Lesbian Hotspots: Top 10 LGBTQ-Owned Venues in the US

The United States is home to a vibrant and diverse LGBTQ community. This diversity is celebrated in various aspects of American life, including its culinary and artistic scenes. In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 top LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars that champion and support lesbian culture. We’ll also introduce you to 10 venues that celebrate queer and feminist art, music, and literature. Supporting these establishments is essential to fostering inclusivity and representation within the broader cultural landscape.

I. Top 10 LGBTQ-Owned Restaurants and Bars Celebrating Lesbian Culture

1. Wildrose Bar (Seattle, WA): Seattle’s oldest lesbian bar, Wildrose Bar, has provided a welcoming environment since 1984. It hosts live music, karaoke, and themed nights.
2. A League of Her Own (Washington, D.C.): This lesbian sports bar in D.C. offers a space for LGBTQ individuals to socialize, watch sports, and attend events like trivia nights and drag shows.
3. Ginger’s Bar (Brooklyn, NY): A staple in Brooklyn’s LGBTQ scene, Ginger’s Bar offers a cozy space for lesbians and queer individuals to enjoy drinks, music, and special events.
4. The Back Door (Bloomington, IN): This queer-owned bar showcases feminist art and live performances. It hosts inclusive events for the local LGBTQ community.
5. The Lex (San Francisco, CA): The Lexington Club, or The Lex, was a beloved lesbian bar in San Francisco’s Mission District. Though closed in 2015, its legacy as a symbol of lesbian culture endures.
6. My Sister’s Room (Atlanta, GA): This lesbian-owned bar in Atlanta hosts regular events, including drag shows, karaoke, and live music, attracting a diverse crowd.
7. Toasted Walnut Bar & Kitchen (Philadelphia, PA): This lesbian-owned Philadelphia establishment offers food, cocktails, and entertainment like drag shows and live music.
8. Blush & Blu (Denver, CO): A lesbian-owned bar and coffee shop in Denver, Blush & Blu provides a welcoming space for community gatherings, events, and performances.
9. Gossip Grill (San Diego, CA): With a vibrant atmosphere, this lesbian-owned bar and restaurant in San Diego hosts events like drag shows, live music, and themed parties.
10. The Cubbyhole (New York, NY): This legendary lesbian bar in NYC is a cozy, eclectic space where patrons can enjoy drinks, music, and a sense of community.

II. Top 10 Queer and Feminist Art, Music, and Literature Venues

1. The Leslie-Lohman Museum (New York, NY): Dedicated to showcasing LGBTQ art, this museum features rotating exhibits that highlight the work of queer and feminist artists.
2. Woman Made Gallery (Chicago, IL): Woman Made Gallery is a not-for-profit gallery that supports and showcases women artists, including those from the LGBTQ community.
3. The ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives (Los Angeles, CA): This archive and library house the largest collection of LGBTQ materials in the world, including books, photographs, and artifacts.
4. The National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, D.C.): This museum celebrates women artists, including queer and feminist creators, through its vast collection of artworks and exhibitions.
5. Women & Children First (Chicago, IL): One of the largest feminist bookstores in the US, Women & Children First features a wide selection of books by and about women, including lesbian and queer authors.
6. The Queer Arts Center (San Francisco, CA): This arts center is dedicated to supporting and showcasing queer artists through exhibitions, performances, and workshops.
7. Lambda Literary (Online): Lambda Literary is a leading LGBTQ literary organization that promotes and celebrates LGBTQ books and authors through various programs, such as the annual Lambda Literary Awards.
8. The Hole (New York, NY): The Hole is a contemporary art gallery that often features work from LGBTQ artists, including queer and feminist creators, as well as hosting special events and performances.
9. The Riot Grrrl Collection (New York, NY): Housed at the Fales Library & Special Collections at New York University, this collection contains zines, posters, and other materials related to the feminist punk movement of the 1990s, which included a strong lesbian presence.
10. Queer|Art (New York, NY): Queer|Art is a nonprofit arts organization that supports LGBTQ artists through mentorship programs, exhibitions, and events, with a focus on promoting queer and feminist perspectives in the arts.

America’s thriving lesbian culture is showcased in various aspects of life, including culinary and artistic venues. Highlighting top LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars, as well as venues celebrating queer and feminist art, music, and literature, we aim to encourage support for these establishments. In doing so, we can foster inclusivity and representation. By working together, we can create a more equitable and vibrant cultural landscape that honors the contributions of lesbian and queer individuals.