Your guide to the best Charlotte gay bars, LGBT venues and events
North Carolina, United States
Charlotte gay bars are abound with friendliness, diversity, and energy.
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Visit EqualdexThe Queen City has myriad options to quench your thirsty throat on a humid night. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, a state with unusual liquor laws. As of 2019, all establishments that serve alcohol are legally private clubs or bars open only to members and their guests. Locals match this legal quirk with a little Southern hospitality and charm: your new Charlottean friends would doubtless be delighted to sign you in as a guest. Uptown is the place to be for clubbing to a local hip-hop soundtrack, but don’t write off the bars in NoDa, which gets its name from North Davidson Street, or in Dilworth south of Uptown. Or let the party find you— Charlotte’s hotspots host Takeover Friday events, a mobile happy hour for the LGBTQ+ community. While there may not be many Charlotte gay bars, there are many venues, clubs, restaurants, and events that are LGBTQ+ friendly!
Charlotte’s array of centers for performing arts show off Queen City’s regal culture. Of course, the best comedy punches up, so you’ll want to witness Charlotte’s guerilla and fringe theater, too. Look up at Charlotte’s skyline, with the César Pelli-designed Bank of America Corporate Center as its focus, which will have you snapping photos galore. Save room on your camera roll for the city’s museums dedicated to natural science, the New South, and African American culture. Feeling sporty? North Carolina’s little legal quirk means that Charlotte has plenty of golf courses falling under that private club purview—so, while we’re talking clubs, bring a set of your own for the fairway!
The city might be named for a German princess, but Charlotte has a substantial Greek population. Charlotte’s culinary offerings, in addition to classic Southern fare, reflect its Greek heritage year-round. In the late summer, the city hosts the Yiasou Greek Festival. This season is also when you’ll find pride events, including Charlotte Black Pride and Charlotte Pride. Charlotte has - as its slogan goes - got a lot. Whether you’re here for all-night ragers or laid-back sightseeing, you’ll have fun any time of day and any time of year!
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