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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
The gay scene of New Orleans is centred on its bars and clubs, where people from across the community can come together and enjoy a night with friends. The city is home to a legendary live music scene as well so you can expect loud gigs and wild dancefloors alongside more traditional watering holes. In keeping with the spirit of the city, most places are mixed, so LGBTQ+ spaces welcome allies and you can find a sizeable queer crowd wherever you go. The best-known bars are in the French Quarter, right next door to the lively Bourbon Street.
Stockholm’s gay nightlife is centred in the old town (Gamla Stan) and the trendy Södermalm district, known for its open-minded, creative atmosphere and welcoming LGBTQ+ scene. The nightlife here offers a mix of stylish cocktail bars, relaxed lounges, and high-energy dance venues, often featuring themed events, drag performances, and live DJs. While not all venues are exclusively gay, most are queer-friendly and draw a diverse, inclusive crowd. In summer, outdoor patios and waterfront bars become popular gathering spots, adding a vibrant, social feel to the evenings. The city’s compact layout makes it easy to explore several nightlife spots in one night. Whether you're in the mood for a quiet drink, mingling with locals, or dancing into the early morning hours, Stockholm’s gay nightlife is friendly, progressive, and full of character. The scene reflects the city’s broader values of inclusivity and equality, offering LGBTQ+ visitors a fun and safe space to enjoy the night.
Brighton has a vibrant gay scene that draws members of the community from across the country. Its gay cafes and bars are thriving, and luckily for you they're all in one place! in Kemp Town is home to almost all the gay bars, clubs, and everything social, from traditional pubs to a host of gay saunas. The bars in this area tend to attract a diverse crowd, but some attract larger proportions of specific groups so you can be sure you find your new favourite place to hang out and have fun on any night of the week.
Copenhagen gay nightlife is focussed on bars rather than clubs, but with various places to choose from, and many located on the streets around the Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), especially Studiestræde, it's easy to find somewhere you like. There are also gay friendly options in the developing Meat Packing district, near the Central Station.
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!
4* Hotel MiM Sitges
Sitges
Beach days, nightlife and a proper spa are unusually easy to combine here. MiM Sitges member of Meliá Collection sits on Avenida Sofia, just off the promenade and only a few minutes from Bassa Rodona, Sitges’ main gay beach. The gay bars around Plaça Indústria are also comfortably walkable.
The contemporary rooms and suites have a polished Mediterranean feel, with some offering sea views, but much of the appeal is elsewhere in the hotel. Upstairs you’ll find a seasonal rooftop pool and Sky Bar with views over Sitges and the Mediterranean, while the substantial MiM Spa includes a hydrotherapy circuit, sauna, steam room and treatment facilities. There’s also a 24-hour fitness area and several options for food and drinks.
GayMapper tip: Particularly good if you want the convenience of central Sitges but still enjoy spending proper downtime at the hotel.
3* Best Western Hawthorne Tce
Chicago
Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace is particularly well placed if Chicago’s gay nightlife is high on your agenda. It sits in Lakeview, within walking distance of the bars and clubs around Northalsted, while Wrigley Field is also close by.
Rooms are comfortable rather than flashy, with useful extras such as refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers. There’s also a small fitness room, sauna and outdoor courtyard, and breakfast is included.
The nearby Belmont and Addison CTA stations make getting Downtown straightforward, so you don’t have to choose completely between nightlife and sightseeing.
GayMapper tip: a practical, good-value choice for staying close to the main gay scene without paying boutique-hotel prices.
5* Crosby Street Hotel
New York City
Crosby Street Hotel brings a very British sense of playful luxury to SoHo. Each of the rooms and suites is individually designed by Kit Kemp, mixing bold colour, contemporary art and patterns in a way that feels genuinely distinctive rather than simply expensive.
Guests have their own drawing room and leafy courtyard Sculpture Garden, while the Crosby Bar opens onto an ivy-covered terrace and serves throughout the day. There’s also a fully equipped gym and private screening room.
For LGBTQ travellers, SoHo puts you close to the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, while the historic gay nightlife around Christopher Street and Greenwich Village is a longer walk or very short taxi/subway trip west.
GayMapper tip: One for design lovers – especially couples looking for a luxurious downtown hotel with far more personality than the traditional Fifth Avenue crowd.
4* Moxy Boston Downtown
Boston
Moxy is a good fit if you like your hotel lively, informal and right in the middle of things. It sits on Tremont Street in the Theatre District, close to Boston Common and only a short walk from Jacques’ Cabaret and the South End.
Rooms are compact — deliberately so — with a clean modern design and big windows in many categories. The idea is that you spend more time downstairs, where Bar Moxy combines reception, breakfast area, cocktail bar and social space in one energetic room.
There’s also a 24-hour grab-and-go market and a well-equipped fitness centre, but no traditional room service or full-service restaurant.
The location is particularly useful for evenings out because both the Theatre District and several LGBTQ+ venues are reachable on foot.
GayMapper tip: best for sociable travellers who don’t need a huge bedroom and would rather have a fun lobby, central location and plenty happening around them.
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!
CAMP
Munich
The CAMP has existed on Reisinger Strasse since 2005 and has since developed into a popular meeting place for young and old in Munich's gay scene. There is always something going on here. The friendly staff ensures a good atmosphere in the large bar area. The bars offers great playing facilities.
The Bridge Bar
London
This cosy little bar is housed under a railway arch in the south London neighbourhood of Clapham and specialises in quality wines and cocktails. Sit back and relax with the help of The Bridge's extensive drinks menu, while enjoying the entertainment that is hosted throughout the week. Every Monday you can enjoy an evening of wine, cheese, and classic films, while every Wednesday is Bear Fest and there's regular quizzes and bingo as well.
New York New York
Manchester
For over thirty years New York New York bar has been the beating heart of Manchester's Gay Village. It's known for its hands-in-the-air nights with music that you can't help but sing along to, outrageous drag queens and, of course, a welcoming atmosphere. The cocktail bar is open every day, and there is also a stylish function room and 'The VIP suite'. Located on the first floor, this suite is fully kitted out and perfect for parties.
Betty F***
Berlin
Betty F is a small basement gay bar in Berlin Mitte, with cabaret entertainment. The bar's small size, like a "Berlin backroom," adds to its charm and makes it a unique experience. Betty F is also notable for its decor, friendly staff, and 80s and 90s music, which often leads to dancing. Gets busy on weekends.
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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