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Less FOMO, more Homo*
*generally just more LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ Travel Guides, Gay Bars & Hotels Worldwide
Welcome to GayMapper, an LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle resource helping gay travellers discover the best gay bars, clubs, hotels, beaches and nightlife around the world. From iconic destinations like London, Berlin and Los Angeles to hidden gems across Europe and beyond,
GayMapper provides curated travel guides, hotel recommendations and local insights to help you plan unforgettable trips. Whether you are searching for gay-friendly hotels, LGBTQ+ nightlife, cruising spots or travel and tour inspiration, GayMapper makes it easy to explore confidently and connect with vibrant queer communities worldwide.
Some of our favourite LGBTQ+ destinations
Check out the GayMapper gay guides for the most popular LGBTQ+ holiday destinations worldwide
San Francisco’s gay nightlife scene has come a long way from the first dark and secretive club that opened in 1908. This was the start of a boom in queer culture, which is now centred on the Castro neighbourhood and its varied venues. You can find dozens of nightlife spots packed together in Castro, newer clubs and festivals in SoMa, a huge leather scene, and an iconic drag club owned by the best-known queen in the city. For a loud and camp night out or a more relaxed hangout, you can find your place in San Francisco.
Glasgow's gay nightlife scene is centred around the Merchant City area, where there is a bar or club for any taste or preference. The venues here cater to a range of identities, fetishes, and themes, with plenty of events to keep you busy throughout your stay. You can even combine the history of the city into your night out by visiting Scotland oldest gay bar. If that wasn't enough, thanks to Glasgow's accepting nature, you'll be welcome in any other venue in the city so you're safe to explore and find your ideal night out.
Head to Oxford Street and Darlinghurst and you’ll find most of Sydney’s gay and gay-friendly nightlife. The gay scene in Sydney truly has something for everyone. There are popular lesbian hangouts, mixed hipster bars, dark cruise clubs, and everything in between. Many of the community’s favourite bars are based in hotels, including Oxford and Columbian which are long-standing institutions. Find your crowd and take full advantage of what this diverse city has to offer. Bars and clubs here are busy all year round, but annual Mardi Gras celebrations take the nightlife and parties to another level.
There are plenty of queer bars and clubs in Austin to suite any taste, and most of them can be found in the East of the city. Close to the bustle of Downtown, this gaybourhood is full of energy and all sorts of different people looking for a party. Austin is well-known as a live music capital of the world, so expect loud and vibrant music clubs alongside the more traditional drinking spots. The vibe on a night out here will be unpretentious with plenty of drinks and simply a focus on good times.
Featured gay friendly hotels worldwide
GayMapper brings you a curated selection of accommodation in gay destinations around the world, which are in preferred locations and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers. Grab a great deal on your hotel stay when you book via GayMapper!
5* Somerset House Inn
Provincetown
Somerset House Inn is centrally located in Provincetown, right across from Cape Cod Bay and 3.5 km from Herring Cove Beach. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Guests can enjoy a full daily breakfast.
Rooms here will provide you with cable TV, private bathroom with hairdryer, air conditioning, and a DVD player. Some rooms have a sea view. Extras include outdoor furniture and linen.
At Somerset House Inn you will find a terrace. Other facilities offered include luggage storage services and free parking.
Breakfast is served daily with a hot cup of coffee, juice and tea selections. A hot breakfast dish, baked goods, seasonal fresh fruit, cereal, and yogurt are also served.
This bed and breakfast is 800 m from the Pilgrim Monument and 1.1 km from Whydah Pirate Shipwreck Museum.
4* Malmaison Birmingham
Birmingham
The chic Malmaison Birmingham offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, within the upmarket Mailbox development, around a 15 minute walk from the gay village. It has a health spa, a restaurant, and a bar with a wine tasting room.
Large, luxury rooms each includes mood lighting and a satellite TV. Private bathrooms all have a power shower, and there is a same-day laundry service.
The Brasserie at Birmingham Mal serves a menu of British cuisine using quality local produce. There is a stylish bar, and wine tasting run by the hotel sommeliers.
The luxurious Le Petit Spa has a range of health and beauty treatments, using the latest ESPA products. Guests also have free use of the weights and machines in the modern gym.
There are exclusive shops, restaurants and bars on the hotel doorstep. Birmingham New Street Rail Station is just a 10-minute walk away.
4* Nordic Light
Stockholm
This sleek design hotel is just 100 m from the Arlanda Airport Express Train at Stockholm Central Station. It offers modern rooms with free WiFi and tea/coffee facilities.
All rooms at Nordic Light Hotel have a laptop-sized safe and satellite TV. The luxury beds are by Swedish brand, Anders Hilding. Bathrooms include quality toiletries from Bjork & Berries.
The in-house Lykke restaurant offers cuisine inspired by Nordic food culture, serving it with a modern twist. Guests can enjoy the open kitchen, a chef's table, as well as a terrace during nice weather. Lojromsbaren serves dishes based on a variety of fish roe, along with innovative cocktails and beer from Swedish microbreweries.
3* Artmore Hotel
Atlanta
This historical 1924 Midtown Atlanta boutique hotel features a lounge with adjoining garden and free WiFi. The hotel is 5 minutes' walk from High Museum of Art and 1.3 km from Piedmont Park, home to the Atlanta Jazz Festival.
A small refrigerator, flat-screen cable TV, and iPod docking station are featured in every modern room at the Atlanta Artmore Hotel. Select suites have a fully equipped kitchen.
Both the reception and fitness centre are open 24 hours. Artmore Hotel guests can also relax nightly in the courtyard around a fountain fire pit. A business centre with meeting facilities is available as well.
Studio Bar and Lounge offers beer, wine, and signature cocktails with seasonal sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Coffee Studio, the on-site coffee shop, offers Rev coffee, pastries, muffins and breakfast sandwiches. A snack shop with grab-and-go drinks and snacks is provided.
Georgia World Congress Center is 5.2 km from the property. Artmore Hotel is across the street from Arts Center Station, which has metro lines to the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Park, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Featured gay bars and clubs worldwide
GayMapper has details of hundreds of gay bars, gay clubs and gay cruising bars in the most popular gay destinations around the world. Here is just a small selection of favourite gay venues. Do you have a favourite? Let us know and we can feature it!
Sparkles Show Bar
Gran Canaria
Re-opened in September 2021, Sparkles is the largest award winning showbar in the Yumbo Centre. Featuring free nightly shows, karaoke and drink promos nightly, arrive early for happy hour and to get a good seat for the show. Karaoke begins at 9pm until showtime and then resumes after showtime.
The main show every night is a full Comedy Variety Show, different shows nightly with lots of new numbers now in the shows and lots more coming all the time.
Sparkles is located on the second floor of the Yumbo Centre, overlooking the gardens.
Oxford Underground
Sydney
One of the numerous venues within the iconic Oxford Hotel, Oxford Underground is a favourite party spot for the queer community. Loud and modern sound and lighting systems complete with party vibe, and the basement space plays host to all sorts of events. DJs and drag queens keep you entertained, and there are weekly happy hours and other specials to draw you back for more fun.
Denver Sweet
Denver
Denver Sweet is primarily a bear bar but it's friendly to whole LGBTQ+ community. Its central Downtown location means its easy to pop in for a drink or a bit to eat, and friendly staff will make sure you feel welcome. The rooftop bar serves a range of wonderful cocktails and beers to choose from, plus tasty bites from the kitchen. Across the two floors of the venue there are always music videos playing and good times to be had.
Boomerang
Torremolinos
Boomerang Torremolinos is located in the cute Pueblo Blanco area, just a couple of minutes walk from the busier La Nogalera zone. With a lovely setting for it's sizable outdoor terrace, Boomerang is popular from early evening until very late on weekends. Popular with gays and lesbians alike, reviewers note the friendly service and great cocktails.
Check out the GayMapper blog
GayMapper is all about helping LGBTQ+ travellers make better choices. We combine detailed destination knowledge with honest opinions on where to stay, where to go out and what’s genuinely worth your time. From gay neighbourhoods and nightlife to hotels, beaches, events and city breaks, this blog brings together practical advice, trusted recommendations and a little GayMapper perspective along the way.
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