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The best gay clubs and bars in Miami for a night out with the boys
Miami's best gay bars are serving strong drinks, hot beats and sickening drag all night long.
Miami might not be the gay mecca it once was (R.I.P. Magnum, Mova, Score and so many others). Still, this city is home to a diverse and welcoming queer community, as evidenced by our plethora of Miami drag brunches , the epic Miami Beach Pride and Wynwood Pride festivals and a new wave of inclusive queer parties popping up all around the city. Plus, a quick jaunt up north will get you to Wilton Manors, one of the most highly concentrated gay communities in the U.S. Basically, there’s plenty of action to be had if you know where to find it. So, without further adieu: Our roundup of the best gay clubs and bars in Miami right now.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
Best gay bars in Miami
1. twist.
- South Beach
- price 3 of 4
Twist is one of the most storied gay spots left in Miami Beach, a reliable joint to end the night. The multi-floor space has seven bars to choose from and there’s never a cover here. Shirts have a tendency to come off in the morning hours, but the two-for-one happy hours every day from 3 to 9pm make an earlier stop at Twist worthwhile.
2. Bar Gaythering
- Boutique hotels
- price 2 of 4
The lobby bar at this chill gay hotel is a great place to meet visitors and get the lay of the land from savvy locals. Start your night off with a cocktail or three if it’s happy hour (daily 5–8pm) before setting out for even more adventures around the beach. On any night of the week, you’ll find plenty of activities to entertain yourself at the Gaythering, including karaoke, trivia nights, bingo and Friday’s flirty Bears & Hares party.
3. Nathan's Beach Club
Minutes away from Twist (and named for one of the legendary club's O.G. bartenders), Nathan’s is a decidedly more chill proposition in South Beach. And though it recently expanded, this bar still retains its cozy, community-driven feel. Spearheaded by Nathan himself, gay programming runs the gamut from Drag Race watch parties to karaoke and Monday drag performances kicking off at 11pm and 1am.
4. R House Wynwood
- Contemporary American
On the mainland, R House (whose logo recently transformed from a regular “R” to an adorable bum-shaped one) is the undisputed champion of lit Wynwood drag brunches. Hosted by Athena Dion, the saucy affair takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when the best of Miami’s drag performers flip and twirl all over R House’s expansive interior and outdoor patio. The queens and their entourage tend to hang out after the shows, making for an overall festive, gay time at the bar through the weekend.
5. Palace
Ever seen someone do a death drop on the sidewalk? Now’s your chance. Palace is home to the best drag brunch in the entire world. For $55, enjoy a choice of brunch dishes and bottomless mimosas on the expansive outdoor patio as you take in the iconic looks, legendary lip-syncing and death-defying acrobatics of Palace’s hard-working queens. After the final seating, stick around for the T dance, when a scantily clad DJ hops on deck for mingling and twirling on the dance floor.
6. Willy's Neighborhood Bar
- price 1 of 4
Willy's is the full-fledged, no-frills LGBTQ+ bar that's long been missing in the bustling mainland neighborhood known for its colorful street art and nightlife. The 75-person bar is cozy, camp, cheerful and affordable, with specialty cocktails ranging from $11 to $13 and beers and seltzers starting at $7. For programming, expect dance parties, themed nights, RuPaul watch parties and album release nights. And, save the occasional special event, there's never a cover charge.
7. Azucar Nightclub
- Shenandoah / Silver Bluff
You’ve seen Madonna songs in drag before. It’s time to watch a queen crush some Celia Cruz. Azucar is an LGBT option for those who don’t want to trek to South Beach. Just off Coral Way, Azucar is a home for Miami’s thriving Latin LGBT population. The curious should check out Sunday night’s sultry Noche de Cabaret, when the cover charge is usually $10. It’s an art you can appreciate without a translator.
8. The Manor
When it comes to the LGBT scene, it’s worth making a trip to Wilton Manors, one of the most gay-friendly neighborhoods in the country. When the sun goes down in Wilton, all restless bodies head to the Manor, the neighborhood’s biggest and wildest club that boasts loud music, fleshy dancers and flashy decor.
9. Kill Your Idol
This no-frills mainstay on Española Way has a long history of hosting all manner of queer-friendly parties, from drag nights and karaoke to bingo. These days, don’t miss the monthly Gender Blender , a punk-themed party with drag burlesque, performance artists and queer-centric bands and DJs.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gender Blender (@genderblendermiami)
10. Gramps
Gramps is by no means strictly a gay bar but it’s a loud and proud ally. The LGBT-friendly Wynwood bar also happens to throw the absolute best weekly drag party in town: Double Stubble . Every Thursday at 9pm, Miami’s drag community is on full display with some truly breathtaking performances—and this ain’t your average drag. Performances here are avant-garde, over-the-top explosions of creativity and ferocity.
11. Hunters Nightclub
Another popular Wilton Manors excursion, Hunters continues the legacy of its namesake sister bar, a staple in the Palm Springs gay scene for two decades. The South Florida iteration offers revelers a modern, remodeled space on Wilton Drive complete with a spacious dance floor, a massive video screen and an upstairs lounge that overlooks all the action. On Fur Fridays, stop in for extended happy hour until 8pm and don’t stop dancing till the spiked disco ball stops spinning.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hunters Wilton Manors (@hunterswm)
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Gay Miami – Your Complete LGBTQ+ Travel Guide in 2024
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DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT
Top 10 Things To Do in Miami
- Head to the gay beach - At famed 12th Street and Ocean Drive, you will find Miami's colorful gay beach packed with locals and tourists. For a gay nude beach, it's worth the trek up to Haulover Beach.
- Work out at Muscle Beach - For fitness enthusiasts and their admirers, there is plenty of eye candy and inspiration at this outdoor gym located in Lummus Park near 9th Street.
- See Miami Beach’s famous Art Deco architecture - Book the official Art Deco walking tour with an expert from the Miami Design Preservation League. The 90-minute guided tour includes admission to the Museum.
- Snap a photo in front of an iconic lifeguard tower - With dozens of colorful structures lining Miami Beach, don't forget to take your pic at one of the unique towers that speaks to you. If not, did you really even come to Miami?
- Visit Versace's former mansion - As you walk by this ornate landmark on Ocean Drive, it's still hard to imagine fashion legend Gianni Versace was killed on the steps leading to what is today a fabulous hotel and restaurant.
- Day trip to Key West - If you're short on time and Gay Key West is a must on your gay travel bingo card, we have you covered. Book this day trip —one we've taken before. It's a long day but lots of fun.
- Have a drink at The Carlyle - If you are a fan of the Birdcage starring Robin Williams, this art deco hotel is the nightclub's location and a great spot to stop for a drink. For a less busy alternative, try the nearby Betsey.
- Explore Miami's Gay Nightlife - Start your night at gay hotel AxelBeach's Sky Bar to meet locals and fellow travelers before heading to Twist, our favorite gay bar in Miami.
- Tour Wynwood Walls - See amazing street art and graffiti in the Wynwood Arts District of Miami. For the best murals and photo-ops, hop on a golf cart tour with experienced guides. The Wynwood Walls are a must do experience.
- Enjoy an Everglades safari - As mentioned in our destination highlight, an airboat safari tour over the flooded grasslands of the Everglades is super unique and thrilling. Book your adventure with our friends at Get Your Guide .
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Hi! We're Two Gay Expats
Hi gorgeous, and welcome to our LGBTQ+ travel blog! We're Andy and Trai, a gay couple traveling the world with PRIDE 🌈 …and our rescue dog, Pattie!
After meeting in San Francisco in 2018 and later moving to Chicago, we decided to quit our jobs in 2021, sell everything, and become Two Gay Expats. For over two years, we explored the best of gay Mexico while waiting for our house, Casa Cangrejo , to be completed in Tulum. We got married at The Beach Tulum in 2020 and became Mexican permanent residents in 2022.
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