Gay Bars & Clubs in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh's LGBTQ+ venues are found in the Warehouse District, Glenwood South, and downtown, with gay bars, queer-friendly restaurants, and nightlife across the city. Explore gay-friendly spots in Raleigh.
See events in Raleigh →Scroll the map and follow your favorite venues on the app
Free on iOS and Android
14 venues
Flex
Self-described 'gay/straight/whatever' bar with karaoke, drag, leather, and bear nights.
Downtown Raleigh · $$
Arcana Bar and Lounge
North Carolina's only lesbian bar and cocktail lounge in downtown Durham
Downtown Durham · $$
Legends Nightclub
Raleigh's anchor LGBTQ+ nightclub in the Warehouse District since 1991.
Warehouse District · $$
Club Era
Durham's first dedicated LGBTQ+ nightclub in decades, opened June 2024
Downtown Durham · $$
Poole's
Celebrated seasonal comfort food by Chef Ashley Christensen
Downtown Raleigh · $$$
Queeny's
Durham's LGBTQ+ bar for drag nights, karaoke, and community-first celebrations.
Downtown Durham · $$
GRUB Durham
Queer co-owned Southern comfort spot in a converted gas station with a rooftop bar.
Pauli Murray District · $$
The Hippo
LGBTQ+ dance bar with drag shows and themed events
Downtown Raleigh · $$
The Green Monkey
LGBTQ+ friendly shop and hangout spot in downtown Raleigh
Downtown Raleigh · $$
Pinhook
Downtown Durham's indie music bar — cheap drinks, live sets, and a welcoming crowd.
Downtown Durham · $
Gizmo Brew Works - Brewery & Taproom
Gay-friendly craft brewery with rotating taps and regular events
North Raleigh · $$
The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge
Third-floor cocktail lounge in Durham with drag shows, karaoke, and an inclusive crowd.
Downtown Durham · $$
Beer Tooth Taproom
36 rotating craft taps, dog-friendly patio, and a welcoming south Durham crowd.
South Durham · $
The Wicked Witch
Quirky LGBTQ+ bar with drag shows, karaoke, and themed nights
Downtown Raleigh · $$
Events x City Guides Delivered Weekly
Catch your city's vibe or the global LGBTQ+ scene.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Things to Do in Raleigh
Raleigh Guided E-Bike Tour: Tacos, Margaritas, and History
$119
Historic Oakwood: History & Architecture Tour
$19
Durham African-American Historic Walking Tour
$18
Durham Ghost Walk
$19
Chapel Hill Ghost Walk
$19
Downtown Cary Historian-Guided Tour
$19
Durham Candle Pouring Workshop at Paddywax
$49
Durham's Best Brewery Tour Trinity Neighborhood
$110
Experiences powered by Viator
From the Blog
View all →
Drag Brunch: The Best Shows in the US, City by City (2026)
A city-by-city guide to drag brunch in America — the best shows in 20+ cities, which day each runs, what to expect, and how far ahead to book.
Robbie S.
Gay Nude Beaches in the US: Where They Are and What's Actually Legal (2026)
A guide to gay nude beaches in the US — which stretches are legally clothing-optional, which are gay but not nude, and what enforcement is actually like.
Robbie S.
Pride Weekend 2026–2027: Every Date, City by City
Every Pride weekend date in one place — what's still to come in 2026 and the full 2027 calendar, city by city, from Tampa in March to Palm Springs in November.
Robbie S.