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Dallas Gay Bars
Dallas' LGBTQ+ population is one of the biggest in the country and certainly the biggest in Texas. It's also home to Oak Lawn, which was voted the best gaybourhood in the USA by Out Traveller. This is the most popular space for the community to hang out, with beautiful homes and exciting nightlife, and it hosts the city's most popular Pride and LGBTQ+ focussed events throughout the year. Outside of Oak Lawn, there are other areas worth a visit, such as the gay owned businesses of Bishop Arts District and Cathedral of Hope, the world's largest inclusive place of worship.
Alexandre's
Drag, Cosy
Tucked away in an intimate spot in Oak Lawn, this happening venue is definitely worth a visit. Nights here feature great live music, lots of drink specials, and a crowd of loyal regulars, so it's no surprise that Alexandre's is so popular. This cosy yet stylish space has a particular buzz on weekends, and the cabaret shows hosted here are sure you keep your night upbeat and suitably camp.
Barbara's Pavillion
Cocktails, Outdoor Seating
This long time favourite has been a staple in the Dallas gay scene for 50 years. Its karaoke is the best in the city and incredibly popular, drawing crowds every Thursday and Sunday for a good old sing along. Aside from karaoke, there are other events on offer throughout the week from movie viewings to potluck, so you'll find something different every time you walk in the door, plus you can enjoy a range of beers and cocktails.
Cedar Springs Tap House
Sports, Food
Cedar Springs Tap House is a sports bar, tap house and restaurant located in the Oak Lawn neighbourhood of Dallas. The local queer community gathers here for a drink and classic bar food before a night out in the neighbouring nightclubs. Aside from the well-priced food, people come here for the atmosphere. Theme nights, happy hours and dance parties make the Tap House an awesome place to hang out and have fun in a safe environment.
Dallas Woody's
Sports
Everyone is always welcome at Dallas Woody's, the friendliest sports bar in Dallas. You can stop by seven days a week to catch the game on one of the many TVs or check out the extensive line up of live entertainment. There's karaoke, show tunes sing alongs, and comedy, and a great group of regulars and staff to enjoy your time with in a place where everyone knows your name.
Havana
Cocktails, Outdoor seating, Dancing
At night, this restaurant and bar turns into a fabulous club where the music is great, hot bartenders serve amazing cocktails, and food is included in the cover charge! There is always a variety of music nights on offer from Latin to Hip Hop and the crowd comes dressed to impress. The club is packed with people who flock here for super cheap drinks and a very popular happy hour.
Hidden Door Inc
Cocktails, Outdoor Seating
Hidden Door has been a favourite meeting place for the local LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years and claims to be the friendliest bar in Texas. It's open every legal hour serving good beers and cocktails with a community spirit. You can chill on the outdoor patio, head inside for a game of darts or pool, or just sit and chat at the bar. The Sunday afternoon beer bust is legendary as well and attracts a great male crowd.
JR's Bar & Grill
Outdoor Seating, Food, Dancing
JR's is a huge and iconic space that's been serving the local queer community since 1980. It's a staple in Cedar Springs and always busy, and you'll even find people dancing here in the middle of the afternoon. Thanks to the constant crowd, the vibe is buzzing across JR's multiple levels and it's become a destination for visitors from all over the country. Located on the crossroads of the gaybourhood, JR's outdoor balcony is great for relaxing and people watching.
Kaliente
Dancing, Drag
Kaliente is the only gay owned gay Latino nightclub in Dallas, open till late for a wild night of partying. Everyone is up and dancing to amazing music, watching talented drag queens perform, and enjoying some tipsy karaoke with new friends. Kaliente is the perfect place to end your night if you're not ready to go home just yet, and there's music to every taste as well as some of the best drag shows in the area.
Liquid Zoo
Cosy, Sports
Liquid Zoo is a friendly neighbourhood sports bar where everyone seems to know everyone's name. In the early evening, the bar doubles as a restaurant, serving home-made burgers and other traditional but quality pub food that's always popular with the regulars. By night you'll find crowd singing along to show tunes and enjoying the karaoke, and a real sense of community that's helped by the familiarly antique decor. Drag brunches are also especially popular and very camp!
Mr. Misster Dallas
Cocktails
Mr. Misster is a unique old-world setting with a modern twist in the form of vibrant plush seating, soft lighting, and a hint of glamour. As the night progresses, the space transforms from a sophisticated bar and lounge to a lively spot serving a menu of signature cocktails and other favourites. You can begin and end your night here any day of the week, as there are cocktails on tap on weekdays and events with live DJs on weekends.
Pekers
Drag
Pekers in Oak Lawn has remained the friendly neighbourhood bar for many years. Being so central to the gay scene, Pekers is popular with locals who pop in for a drink and a chat, particularly for happy hour where attractive bartenders serve drinks that regulars claim are the best in town. Occasionally there is live entertainment as well, and the Friday and Saturday night karaoke is especially popular.
Round-Up Saloon
Dancing
Round-up is a large country and western dance club with a total of twelve fully stocked bars and plenty of hot cowboys, so even if you don't love country music you can still enjoy yourself! The space doubles as a dance hall that hosts lessons in line-dancing, plus charity events and themed nights. Premium tequila is the speciality drink here, with a great range to choose from and an amazingly old school mixed crowd to enjoy it with.
Station 4
Young Crowd, Drag, Dancing
Arguably one of the city's best and biggest gay dance clubs, this spacious multilevel club boasts an amazing sound and lighting system which draws a young crowd who like to let go on the huge dance floor. If you need a break, you can relax the balcony or watch the party from a VIP lounge. Great DJs provide the music, and there are also events such as gay bingo, costume contests, and amazing drag shows.
Sue Ellen's
Lesbian, Outdoor Seating, Dancing
Sue Ellen's has been a staple in Dallas' queer nightlife since 1989. It's an icon that stands among many of the city's other most popular LGBTQ+ clubs and is advertised as a predominantly lesbian bar. Sue Ellen's hosts live bands throughout the week, karaoke on Mondays and dances every night beneath the compulsory disco glitter ball. On Sundays, the bar is more relaxed, and people gather to play skeeball, pool and darts, or hang out on the patio.
Tekilas Diskotek
Dancing, Drag
Tekilas Diskotek is a decidedly local spot in Northwest Dallas, with local DJs playing a range of upbeat music and drag queens providing the live entertainment. The bartenders are always friendly, and the crowd is predominantly young, gay, and Latino and always up for a good time. This is a venue that's a little rough around the edges but popular with its regulars and always colourful.
The Dallas Eagle
Bear, Older Crowd, Fetish, Cruising
Dallas Eagle is the premier leather/levi/bear community bar in the city and is always a fun place to spend your night. With so many socials, themed nights, leather contests, and BDSM events on offer there's always something going on. The best DJs in the area provide great music to dance to, and each week there's a different themed night to enjoy as well special events every weekend.
The Grapevine Bar
Pub Vibes, Outdoor Seating
The Grapevine bar is a beloved dive that has been voted both "Best Straight Bar" and "Best Gay Bar" so it's home to a truly mixed crowd. The interior combines ridiculous and mismatched furnishings to create a totally unique space, complete with skulls, stained glass, and a tacky pool table. The colourfully lit patio space even has a basketball half court because why not?! The crowd is strange in the best way, and strong cheap drinks guarantee an interesting night.
The Mining Company
Dancing, Outdoor Seating, Dancers
TMC has been a Dallas institution since 1978, this multilevel club is a popular spot to start or end a night on Cedar Springs. Nights here feature DJs, a lively dance floor, pool tables, and plenty of hot dancing boys. The party spreads out onto the front patio, which is a great people watching spot. Cute bartenders, reasonably priced drinks and no cover charge mean that TMC is always packed and popular.
Tin Room
Dancing
Located a few blocks from the bustling Oak Lawn area, The Tin Room attracts a predominately gay crowd with its dance floor, drink specials and themed party nights. This strictly 18+ club has an underground feel thanks to its eclectic look, tucked away location and most importantly its dancers. Hot go-go boys take turns entertaining patrons seven nights a week, so for an indulgent and exceptionally gay time this is the place to be.
Recommended gay friendly hotels in Dallas
As an LGBTQ+ traveller, it's important to stay somewhere welcoming, with great value and maybe near to the gay venues of Oaklawn. Treat yourself to a luxury hotel or stay budget and spend what you save on partying! Check out GayMapper recommendations for highly rated, gay friendly hotel deals in Dallas, Texas. Please support GayMapper by checking out our hotel deals as this helps us to keep the site updated with all this useful information!
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