Part of the Gay Saugatuck Guide — bars, events & things to do.
Saugatuck, Michigan
Gay-owned resort complex with two dance floors and themed weekends since 1981
One of the largest LGBTQ+ resorts in the Midwest and the beating heart of gay Saugatuck. Sprawling across 22 acres in Douglas, The Dunes has been a queer safe haven since 1981, purchased and renamed in 1999 by partners Mike Jones, Danny Esterline, and Greg Trzybinski. With 80+ hotel rooms, cottages, and suites, it's a full-scale vacation destination — but even if you're not staying, you're welcome to come play. The resort features six bars and venues: The Club, a year-round dance club with top LGBTQ+ DJs spinning every weekend. The Main Bar, open daily and the social hub connecting all the action. The Show Bar, a seasonal cabaret with live drag performances, burlesque, and comedy (doors at 10 PM). The Vinyl Lounge, a game room with pool tables overlooking The Main. The Deck, the legendary outdoor patio bar and dance floor home to the iconic Sunday Tea Dances. The Splash Pool Bar, where you can swim, sun, and sip all summer long with poolside cabanas. Major events run from Memorial Day through Labor Day — think themed weekends, holiday blowouts, and the kind of energy that's earned The Dunes its reputation as the place where "gay meets Studio 54." Must be 21+.
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