetrack
> Location: Chicago, Ilinois
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
