The best gay bars in Boston

What is it?  There is never a dull moment at this South End nightclub and restaurant—and it’s been this way since 1983. With Karaoke Wednesdays and Drag Race Fridays as part of its regular programming, Club Café proves it’s the place to be any day of the week.

Why go? The restaurant, with its distinctive conservatory overlooking Columbus Avenue, serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Guests often stick around for some fabulous piano-accompanied cabaret or venture over to the venue’s dance floor for a night of clubbing.

We love: Aside from regular programming (and a killer menu), there’s a series of special happenings each month, so check their events calendar for the most up-to-date guests.

Address: 209 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon.-Wed. 4pm-midnight; Thurs. and Fri. 4pm-2am; Sat. and Sun. 11am-2am

What is it?  Tucked alongside cute row houses at the back of Tremont and Stuart Streets, this intimate Bay Village icon has a divey, insider-like quality to it. Because it’s in a residential neighborhood—a very tolerant one, we suspect—there’s a midnight curfew. But you’ll have packed a lot of living into the night already.

Why go? There’s only an exclusive list of places in The Hub that offer live music seven nights a week, and Jacques’ Cabaret is one of them.

We love: In addition to nightly entertainment featuring drag kings and queens, and cabaret, there’s also weekly karaoke for those who want to show their stuff.

Address: 79 Broadway St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-12am; Fri. 1pm-midnight; Sat.-Sun. 12pm-midnight

What is it?  Open since 1987, Midway Café is one of Boston’s more established LGBTQ hotspots, topping locals’ and out-of-towners’ lists as an iconic entertainment destination.

Why go? Neighborhood-goers also revere this dive bar’s live music scene, so this no-nonsense spot is happening no matter which night of the week it is.

We love: Located in Jamaica Plain, the nightclub hosts bands and dance nights, including its longstanding Queeraoke every Thursday at 8pm, one of the city’s longest running queer nights.

Address: 3496 Washington St, Boston, MA 02130

Opening hours: Sat. and Sun. 3pm–2am; Mon. 4pm–2am; Tues.-Fri. noon–2am

What is it?  This casual gay sports bar is straight inclusive, creating a friendly atmosphere to hang out with friends and family. Enjoy a bar-themed menu that includes crowd pleasers like wings, fish tacos and veggie spring rolls—or brunch classics as well as late day snacks served on Sundays.

Why go? For the warmer months, the patio is the place to be, with disco music mixing with patrons’ cheers and creating a lively atmosphere. Meanwhile, the cooler months are more fitting for a round of pool or darts indoors.

We love: As for cocktails, its specialty creations don’t necessarily fit the typical “pub” vibe—like the Ketel One Basil Gimlet or Pinnefusion Martini—which we love! Sunday Bites are great, served 5-10pm for those who just need a little nosh

Address: 1222 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 2pm-2am; Sat. and Sun. 11am-2am

What is it?  Brand new on the scene, Dani's Queer Bar is Boston's only queer/sapphic bar. Created by and for the LGBTQ+ community, the spot hosts weekly events and weekend parties that showcase Boston’s queer culture.

Why go? What’s your pleasure - board games, karaoke, drag bingo, tarot time, singles mixers (complete with a human scavenger hunt), drag brunches, masquerade parties? Pick your poison because they have it all. Did we mention they also boast a decent menu of tasty bar bites, burgers and Brazilian eats?

We love: Check out Sapphic nights (typically Saturday nights) where their incredible DJs play Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, DemBow,  and AfroBeats (and more).

Address: 909 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Mon.-Wed. 4pm-12am; Thurs.-Fri. 4pm-2am; Sat. and Sun. 11am-2am (kitchen open until 11:30pm)

What is it?  Another South End staple, Trophy Room offers a friendly atmosphere, elevated pub fare and mark-your-calendar-worthy events throughout the year.

Why go? It’s a more low-key kind of place during the week, but weekends feature events like Glam Brunch Bingo and Drag Race All-Stars Trivia liven up the place with a little sass (even more than usual).

We love: The restaurant specializes in classic American fare, like burgers and a spicy chicken sandwich, while the cocktails are a little more unique, with saucy-named signature drinks like Trophy Wife and The Naked Experience.

Address: 26 Chandler St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 4-11pm (kitchen closes at 9pm); Fri. 4pm-1am (kitchen closes at 10pm); Saturday 8am-1am (kitchen closes at 10pm); Sun. 8am-10pm (kitchen closes at 9pm)

What is it?  When some local foodies hear dbar, they might associate it with its sister restaurants, Boston Chops and Deuaxve—but the local LGBTQ+ scene knows that it’s also a place to stay long after the shrimp cocktail and steak have been served.

Why go? The Dorchester spot hosts its weekly themed nights, like lively sing-alongs, Pop Rocks Karaoke, as well as Sunday Tea Dances. We recommend making a reservation for dinner and watching as the restaurant evolves into a vibrant nightlife scene on one of these special evenings.

We love: Once the plates are cleared, the lights are dimmed, and the music goes up a few octaves, dbar After Dark is officially underway as the gastropub turns nightclub every night of the week (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are especially popular).

Address: 1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

Opening hours: Tues. 5pm-1am; Wed. and Thurs. 5-10pm; Fri. and Sat. 5pm-2am; Sun. 4-9pm

What is it?  Nestled inside Downtown Crossing, near what is unofficially Boston’s wild weekend drinking district, this long-standing, bear-centric, leather bar offers dance, karaoke and trivia nights, as well as pool tables in a casual, sports bar-like atmosphere.

Why go? The entrance is a little off the beaten path, but the name is a staple among the LGBTQ community, so once you’re there, you’ll know that you’ve arrived at the right spot.

We love: The bi-level space is constantly a buzz, packing in the crowds that always accumulate on weekends (and, when in season, the weekly communal RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties). Sunday nights are all about Karaoke, while first, third and fourth Fridays are casual with Begbick on Beats’ Top 40, Hip Hop, Latin hits and Throwbacks.

Address: 14 PI Alley, Boston, MA 02108

Opening hours: Daily 2pm–2am

What is it?  The Dot’s unpretentious watering hole hosts DJs spinning top 40 tunes every Thursday through Sunday, when they also serve up a menu of pub grub and plenty of drag shows.

Why go? Your calendar is full with a stop at this hotspot – there are RuPaul’s Drag Race revisits on Fridays at 8pm and 10pm Friday Feels drag shows, Mayhem Saturdays dance parties, twice-monthly Wednesday Pop Quiz trivia, Supernature disco dances on the third Friday of each month, and Sunday disco brunches.

We love: What’s there not to love – each night is a different vibe for you to sip, dine and dance.

Address: 1310 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02122

Opening hours: Tues.-Thurs. 5-10pm; Fri. and Sat. 5pm-2am; Sun. 11am-5pm