The emerald crown jewel of Washington state, Seattle, has much to offer queer tourists. You can spend a foggy morning shopping for artisenal treats at Pike Place Market, then head to the top of the Space Needle to glimpse the snow-capped Mt. Rainier. But once the sun sets over Puget Sound, traveling homos in the know head to the city’s gayborhood of Mission Hill for drinks, dancing, and the most adorkable gay tech geeks Seattle has to offer. For all our Pacific Northwest noobs, we’ve snatched together a list of our favorite Emerald City gay bars that’ll treat you queens like the royalty you are.
Your friendly gayborhood bar
C C Attle’s
Cruise at the edge of Capitol Hill 1701 E Olive Wy · Seattle, WA 98102(206) 726-0565
Website
Like Capital Hill’s answer to Cheers, this watering hole where every ‘mo knows your name serves as the social hub of Seattle’s queer community. It is best known for its various theme nights, hosting everyone from gaymers and rugby players to leather daddies and furries.
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Off the cuff
Holding the distinction as the oldest LGBTQ+ bar in the city, the proudly inclusive Cuff Complex offers 4 bars, a renovated patio, and a large dance floor perfect for grinding with the locals.
Krem de la krem
While most of the city’s gay scene will be found in Capital Hill, to peep the best DJs, you have to head downtown for Kremwerk. Dubbed “the undisputed monarch of Seattle nightlife” by the local alternative newspaper The Stranger, this basement nightclub has served the best in EDM since 2014.
It’s a booty-ful day in the neighbourhood
Neighbours Nightclub and Lounge
18+ dance club and martini lounge 1509 Broadway · Seattle, WA 98122(206) 420-2958
Website
For queer travelers thirsty for strong martinis and sweaty go-go boys, Neighbors is sure to wet your whistle. This 18+ dance club offers a frenetic, youthful vibe perfect for tasty twinks and the sugar zaddies that love them.
Just like a circus
Little kids threaten to run away to the circus, but gay adults know it’s better to run away to Unicorn. This carnival-themed gay bar offers a whimsical menu of comfort food, arcade games for your inner child, and events like Drag Bingo and ‘Geeks Who Drink’ weekly trivia nights for the more adult aspects of your personality.
The gay bar formerly known as Zoe
Located in the heart of the gayborhood at the former site of Restaurant Zoe, Union offers a full bar, and tasty menu and promises never to charge a cover.
A rose by any other name
For our sapphic travelers, this ‘Best of Gaycities’ nominee is not only the city’s longest-running lesbian bar but one of the last of its kind in the entire country.
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