ACCESSIBILITY IN BOSTON

LGBTQ Boston

As the capital city of the first state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage, Boston stands proud, accessible and welcoming.

The city boasts one of the largest LGBT populations on the East Coast with neighborhoods such as the South End and Jamaica Plain offering a good variety of neighborhood pubs, dance bars and inviting lounges drawing a mixed gay/straight crowd. The city also touts a number of mainstream clubs that host weekly or monthly gay nights. In recent years one would be hard pressed not to find a rainbow flag proudly hanging from homes and business in just about any neighborhood in the city.

Boston hosts notable annual events and festivals such as Boston Pride Week every June celebrated across the city and the yearly LGBT Film Festival, a must see and be seen event held in late March/early April.

LGBTQ Events

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dbar After Dark Jul 15

dbar After Dark

  • dbar
  • Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday

The draw of dbar doesn't end at dinner. When the lights go down, the evening has just begun... Once the plates are cleared, the lights are dimmed, and the music goes up a few octaves, dbar After Dark is officially underway. Our gastropub turned nightclub is a party every night of…

Boston's LGBTQ Past Walking Tour Jul 19

Boston's LGBTQ Past Walking Tour

Travel in the footsteps of Boston’s 19th and 20th century gay and lesbian friends. Explore Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman's walks along the Common; Charlotte Cushman’s cross-dressing roles; World War II bars and baths; and the AIDS memorial quilt project. Learn about…

Drag Brunch at Summer Shack Jul 19

Drag Brunch at Summer Shack

Experience the ultimate weekend entertainment at Summer Shack's themed Drag Brunches! Summer Shack is proud to host many fabulous drag queens as they take on a new theme each weekend. Some of the upcoming drag brunch themes listed are the Barbie Drag Brunch, Beyonce Renaissance…

Femme Gaze: A Sapphic Burlesque Revue Jul 29

Femme Gaze: A Sapphic Burlesque Revue

  • Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain

Made by queers and for queers, Femme Gaze: A Sapphic Burlesque Revue is a celebration of queer sexuality, centering femmes & thems. With an all-queer cast featuring some of Boston's best burlesque artists, Femme Gaze will showcase the art of the tease in a diverse array of…

A Drag Queen Christmas Nov 15

A Drag Queen Christmas

The holiday season is about to get a whole lot more fabulous! A Drag Queen Christmas returns for its 11th year, launching a 38-city national tour this November. Produced by Murray & Peter Present, the 2025 edition is hosted by fan favorite Nina West and features a sparkling…

Sasha Colby Oct 26

Sasha Colby

As a proud trans-Hawaiian woman, Sasha is a staple in the American drag industry. She’s been hailed “A LEGEND” by castmates of Drag Race past and present, is a former Miss Continental 2012 (one of the most, if not the most prestigious titles in the drag community), and has been…

We’ve had tourists ask about walking the Yellow Brick Road - we’re sorry to disappoint them by pointing out that they may actually mean the Freedom Trail with its painted red brick line that connects the 16 main sites dealing with the history of Boston and the American Revolution. You may also want to walk the Equality Trail - a self-guided walking tour that follows the route of Boston's first Gay Pride March in 1971 and offers information about issues and individuals related to this route.

So come be a part in our continuing history. Oh and at the end of the Freedom Trail, no need to click your heels three times to get home - we recommend the MBTA.

…Let's not forget Cape Cod is just down the coast a bit. Provincetown has long been a prominent LGBTQ tourist destination. Ferries from Boston (no cars) offer a quick and relaxing way to make the trip or by car it is just a little under three hours. 

Please see our full Calendar of Events

Popular LGBTQ Restaurants and Bars

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Carrie Nation Cocktail Club

Carrie Nation Cocktail Club

  • 11 Beacon Street
  • (617) 227-3100

A 1920's style speakeasy located on Beacon Hill. For memorable cocktail and cuisine experiences Boston, Carrie Nation Cocktail Club on Beacon Street offers not only an extensive menu of exquisite dishes and drinks, but also a touch of history. Dine Out Boston is August 3–16…

dbar

dbar

  • 1236 Dorchester Avenue
  • (617) 265-4490

dbar is Dorchester's premiere destination for fine dining, delicious cocktails and exciting nightlife.

Trophy Room

Trophy Room

  • 26 Chandler Street
  • (617) 482-4428

A favorite with the locals, Trophy Room is the epicenter of fun for the South End neighborhood. With a colorful atmosphere, superb food and drink options, and a lively brunch on Sundays. Everyone is welcome at The Trophy Room! Where bartenders will create your favorite cocktail…

ADDITIONAL LGBTQ+ RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Blend, in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, is a gastro pub that combines the aspects of great food, music, lights and entertainment all into one. Blend "blends" up that neighborhood gastro pub feel where everyone is welcome. 

Cathedral Station is a gay sports bar and neighborhood pub that welcomes everyone. ​The location provides a bar area, dining area, outdoor patio area and free parking in the back.

Club Cafe, located in the South End, is a gay friendly cabaret, piano bar, dance club and American bistro offering the perfect place to dine and drink and dance the night away. Enjoy special performances, comedy shows, Karaoke Wednesdays, and more!

Dani's Queer Bar is a lesbian bar in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood with a core audience that includes Queer, Sapphic Women, Trans and Non-Binary members of the LGBTQ+ Community. Check out their weekly events, from drag shows to emo dance parties.

Jacque’s Cabaret, located in Bay Village, is the oldest show bar in Massachusetts with shows 6 nights a week.

Midway Cafe For over three decades, the Midway Cafe in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood has featured top-notch entertainment. The nightclub hosts live music, dance nights, Queeraoke every Thursday, and more!

The Alley Bar is located in downtown Boston. Dance to Top 40, Hip Hop, and Latin hits every 1st, 3rd, and 4th Friday of each month, take the stage and sing your heart out on Karaoke Sundays, or shoot some pool on the second floor while enjoying your favorite cocktail!