For too many years, the lesbian bar suffered from a tragic narrative: It was disappearing. The once-ubiquitous venue found in almost every city and small town was no longer as necessary as it used to be, for some reasons good – a new level of acceptance, and anti-discrimination laws – and the less sunny, like the immense cost of operating a small business in America. The lesbian bar was so close to extinction in the US that The Lesbian Bar Project emerged in 2020 to help protect the remaining 20 or so spaces trying to survive a pandemic, through fundraising and awareness.
The effort was effective in spotlighting the importance of these community-based watering holes, and making their renaissance possible. Since then, several new sapphic spaces have opened across the US – and the world. For a generation like mine, who only encountered lesbian bars as sacred spaces about to disappear, it’s an exciting renaissance. Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z Queer women knew what was missing, what was needed, and what could be created; they envisioned a cohort of new women-centred Queer bars to entertain and sustain the lesbian community via chic cocktails, mocktails, social media friendly decor, and programming that competes with the allure of screen time.
Of course, there are also historic and beloved spots that have sustained themselves in an ever-changing lesbian landscape. And guests have continued to support several decades-old safe havens, which are more than just bars, but spaces for celebrating, organising for social change, and existing among people with a shared experience.
Today’s best lesbian bars are inclusive to trans and nonbinary folks, and offer non-alcoholic drink options. They're accessible to all who feel they belong. The word lesbian is used proudly, a nod to a marginalised and celebrated identity, yet inclusive to all.
Below, we pulled together some of the greatest lesbian bars on the map. There's a historic pub in San Francisco; a cheerful dive in Amsterdam; and precious square footage of sapphic space in Tokyo, all recommended by locals and travellers seeking Queer community worldwide. You’ll notice not every region is represented. If you’re headed somewhere not found below, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a scene – it’s just a reminder that a trove of lesbian hangouts and safe spaces aren’t always public knowledge, protecting Queer folks where they need it most.
Read on for the spots you should beeline to, and you are guaranteed to have a fabulous time once you arrive.
North America
The Back Door
Bloomington, Indiana
The Back Door, with its iconic zebra-print walls, burlesque shows, and punny drink names (see: “Citron on My Face”), sits right near the University of Indiana – and has thus become a second home to over a decade's worth of Queer students, professors, and community members. It bills itself as a “Queer bar,” but the safe space it creates for local lesbians is such that it has been recognised by the Lesbian Bar Project as one of the 32 such businesses in the country. The bar opened in 2013, “one year before I took my first cautious steps through its alleyway entrance as a summer researcher at the nearby Kinsey Institute,” writes Samantha Allen. “More to the point, I had only recently come out as a transgender woman, and had yet to feel welcomed in big-city LGBTQ+ nightlife spots, which tend to serve disappointingly specific demographics. I found that second home in The Back Door.”
Address: The Back Door, 207 S College Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47404, United States
Website: bckdoor.com
Nobody’s Darling
Chicago
The first Queer bar to become a James Beard Award Finalist, this Black-owned bar opened in Andersonville in September 2021, a long-awaited answer to the loneliness of the pandemic. Here, locals build community over upscale cocktails and mocktails, dance on the weekend, and congregate on the patio come summer. Chicagoan Liv Dellanno had only experienced Queer life in Boystown before the cocktail bar opened, finding most spaces to be designed primarily with men in mind. “Nobody’s Darling was the first lesbian bar my fiancé and I had been to in the city,” she says. “Knowing that lesbian bars are hard to come by, it was an incredible experience to be in an exclusively sapphic space. Although it was small at first (they’ve since expanded), it was the first time I felt like it was a bar that felt welcoming to Queer women.”
Address: Nobody’s Darling, 1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Website: nobodysdarlingbar.com
Dorothy Downstairs
Chicago
A subterranean lounge known for snazzy 1970s disco energy is on the radar for many courtesy of its quiet reading nights, but also for more boisterous guests eager to boogie, rock out at an open mic, or network over a craft cocktail in an elegant coupe. “When Dorothy Downstairs opened up, it was an even bigger deal since it was much larger and had a retro vintage vibe we love and a photo booth that we’ve since collected photos with our friends from,” says Liv Dellanno.
Address: Dorothy Downstairs, 2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Website: dorothydownstairs.com
The Lady’s Room
Largo, Florida
Florida’s only lesbian bar, The Lady’s Room in Largo creates space for line dancing, drag kings and dives, sports watch parties, and more. The bar opened in 2022 when local owner Vicki Gibson felt a prescient need for a sapphic space in a state increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ people. “Small-town lesbian bars are so special to me, bringing a nostalgia that is deeply personal to my coming out in college. It felt like hitting the jackpot when finding a girl's night at a tiny gay bar in Pittsburgh or landing a seat at the bar of The Lex in San Francisco. It was a juxtaposition of feeling insecure yet knowing I was safe,” says St. Petersburg-based chef and consultant Ali LaRaia. “The Lady's Room in Largo evoked that same feeling, but given the state we're in, the insecurities and safety have a different meaning. These legacy spots are in a category of their own; I don't care about the menu, the design, or the service – I'm just grateful they exist and hope their doors stay open.” Like many great Floridian attractions, The Lady’s Room is located in a strip mall. Inside, a large U-shaped bar allows guests to linger, or carry on conversations at plenty of high tops. A small stage in the back hosts local acts, DJs, and a jukebox and dart boards for self-led entertainment when the stage isn’t booked.
Address: The Lady's Room, 9057 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33771, United States
Website: instagram.com
The Ruby Fruit
Los Angeles
One of two new Queer spaces to open in LA in 2023, The Ruby Fruit in Silverlake is a little bit of everything – a spot to co-work during the day; a cool scene for happy hour at night; and a veritable block party as the sun drops and the crowd, glasses of orange wine in hand, spills out onto the street while the music beats a little louder. “My own first visit was a quick pre-dinner pop-in – though the intimacy, warmth, and undeniable depth of community in the space (not to mention a spot-on pairing of sparkling natural wine, mortadella, and olives marinated with fennel pollen) immediately had me second guessing my evening plans,” writes Rebekah Peppler. “Now, I make it a point to stop in whenever I come through Los Angeles – and stay for the entire night.”
Address: The Ruby Fruit, 3510 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States
Website: therubyfruit.com
Walker’s Pint
Milwaukee
“Be nice or leave,” is the motto of this Milwaukee lesbian bar – you’ll see it on the shirts staff wear. Named for its hip neighbourhood, Walker’s Point, Wisconsin’s only lesbian bar, is a convivial spot to drink a cold one, mess with the jukebox, catch a Brewers game on TV, or gather outside on the patio sprinkled with round tables, weather permitting. The tavern has been open since 2001, but it operates in a building dating back to 1885, with a rotating tap list. Saturdays bring out a younger set, with Gen Z crowding into the historic walls for Top 40 DJ nights, but overall this Midwestern bar has a chill, friendly vibe for chatty locals and visitors. A “Liquidation Center” whiteboard behind the bar keeps the community energy flowing with the option for patrons to buy each other drinks, even if they’re not at the bar simultaneously.
Address: Walker's Pint, 818 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, United States
Website: walkerspint.com
Lipstick Lounge
Nashville
An East Nashville institution boasting custom-brewed lager, merch, and a leather-couch-filled upstairs cigar bar, Music City’s only lesbian bar is also beloved for its nightly karaoke. “My favorite lesbian bar in Nashville, and pretty much the only lesbian bar [in Tennessee] is Lipstick Lounge,” says Nashville-based Queer artist, Katie Pruitt. “It’s always a good time whether it’s crowded or quiet. It’s a fun place to post-game and sing karaoke with friends. If you go, order the purple shot which is basically like fireball for lesbians."
Address: The Lipstick Lounge, 1400 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206, United States
Website: thelipsticklounge.com
The Bush
New York City
New to Brooklyn as of 2023, this bar was a long-term project of friends and co-owners Nikki Alleyne and Justine LaViolette, who built the space from scratch to accommodate Bushwick’s sapphic scene. Disco balls hang from the rafters while locals crowd in for weekly dance parties, Queer figure drawing, craft workshops, speed dating, and so much more. The industrial glam aesthetic appeals to Gen Z and Millenials alike, and a martini and tropical punch menu plays into of-the-moment drinks while still feeling accessible to people of all gender identities, backgrounds, and abilities. “The Bush is my home,” says Loretta Andro Chung, co-founder of Dyke Beer. “I love sitting at the bar in the corner. It’s the best spot for people-watching. This place gets lit at 10pm and it’s a fun crowd.”
Address: The Bush, 333 Troutman St Store 4, Brooklyn, NY 11237, United States
Website: bushbk.com
Cubbyhole
New York City
A favourite lesbian bar of many, this 824-square-foot dive attracts the after-work crowd, college students, worldwide tourists, and thirsty singles – they all come for the cheap drinks and a fun jukebox with all the hits (an Indigo Girls singalong or Chappel Roan dance party is never far off), right in Manhattan’s West Village. “It’s iconic and tiny. When I first came out in 2010, I travelled from Chicago to New York to go to the Cubbyhole to experience my first lesbian space. I couldn’t believe it existed,” says comedian Mo Welch, who is a longtime fan. “They were playing ‘I Kissed a Girl’ on repeat. I experienced my first kiss there.” Now, Welch returns whenever she books a show in New York: “You feel so safe there. I’m the elder lesbian at the bar now and can only have like half a beer, but I like to remember when I was young and dumb and had $10.”
Address: Cubbyhole, 281 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014, United States
Website: cubbyholebar.com
Elixir
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This beach town on Mexico’s western coast is known as a gay party scene, but a lesbian oasis finally opened here in 2021. Owned by a local couple, Elena Esquer Zolezzi and Laura Jaimes, Elixir offers elevated cocktails, happy hours, DJ sets, live music, and mixology classes. “It's the first lesbian bar I ever went to, and it inspired me to seek out more lesbian bars and lesbian-centered spaces because the experience was so positive,” says Chicago-based travel influencer Courtney Vondran. “It's an intimate, cosy cocktail bar with delicious craft cocktails. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. It feels like a space for everyone, perfect for a date night or drinks with friends.”
Address: Elixir, Basilio Badillo 419, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Website: facebook.com
Gossip Grill
San Diego
SoCal’s only sapphic bar is a fantasia of hot pink, indoor-outdoor bars, and dancing, replete with go-go dancers and DJs. The San Diego spot may also be the only lesbian bar in the world that offers an all-you-can-eat spaghetti night (on Mondays). A cheeky menu for brunch and dinner also offers pub fare like fish tacos and a “My Girlfriend Isn’t Hungry” order of one chicken tender and fries. Frozen cocktails, mocktails, and plenty of wine and beer are served, as is bottle service, if you want to make it that kind of night. Gossip Grill attracts an eclectic crowd, from people chatting with teammates after softball or searching for a fling on the dance floor. There are also fantastic brunch parties replete, for Queer women and allies alike.
Address: Gossip Grill, 1220 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
Website: gossipgrill.com
Wild Side West
San Francisco
Founded in 1962, Wild Side West is the oldest lesbian bar in San Francisco – and the US. The pub in funky Bernal Heights still buzzes with visitors crowding around the dim wooden bar, pool table, or the back garden, wild with greens and eclectic furniture.
Film producer Page Hurwitz remembers lesbian bar hopping in San Francisco in the 1990s. “Much of our community building and social life happened at lesbian bars, clubs, and monthly parties,” Hurwitz recalls, reminiscing on the now-closed Club Q (run by DJ Page Hodel, who infamously lived in a beautifully converted school bus), swanky restaurant-slash-bar Mecca, wine bar Hayes & Wine, and the Lexington. Of the bunch, only Wild Side West remains, with much of the same energy as in its heyday. “Wild Side West was ol’ faithful in San Francisco in the 90s. If you wanted some low-key lesbian social time, you could count on The Wild Side to be open and not too crowded,” says Hurwitz. “With its eclectic thrift shop furniture, well-worn upholstered armchairs, and mismatched wooden tables, it was a welcoming space for older hippies and younger hipster lesbians alike.” Now, folks of all ages and groups of locals come to unwind and lounge under quirky artwork depicting all types of women or spend weekends at drag shows and dance parties.
Address: Wild Side West, 424 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Website: wildsidewest.com
Wildrose
Seattle
The city's oldest operating lesbian bar has a history. To current owners Martha Manning and Shelley Brothers, it all begins with the watering hole's giant windows – which were unusual when the bar opened in 1985, at a time when lesbian bars were back-alley spots, hidden away from the public. Today, those gaping windows still beckon visitors, who will find deep rose-red walls, karaoke, and boozy strawberry slushies (“Strawberry Dykeries”) inside.
“Karaoke hits differently here,” writes Deanne Revel, a regular and Seattle local. “Listening to other women perform lyrics meant for men feels electric. Everyone is enthusiastic and supportive–even when the show tunes come out.”
Address: Wildrose, 1021 E Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122, United States
Website: thewildrosebar.com
Europe
Cafe Saarein
Amsterdam
This local sapphic pub in Amsterdam has been drawing in lesbians since 1978. The tri-level bar offers plenty of space to mingle, play pool, or chat with a friendly bartender over a Jupiler. “As a gay woman, I wanted to find a place where I could just be with other gay women,” says traveller Nancy Schneider. She typically travels solo and seeks like-minded locals and visitors to chat with at lesbian and Queer bars. “We live in a straight world, and it is nice to be part of the majority, even if for a few hours in a small bar,” she says.
Schneider came of age at a time when gay bars were essentially destinations for safety. “In 1983, I backpacked around Europe and went to many lesbian bars in London, Munich, Paris, and elsewhere,” Schneider says. “I remember how cool I felt going to a lesbian bar in London on a Saturday night, flying home on Sunday, and going to a big women's event in NYC on Sunday night.”
Address: Cafe Saarein, Elandsstraat 119-HS, 1016 RX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: instagram.com
Bar Buka
Amsterdam
Being able to lesbian bar hop in any city is a treat – there are so few across the globe that just one in any destination can feel like a major win. Amsterdam’s Bar Buka is Saarein’s younger, quirky, very liberal, and playful pal. Rotating art exhibits by women are featured on the walls in a space that hosts poly speed dating, drag performances, pub quizzes, and plenty of rowdy disco nights. An extensive cocktail menu is supplemented by fried finger food, including Dutch bitterballen and spring rolls, but takeout is also welcome to fuel guests for a debaucherous night slinging back “Pillow Queen” shots and “Femme” martinis.
Address: Bar Buka, Albert Cuypstraat 124, 1072 EA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: barbuka.nl
Beaver Cooperativa
Athens
Athens is lush with Queer clubs and cafes, including several spaces dedicated to women. Beaver Coop is a fantastic all-day space, offering coffee and vegan cakes by daylight, and cold beers and disco until well past midnight. Community members and employees own the co-op, with everyone aligned on a commitment to inclusivity. The indoor-outdoor bar is on the smaller side, offering an unpretentious space to gather around wooden tables over espresso martinis or a good book.
Address: Beaver Cooperativa, Megalou Vasileiou 46Α, Athina 118 54, Greece
Website: instagram.com
Begine
Berlin
Started as a women’s community center in Berlin circa 1986, Begine is the only such venue of many similar projects to survive into the 2020s. The feminist squatter’s paradise turned lesbian bar now offers programming including music, speed dating, concerts, feminist readings, yoga classes, and yes, plenty of beverages, DJs, and parties. The space seamlessly combines intellectualism with a very good time (classic Berlin), where you can just as easily debate feminist philosophy and dance to a Robyn remix.
Address: Begine, Potsdamer Str. 139, 10783 Berlin, Germany
Website: begine.de
She Soho
London
London’s cool girl lesbian bar, She is actively welcoming to nonbinary and trans folks as well. Open since 2014, the chic club is certainly a spot to show off your ‘fits, but there’s no dress code. A typically low cover (usually five pounds) and drink prices ensure that everyone can enjoy their night out. Those looking for community but a little less clubbiness can also check out women’s sports watch parties or sit in the audience for drag king cabaret or burlesque nights. “She is a pretty cosy bunker stuck in the ground in the centre of Soho,” says Khadija “Kitty” Osman, a London-based writer. “They often play embarrassingly catchy 2000s Pop and R&B that gets everyone shouting the lyrics, it's a bizarre but lovely time every visit.” Because of the small size, big groups will likely have to split up on the dance floor, “but it is a good place to meet people in the crowd, so it works out,” Osman assures.
Address: She Soho, 23a Old Compton Street, London W1D 5JL
Website: ku-bar.co.uk
La Champmeslé
Paris
Paris’s first contemporary lesbian bar has attracted locals and visitors to Les Marais since 1979. And like much in France, little has changed. The charming stone space has a long bar to congregate at, as well as plenty of café tables for gossip over pints or watching weekly cabaret performances. The intimate space lends itself well to travellers, who can easily merge into a conversation in French, English, and several other languages. Folks of all ages, backgrounds, and genders can be found here, drawn by the homey vibes and relatively cheap drinks.
Address: La Champmeslé, 4 Rue Chabanais, 75002 Paris, France
Website: tripadvisor.co.uk
La Mutinerie
Paris
Self-identifying as a feminist, lesbian, Queer, and trans bar, La Mutinerie is a dive with a very specific vibe. Women and Queer folks of all kinds are celebrated at the space, full of after-work regulars and a handful of visitors as well. Weeknights bring programming, including drag and live music, while weekends are more of a cool friend’s house dance party. The crowd here skews younger than La Champesle, but the bars are only a 20-minute walk or short moped ride away, so expect familiar faces between the two, and a similar energy.
Address: La Mutinerie, 176-178 Rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris, France
Website: lamutinerie.eu
Club Essence
Sofia, Bulgaria
Only open on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:30 p.m. until the early hours of 4 a.m., Essence is Eastern Europe’s sole lesbian venue, located in a cozy basement where things can get hype. And because sapphics in Sofia only have two days of dedicated space per week, things are known to get pretty wild. The bar has been open since 2004, and while back then men weren’t welcome, things have loosened up a bit to include all genders. Visit for comedy, karaoke, and DJs, and to meet locals. The crowd tends to skew younger, but anyone can find their place.
Address: Essence Bar, Sofia Center, "Aleksandar Stamboliyski" Blvd 29, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Website: facebook.com
South America
Sabor a Mi
Santiago
Chile’s sole lesbian venue, this restaurant and bar, have thrived in Santiago’s Bellavista neighbourhood since 2004. Sabor a Mi is a go-to for live music and cocktails. Eat mixed meat platters, or tofu and quinoa salad, sing karaoke, and dance the night away. Those who want a more relaxed option can also visit for a seated meal or sip mojitos during a Latin music show. The pool table can be another haven for shy dancers, but don’t be surprised if the ritmo gets you eventually shaking on the dance floor.
Address: Sabor a mi, Antonia López de Bello 107, Recoleta, Región Metropolitana, Chile
Website: instagram.com
Espeto Bambu
São Paulo
A no-frills lesbian bar in São Paulo offers a relaxing, inclusive atmosphere for a sidewalk beer and a local, relaxed vibe. There’s food, too, with a menu designed like the lesbian flag, and the vibes are unparalleled. Visit for happy hour caipirinhas on weekdays from 5.30pm - 7pm and take some time to admire the funky art on the walls.
Address: Espeto Bambu, Rua Haddock Lobo, 71 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo - SP, 01414-001, Brazil
Website: instagram.com
Asia
L’Paradis Lesbian Bar
Hong Kong
L’Paradis is one of the few lesbian spots remaining in a city that once had over a dozen. Open nightly until sunrise, the casual bar offers a safe space to hang, mingle, snack, or sing in the Tsim Sha Tsui district. Hanoi-based travel influencers Lake & H say, “L’Paradis has the best atmosphere out of all the lesbian spots we visited in Hong Kong," reflecting on a night where the manager made sure were introduced to other patrons. The bar also has drinking games (beer pong is a favourite) for those who want to bond over the friendly competition.
Address: L’Paradis Lesbian Bar, 5/F, Cameron Centre, 57-59 Chatham Rd S, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Website: facebook.com
Agit
Tokyo
Tokyo has a smattering of fun and tiny lesbian bars, and Agit is a favourite for many. The woman-owned space has a small cover charge cheap drinks, and an overall very fun vibe with lively karaoke. Hungry revellers can soak up the booze with snacks and heartier meals, like an ever-changing steamy oden. Check out the bar’s TikTok which showcases daily the space for would-be visitors or those who want to reminisce on a fun night out.
Address: Agit, Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 2 Chome−15−9 松井ビル 1F
Website: agit.tokyo
Roxie
Shanghai
Opened in 2015 by Dutch expat Ting Ting Liang, Roxie is Shanghai’s only lesbian bar. Colourful bras dangle over the long bar lining the dim club, known for themed parties and crowded, rowdy nights. There are poles for dancing, and the bartenders have a habit of pouring shots directly into guests’ open mouths. More than just a good time, Roxie is a solid community space for regulars as China’s Queer scene lingers and daily life has become more challenging for Queer folks living in an increasingly conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ climate.
Address: Roxie, China, Shanghai, Jing'An, 359, Kangding Rd, 359号2楼 邮政编码: 200041
Website: facebook.com
Club Ace
Seoul
The lesbian clubs, or L Clubs, in Seoul, are known to be women-centric spaces to feel safe and have fun. Located in artsy Hongdae, photos are banned at Club Ace, for both privacy and to keep folks in the moment. “At Club Ace, I was illuminated only by a glowing haze of flashing lights muted by a thin layer of cigarette smoke,” Toronto-based Caitlyn Ng Man Chuen wrote in a recent Condé Nast Traveler essay. “Here, I was an outsider in some senses – a foreigner – but not one marked by difference in race or my queerness. The anonymity that granted me was one that made me feel free. I felt like I belonged, even if it was only in the cover of darkness.”
Address: 105 Eulji-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
Website: instagram.com
Goldfinger
Tokyo
A Tokyo staple since 1991, Goldfinger may be the city’s most famous lesbian bar. The “girl meets girl” spot welcomes patrons with a big rainbow flag at the corner and a neon “girls girls girls” sign gleaming into the entryway. Saturdays are exclusively for women, and 2000 yen gets you access to an open bar, popcorn, and karaoke. Mondays celebrate trans guests with no cover, plus free popcorn and karaoke. In warm weather, outdoor seating is available as well. “It’s nice because everyone is welcome, and they have English-speaking bartenders, so it’s foreigner-friendly,” says Jen Suarez, an engineer who lives in Aomori in Northern Japan. “It’s a small, cosy space, and the drink prices are reasonable.”
Address: Goldfinger, 2 Chome-12-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
Website: instagram.com
This article was first published on Condé Nast Traveler.