LAS VEGAS ISN’T JUST FOR GAMBLERS; IT’S ALSO AN LGBTQ-FRIENDLY DESTINATION.
Popularly dubbed Sin City, Las Vegas is known for its big-budget live shows, bustling nightlife, fine dining experiences, and high-rolling casinos. Beyond what it typically offers, Las Vegas is also a gay-friendly must-see destination for LGBTQ tourists. That’s why we created this gay Las Vegas travel guide.
If you want to indulge in glitter, go-go dancing, cocktails, and late nights, this comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about gay travel in Las Vegas.
Photo by David Vives from Pexels
HOW LGBTQ-FRIENDLY IN LAS VEGAS?
Las Vegas is the place for gay travelers looking for over-the-top luxury. It’s now home to an exclusive Pride Concierge at Wynn and Encore, which helps tourists plan an LGBT-oriented vacation.
While this adult playground has an impressive range of gay destinations all across the city, these three neighborhoods represent the peak of LGBT Vegas.
Paradise
Avid clubbers will love Paradise’s “Fruit Loop” cluster of LGBTQ bars and clubs, including an exclusive hub for RuPaul’s Drag Race performers. Just east of the Strip is the Badlands Saloon, a country-themed gay dive perfect for travelers who want to keep it simple and down-to-earth.
Want to get some exercise while on holiday? Active tourists should check out and join the LGBT Volleyball Gay Social at Sunset Park.
Downtown
Compared to the upbeat nightlife vibe of Paradise, Downtown Vegas is an eccentric melting pot of LGBTQ locals from all walks of life. First-time visitors should go to The Center to learn about volunteer opportunities, Pride events, and other LGBTQ resources.
Downtown Vegas also hosts the annual Las Vegas Pride Festival, which takes place in the fall.
Spring Valley
Spanning over 33 miles, Spring Valley is a hotbed of LGBTQ events and food destinations just minutes away from the Strip. More laid-back travelers who want to avoid the typical Vegas tourist traps might prefer The Space, a community-driven arts complex that hosts events like the Miss Gay Nevada America Pageant.
It also hosts Chinatown, where Asian cuisine enthusiasts can get their fix of authentic and delicious food. Meanwhile, casual bar-goers will love the Phoenix Bar and Lounge, a Vegas favorite.
WHERE TO STAY
On the hunt for a hotel in Vegas? You’re spoiled for choice, with over 150,000 rooms in the Vegas area. Below is our selection of some of the most LGBT-friendly resorts in the area.
Luxor Hotel & Casino
3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
You can’t book a holiday in Las Vegas without checking out the Luxor Hotel and Casino first. The most gay-friendly resort on the Strip, its weekly events like the Temptations Pool Party bring in a versatile crowd and some of the best DJs in the country.
The Luxor Hotel and Casino is a major sponsor of Las Vegas Pride, Vegas Gay Days, and Pride 48, so you’ll want to book a room in advance if you plan to hit these events up.
The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino
3708 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
This award-winning five-star resort has been dubbed the Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign and is a luxury lover’s haven. The Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino is one of the glitziest in the neighborhood, housing the famous Marquee Nightclub. It also has an impressive range of restaurants, such as Scarpetta, known for its Italian cuisine, and Buffet Zuma, known for its Japanese dishes.
M Resort Spa & Casino
12300 Las Vegas Blvd S, Henderson, NV 89044
The M Resort Spa and Casino is a to-die-for upscale AAA Four-Diamond hotel with a 92,000 sq. ft. gaming floor full of slots and card games. If you’re a self-care fanatic or want to relax after a night of partying, make sure to hit the Spa Mio for a facial and massage.
David Vives / Pexels
WHERE TO EAT
If you’re looking for a place to satisfy your cravings, Las Vegas has it all. Don’t forget to add these culinary hotspots to your gay travel itinerary.
PublicUs
1126 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
When in Fremont East, you can’t miss a brunch at PublicUs. Open from 7 am to 3 pm, it’s the perfect place to cure your Vegas hangover. If you’re up for a boozy morning, this hip and ambient breakfast bar also serve wine and beer. As for its menu, we recommend the donut muffin – it’s as delectable as it sounds!
Chinatown
4205 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Less than two miles from the main Strip is Chinatown, which has over 150 Asian restaurants, ranging from Chinese to Japanese to Korean cuisine. Make your way through this three-mile strip and stuff yourself with shared plates of Vietnamese pho, Chinese Sichuan plates, or Japanese sushi, ramen, and more!
Donut Bar
124 S 6th St #140, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Famously featured on shows like Ellen and also on The Food Network, Donut Bar has a vast selection of classic donuts as well as over-the-top, adventurous options. Those who prefer something more refined should go for the classically glazed Old Fashioned, while more daring foodies should try the Pop-Tart Donut.
Courtesy of Piranha. Las Vegas
WHERE TO PARTY
If you’re in Vegas to celebrate LGBTQ Pride, there is no better place to be than the Fruit Loop, where drag queens, Magic Mike dancers, and tourists from all over the world let loose.
Still, you’re likely to find other hidden — and very gay — gems outside of the Strip. Here are a few bars and clubs we recommend.
The Garden
1017 S 1st St #180, Las Vegas, NV 89101
The Garden is the newest gay go-to in the DTLV Arts District, where you can enjoy a Bottomless Drag Brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Gastropub enthusiasts will love the Garden’s Angus sliders and cauliflower wings.
If you’re a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, you won’t want to miss the Drag Superstar competition every Thursday. Attendees get to vote the best queens into the Garden’s residency lineup.
Badlands Saloon
953 E Sahara Ave #22B, Las Vegas, NV 89104
For more laid-back Vegas-goers who are looking for a cheap place to drink, hit up Badlands Saloon. This country-themed bar hosts Trivia Tuesdays with drag queen Natch, where you can exercise your LGBTQ knowledge. If you’re more into lively drag shows, catch Hips, Heels, and Tucks every Friday. Are you a self-proclaimed singer? Try your hand at Humpday Karaoke Wednesdays!
If you’re feeling a little frisky, hit the Green Door sex club after hours – it’s just a few hop-and-skips away from Badlands.
FreeZone
610 E Naples Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Considered the “superclub” of gay bars in Las Vegas, FreeZone hosts Fierce Fridays, Savage Saturdays, and T-Time Sundays for 24/7 partying. Cocktail fanatics will enjoy the generous happy hour from 8 pm to 2 am from Sunday to Thursday.
Piranha Nightclub
4633 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169
A Strip favorite, Piranha Nightclub is open 24 hours a day and hosts nearly-nightly events like Latin Tuesdays, Wednesdays We Wear Pink, and We Love the Weekend. Piranha Nightclub is one of several gay clubs in Las Vegas that also participate in Pride Month, hosting Pride-themed parties every weekend in June.
The Phoenix Bar & Lounge
4213 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Do you want to get into the competitive spirit? Gamers will love the massive projector screen at the Phoenix Bar and Lounge, where you can go head-to-head with the Las Vegas Gaymers every weekend. Visitors traveling with an all-female posse will also love Phoenix’s lesbian-themed nights.
RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE!
3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
When in Vegas, you can’t miss a RuPaul’s Drag Race LIVE show. Hit the Flamingo to witness an Emmy Award-winning original drag show that you’ll never forget.
Feast your eyes on favorites like Derrick Barry, Asia O’Hara, Naomi Smalls, and Yvie Oddly. Dedicated fans can experience a meet and greet at RuPaul’s Werk Room, where guests can also get makeovers alongside the performers.
Entourage Vegas
953 E Sahara Ave A19, Las Vegas, NV 89104
If you’re looking for gay bathhouses in Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of them. But Entourage Vegas is the best gay sauna in Las Vegas, equipped with an indoor pool, steam room, smoking area, video room, and group or private showers. It’s only ten minutes away from the Fruit Loop, too!
R. Classen / Shutterstock
WHERE TO SHOP
You can’t leave Gay Vegas without a souvenir or two. Here are a few queer-owned and operated shops worth visiting in Vegas.
Get Booked
4640 Paradise Rd #15, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Once known as Bright Pink Literature, Get Booked specializes in – you guessed it – selling LGBTQ literature. Get Booked also sells all sorts of gay goodies, including harnesses and hoods from the Viced Man line. Plus, you can take home all the toys you’ve ever dreamed of – from fetish products to restraints, pumps, and more.
If you’re not hitting Get Booked with a partner, you can always browse their personal care selection. They have no shortage of products you can use on your own!
Cocky Punk
900 Karen Ave Suite B-109, Las Vegas, NV 89109
The newest gay boutique in Vegas, Cocky Punk stocks items for every occasion, so you’ll find underwear, apparel, accessories, and toys. Plus, a lot of Cocky Punk’s products are handmade – you’ll feel the difference in quality and materials.
LAS VEGAS LGBTQ EVENTS
Las Vegas has to be one of the loudest and proudest areas in the country. If you want to show off your pride, drop by the Strip when these events are in full swing.
Las Vegas Pride
Founded in 1992, Las Vegas Pride has provided safe spaces for its LGBTQ community members for three decades. On top of its annual Pride Festival and Parade, visitors can enjoy dozens of other events even after Pride in Las Vegas is over.
For something the entire family can enjoy, hit up Pride Family Rainbow Bingo. Proceeds benefit the Center, a hub for LGBTQ resources and community sessions. Meanwhile, active Pride-goers can enjoy the great outdoors on one of Las Vegas’ many hiking trails during Last Vegas Pride OUTside.
Hustlaball
Dancers looking for an LGBTQ event to show off their moves should attend the annual Hustlaball, a sex-positive erotic dance party. Depending on how down and dirty you want to get, make sure to stick around for the XXL Playroom, which features gritty live sex acts by famous Las Vegas porn stars.
Nevada Gay Rodeo
Rodeo fanatics will be pleased to know that Las Vegas hosts a gay rodeo just for LGBTQ cowboys and gals: the Nevada Gay Rodeo! Not only do you get to enjoy traditional events like rough stock and roping, but your ticket also benefits charitable LGBTQ organizations that make these events possible.
In the United States, the Nevada Gay Rodeo is one of the largest in the gay rodeo circuit. It is dedicated to preserving western lifestyles and the community.
Drag Brunch By Voss Events
Drag Brunch by Voss Events is something you’ll want on your itinerary if you’re only in Vegas for the weekend. At Senor Frog in the Treasure Island Hotel, you can enjoy performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars while sipping on unlimited cocktails – we recommend the bottomless tableside mimosas.
Chippendales
Is it really a trip to Vegas if you’re not going to hit up the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino to catch a Chippendales show? This 75-minute classic all-male strip show will have you sweating buckets and leave your mouth watering for more.
Aussie Heat
For dance fans who love a good stunt show, Aussie Heat is the one to catch. Headlined by Australia’s top breakdancers, the show has everything from bewildering choreography to jaw-dropping stunts. Aussie Heat premiers every Thursday to Monday.
Magic Mike Live
Considered the strip show of all strip shows, Magic Mike Live is sexy, daring, and a sight to behold. You can catch it at the SAHARA from Wednesdays through Sundays. While you might not get to see Channing Tatum, expect new and impressive segments – some even involve zip lines and water machines.
Since its first show, Magic Mike has become impressively diverse in terms of its cast and stunts, so expect to see all kinds of dancers demonstrating their one-of-a-kind talents.
Fantasy
Calling all WLW ladies — Fantasy features the Strip’s most beautiful and talented female dancers whose high-energy routines will have you sweating by the show’s end. Enjoy pole routines, burlesque acts, and riggers with impressive skills.
WHERE TO TIE THE KNOT
Prisma Events
Are you planning a big and bold Vegas wedding? If so, you’ll want to book Prisma Events. Wedding planner Aimee Palifroni specializes in same-sex events that, just like people, can be whatever you want them to be – whether that’s rambunctious and loud or classy and elegant!
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or anything else on the spectrum, Las Vegas has a lot in store for you. Now one of the country’s most in-demand LGBTQ hotspots (along with California and Florida), Las Vegas is more than just a place to gamble, catch a good show or two, and get away from daily stressors. Here, you can also experience LGBT-forward events and plan the perfect gay-cation at the Pride Concierge.
