Gay Bars & Clubs in Columbus, Ohio
The Short North is the hub of Columbus' LGBTQ+ nightlife, with gay bars, clubs, and restaurants — plus more queer-friendly spots in German Village and the University District. Explore gay bars and venues in Columbus.
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33 venues

Axis Nightclub
Short North's big LGBTQ+ dance club with drag and go-go shows.
Short North · $$
District West
River South drag performance bar from Virginia West and family.
River South · $$

Tremont Lounge
Columbus's oldest gay bar, a Brewery District karaoke dive since 1987.
Brewery District · $

Club Diversity
Piano and cocktail bar in an 1880s Victorian near the Brewery District.
Brewery District · $$

Southbend Tavern
Merion Village neighborhood gay bar with karaoke, drag, and a patio.
Merion Village · $

Union Cafe
Short North gay bar and restaurant with a buzzing patio since 1996.
Short North · $$

AWOL Bar
Military-themed Olde Towne East gay bar with a dance room and patio.
Olde Towne East · $

Boscoe's
Merion Village show bar with drag, male revues, and karaoke.
Merion Village · $$

Cavan Irish Pub
Columbus's gay Irish pub with karaoke, drag, and a big patio.
Merion Village · $$

O'Connor's Club 20
No-frills University District gay dive with karaoke and drag.
University District · $

Slammers
Downtown lesbian bar and pizza spot, a community hub since 1993.
Downtown · $$

Toolbox
South-side gay dive with a patio, leather-bear regulars, and drag.
South Side · $
Rumours Bar
Lesbian-owned Merion Village bar with a retro '70s look since 2022.
Merion Village · $$
Club Columbus
24-hour men's bathhouse with a pool, sauna, and gym.
Grandview · $$
Out of the Closet - Columbus
AHF thrift store in the Short North funding HIV care, with free testing.
Short North · $
Stonewall Columbus
Central Ohio's LGBTQ+ community center and Columbus Pride organizer.
Short North · $
Torso Leather & Fetish
Columbus's leather and fetish shop, gear and harnesses since 1998.
Merion Village · $$$
Torso Short North
Short North boutique for gender-fluid fashion, underwear, and clubwear.
Short North · $$
evolution theatre co
Central Ohio's LGBTQ+ professional theatre company since 2008.
Dublin (Abbey Theater) · $$
Arena District Athletic Club
Contract-free Arena District gym with group fitness and free parking.
Arena District · $$
Two Dollar Radio Headquarters
Fully vegan indie bookstore, bar, and café celebrating diverse voices
South Side · $
Community Grounds: Coffee & Meeting House
Nuyorican café and LGBTQ+ community anchor on Parsons Ave
South Side · $
Gata Mágica Café and Lounge
Cozy Brazilian café near Ohio State with fair-trade organic coffee
University District · $
The Galaxy Coffee
Queer-owned worker co-op coffee truck in Clintonville
Clintonville · $
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