Cincinnati gay bars

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The Great American Ball Park even hosts periodic Pride Nights, for all you sports fans.

While Cincinnati may not top the queer destination charts, there is still lots of fun to be had here.

Tillie’s Lounge is one of our favorite establishments in the city!

For timing, late May through early October is your sweet spot.

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By clicking “Sign up” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party service provider. Tillie’s Lounge suits a smaller night out with karaoke, gay bingo, theme parties, and strong cocktails or mocktails, plus a dog-friendly patio.

As far as gayborhoods go, your best bets are Northside and Downtown. Cincinnati gay bars are all over the city rather than many in a single neighborhood. There’s a true sense of community and camaraderie among the regulars, yet newcomers are always made to feel welcome. Stop by and support this lovely little establishment!

Guy F — Google review

Cincinnati makes an easy long weekend for LGBTQ+ travelers.

cincinnati gay bars

Across the river in Covington, Bar 32 keeps it low-key with karaoke and inexpensive drinks; note that smoking is allowed at several of these spots. You get walkable neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine for bars, coffee, and galleries, plus big-league sports, a strong food scene, and riverfront views across to Northern Kentucky. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.

Northside has some great entertainment venues and is also known for its tradition of activism.

If you’re looking for more cultural stimulation, make sure to hit one of the many museums, such as the Contemporary Arts Center.

If you haven’t visited yet, you’re certainly missing out.

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Whether it’s June and Pride Month or any other time of the year, Cincinnati knows how to celebrate queer joy. Keep scrolling to see some of the best bars for LGBTQ+ folks.

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Summer brings heat and humidity, but it’s when patios, riverfront nights, and Pride events hit their stride. The bartenders are incredibly warm and kind. it’s polished and well-decorated enough to avoid the “dive bar” label, yet still feels relaxed, homey, and completely unpretentious. Most visitors base themselves downtown/OTR and use rideshares to hop between spots.

The crowd is friendly but never overbearing, which adds to the overall charm. As much as we’d love to keep it to ourselves, it only seems fair to share it with the rest of the city. We especially love their brunches and open stage nights—they’re always lively, inclusive, and full of great energy. The establishment is always clean, and the restroom upkeep is especially commendable, considering how tough it can be to maintain single-stall facilities in a busy bar environment.