The 28 Best Lesbian Bars Around the World

31.05.2024 - 12:29 / cntraveler.com

For too many years, the lesbian bar suffered from a tragic narrative: It was disappearing. The once-ubiquitous venue found in almost every city and small town was no longer as necessary as it used to be, for some reasons good—a new level of acceptance, and anti-discrimination laws—and the less sunny, like the immense cost of operating a small business in America. The lesbian bar was so close to extinction in the US that The Lesbian Bar Project emerged in 2020 to help protect the remaining 20 or so spaces trying to survive a pandemic, through fundraising and awareness.

The effort was effective in spotlighting the importance of these community-based watering holes, and making their renaissance possible. Since, several new sapphic spaces have opened across the country—and the world. For a generation like mine, who only encountered lesbian bars as sacred spaces about to disappear, it’s an exciting renaissance. Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z queer women knew what was missing, what was needed, and what could be created; they envisioned a cohort of new women-centered queer bars to entertain and sustain the lesbian community via chic cocktails, mocktails, social media friendly decor, and programming that competes with the allure of screen time.

Of course, there are also historic and beloved spots that have sustained themselves in an ever-changing lesbian landscape. And guests have continued to support several decades-old safe havens, which are more than just bars, but spaces for celebrating, organizing for social change, and existing among people with a shared experience.

Today’s best lesbian bars are inclusive to trans and nonbinary folks, and offer non-alcoholic drink options. They're accessible to all who feel they belong. The word lesbian is used proudly, a nod to a marginalized and celebrated identity, yet inclusive to all.

Below, we pulled together some of the greatest lesbian bars on the map. There's a historic pub in San Francisco; a cheerful dive in Amsterdam; and precious square footage of sapphic space in Tokyo, all recommended by locals and travelers seeking queer community worldwide. You’ll notice not every region is represented. If you’re headed somewhere not found below, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a scene—it’s just a reminder that a trove of lesbian hangouts and safe spaces aren’t always public knowledge, protecting queer folks where they need it most.

Read on for the spots you should beeline to, and are guaranteed to have a nice time at once you arrive.

In Bloomington, Indiana, The Back Door offers burlesque shows, film screenings, and a strong sense of community. Above, Siichele, co-hosts the oft-sold out show, Strapped.

Bloomington, Indiana

The Back Door, with its iconic zebra-print