Gay bars downtown raleigh

Official Raleigh Pride Bar Crawl

  • Share the Official Raleigh Bar Crawl Ticket Link

    If you have friends coming, send them the official link to buy tickets – you’ll need those wristbands for entry!

  • Be on the Lookout for the Digital Bar List

    Keep an eye out for an email from info@ This will include the all-important "Digital Bar List," coming to your inbox one week before the event.

  • Follow the "Digital Bar List"

    This is your ultimate guide for the day! It includes everything from registration spots and wristband pick-up times to bar hours, specials, and more.

  • Pick Up Your Wristbands On Time

    Make sure to collect your wristband at the designated check-in bar during the allotted time. If you're late, you’ll miss out – no wristband, no entry!

  • Have a Friend Pick Up Everyone's Wristbands

    Can’t make it to check-in? No problem! Assign a noun to pick up your wristband so you don’t miss out on the fun.

  • Note Bar Hours

    Each bar has its own operating hours listed in the "Digital Bar List," and your wristband and specials are only valid

    Raleigh, North Carolina, offers a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ travelers. The city blends Southern hospitality with a growing, inclusive community. Raleigh ensures a warm welcome, from its charming streets to its arts and culture scene. The city's progressive mindset shows in its nightlife, events, and LGBTQ+ venues, making it an attractive stop for those exploring North Carolina.

    Throughout the year, Raleigh hosts notable LGBTQ+ events. Triangle Pride is a highlight, celebrating diversity with a parade, concerts, and community activities. LGBTQ+ film festivals and cultural gatherings also enrich the calendar, providing opportunities to engage with the local community. These events promote inclusivity and visibility in the heart of the town, uniting residents and visitors alike.

    Visiting Raleigh in the spring or fall offers an ideal experience. You’ll enjoy mild weather perfect for exploring both outdoor attractions and the bustling downtown scene. These seasons coincide with significant LGBTQ+ events and a relaxed crowd size, offering a pleasant balance of activity and

    8 Gay Bars and Clubs in Raleigh

    Welcome to our queer municipality guide series by Lex! Raleigh, North Carolina, may not be the first place to enter to mind when thinking about queer bars, but it actually is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, offering everything from high-energy dance clubs to laid-back queer-friendly bars. Whether you're a local looking for your next go-to spot or just visiting and searching for the best queer nightlife in Raleigh, you’ll find plenty of spots that celebrate all things LGBTQ+.

    This guide covers the best areas for queer nightlife in Raleigh, along with the top 8 LGBTQ+ bars and clubs where you can dance on the boogie floor, find drink specials, back patio hangouts, and connect with the local queer crowd.

    Download Lex to connect with LGBTQ+ friends in Raleigh.

    Best Areas for Queer Nightlife in Raleigh

    While Raleigh doesn’t have a specific "gayborhood," there are several LGBTQ-friendly nightlife districts where queer nightlife thrives:

    1. Warehouse District‍

    A trendy, artsy area packed with a queer-friendly bar scene, craf

    Raleigh shop creates safe space for LGBTQ community, allies as gay bars disappear across the country

    RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- When you walk into downtown Raleigh's Lush Monkey, warmth meets you at the door.

    The gift shop, neighborhood bar and event space is owned by married couple Rusty Sutton and Andrew Temple. It's been around for ten years but opened in the heart of downtown at its novel location for only a scant weeks.

    "It's a safe space for people to be who they want to be. Come shop, feel safe and have a drink," said Rusty Sutton. "It's not necessarily that I wanted it to be a reliable space for LGBTQ people, but also our allies."

    Growing up gay in the South, Sutton and his husband have seen changes in how society accepts the LGBTQ community. At 58 years old, the need for community remains.

    "The thing I remembered in the 80's and 90's when you would go to a club and saw someone you knew. Usually, you'd scream at the top and say oh my gosh! I suspected, but I wasn't sure," he said. "We didn't have