Gay Travel Buddy

Gay Friendly Cities

I and many of our amazing contributors have been all over the US and over the world.  I am adding this page to try and help you determine if a city is friendly enough to visit.  Some places can be down right dangerous, for example its illegal to be gay in Jamaica, I have heard many horror stories.

But Moving on to my current home to start.

Austin - Is a very gay friendly town, a very large selection of Gay Bars, very gay friendly hotels like the W.  The new W is actually just around the block from Oil Can Harry’s.  Great restaurants as well, Santa Rita, Kerbey Lane Café and South Congress Cafe too name a few.  It’s sorta like San Francisco in a strange way, and a big music town.

Denver – Is an amazing, mostly gay friendly city. This city also has its share of religious nut cases who cause some trouble from time to time. From what I know of, there isn’t a specific gay hotel in Denver. However you have many options
downtown, including the Westin and Sheraton, which are both gay friendly. The mile high city also gets more sunny days than any other major city in the US. The Westin actually has this fairly strange indoor-outdoor pool, its rather unique as well as a gym. The famous Palms steak house is attached and is very good. Personally I prefer to patronize gay owned restaurants, so I wind up at Hamburger Marry’s a very large gay bar/restaurant/drag show.  You can find a good selection of Denver’s Gay Bars.

Las Vegas – This one is really on the fence for a full recommendation. If you have other options, I think you should consider them. Even with such a huge service industry, overall Las Vegas is not all that gay friendly. Promoters like J.Son are
trying to change that; he was able to convince the Luxor to host the only weekly gay pool party throughout the summer season. In the 90’s their spa became a little hot spot for gay men, however the Luxor had security in they’re at all hours throwing them out. This is a big change in direction. On the other hand you have hotels like the Encore who have pages promoted online about being gay friendly. They forgot to tell their staff about that. Even the high priced hookers wouldn’t leave me alone; she couldn’t believe I was gay.

Las Vegas has only 1 all gay hotel that is clothing optional called Blue Moon Resort, located just West of the North end of the strip. On the strip there is one gay nightclub called Krave. It is not open every night, there is always a high priced
cover and the drinks though strong are very expensive. It’s on the south side of Planet Hollywood off Harmon. Just east on Harmon a few blocks and a right turn on Paradise will get you into what’s known as the fruit loop. You have multiple
bar options here, 8 ½ and Piranha are connected, and this is a higher end bar/dance club. As well as Gipsy, which is just next-door. Across the street you will find Buffalo, a mixed crowd with pool tables. Just to the right of Buffalo is an adult video and toy store. Across from The Buffalo is Free Zone, make sure you check out their calendar before going, they host many ladies nights as well.  There are quite a few more gay bars, my personal favorite is Charlies which is located West of the strip off Tropicana and on Arville in what looks like an industrial business building.  Starwood has one hotel just east of the strip on Flamingo, its a Westin, has a small casino as well.

San Diego - My home town, most of the gay activity is centralized in one area called Hillcrest.  You will find a nice selection of gay bars, restaurants of all types, gay gyms like 24 hour fitness, and shopping galore.  However, like San Francisco there are few hotel options.  There are tons of gay friendly hotels in down town San Diego near the Gas Lamp District that has great restaurants, shopping and gay bars.  San Diego offers lots of beach options, however I believe all of the beaches are now alcohol free and the police will check coolers.  San Diego does not have a very user friendly public transportation system, so consider renting a car.

San Francisco - Ok yeah, duh San Francisco is a very gay friendly town.  You might be surprised to know that its not the highest population of Gay people, Dallas I believe is number 1 then Los Angeles and then NYC.  San Francisco is very diverse, although the Castro is the heart of anything Gay, you can find gay establishments all over the city.  The city is broken into many districts, The Castro, The Haight, Lower Haight, Nob Hill, Lower Nob Hill, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf is a huge tourist trap, avoid at all cost.  The older gayborhood was on Polk St. so you can find a few bars in that area as well.  I can’t think of any major hotel in the city not being friendly, now some of the smaller cheap “weekly” rate type places.  The largest concentration of Gay Bars is in The Castro, then in SOMA there are some of the more leather, daddy type places.  My current favorite bar in The Castro is Blackbird, a laid back gay bar with an awesome staff.  My other favorite is a wine bar called Blush, amazing wine, food and people!  San Francisco also throws and incredible pride event every year, you just missed it this year but if you have the chance you must see it.  The Castro has very few options when it comes to lodging, I would suggest trying Union Square.  Most of the best shopping is in Union Square.  There are also several options for gay gyms in The Castro, 24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym to name a few.

Seattle – Other than the lack of warm days, Seattle is extremely gay friendly with the majority of activities, including bars and restaurants are located in Capitol Hill. Very close to down town, it’s a bit of a hike if you choose to walk it. The hills are nowhere as steep as San Francisco but if its cold enough you will regret not taking a cab or driving. Be very mindful of the parking signs, they have some of the strangest parking restrictions I have ever seen in the US. They do not color the curbs either, my first visit I wound up getting a nice fine, nowhere near a fire hydrant.

Like Portland, there is a large hipster community, however not as intrusive. Washington State also has the highest taxes on alcohol so when you walk into a dive bar and get charged $10 for something most other places would be $4-5.  Gay Bars and Night Clubs list.

As any big city, Seattle has tons of hotel options. My personal favorites are Starwood properties. The Westin is one of the largest and is not owned by Starwood, it is a franchise. They are undergoing renovations; their new rooms are very nice if you can get one. Some of their older rooms do show their age, ask if you can get a remodeled room.  We have a short list of gay friendly hotels in Seattle.

This article is a work in progress and not close to being done.

Bout Time Austin

The one thing going for seedy dive bars – gay or straight – is that you can get pretty hammered on a couple of drinks. But even well drinks at this bar in the northeast part of Austin came at an unusual high price. Yes, the staff is friendly and it’s got that “neighborhood bar” sort of feel. But if you’re driving out of you way to check out a new scene, then it better be worth the trip. Give us the strong drinks! It’s not like there’s a maintenance and cleaning fee – as this hole-in-the-wall tends to get pretty grimy at this sister bar to Charlie’s.

9601 IH-35 North, (512) 832-5339

Kiss and Fly Austin

The last thing you’ll want to do is fly away from this place – especially after getting your smack on! The three-level warehouse has been redesigned as a swanky gay nightclub with six full-service bars. Yes, six! No wonder the boys here tend to get pretty tipsy. During South by Southwest this year, Kiss and Fly was one of the participating venues – so a straight crowd is starting to notice all the possibilities of this place. The only negative is that it’s only open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

404 Colorado St., (512) 476-7799

Rusty’s Austin – Gay Country Bar

The bar formerly known as Rusty Spurs has shorten its name to what the locals referred to it anyway. The country western bar is a must in Austin and this place downtown has it all. The weekdays offers drink specials and a saloon-type environment. However, as soon as the weekend rolls in – break out of your dancing boots and hit the dancefloor. Hit up the 1,2 step Friday and Saturday nights beginning promptly at 9pm.

405 E. 7th St., (512) 482-9002

Chain Drive Austin

The city’s only bar for leather daddies and bears. Yes, it’s dark in there, but don’t expect your typical Folsom Street fare. Only a couple of guys dare to bust out their attire, but that same SoMa attitude is in full-gear. Weeknights are popular with the youngsters coming to see the live shows. The music scene in Austin is vibrant and the bands that play here are as diverse as the clientele. On Sundays, come early for a beer-filled cookout out on their patio. And for those dancing mavens, Thursdays is Disco Inferno!

504 Willow St. (512) 480-9017

Cheer Up Charlie’s Austin

In recent years, Austin has overtaken Williamsburg as a hipster heaven, so where do our hipster-queers hangout in the city? The answer is Cheer Up Charlie’s in East Austin! This is a different type of neighborhood bar, friendly to anyone but especially welcoming to the alternative queer set. You know, those boys and girls (and everything in between) in thick-framed glasses and headbands who appreciate a vegan meal and organic wine. The place opens every day at 3pm, so take advantage of sunny summer days out on their patio brimming with lively conversation.

1104 E. 6th St., (512) 431-2133

Santa Rita Austin

Looking for something spicy? This Tex-Mex restaurant and cantina has the hot sauce to make you sweat. Even though most gay-friendly establishments linger close to the University of Austin – with it’s progressive student population – Santa Rita is known in the city as very welcoming of gay customers. If you couldn’t tell by the fact that you can listen to 70s disco while munching on your burrito or sipping on their very cheap margaritas, the true sign of Tex-Mex style!

1206 West 38th Street, (512) 419-7482

Kerbey Lane Cafe Austin

Ready to get the authentic Austin experience? Then Kerbey Lane Café is the spot for you and all your friends. This quaint café has several locations throughout the city but the one in South Austin is known as the gay-friendliest, with friendly staff eager to serve you with a smile. Kerbey is perfect to get your early mornings going with a hearty breakfast or those late nights after hitting the bars, when all you want to do is take some time out and indulge in some post-drinking grub.

2700 South Lamar Blvd., (512) 445-4451

South Congress Cafe Austin

You can’t seem to go wrong at this hotspot, but locals prefer to mingle here during their popular Sunday brunch. You’re gay, right? So you understand why the brunch experience has to be just right and South Congress caters to that. Their Bloody Mary is made with local vodka and features just the right amount of spice to wake you up from the languor of the weekend’s end. You can also enjoy their brunch menu any day of the week, if you’re not willing to deal with the crowds that gather here during the weekends.

1600 S Congress Ave., (512) 447-3905

Halcyon Coffee, Bar and Lounge Austin

So you like your warm panini’s, your exquisite cocktail and people-watching? Why not go to a place that can get you all three under the same roof. Halcyon is a hipster hangout (and with that name, of course it is!) with a clientele as diverse as their menu. The décor screams hip and the place turns it up a notch after dinner, with more of a lounge feel. And those who want to indulge in the sweeter things in life, make sure to try their s’mores. Made like no other in the city – probably in the whole state of Texas.

218 W 4th St., (512) 472-9637