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

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

W Hotel Austin – Living Room

Once again W Hotels have outdone themselves.  I recently had the chance to stop by The W Austin, and experience their Living room lounge.  From the moment you walk in you get that warm welcome, yet cool vibe that everyone has become accustom to when entering a W Property.  The enviroment is exhilerating as you explore each of the four different areas of the lounge.  The vibe is unmistakably W and an excellent gay friendly addition to Austin Nightlife.  Be sure to try the Ginger, cucumber, strawberry cocktail.  It’s Sensational.

I hope they never host a hackers conference at this hotel, they use RFID cards for door keys.  I could just imagine the fun those guys would have.

If you are looking to gain status with Starwood, I would not book with anything other than the SPG site. Hotels.com has some great deals, even thought Starwood says it will match any rate, if Hotels.com is cheaper, you are better off. Starwood will not honor their guarantee, ever!
See what hotels.com is offering.

If you do want to get credit, or points for your stay you have to book with SPG.com, below is a link to book directly with them.
This link will take you to Starwood’s discount site

The Living Room is a great place to start the evening before walking two blocks to the 4th St. Strip of gay bars including; Rain, and Oil Can Harrys.

200 Lavaca Street, (512) 542-3600

Even though I love Oilcan Harry’s and I spend the majority of my time there when I visit Austin, on my second to last visit I was introduced to Charlies in Downtown Austin.  This gay bar is a bit off the beat and path, but if you are in town between Thursday and Sunday you should visit Charlies in the evening.  This place is huge and has very friendly bar tenders as well as a great selection of very attractive locals.  They have different events all the time, be sure to check their website to be sure.  I believe they also serve food as well.  Charlies also has a few pool tables as well.  Parking is a little easier around this area, but again do not drink and drive, it’s just not worth it.

1301 Lavaca St. 512-474-6481

Oilcan Harry’s Austin

When visiting Austin a gay bar that is a must visit is Oilcan Harry’s in Downtown Austin.  This bar has a very friendly staff, they have also have a bar outback which is nice in the summer.  They also have a dance floor and a pool table as well.  Oilcan Harry’s has an ever changing list of activities, which you can find on their website.  The most memorable event in my mind was the underwear night, they gave discounted drinks to anyone who dropped trow and walked around in their undies, this was quite a bit of fun.  This place has a total of 3 bars and quite a few LCD screens throughout.  I have met some very cool locals here, they are right next door to Rain, another large gay bar.

Not only is this just a gay bar, but they have shows, an outside bar where they allow smoking.  A real staple if you are visiting Austin for the first time.

211 West 4th St, 512-320-8823