While it's true that quite a few lesbian nightlife institutions have shuttered in last decade - i.e. The Palms in West Hollywood, The Lex in San Francisco, Phase 1 in DC, Rubyfruit Jungle in New Orleans - it's fair to say that there are also quite a few that continue to hold their ground on the lesbian bar scene, both in dedicated or at least lesbian-popular brick and mortar spaces (listed here) or through weekly and monthly parties held at ladies night venues across cities (listed elsewhere). Even in compiling this list, we thought about breaking it down by region so as not to overwhelm you, dear reader, but here they are in all their glory. Long live the lesbian bar!
Cubbyhole Bar
New York City, United States
Cheap beer on draft, upbeat bartenders, and a somewhat goofy décor--Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and lots of vinyl--Cubbyhole is one of the few remaining lesbian-only...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 12
Henrietta Hudson
New York City, United States
A favorite lesbian haunt since 1991, Henrietta Hudson is still serving up reasonably-priced cocktails poured by cute, flirty bartenders. The jukebox has a...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 9
3W Kafe
Paris, France
A cool Parisian bar with DJs and a small dance floor in the basement, 3W Kafe stands for Women With Women. Men are welcome if they come with a woman.
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 3
Beaulah Bar
Cape Town, South Africa
Originally a Lesbian bar, Beulah now is not only where girls meet girls but boys meet boys. Beaulah - which means "beautiful" in local gay slang - is In the heart...
- LGBTQ
been there
wishlist
- 3
Aire Sala Diana
Barcelona, Spain
Aire Sala Diana, part of the Arena Group, was designed for the lesbian community and remains one of the best lesbian clubs in town. It mixes Latin, mainstream and...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
Silver Future
Berlin, Germany
Perhaps the most flamboyant gay bar in the city, it is also the most welcoming for queers of all kinds. With outrageous décor lit in colored lights and punkish...
- LGBTQ
been there
wishlist
- 2
La Mutinerie
Paris, France
Formerly the Unity Bar, La Mutinerie is part neighborhood bar, part library, part screening room, part billiard hall with some yoga and self-defense courses...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 2
Cafe 't Mandje
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cafe 't Mandje is one of the longest-running gay bars in the world, opened in 1927 by local lesbian Bet van Beeren and kept by her sister Greet until the 1980s....
- LGBTQ
been there
wishlist
- 2
Gossip Grill
San Diego, United States
Everybody's welcome at Gossip Grill, a lesbian bar and restaurant with female bouncers and female DJs. Known for its three-finger pours, it has happy hour every...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
Escape
Madrid, Spain
Just off Plaza Chueca, Escape is traditionally a nightclub for women but attracts a diverse clientele, particularly beautiful partygoers that like to dance until...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
El Rio
San Francisco, United States
Known for having a large and flirtatious patio scene, lesbian-owned El Rio is like a dive bar wearing lipstick. There are burlesque shows, indie bands, board...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
My Sister's Room
Atlanta, United States
Though it recently shed its East Atlanta Cool for more mainstream Midtown, My Sister's Room is still the go-to spot for lesbians in Atlanta. The crowd is mostly...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
Bum Bum Bar
New York City, United States
The Bum Bum Bar in Queens is full of regulars from the neighborhood-mostly Spanish-speaking-and the women who love them. A small dance floor, 5USD cover,...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 2
SHE Soho
London, England
SHE Soho is the only "women-priority" drinking establishment in London, a modernist basement bar serving up a classy but laid-back atmosphere, good cocktails, bar...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
Himmelreich Café
Berlin, Germany
The only lesbian-bar on the tourist-heavy Simon-Dach-Straße, and proud of it: a sign lets all international visitors know that what they are entering is, indeed,...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
Las Libertinas
Ibiza, Spain
Las Libertinas, opened by two friends, is a fun and relaxed bar on Carrer Ses Passadis that was created for the ladies but welcomes men. It's known for its...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
G Spot
Fort Lauderdale, United States
"If you're here, you've found it" is the motto of G Spot, a bar for girls who like girls. By day, it's a sports bar. Evenings, it morphs into a full-fledged...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
La Sue BCN
Barcelona, Spain
Whether you want to chill out after a hard day on the tourist trail or heat up for a night on the town, La Sue BCN is the cozy living room bar where lesbians of...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
Le Bar'ouf
Paris, France
Le Bar'Ouf is a Lesbian-owned bar where women meet up to play billiards at all levels and games like Scrabble and cards, talk, sing, dance and generally amuse...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
- 1
Ginger's
New York City, United States
Ginger's, or "the G-spot", in Park Slope has a careworn charm that makes everyone seem like a regular, while the unaffected ambiance, along with a pool table and...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
Club 33
Madrid, Spain
Start the evening at Club 33 (formerly known as Medea), the oldest lesbian club in Madrid - a good spot for a drink, meeting people and dancing until the sun...
- For Women
been there
wishlist
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Added 6 years ago
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Added 6 years ago
Sadly, Rubyfruit Jungle in New Orleans is permanently closed.
1
Hi Brinna - it's true - as mentioned in the intro, Rubyfruit and other big ones have closed, but as you can see, there are still some great places!
Added 6 years ago
Don't forget Pearl Bar in Houston, Texas! http://www.pearlhouston.com/
2
Thanks Jenny! We have added it!
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