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.
Scroll the map and follow your favorite venues on the app
Free on iOS and Android
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 · $$
evolution theatre co
Central Ohio's LGBTQ+ professional theatre company since 2008.
Dublin (Abbey Theater) · $$
Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection
1927 art deco landmark inside LeVeque Tower with upscale dining
Downtown Columbus · $$$
Birdie Books
LGBTQ+-owned indie bookstore with bar and workshops in Westerville
Uptown Westerville · $
The Westin Great Southern Columbus
Historic 1896 Westin hotel downtown, attached to the Southern Theatre
Downtown Columbus · $$$
The Galaxy Coffee
Queer-owned worker co-op coffee truck in Clintonville
Clintonville · $
Holiday Inn Columbus Dwtn-Capitol Square
Full-service IHG hotel at Capitol Square with indoor heated pool
Downtown Columbus · $$
Events x City Guides Delivered Weekly
Catch your city's vibe or the global LGBTQ+ scene.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Things to Do in Columbus
Short North Walking Food Tour
$105
Outdoor Escape Room in Downtown Columbus
$75
Canopy Zip Line Tours in Columbus Ohio
$96
Columbus Crusade Scavenger Hunt
$20
Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer
$104
Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Columbus, OH by Operation City Quest
$10
Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer
$104
German Village Walking Food Tour in Columbus
$105
Experiences powered by Viator
From the Blog
View all →
LGBTQ+ Guide to Columbus 2026: Gay Bars, Pride, Short North & Where to Stay
The complete gay guide to Columbus, Ohio — the Short North gayborhood, gay bars, Pride weekend, Stonewall Columbus, and everything you need to plan your trip to one of the Midwest's gay cities.
Robbie S.
Best Gay Bars & Clubs in Columbus (2026)
The definitive guide to the best gay bars in Columbus — Axis Nightclub, Union Cafe, Slammers, AWOL, Toolbox, Tremont Lounge, District West, and the queer spots beyond the Short North.
Robbie S.
Columbus Pride 2026: Parade, Festival & Complete Party Guide
Everything you need for Columbus Pride 2026 — march route, festival details, best parties in the Short North, where to stay, and insider tips.
Robbie S.