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
Back to Top of List- Club Cafe
Remember the Ladies! Buckle up for a whirlwind ride through American history as seen through the eyes of the women of the White House. From Martha to Melania and everyone in between, this wise and witty political farce breaks the musty mold of two-party politics and puts the…
- 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…
- Arts at the Armory, Somerville
Join us at Bare Truths: A DEI Burlesque and Drag Showcase! This will be a night of fabulous performances celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world of burlesque and drag. Join us on Sat Jul 27 2024 at 8:00 PM at Arts at the Armory for an unforgettable evening of…
- Back Bay
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
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…
- Improv Asylum
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
You and your group will meet at the Asylum CoLab in the conveniently-located Faneuil Hall for a quick cocktail and to freshen up into some quick drag before you’re whisked away through the city of Boston for a 90-minute tour you’ll never forget. The Queens will point out tales of…
In honor of the legacies of queer communities here in the city of Boston, come enjoy a night of theater-making, dancing, music, and other activities during a summer block party hosted by the Gardner Museum and The Theater Offensive! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM | Queering…
Join us on our Cambridge LGBTQ+ Visionaries Walking Tour! On this tour around Cambridge, we will learn about the many ‘firsts’ in LGBTQ+ organizing and the LGBTQ+ rights movement by visiting historic sites and exploring the stories of activists that paved the way before us. Along…
Join us at Leader Bank Pavilion for Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls on August 17!
Alyssa Edwards stars in Glitz and Giggles! Join RuPaul's Drag Race's + RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars icon, Alyssa Edwards for an evening of sickening looks, laughs, and fun. Alyssa will perform a gag worthy opening and closing number and delight the audience with original comedy…
Hannah Gadsby returns to the Colonial with WOOF! on Thursday, September 19 at 7pm for one day only! Hannah has a lot to worry about. Then again, so do we all. In a world full of genuine worries, which anxiety gets to sit in the front seat? Nearly six years after Nanette propelled…
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
Back to Top of List- 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 4-17, 2024…
- 1236 Dorchester Avenue
- (617) 265-4490
dbar is Dorchester's premiere destination for fine dining, delicious cocktails and exciting nightlife. Outdoor dining is available! See amenities tab for more information. Dine Out Boston is August 4-17, 2024 See amenity tab for more information.
- 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!
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!