When it comes to nightlife, to be gay is to strike gold. If there’s a silver lining that’s manifested after years of persecution—where we’ve had to build our own spaces to safely be ourselves—it’s that we’ve utterly perfected the fine art of the gay bar. What’s more, they are reassuringly similar the world over, making them familiar safe havens for LGBTQ+ travelers to retreat to between sightseeing escapades in any big city.

It’s almost mandatory to at least dip your toes into the local gay scene when traveling, but if you want to go all in (or “balls to the wall,” as they say in the UK—not to be taken literally), a well-organized gay bar crawl is what you need. Well, as much as any plan that involves herding tipsy gays between bars can be considered “well-organized”!

Presenting ready-made bar crawls and LGBTQ nightlife itineraries in five of the world’s most iconic gay neighborhoods in the best gay nightlife cities in Europe—followed up by some advice on DIY-ing your own nightlife adventure, wherever your tipsy travels might take you!

Madrid – Chueca Route

Madrid is our hometown, so let’s just say we know our way around the gay scene. As one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, Madrid’s gayborhood, Chueca, has a myriad of gay bars to choose from. Remember: in Spain, things don’t get going until around 11 PM, so we suggest starting your route at 9 PM at the earliest.

La Kama Cafe

Many a great night out has started with a good cocktail—or finished prematurely if you go for a Long Island Iced Tea. La Kama is the most popular gay cocktail bar in the city. Its two floors have a Caribbean theme, where hot bartenders with arms thicker than your head serve giant cocktails—seriously, they’re massive. Both the bartenders’ arms and the cocktails, we mean!

LL Bar

Drag queens make the world go round, and this is where you’ll find the most authentic shows in Madrid. The queens tend to come on between eleven and midnight each night, but arriving earlier is advised to squeeze into the crowd. There is a €10 cover, but that includes two beers or one spirit. LL Bar’s shows are intimate, and as a foreigner, you are almost guaranteed to be playfully heckled by the Spanish and Latin American drag queens if you wander in mid-show.

Zarpa

A beloved bear bar in the heart of Chueca (although really all types go there), just off Plaza Zerolo. Zarpa has a relaxed, no-frills vibe with a decent-sized dance floor in the back that fills around midnight on weekends. The music leans toward rock, pop, and Spanish classics. Plus, the BDSM teddy bears decorating the walls are good for a laugh.

El 12

Just around the corner is the ultimate bar before the club. It offers a bit of everything, from drag shows to iconic DJs depending on the night. If there’s a bar that epitomizes the spirit of Chueca, this is it—you’ll find all types here, from bears to twinks to muscle bunnies. There are comfy couches at the front to take in the atmosphere and a small but lively dance floor at the back. There’s even a quaint darkroom discreetly tucked behind the bathrooms downstairs, perfect for any newfound friends you might make upstairs. On weekends, it gets busy enough to warrant a line outside.

Delirium, Kluster OR Strong

Still standing? In Madrid, you have options when it comes to clubs. Delirium is always open, has a younger crowd, and plays pop music. Kluster is on Saturdays and serves topless guys, house music, and WE Party spirit. Strong is open most nights and has the biggest darkroom in Europe—but also a decent dance floor!

Barcelona – Eixample (Gaixample) Route

Heading up to northern Spain, Barcelona is every bit as gay-friendly as Madrid and is also one of the best gay nightlife cities in Europe. Eixample (lovingly nicknamed “Gaixample”) is the main gayborhood (though not the only one) and makes for one hell of a night out.

Axel Skybar

Cheating slightly, as this may well be your hotel, but Axel actually has a wonderful rooftop bar to start the night. You don’t need to be a guest to enter, and it’s hard to beat the terrace view. It’s also a great place to meet hot guys from around the world—both hotel guests and those looking to mingle with them. The cocktails are a bit pricey, but you’re paying for the view and the company, both well worth it.

La Chapelle

Heading down into the action, start at one of the best cocktail bars in the city. It also has a rather—let’s just say—unique interior, since you rarely find a gay bar bedecked with crucifixes and Catholic imagery. As odd as it seems, it adds to the charm. The staff are friendly and attractive, and the crowd is even friendlier.

Punto BCN

The busiest and most popular gay bar in Barcelona, Punto encapsulates the city’s lively gay scene. You’ll find a healthy mixture of ages co-existing in a spacious, modern-looking bar. There’s plenty of seating, a raised indoor balcony, and a good range of drinks—ideal for kickstarting any night.

Priscilla Café

Named after the queen of the desert herself, this is one of the campest bars you’ll ever see, sporting pink décor and walls lined with ornate mirrors and portraits of gay icons. Adding to the quirky factor, the seating areas at the front have old hairdresser-style spinning chairs and faux hair dryers. Drag shows are common, and sometimes they host karaoke.

Arena or Safari Disco Club

Barcelona holds its own when it comes to fun clubs! Arena is open every night and boasts two dance floors mixing pop, house, chart remixes, disco classics, drag shows, and even occasional striptease performances. Safari is the weekend hotspot: Fridays are either Bananas Gay Party (pop, hits, remix & reggaeton) or POPair (bear-themed pop & electronica). Saturdays are YASS!—a no-nonsense fun night with a mixed LGBTQ+ crowd.

London – Soho Route

London is huge and has several gay scenes scattered around the city. You’ll find gay bars in Vauxhall, Shoreditch, and Soho. The latter is the original gayborhood and well worth dedicating a bar crawl to since all the bars are within easy staggering distance. Unlike Spain, drinking starts earlier in the UK, so beginning around eight (after dinner/work) is standard.

Comptons of Soho

Traditional wood-paneled British pub meets gay bar. Comptons is the best place to have a pint when you first hit Soho. It’s most popular with the bear crowd, but you’d struggle to find anyone who doesn’t like Comptons. It has three floors of space, and something about the pub atmosphere makes everything feel cozy.

The Yard

Heading down the street, you’ll hit one of the most stylish bars in the area. It’s popular for its garden courtyard and loft-style upstairs with exposed brick, wooden beams, and shirtless cuties behind the bar. You’ll find cool kids, business gays, people on dates, and loyal regulars.

The Village Soho

Right at the junction of Old Compton Street—you can’t miss the neon sign. Known for its upbeat atmosphere, neon-lit interiors, and open-front street seating, it attracts a diverse crowd and straddles the line between bar and club. It has casual lounges upstairs and a dance floor downstairs that fills on weekends.

Ku Bar

Venturing slightly outside Soho (in the right direction if you’re heading to Heaven/G-A-Y), this award-winning gay bar sits on the corner of Lisle Street and Newport Place. It has three levels, including a low-lit club downstairs. Stop by for the champagne bar, nightly DJs, friendly vibe, and very attractive staff of (often shirtless) young men.

Heaven

A short walk through Trafalgar Square, across to Charing Cross, and under the arches brings you to Heaven—yes, that’s the club’s name. One of the world’s most famous gay megaclubs, it has multiple rooms under the arches playing different music styles. It hosts the popular G-A-Y party and regularly features pop artists, Drag Race queens, and stripping competitions.

Berlin – Schöneberg Route

Techno and kink are the two things that spring to mind when thinking of Berlin. But beyond the clubs and darkrooms, it also has great gay bars. Schöneberg is one of Berlin’s most famous gay districts and has been a hub for LGBTQ+ life since the 1920s.

Hafen

Hafen is exactly what you’d expect from a Berlin gay bar—cool, alternative, and it knows it. There’s queer art and graffiti all over the walls and oddities like swing seats at the bar. Despite its edge, the vibe is unpretentious, and when the weather is nice, guys enjoy beers outside on the pavement.

Blond

The self-professed best gay cocktail bar in Berlin lives up to the title. Located in Schöneberg, it has retro-kitschy charm, playful décor, a novel seating layout, a large terrace, and ’80s trashy pop music.

Roses

This kitschy bar is a gorgeous, glorious sensory overload—with an almost completely pink interior. There are comfy pink-furred couches, leopard print walls, quirky art, and chandeliers everywhere. Dim lighting adds to the mood, and it’s one of the most popular weekend spots. Drinks are reasonably priced.

Prinzknecht

Need some testosterone to balance the camp? This bar is as rugged as it gets while still keeping a sense of humor. Its biker-bar aesthetic draws a big crowd, but there’s plenty of room between the long bar, dance floor, and outdoor terrace. Note: it’s men-only, so have a plan B if you’re with women friends.

Schwuz OR KitKat

Berlin’s clubs are legendary—and so are the bouncers who randomly turn people away. Schwuz doesn’t have that problem and is the biggest queer club in the city, with multiple rooms playing everything from pop nostalgia to underground techno. If you're feeling brave, you can don some fetish gear and attempt KitKat Club. If you get in, you’ll find three floors of sex-positivity, techno, and many surprising features you won’t soon forget.

Amsterdam – Reguliersdwarsstraat & Zeedijk

Amsterdam has worked hard to clean up its party-city reputation in recent years, but it still boasts amazing nightlife. Luckily, the gay bars are tucked away from the typical bachelor-party crowd. Two main gay areas happen to be within walking distance of each other, with scenic canal views along the way.

Café ’t-Mandje

The oldest gay bar in Amsterdam is a great place to start any night out. Opened by the legendary lesbian “Aunt Bet,” it’s an important symbol in the city’s gay history. The staff are friendly, and the vintage interior is decorated with photos and art that reflect its past.

Prik

Prik doesn’t mean what you think—it actually means “bubbles” in Dutch, referencing the Prosecco they serve on tap! It’s an award-winning cocktail bar that is welcoming and unpretentious. Locals, expats, and tourists hang out in the chic pink interior and large terrace, with a busy dance floor on weekends.

Taboo Bar

After a walk through the city, you’ll reach Reguliersdwarsstraat, easily identifiable by the abundance of gay flags. The street is closed to cars, allowing bar patrons to spill out and socialize. You could visit any of the bars here and be in the action, but Taboo Bar stands out for its fun modern atmosphere, cocktails, and drag shows.

SoHo

Further down the street is another standout bar—sexy, sassy, and everything you’d expect from a gay party bar—yet its wood-paneled décor gives it an old-school pub feel. It has three floors with polished mirrors, cozy booths, and a dance floor playing pop downstairs. It’s the perfect pre-club spot.

Club NYX OR Church

On the same street, Club NYX epitomizes Amsterdam nightlife: fun, inclusive, and a bit odd. Its three graffiti-covered floors play all kinds of music, and there’s even a DJ in the restrooms. Alternatively, Church is Amsterdam’s most famous fetish club with a dance floor—and despite the name, not much praying happens, though you might end up on your knees!

DIY Your Own Gay Nightlife Tour – FAQs

How do I plan a safe LGBTQ bar crawl?

• Start with a neighborhood hub – Most major cities have one main LGBTQ+ area (or several micro-districts). Pick a central point where bars, drag clubs, and late-night eats cluster together. Then work out how far the walk/stagger between them is.

• Turn up the thermostat slowly and sensibly – Begin with laid-back bars with seating, then progress to drag shows or bars with dance floors before ending at clubs.

• Know when things get going – Some cities go out early; others start at 1 AM. Adjust accordingly.

• Have an exit plan – Know your route back to your accommodations. Walking? Taxi? Is the metro open?

• Ask the locals – Online or AI info isn’t always 100% accurate, so don’t hesitate to ask people at the first bar. It's also a great way to chat up the locals talent!

• Go with the flow, but don’t drown – Adapt plans if you are lucky enough to befriend the locals and get invited into their plans, but stay safe and stick with your own friends too.

• Late-night snacks – Kebabs, pizza, tapas, loaded fries—line your stomach before and after at 24 hour eateries on the route.

What neighborhoods have the best queer nightlife?

Europe’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is famously rich. Iconic areas include Schöneberg (Berlin), Chueca (Madrid), Eixample/Gaixample (Barcelona), Le Marais (Paris), Soho (London), Colosseum/Via San Giovanni in Laterano (Rome), and Vesterbro (Copenhagen).

Many European cities also have emerging queer scenes beyond their main district. The secondary gay scenes tend to learn more into queer vibes and being more LGBTQ+ inclusive outside of the mainstream. Check out our guides for more info.

How much should I budget for a night out?

Typical ranges:

• Drinks: €3 – €5 (beer and wine), €6–€15 (spirits)

• Covers: €5–€20 (often includes a drink token)

• Transit: €2–€5 for buses/trams/metro; €10–€25 for rideshare

Most people spend €40–€90 for a night out, with London, Paris, and Copenhagen at the higher end. Bear in mind drinks can be a lot stronger in places like Spain, so you might not need to buy as many drinks anyway.

Where can I find drag shows tonight?

Drag is thriving across Europe. Look for:

• Instagram pages for local queer bars

• Event platforms like Eventbrite, Dice, Resident Advisor, or LGBTQ+ magazines

• Facebook event listings

• Local queens’ social media pages

Major cities like Berlin, Madrid, London, and Barcelona have drag shows nearly every night.

What late-night transit options are safest?

• Night metros and buses in cities like Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, and London are typically reliable—stick to populated cars and well-lit platforms.

• Rideshare apps (Bolt, Uber, Free Now, Cabify) are the safest point-to-point option.

• Walk in groups, especially in nightlife-heavy areas or quiet side streets.

• Licensed taxis are trustworthy—look for official signage or stands.

• Save your accommodation address, drop a pin on Google Maps, and keep your phone charged.

With a good gay bar crawl the night is yours, wherever the spirit (or rather spirits) of it might take you!