Your guide to the best Phoenix gay bars, LGBT venues and events
Arizona, United States
Phoenix may not be a top gay traveling city on your list, but it still has an emerging LGBTQ+ community ready to show you a good time.
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 EqualdexA Quick Overview of Phoenix
Set in the Sonoran Desert, the second driest place in the world, Phoenix is a mostly LGBTQ+-friendly city that nonetheless has no central gayborhood for queer life. Recently, there are several queer spots around the Melrose District, which is trying to make it the LGBTQ+ center! Still though, the scene is thriving and you’ve got your choice of plenty of gay bars, LGBTQ+ cafes, bed & breakfasts, and other queer businesses catering to our community.
Either way, if you can handle the heat, honey, Phoenix is ready to welcome you with open arms and endless sunshine. Known for its year-round warm weather and dry desert air, this sprawling metropolis is the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and laid-back desert chic.
Getting Around
Heads up—Phoenix is big, and the best way to get around is by car. Public transportation does exist (shoutout to Valley Metro and their light rail system), but not that great. So, if you’re hoping to hit up all the LGBTQ+ hotspots scattered across town, having your own wheels will make life a whole lot easier. Just don’t forget to crank up that A/C!
Our Top LGBTQ+ Bars Picks
When the sun sets, the party heats up. Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is spread out across the city, giving you a variety of flavors to choose from. Looking for leather and fetish fun? Anvil has you covered (or uncovered) with shirtless nights, wet boxers, and some spicy contests. It is the only leather and levi gay bar in town, and they feature great daily happy hour specials to help out that wallet. If you’re more in the mood for a cozy hangout, Bar 1 is your go-to spot with its palm-shaded patio, pinball games, and a chill, neighborhood vibe. This small neighborhood gay video bar is a comfortable early hangout for pre-drinking, has a jukebox, with patio, karaoke nights, and other themed events throughout the month.
Craving some boot-scootin’? Charlie’s Phoenix is a Western-themed favorite, serving up 2-Step and Line Dancing lessons, wet and wild strip shows, and late-night drag shows. This is one of the Sunday funday spots that is usually busy in late afternoons til late evening. For the ladies and those who love them, Boycott Bar is Phoenix’s fiercely fabulous lesbian bar located in the trendy Melrose district. Understated on the outside, this spot comes to life once you step inside, with cozy seating, great music, and events that bring together the city’s LGBTQ+ women and their friends. Whether you’re in the mood for karaoke, a drag performance, or just want to dance the night away, Boycott has you covered.
Phoenix doesn’t just shine in the nightlife department—it’s also home to Phoenix Pride Festival, one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ events in the Southwest. Held usually in October, Phoenix Pride attracts thousands of people from across the country for a weekend of parades, parties, performances, and a whole lot of love.
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