'Lesbian Bars Near Me': Where the 27 Remaining Lesbian Bars Are in America

If you’re a lesbian or queer woman, you’ve most likely gotten to the point of searching, “Lesbian bars near me” to meet more people like you. However, you’ve probably also found that lesbian bars are few and far between in the United States. In fact, there are only 27 official lesbian bars left.

With Pride Month here and safe, queer spaces being so important during this month—and every month for the LGBTQ+ community—it can be a bummer not to be able to go to a sapphic-only space. Gay bars are a lot of fun and can feel safer than a straight club or establishment. But there’s just something so different and special about being a lesbian or sapphic person and being able to go to a queer women-only space.

So, we’ve got the list of the last 27 lesbian bars remaining in America and why there are so few lesbian bars left.

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A brief history of lesbian bars in America

Lesbian bars have a long history in the United States and they were created at a time when queer people weren’t accepted like they are today. According to Smithsonian Magazine, “ladies bars” can be traced back to the early 1900s, and they were really only for rich white women of the time. After Prohibition, though, the first lesbian bars opened in 1933 and 1936 in Chicago and San Francisco, respectively. But queer women-only spaces can be traced back to the late 1800s when anti-cross-dressing laws started popping up.

As Los Angeles Magazine reported, lesbian bars were at their peak in the 1950s, where many also served as one of the only places for working-class lesbians and lesbians of color to come together as a community. And back in the late ‘80s, there were nearly 200 lesbian bars in the United States, according to PBS.

How many lesbian bars are in the U.S.?

Unfortunately, there aren’t as many lesbian bars around today. As with a lot of service-oriented businesses, the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 negatively impacted the remaining lesbian bars that were left, leaving 21 of them in June 2021. But that's not the only reason for the decline in lesbian bars—we'll expand on that in a minute.

It’s now Pride Month 2023 and there are 27 lesbian bars in America, according to the Lesbian Bar Project, a short documentary and fundraising project (you can watch the docuseries on Roku). Erica Rose and Elina Street, the filmmakers on this project, wanted to highlight the dwindling lesbian bar numbers while also trying to fundraise to open more.

Again, at the time the short came out, there were only 21. So in a couple of years more have sprouted—but why are there still so few lesbian bars?

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Why are there so few lesbian bars?

As Paper Magazine wrote, there are a few reasons why queer women-only spaces are fading. They report that online dating and apps have made it easier to meet other sapphics without stepping foot outside your home, let alone having to go to a lesbian bar. They also note that being out looks a bit different than it did 20 years ago and some feel less of a need to hide who they are. However, with queer spaces being targeted by conservative lawmakers nowadays, queer-only spaces are coveted more now than ever.

Plus, Rose told PBS that gentrification played a big part in why so many lesbian bars went out of business. She also mentioned that lesbians and sapphics don’t “occupy neighborhoods in the same way gay men did” or do (not to mention the gender pay gap). So location is another main reason why so few lesbian bars are left.

Also, as the creators of the Lesbian Bar Project noted, lesbian bars have evolved (and need to continue evolving) into more inclusive places that are for lesbians just as much as they are for sapphics, non-binary, bisexuals, gender nonconforming queer people and any others that might feel more comfortable at a lesbian bar as opposed to a typical gay bar.

List of the 27 lesbian bars left in the U.S.

With all of that said, there are still 27 lesbian bars throughout the United States. So, instead of searching for “lesbian bars near me,” look no further. From D.C. to California, here are the remaining lesbian bars.

1. Boycott Bar — Phoenix, Arizona

Boycott Bar is an LGBTQ+ and lesbian bar located in Melrose District in Phoenix and is the last remaining lesbian bar in Arizona. They host special events every week and have dancing every night.

2. The Ruby Fruit — Los Angeles, California

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On The Ruby Fruit’s website, they call themselves a “strip mall wine bar for the sapphically inclined.” If that’s not inviting enough, it’s also a restaurant with a pretty full menu. It’s really new, opening up in February 2023, and touts itself as a “safe space for not only lesbians, but non-binary, gender-nonconforming and trans people.”

3. Honey’s — Los Angeles, California

Honey’s is another lesbian bar in Los Angeles, located in East Hollywood. They’re not just a “watering hole and queer bar” but also a live music venue and voted one of the 20 most fun bars in LA by The Infatuation.

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4. Gossip Grill — San Diego, California

The perfectly named Gossip Grill opened in 2009 and has evolved into a “colorful patio bar and restaurant, equipped with a fabulous dance club for the Women & LGBTQ+ community.” They also host special events including nightclub nights, brunch and comedy shows.

5. Jolene — San Francisco, California

Located in the very queer city of San Francisco, Jolene’s hosts Sunday drag brunches as well as a ton of other themed nights and happy hours. INTO reported that event promoter Jolene Linsangan opened Jolene’s in 2018 because she couldn’t find another inclusive space to host her lesbian party, Uhaul, that she had been throwing for around five years. Now, Jolene’s is a good place for that and so much more.

6. Wild Side West — San Francisco, California

Also located in San Francisco, Wild Side West has been around for decades, even before the Stonewall Riots in New York. They opened in 1962, moved to their current location in Bernal Heights in 1976 and continue to thrive; they host fundraising events, pool games, game days and so much more.

7. Blush & Blu — Denver, Colorado

Located “in the center of Denver,” Blush & Blu opened in 2013 and specializes in great, high-quality drinks. Their site has the slogan “All are welcome, intolerance is not” written on it and Blush & Blu lives by that as a “queer-inclusive space.”

8. My Sister’s Room — Atlanta, Georgia

The last remaining lesbian Bar in Atlanta is My Sister’s Room. It opened in 1996 and has always been lesbian-owned and -operated. They host drag shows, burlesque shows, karaoke and more events nightly. They also boast of having the “best wings in Atlanta.”

9. Dorothy — Chicago, Illinois

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One of the only lesbian bars in Chicago is Dorothy (or Dorothy Downstairs). Their website says they’re a “neighborhood lesbian cocktail lounge for every friend of Dorothy.” They also have an interesting history; Dorothy opened in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood on Valentine’s Day 2020 and had to shut down due to COVID a month later. They’ve now been reopened for a year, have a very chic theme and host a monthly queer open mic night.

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10. Nobody’s Darling — Chicago, Illinois

“Be nobody’s darling; be an outcast” is Nobody’s Darling’s slogan on their site and comes from an Alice Walker poem. The bar is owned by two Black queer women, Angela Barnes and Renauda Riddle, and opened in 2021 in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago, according to THEM. They actually took up a storefront that used to be owned by another lesbian bar that closed because of the pandemic. Nobody’s Darling hosts happy hours, drag brunches and more monthly.

11. The Back Door — Bloomington, Indiana

The Back Door has a dog-friendly patio where they host trivia and they’re open seven days a week. “We’re a queer bar, get hip to it,” their website says and with drag shows, a food truck called “The Munch Box” (if you know, you know) and other events and deals, it’s a great inclusive lesbian bar and queer space in Indiana.

12. Femme — Worcester, Massachusetts

Heading on over to the East Coast, we have Femme in Worcester, Massachusetts. According to their site, they’re a “safe space for lesbian and queer women” but also are open to anyone who wants a good time and good drinks. Their bar TVs might play RuPaul’s Drag Race, The L Word, etc., and they have quite a few creatively named drinks.

13. Cubbyhole — New York, New York

There are three remaining lesbian bars in NYC and Cubbyhole is one of them. It’s located in Manhattan’s West Village and opened in 1987. Its retro green awning with rainbow lettering is inviting and the vibes don’t stop once you go in. The inside is eclectic and colorful and great for a night out.

14. Ginger’s — Brooklyn, New York

Ginger’s Bar is located in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn and reopened in March 2022 after being closed because of the pandemic, according to Brooklyn Magazine. But Ginger’s has been in business for 20 years and recently opened a “sister” bar—that isn’t technically a part of this list (yet)—called Mary’s Bar, which is a “queer Irish pub in Greenpoint,” per Greenpointers.

15. Henrietta Hudson — New York, New York

Another well-known New York City lesbian bar is Henrietta Hudson, and it’s also located in the West Village (like Cubbyhole). They’re a “queer human space built by lesbians,” and what better space could you ask for? It’s been open for three decades and describes itself as a “cross between a living room and a petite cafe” with “comfy chairs, plush ottomans, work nooks and a dining area.”

16. Slammers — Columbus, Ohio

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Slammer’s Bar and Pizza Kitchen is in the capital of Ohio, which is a pretty interesting place to be for a queer in the Midwest. But Slammer’s is the only lesbian bar in Ohio and its food menu boasts some amazing pizza (duh). The interior is super gay and pretty festive and it looks like a fun place for drinks or a chill dinner.

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17. Alibi’s — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Alibi’s Club in Oklahoma City calls itself “OKC’s most diverse neighborhood bar where everyone is welcome!” The bar hosts karaoke nights, pool games and open mic nights.

18. Frankie’s — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Frankie’s OKC doesn’t have a big online presence, but they do host a lot of drag shows with some big names. Not to mention they’re a live music venue as well.

19. Yellow Brick Road Pub — Tulsa, Oklahoma

Moving onto Tulsa, we have Yellow Brick Road Pub. Unfortunately, the pub was destroyed in a fire back in August 2022, according to Go Mag. The space is obviously much-loved and as of January 2023, Yellow Brick Road Pub still intends to reopen. They posted on their Facebook that they’re “waiting for building owner’s contractor to finish,” but there isn’t a new update.

20. The Lipstick Lounge — Nashville, Tennessee

The Lipstick Lounge in Nashville calls itself a “bar for humans” and has the most vibrant lavender and pink exterior. Like most bars in Nashville, they host live music but they also do drag events, karaoke and brunch. Even with the laws that homophobic lawmakers in Tennessee want to pass that target drag shows, the venue isn't stopping its traditions.

21. Pearl Bar — Houston, Texas

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Also located in the south is Pearl Bar. Nestled in Houston, Pearl Bar is a “lesbian/LGBTQ+ bar” founded in 2013 by Julie Mabry who noticed “the need for a safe and welcoming space that catered to Houston lesbians and the queer community.” There’s a nice patio space along with custom drinks and so many special events (including Drag Bingo!).

22. Sue Ellen’s — Dallas, Texas

For some reason, the name Sue Ellen is probably one of the most lesbian names on this list. Sue Ellen's is a Texas joint located in Dallas and is the oldest lesbian bar in the state. It opened in 1989 and boasts a two-story nightclub venue with live bands, karaoke and mixers.

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23. Babes of Carytown — Richmond, Virginia

Hopping over to Richmond, Virginia, we have Babes of Carytown, “Richmond’s Everybody’s Bar.” They opened in 1979 according to Lesbian and Gay Richmond and they’re known for their beach volleyball court in the back, live music and drag shows, of course.

24. Wildrose — Seattle, Washington

Wildrose in Seattle opened in 1984 according to the Seattle Times, and continues to be the city’s only lesbian bar. It’s a welcoming space in the city and hosts bingo nights along with other fun events.

25. A League of Her Own — Washington, D.C.

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With the very queer history of women’s professional baseball (that the movie A League of Their Own is based on), the name of this bar is just so perfect. A League of Her Own (ALOHO) is a lesbian and queer bar “committed to providing friendly staff, a safe space and an awesome atmosphere.” As with most bars on this list, ALOHO serves as more than a bar, hosting open mic nights, Pride Month events and lesbian parties.

26. As You Are — Washington, D.C.

As You Are is in Washington, D.C., and is a “safe and celebratory space for the LGBTQIA+ community.” Jo McDaniel and Rach Pike built this inclusive space that offers “daytime… caffeine fixes, laid-back meals” and an “evening lounge” that includes a dance floor and other events.

27. Walker’s Pint — Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lastly, Walker’s Pint is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is the city’s oldest lesbian bar, according to their site. They opened in 2001 and have an “excellent beer selection” with an outdoor beer garden and its own pool table room where “the fine wooden cues are the straightest things in the place.”

Next up, read about the history of the lesbian Pride flag and which one is used today.