Bars, Businesses, Restaurants & Venues
San Antonio’s LGBTQIA+ community thrives with a diverse range of bars, businesses, restaurants, and venues. Whether you're seeking a dance floor, a connect with friends, or a delicious meal with a welcoming atmosphere, this guide serves as your compass.
Grab the fam, embrace the spirit of San Antonio's LGBTQIA+ scene, and explore!
*NOTE: The “Strip on Main,” “the Strip,” and “the gay Strip” are terms used by locals to reference the collection of gay bars on Main Street from I-10 to Ashby.
Bars and Nightclubs
2015 Place (or 2015), located in the Monte Vista neighborhood just north of the Strip on Main, is a neighborhood favorite with billiards tables, shuffleboard and jukebox. 2015 has a partially covered back patio, with parking in front and in the surrounding neighborhood. You can find them on Facebook.
Artisan Distillery & Craft Bar
Artisan Craft Bar, located on the east side of downtown, specializes in craft drinks. They host events for organizations, trivia nights and special events like art festivals and drag and comedy shows. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Ay Qué Chula sits right on the Rainbow Crosswalk. This bar and grill hosts drag brunches and viewing parties, and drink special throughout the week. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Barbarella San Antonio is a “QPOC owned and operated dance club and queer video bar”, and is located slightly off the Strip on Main on San Pedro. Barbarella SA hosts events throughout the week like Tuezgayz and Fresh Fridays. Find all of their events on Facebook and Instagram.
The Bend Sports Bar, located on the city’s northwest side, hosts drag events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
The Bonham Exchange is a staple in San Antonio, whose history dates back to 1891. Located in downtown San Antonio, this dance club has three levels, with bars, dancefloors and event spaces on all three. With events from Wednesday through Sunday, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Brass Monkey, located on the St. Mary’s Strip (not to be confused with the “gay Strip”), is a favorite with local college students. Their weekly Thurzgayz themed dance party brings out a lively crowd. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Club 727, located on the northern portion of the Strip on Main, is a country themed gay bar and nightclub. It has three dance floors, and hosts drag shows and special events throughout the week. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Heat Nightclub is a staple on the Strip on Main and sits on the Rainbow Crosswalk. This dance club is popular on the weekends, and hosts DJs throughout the year, as well as community events partnered with various organizations. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Knockout sits in the middle of the Strip on Main and is a favorite throughout the week. Knockout hosts drag and bear brunches on the weekend and shows sporting events. Find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s Be Honest hosts drag shows throughout the week, events held by community organizations and shows major sporting events. Located on the Strip on Main, LBH hosts drag performances from Thursday to Sunday, including themed performances. You can see this week’s themes by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
This rooftop bar located on the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk hosts weekly drag shows and stand up comedy shows. Reservations and tickets are required for their brunches. You can follow Paramour on Facebook and Instagram.
Pegasus San Antonio, located on the Strip on Main, is open all year round. Pegasus hosts nightly drag performances with the Queens of the Strip, events with community organizations and has food trucks available. Follow their events on Facebook and Instagram.
Picks Bar hosts themed drag brunches on Sundays throughout the year. Located on the northwest side of the city, reservations and tickets are required for their brunches. You can find all of their events on their Facebook and Instagram.
Purgatory, located on the Strip on Main, is open all week. Purgatory hosts special events and is known for their gogo dancers. Follow them on Facebook.
SA Country Saloon, located in Beacon Hill, is a neighborhood favorite. This country bar has billiards and darts and hosts events for community organizations throughout the year. SA Country posts their events on Facebook.
The only gay bar located on the northeast side of San Antonio, Sparks Club is open every day. They host community events like a monthly Kinky Karnival. Find their events on Facebook.
Sparky’s Pub, located on the Strip on Main, is open every day and a popular stop. Sparky’s hosts viewing parties, events for community organizations and sports a small deli. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Businesses
Restaurants
Opened in 2018, Dakota East Side Ice House occasionally hosts various LGBTQ+ events throughout the year. This bar and grill is a favorite with locals on San Antonio’s Eastside. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Magnolia Pancake Haus, with several locations throughout the city, hosts events in partnership with community organizations benefiting the LGBTQIA+ community like Thrive Youth. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Venues
800 Live Nightclub & Venue regularly hosts DJ sets. This venue is at the southern tip of the Strip. You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Brick at Blue Star is located in the Blue Star Arts Complex in the King William area of downtown San Antonio. They host events, including drag shows, live music, markets and fairs throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Camp Nackte is a LGBTQIA nature and camping area located east of San Antonio in Stockdale, Texas. Camp Nackte has day passes and hosts themed weekends throughout the year, and also sells its own honey. You can find their events on Facebook and Instagram.
The Starlighter hosts drag shows, live music and pop up vendor markets throughout the year. Located in the Deco District of San Antonio, The Starlighter is walkable to many popular restaurants, shops and bakeries. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.