The size of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ scene is matched only by San Francisco’s, so there’s no shortage of queer bars and venues. There’s a drag show every night of the week in Seattle. Really. Even on Mondays, you can find local performers spinning for tips.
Here’s a quick primer on where to go and what to expect.
👠 Queer Bar
1518 11th Avenue
Might as well start with the bar named Queer Bar.
Organized around a long catwalk, Queer Bar has become the defacto drag bar in Capitol Hill. They host drag multiple nights of the week, alongside karaoke, burlesque, and bingo events. Expect chiller evenings with lots of locals on the weekdays. But on the weekends, it becomes a full-scale party. Note: Their big mural devoted to Bosco and Irene DuBois, Queer Bar cast members who graduated to being RuPaul’s Drag Race girls. Also: Burgers. Grab dinner here. It’s good.
Mx. is Queer Bar’s signature event. Every Friday and Saturday, catch a large cast of local queens often performing with touring RuPaul’s Drag Race queens. Remember: Bring tips, and don’t just tip the Ru girls.
🥀 Wildrose
1021 E Pike Street
As one of the last standing lesbian bars in the country, Wildrose is a Seattle institution. Don’t take my word for it, just listen to Sue Bird (around 01:23):
We love you, @S10Bird 💚💛
Thank you for everything you have given to Seattle and the game of basketball. #TheFinalFlight pic.twitter.com/UidfAziZJe — Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 7, 2022
The 36-year-old bar has weathered a lot of changes on the Hill, and it’s miraculously survived the pandemic to come out even stronger. Fancy: The bar recently got a redesign, sporting new lights and updated programming. Catch dance parties on the weekends along with the occasional drag brunch or event.
🎠 Pony
1221 E Madison Street
Pony is gay famous. The seedy little dive bar, located inside the bones of a 1930s gas station, is probably the smallest queer bar in Seattle, with one of the largest reputations.
This isn’t a subtle place: Images of nude gay people are plastered on the walls, papier-mâchéd male parts hang from the ceilings, vintage smut plays off VHS tapes, and there’s a suggestive hole in the bathroom. Service can be gruff, but the overall vibes are friendly. Meet your neighbors by the fire pit on the patio.
The DJ nights are the main focus at Pony. A roster of DJs play a wide range of genres, from italo disco to darkwave to hyperpop. Don’t miss: Karaoke on Tuesday nights. Sing whatever you want. The more obscure, the better.
💪🏼 Massive
619 E Pine Street
Located right on the corner of Pine and Boyston, the three-level club that once housed the legendary R Place is now home to Massive, which opened in 2023.
With go-go boy shadows on the top floor visible from the street, Massive regularly hosts diverse programming—everything from pop and house music nights to drag shows to makeout parties—that mostly cater to the Gs in LGBT.
Other perks: a coat check for a few dollars and several different kinds of alcoholic slushies. Heaven!
🤝 Union
1950 1st Avenue S
While it’s one of the newer additions to the Pike-Pine queer bar community, Union’s owners have a long history in Seattle. They’re the same owners of Thumper’s (RIP), a former “piano bar for gay daddies in tweed coats,” as The Stranger once described it, and that vibe has spiritually carried over to Union.
This chill and flirty bar features a full kitchen with burgers, tacos, and even baked brie, which is not something I usually expect to see at a gay bar. There’s also a fire-side lounge and year-round outdoor patio.
Pro tip: Union’s block parties don’t usually require a cover, making them an easy spot to meet up with people during big weekends like Pride.
🌙 Crescent Lounge
1413 E Olive Way
When you step into the Crescent Lounge, you’re stepping into history.
Self-described as “Seattle’s oldest gay/dive/come as you are/karaoke bar,” this bit of East Olive Way has been serving queer customers since the late ‘40s when it started as Crescent Tavern. Though it’s gone through lots of owners over the past eight decades, and its reach extends beyond the queer community, its current iteration is a seven-days-a-week karaoke bar.
With its cheap drinks, extensive song menu, and judgment-free vibe, it’s the perfect spot to park your keister and do as many Britney renditions as your heart desires.
🔗 The Cuff Complex
1533 13th Avenue
The Cuff Complex is one of Seattle’s oldest LGBTQ+ venues. Around since 1993, the club has gone through a few spiritual changes. In its current form, it’s owned by the same team behind Queer Bar and has four bars, a big patio area, a kitchen, a full dance floor, and a dart area.
What’s the crowd? Under its previous ownership, The Cuff catered to a mostly gay male crowd, but recent changes have seen all types of LGBTQ+ people hanging out at the venue. In addition to their rotating dance nights, check out their Hump Day Karaoke, which happens every Hump Day.
🦄 Unicorn (and Narwhal)
1118 E Pike Street
Unicorn is like if a gay unicorn spontaneously combusted inside a bar and arcade.
The two-level space in the heart of Capitol Hill is committed to its carnival theme—stripes, bright colors, and glitter abound. Its menu is chock full of carnival-themed offerings like corn dogs and popcorn. Upstairs is Unicorn proper, and downstairs is its sibling bar, Narwhal, which has an arcade and stage where you can find drag or burlesque shows on any given night of the week (though locals tend to refer to both spaces as just “Unicorn”).
🍻 CC Attle’s
1701 E Olive Way
In a world filled with $15 cocktails, CC Attle’s, or CC’s, is well-loved for its affordable prices and welcoming community.
There’s a wide range of ages here, and it leans predominately gay. CC’s hosts plenty of kink nights, notably the 1st Friday Leather Social hosted by Seattle Men in Leather. The bottom line: The drinks are strong. The flirting is stronger.
🏘️ Neighbours
1509 Broadway
Right in the frenzy of Capitol Hill is Neighbours, Seattle’s oldest operating gay club where partiers and drag queens have cut their teeth since 1983. (The spelling is a nod to its Canadian origins.)
With a back alley entrance, the two-level Neighbours has a giant dance floor and balcony where they host drag shows and clubbers can get down on weekends. What distinguishes Neighbours from other bars on this list, however, is that it’s typically 18+ from 2 to 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays, when establishments can no longer serve alcohol. So if you decide to do afters at this club, remember that the crowd might be a little younger than you’re used to.
Looking for a latin night? Neighbours’ long-running Kandela party on Sundays is where it’s at. Follow the party’s Instagram account here.
🐻 Diesel
1413 14th Avenue
Right near Pony and Madison Pub, Diesel caters to bears and those who love them.
Like CC’s, they’re known for their strong pours. They’ve also got a full menu featuring everything from mozzarella sticks to a “daddy bear taco burger.” I assume that’s a taco burger made for or by daddy bears. The tag line: “ice cold beer, warm hearts,” which sums it up.
🥛 Kremwerk Complex
1809 Minor Ave #10
The Kremwerk Complex feels like a piece of Berlin in the Denny Triangle. Esteemed techno, house, and electronic music DJs from all over the world have gotten behind the decks at the club, which centers itself on queer, underground culture.
The complex is divided into three rooms: Kremwerk (the basement), Timbre Room (a cozy bar space with a stage), and Cherry (a high-capacity performance and DJ space). Every week, Kremwerk hosts a variety of programming, from fetish dance nights to babe raves to drag.
A word to the wise—try to scoop tickets early, as their early bird prices are often two times less than what you’ll pay at the door.
🔄 Changes
2103 N 45th Street
Those yearning for a real gay dive bar experience should check out Changes Bar & Grill in Wallingford.
One of the longest continuously owned and operated gay bars in Seattle, Changes has few windows, a pool table, a covered patio, and drinks with prices stuck in the early 2000s. Hours slip by like water. A mix of gay and straight patrons often roll through to watch games on the big flatscreens and sip on a truly impressive array of flavored Smirnoff mixed drinks.
There’s karaoke on Wednesdays and Sundays, and a wild $1.25 beer special on Tuesdays. Find a spot near the wall of fish tanks to lock in and gossip about your poly dynamics ‘til the wee hours of the morning.
🪵 The Lumber Yard Bar
9630 16th Avenue SW
The Lumber Yard Bar’s arrival in White Center announced a new era for the unincorporated neighborhood, which is just south of West Seattle and not technically Seattle.
Lumber Yard’s opening was followed by other gay-focused bars, like Swallow (which closed during the pandemic) and Unicorn 2 (which has yet to open). It recently opened in a new location—the bar was extremely popular, expanding multiple times until an arson attack set them back.
It leans toward gay men and specifically bears, but you can really find everyone here. Expect a rowdy, friendly, and mixed crowd. All are really welcome. (Except for homophobes and arsonists.)
More Clubbing
👉🏽 Here are some other clubs and recurring parties we recommend.
📍 MADISON PUB: 1315 E Madison St
📍 THE EAGLE: 314 E Pike St
📍 JULIA’S ON BROADWAY: 300 Broadway E
📍 STEAMWORKS: 1520 Summit Ave
📍 CLUB Z: 1117 Pike St
