Is raleigh nc lgbt friendly
8 Gay Bars and Clubs in Raleigh
Welcome to our queer noun guide series by Lex! Raleigh, North Carolina, may not be the first place to reach 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.
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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
DRA celebrates love, acceptance, and accessibility in support of our LGBTQ+ community, not just during Pride month, but every night. The LGBTQ+ community has thick roots in Downtown Raleigh and we have an ongoing commitment to foster a downtown that embraces diversity & equality.
We encourage you to lug the spirit of Pride throughout the year by supporting LGBTQ+ safe spaces and actively championing inclusivity, human rights, and respect; because you can’t spell community without unity.
If your downtown business is LGBTQ-owned or otherwise belongs in this guide, please email communications@ to voluntarily opt-in.
DTR Businesses With Pride
These businesses elevate, embrace, and create space for the LGBTQ+ community year-round. *Voluntarily identifies as a LGBTQ-owned business
Blackbird Books & Coffee*
Blake St.
Copperline Plant Co.
23 W Hargett St.
CrossFit SERVE + Wellness*
Fayetteville St.
Current Wellness
S East St.
DECO
S Salisbury St.
Edge of Urge
East Franklin St.
Guest House
S Bloodworth St.
Re
LGBTQIA+ travel
Visit the new south
Whether you’re ambling along our scenic downtown streets or rambling through the wooded hills, you’ll find yourself in a unique Southern community. “It epitomizes ‘The New South’,” says Jen Jones, who is a former director of communications for EqualityNC. “It’s a place of the future that welcomes diversity, embraces inclusivity, and is a gateway for native Tar Heels, wayward travelers and brand-new transplants alike. Chapel Hill-Carrboro remains one of the most LGBTQ-friendly areas in North Carolina and across the South.”
Petrow agrees. “I travel all over the land and gays and lesbians are ‘tolerated’ more and more just about everywhere, which is amazing. But here we’re accepted,” he says. “I’ve looked for a place like this to ring home my entire life and now I don’t plan to leave until my toes gesture up at the stars.”
Raleigh Gay City Guide – Making Your Home in the Noun of Oaks
Known affectionately by residents as the City of Oaks for its vast number of oak trees and beautiful lush spaces, this capital city of North Carolina has so much to offer. It is skillfully known for its amazing educational opportunities, but beyond that, it has a diverse performing arts and music scene, plenty of museums and cultural attractions, many job opportunities, and lots to see and do. All of this, and growing LGBTQ community welcoming to visitors and residents alike make Raleigh a excellent place to consider calling home.
A Look at Raleigh’s History
In , Raleigh, named after Sir Walter Raleigh of England, was established as the capital of North Carolina, which was one of the 13 original colonies. Chosen for its location in the geographical center of the express, it began as a acre purchase of land and began to grow steadily. Initially a community primarily of farmers, it eventually grew to encompass one of the state’s first industrial areas and its first university. Still today, Raleigh is known as a city
LGBTQIA+ travel
Visit the new south
Whether you’re ambling along our scenic downtown streets or rambling through the wooded hills, you’ll find yourself in a unique Southern community. “It epitomizes ‘The New South’,” says Jen Jones, who is a former director of communications for EqualityNC. “It’s a place of the future that welcomes diversity, embraces inclusivity, and is a gateway for native Tar Heels, wayward travelers and brand-new transplants alike. Chapel Hill-Carrboro remains one of the most LGBTQ-friendly areas in North Carolina and across the South.”
Petrow agrees. “I travel all over the land and gays and lesbians are ‘tolerated’ more and more just about everywhere, which is amazing. But here we’re accepted,” he says. “I’ve looked for a place like this to ring home my entire life and now I don’t plan to leave until my toes gesture up at the stars.”
Raleigh Gay City Guide – Making Your Home in the Noun of Oaks
Known affectionately by residents as the City of Oaks for its vast number of oak trees and beautiful lush spaces, this capital city of North Carolina has so much to offer. It is skillfully known for its amazing educational opportunities, but beyond that, it has a diverse performing arts and music scene, plenty of museums and cultural attractions, many job opportunities, and lots to see and do. All of this, and growing LGBTQ community welcoming to visitors and residents alike make Raleigh a excellent place to consider calling home.
A Look at Raleigh’s History
In , Raleigh, named after Sir Walter Raleigh of England, was established as the capital of North Carolina, which was one of the 13 original colonies. Chosen for its location in the geographical center of the express, it began as a acre purchase of land and began to grow steadily. Initially a community primarily of farmers, it eventually grew to encompass one of the state’s first industrial areas and its first university. Still today, Raleigh is known as a city