Sam AlvarezFinding a welcoming and fun gay bar in Nashville guarantees an unforgettable night out. The local LGBTQ+ nightlife scene bursts with vibrant energy, offering everything from high-energy dance floors to cozy neighborhood lounges serving up amazing food.
I’ve put together this guide to help you discover the top queer-friendly venues around town so you can easily find a safe spot to grab a drink and dance the night away.
And if you’re feeling peckish after a night of dancing, check out the top pizza parlors in the area for a satisfying meal.
How Much Is the Typical Expense for a Night Out at a Gay Bar in Nashville?
For a night out at a gay bar in Nashville, expect to spend between $20 and $50 per person, depending on your drink choices and event cover charges.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
| Drinks | $7–$15 |
| Cover Charges | $5–$20 |
| Tipping (Performers) | $1–$20+ |
| Food | $12–$20 |
1. Canvas
Website: https://www.canvasnash.com
Address: 1105 Fatherland St, Nashville, TN 37206
Contact: (615) 234-0596, [email protected]
Hours: Happy Hour: Mon – Fri, 4 – 7 pm; Full Kitchen: Thu – Sun: 9:30 PM to close
Canvas provides a relaxed alternative to high-energy clubbing. They focus on community building through a welcoming lounge environment and a delicious dining menu featuring house-made pasta. I visited for dinner last week and appreciated the laid-back, inclusive atmosphere.
You’ll easily transition from a quiet meal to late-night drinks without leaving the building. The large indoor and outdoor areas give you plenty of room to breathe. In particular, their patio is perfect for enjoying a conversation without yelling over loud music.
You will see patrons of all backgrounds mingling together here. They’ve got a rotating schedule of fun events like karaoke and live DJs.
Just know that the vibe changes drastically depending on the theme night. This sudden shift might change the normal, relaxed feel you expect. But overall, it’s a fantastic local hangout to meet up with friends. It serves as a great escape from the standard club scene.
Went here once, and it was fantastic. The bartenders are friendly, attentive, and they know how to make a good strong drink. Definitely worth your money. It doesn’t hurt that they’re all good looking too.
My friend and I met more people there on the smoking patio than any other bar I’ve been to. Super friendly crowd.
Devin Wayne | Google Review
A dive like bar if not full on dive bar. You can dance here and it’s +21. The bar tenders are pretty fast and the drinks are well priced and strong. I always come here when I go to church. The crowd is a mix. Not the snobby people you see at tribe. More laid back guys. Aging from 21-35 on Saturdays. Gets crowded on Saturdays than Fridays.
Roger Douangkesone | Google Review
2. Tribe
Website: https://www.tribenashville.com/#Dailies
Address: 1515 Church St, Nashville, TN 37203
Contact: (615) 329-2912
Hours: Wed – Thu: 3 pm – 1 am; Fri – Sat: 10:30 am – 2 am; Sun: 12 pm – 1 am
Functioning as a central hub for the local LGBTQ+ community, Tribe mixes a laid-back cocktail lounge with an upbeat dance venue. This venue sits right on Church Street, making it an excellent starting point for your night out.
The spacious interior features separate areas for dancing and lounging with friends.
You’ll always find something fun happening on their busy calendar. They host exciting drag performances and long-running happy hours.
The highly sociable environment welcomes regulars and out-of-town visitors alike. During the day, it’s a great place to rest after exploring the best places to go shopping in Nashville. Grab a drink and strike up a conversation at the bar.
Just be aware that the weekend crowd frequently skews toward a very young demographic. This younger energy won’t appeal to older patrons seeking a more mature environment.
I wanted to write this review to mention Clay. First time ever in a gay bar, I’ve only recently come out. I went when I knew the crowd would be low, and I was admittedly so nervous I was shaking. Clay came over and immediately put me at ease. He invited me to sit at the bar and kept check on me throughout my visit. He is not only an asset to Tribe but also our community . The food and atmosphere were amazing. I will be back !
Andrew | Google Review
Tucker has been my bartender for three years now and always knows exactly what I want when I want it and how I like things. Always very friendly and kind to me and anyone I bring into the bar whether they are straight or gay an absolute staple of this fine establishment.
Jobe King | Google Review
3. Play Dance Bar
Website: https://nashville.playdancebar.com/#About
Address: 1519 Church St, Nashville, TN 37203
Contact: (615) 322-9627, [email protected]
Hours: Wed, Thu, Sun: 8 pm – 2 am; Fri – Sat: 8 pm – 3 am
Showtimes: Wed, Thu, Sun: 9 pm, 11 pm; Fri – Sat: 9 pm, 11 pm, 1 am
Play Dance Bar offers a premier nightlife experience packed with carefully planned drag shows and a massive dance floor. They put on some of the best drag performances in the city. The cast always puts on a flawless, entertaining show.
Their huge dance floor features professional-grade lighting and bumping sound systems. The spectacular lighting makes you feel like you stepped right into a music video. You’ll find a fun, high-energy vibe that feels perfect for group celebrations.
Arrive early to snag free entry before the main crowds form later in the evening.
Just remember that the intensely loud club environment makes talking nearly impossible. This extreme volume might feel overwhelming if you want a quiet evening out. However, if you want to dance until your feet hurt, this dynamic venue truly delivers.
What more is there to say? This is the flagship gay bar/ dance club in Nashville. They have a lovely cast of drag performers and a huge dance floor. You can reserve tables and booths for special events to get a front row seat at a drag show and probably get to participate by getting asked some questions by the MC. Look for special events that you can participate in by dressing up to avoid paying a cover charge.
Morgan Foster | Google Review
Play Dance Bar is the best gay bar in town, however all are welcome. Great shows and caring staff. No harassment is allowed and good times are to be had. They even have coat check available on Friday and Saturday nights.
Yvonne DeMoss | Google Review
4. The Lipstick Lounge
Website: http://www.thelipsticklounge.com/
Address: 1400 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
Contact: (615) 226-6343
Hours: Weekday Hours: Mon – Fri: 6 pm – 3 am; Weekend Hours: 10 am – 3 am
The Lipstick Lounge is one of the country’s few remaining lesbian bars. This venue holds massive cultural importance as a dedicated space for queer women and non-binary individuals.
They pair strong community programming with a completely welcoming attitude. I attended their weekend drag brunch recently, and the positive energy felt highly contagious.
Moreover, the full food menu perfectly matches their daily community-driven activities.
At night, you can enjoy live music and karaoke. Grab a signature cocktail and sing your heart out on stage. The supportive karaoke crowd cheers loudly for singers of all skill levels.
However, one downside is the relatively compact indoor area. The limited space frequently becomes cramped and tough to navigate during busy weekends. Still, the incredible vibe makes braving the tight crowd completely worthwhile.
One of the 3 remaining lesbian bars in the bible belt (Next closest is in Atlanta). They are welcome to anyone (21+ at night). It still has the historic underground gay bar vibe and is a good place to find community and information, while our community is becoming increasingly more silenced lately *cough* state legislature *cough*. Please support the Lipstick Lounge instead of all those generic country bars in downtown.
Tessa Eskander | Google Review
I love the lipstick lounge. It is one of the first gay bars I visited in Nashville and it has just the perfect vibe. It feels homely and fun. The bartenders are very friendly and super attentive. They have drag shows some days and they also have karaoke which is a lot of fun so keep an eye on events they may be having.
Javier Martinez | Google Review
5. Frankie J’s
Website: https://www.frankiejsnashville.com/
Address: 1314 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Contact: (629) 279-3518
Hours: Bar: Tue – Thu: 3 pm – 12 am, Fri – Sat: 11 am – 2 am, Sun: 11 am – 10 pm; Kitchen: Tue – Thu: 5 pm – 9 pm, Fri – Sat: 12 pm – 10 pm, Sun: 12 pm – 8 pm
Frankie J’s stands out by combining an intimate neighborhood setting with authentic Mexican comfort food. You can grab a fantastic dinner here before hitting up the top comedy clubs in Nashville later in the evening. The small-scale setting creates a personal and friendly atmosphere.
They focus on great food, offering a unique dining experience within the queer nightlife scene. Many come for their fun community gatherings and smaller drag events.
The delicious tacos alone make the trip completely worth your time. Moreover, patrons with dogs will greatly appreciate the welcoming outdoor patio space.
Keep in mind that the venue has very limited square footage. Seating and standing room fill up fast during peak hours. Arrive early to secure a table so you can enjoy a relaxed, delicious meal with your friends.
This is my favorite LGBTQ+ bar in town! The staff is so friendly, the drink prices are so good and the food is yummy. They are super welcoming to all. They have a great patio in the back too. They do different theme nights throughout the week/month so check their instagram. This is vibe is lively but chill. No blaring music or crazy dance floor. They also serve Frothy Monkey coffee on certain mornings and on the weekend.
Austin Arias | Google Review
Went today to try this new LGBTQIA+ bar after work.
The food was amazing!!! The best bar food I’ve ever had. It’s not basic bar food. The staff was so friendly and welcoming.
I’ll be a regular here!
Charity Reed | Google Review
