Your guide to the best El Paso gay bars, LGBT venues and events
Texas, United States
El Paso, on the border between the United States and Mexico, might not top the LGBTQ+ tourist’s dream destination list—or not yet, at least!
Explore the progress of LGBTQ+ rights across the world all in an easy to read charts, graphs, and tables. From public sentiment to protections find it all here so you know when holding hands gets you a look or a sentence.
Visit EqualdexEl Paso’s Pride Square downtown gets you the most party per mile: where East Missouri Street joins North Stanton Street, you’ll find El Paso’s most popular LGBTQ+ nightlife. This is where you will find the best gay bars in El Paso! The atmosphere at these bars and clubs is laid-back and welcoming. Don’t fret about a dress code (unless it’s a theme night); just rock up and let loose!
Since you aren’t trekking from one end of the city to the other in search of a good drink and a cute bartender, you’ll have more time to explore El Paso’s other attractions! The El Paso Museum of History downtown showcases the ways of life shared by El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. For hiking, road and mountain biking, rock climbing, or chilled-out picnicking, head north towards El Paso’s other border (with New Mexico) to the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park. Why not stop off at a winery to sample a red or white wine, paired with a side of local music or artwork, along the way?
No journey to El Paso is complete without a jaunt to the historic San Jacinto Plaza, a convivial gathering spot that's been the city's pulse for over a century. Here, amidst the playful calls of the resident Los Lagartos sculpture, you can savor the local flavor with a scoop of gelato or a cup of artisanal coffee
Do you have a green thumb to match your rainbow flag? Visit the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens to admire the region’s hardy, unique plants, including succulents like agave, as well as cacti and flowering shrubs. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), the heart of West Central El Paso, houses these gardens alongside the Centennial Museum. The museum showcases the region’s natural and cultural history. UTEP holds the Centennial Gardens’ FloraFEST plant sale in the fall, so if you’re visiting then, pick up an eco-friendly souvenir!
The majestic Franklin Mountains State Park is another amazing journey to try out if you are a nature lover. Here, the LGBTQ+ traveler finds an open invitation to explore over 100 miles of trails that promise breathtaking vistas and serendipitous encounters with the local flora and fauna. Whether you're scaling the heights to catch a sunset that paints the desert in hues of gold and crimson, or embarking on a leisurely hike through the pines of McKelligon Canyon, the park is a sanctuary where the spirit of adventure mates with the tranquility of nature. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is a bit farther outside the city but offers a sacred pilgrimage. This natural oasis, cradled by granite mountains, is adorned with millennia-old pictographs that narrate the tales of the desert's earliest inhabitants.
In June, turn up for Sun City Pride’s colorful and collective-minded occasion, which brings in another year of celebration and advocacy in El Paso. Whenever you visit, you’ll get a sun-drenched sampling of the border region’s vibrant, welcoming culture. El Paso dances to its own rhythm, a symphony of historical echoes, cultural vibrance, and the raw beauty of nature, all set against a backdrop painted with the broad strokes of its richly diverse populace.
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