What’s On Tap? 10 New Queer Women’s Bars You Need To Know About

When the Lesbian Bar Project launched in 2022, there were fewer than 25 lesbian bars left in the U.S., down from over 200 in the 1980s. It wasn’t looking good, especially with the effects of the pandemic closing down businesses left and right. The few spaces left for queer women were dwindling right before our eyes, and it felt like there was nothing we could do to stop it. Was this the end of lesbian bars? Were we going to have to elbow our way through packed capital-G Gay bars that were clearly geared toward gay men? Were we going to have to start up sewing circles again?! 

You can put down your needle and thread because there’s amazing news on this front. Since 2023, we’ve seen several lesbian bars pop up across the country, and there are even more on the horizon! Let us take you on a tour to all of the lesbian bars that have opened in the last few years so you can find your new local spot to support, no matter where you are.

Boyfriend Co-op | Brooklyn, NY

Tucked just off Myrtle Ave, down the block from the M, J, and Z, you’ll spot a glass door with golden astrological decals, including a signature glowing sun giving a sultry wink. That’s your cue that you’ve found Boyfriend, Brooklyn’s newest queer cocktail and coffee co-op, opened March 2025.

Inside, it feels like a dreamy mashup between a witchy den and your most stylish Arab auntie’s living room. “Some people walk in and they’re like, ‘It looks like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,’” co-founder and Creative & Cultural Curator Hena Mustafa tells GO. “Then some people walk in, they’re like, ‘It looks like my grandma’s house in Egypt.’” Both are spot-on.

Behind every cocktail is Bar Director Kacey’s “farm-to-glass” ethos. “We don’t waste,” says Mustafa. “If we use the rind in a cocktail, we find a way to use the juice in a mocktail.”

The most fascinating aspect of the space is that it’s a living, breathing co-op, created by longtime friends Mustafa and Mica Fisher after years of dreaming, fundraising, and organizing. Community is at the heart of it all: from events like queer karaoke, poetry readings, and leftist teach-ins, to a co-op structure that welcomes both employees and patrons into ownership roles.

Even the renovations were a team effort. “Everything from people we’ve gone on one date with, to exes, to coworkers we barely know,” Mustafa laughs. “People really poured love into the space.” And it shows.

The Bush | Brooklyn, NY

The Bush, opened in 2023, is a dyke bar for the queers, with a variety of events on their calendar—whether you’re looking for a low-key night with your friends or an all-night party. Co-owner Nikke Alleyne can’t believe how popular it’s been since day one. “The night [we opened], we thought only a couple of people would show up. Let me tell you, we were so unprepared for how many people came by to support,” she says.

The space itself is understated, but it has everything you need for a perfect night out. It’s got dim, flattering lighting, a killer playlist, and a bar menu with personality—try a Pillow Prince or an Island They. You don’t have to be cool to be here, but you’ll probably feel it anyway.

Beyond the drinks and the dance floor, The Bush is serious about care. Bathrooms are stocked with dental dams, condoms, pads, tampons, and gloves because there’s that level of thoughtfulness in a queer space. 

The Bush makes sure that safety and joy extend to everyone in the queer community. Special events center and celebrate BIPOC queer folks, creating an intentional space for those who are often pushed to the margins, even in supposedly inclusive scenes. When The Bush first opened, co-owner Nikke Alleyne told GO, “The Bush is a labor of love, inspired by and built for our community.”

The Pearl | Denver, CO

Denver’s queer nightlife has a new heartbeat, and it’s pulsing from the corner of 22nd and California. The Pearl, a sapphic-centered bar and café, has taken over the legendary Mercury Café space, blending decades of countercultural history with a fresh, inclusive vision for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Originally launched as Pearl Divers in December 2024, the bar quickly became a haven for queer women, trans folks, and nonbinary patrons after the closure of Blush & Blu, Denver’s last remaining lesbian bar. The original location, a tiki-themed nook inside Your Mom’s House in Capitol Hill, was cute and intimate but quickly got packed within an inch of its life. By spring, the crowd had outgrown the space, and co-owners Dom Garcia and Ashlee Cassity started searching for a new home. In April 2025, Garcia and Cassity, along with new partners Sheli Gilman of Sapphic Collective and Jonathan Mora of Mora Pizza, took over Mercury Café, reimagining it as The Pearl. 

“At first, I think people were a bit apprehensive we were taking over the Mercury Café because it’s a historical venue,” Garcia tells GO. “But I think people have come around and understand that we didn’t really want to come in and change things so much. We just wanted a space for queer people to hang out, feel welcome, and feel safe.”

The new venue honors the Mercury’s legacy, preserving its iconic moon murals and jazz nights, while infusing it with queer joy and community care. “It’s eclectic. It kinda reminds me of Friends’ Central Perk mixed with The L Word’s The Planet. We have a little bit of everything. Games, karaoke, dance club vibes, classic café coffee shop vibes. It’s homey,” Garcia says.

The Pearl’s Rose Room hosts open mics and poetry readings, the Jungle Room offers corners for conversation, and the Warehouse transforms into a dance floor for late-night parties and events like drag shows and speed dating. 

With the closing of a local treasured space, leave it to the lesbians to come up with the perfect solution.

Last Ditch | Westfield, MA

You might miss it if you’re not looking, but that’s part of the charm. Down a small flight of stairs off a quiet Western Massachusetts street, The Last Ditch glows from below. A neon sign peeks out from the porch, hinting at the colorful world inside.

The Last Ditch is part community hub, part arts venue, and entirely lesbian-owned and operated. “We were inspired by the rich history of lesbian spaces in Western Massachusetts over the years,” say the co-owners, Sage Territo, Jackie Matellian, and Asa Rosario. “We live in an area with a large population of lesbians who have been actively creating community and fighting oppression for a very long time.”

Inside, it’s all checkered floors and bold murals by local artists, whimsical corners, and vintage snacks. A green leather couch anchors the lounge, and a 75-cent vending machine stocked with goodies adds just the right touch of nostalgia. Art by local queer creators lines the walls, while a big black-and-white dance floor promises nights you’ll talk about for weeks.

If you’re looking for a particular experience, chances are you’ll find it here. Two-step lessons, drag shows, karaoke, live music, book readings, you name it! “Some nights are relaxed and cozy, other nights there is a buzz of excitement brought to the space by high-energy performances,” they tell GO.

The venue also offers community hours, a quiet time from 4 to 6 pm when the bar is closed but the doors are open. It’s the owners’ way of saying: you don’t have to buy a drink to belong here. This is reflective of The Last Ditch’s fierce commitment to harm reduction and accessibility. Similarly, masks are required when not eating or drinking, and performers test for COVID. 

And while the space is proudly lesbian-centric, the welcome extends across the queer and trans spectrum. Just don’t come with bigotry. This isn’t the spot for that.

Dani’s Queer Bar | Boston, MA

When Dani’s opened in the fall of 2024, it made headlines for being Boston’s first lesbian bar in over a decade. But don’t expect anything dusty or stuck in the past. Dani’s is loud and proud. “We’ve filled the space with artwork that reflects the creativity and diversity of our sapphic and queer community, so no matter where you look, there’s something that sparks connection or conversation,” says Ari White, Dani’s general manager. “It’s the kind of place where you can dance, flirt, make a new friend, or just chill and feel like you belong.”

Upstairs, you’ll find a bar that knows how to serve a stiff drink with style, but downstairs is where things get wild. They’ve got drag shows, emo nights, a BIPOC-centered rager called Issa Vibe, and even the karaoke nights make you feel like you’re at an underground concert starring you and your friends.

“Our owner is Brazilian, so we make it a point to incorporate as much Brazilian influence into the space as possible, whether that’s through music, dance nights, or the overall vibe. We’re proud to draw a diverse crowd, and it’s important to us that everyone feels welcome and represented here,” White shares.

When asked about what makes lesbian spaces so special, White says it’s the intention. “They’re created not just as nightlife venues, but as affirming environments where queer women, nonbinary folks, and the wider sapphic community can show up fully as themselves. In a world that often overlooks or sidelines our experiences, having a space where you don’t have to explain yourself, shrink yourself, or scan the room for safety is powerful,” White tells GO.

Aside from opening, the team behind Dani’s is especially proud of how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time. “We used to call Dani’s our ‘clubhouse’ pre-opening because it was just a few of us spending every day here with the windows boarded up while the outside world passed by. Now, we get to share the space with everyone, and I think that’s a really beautiful thing.”

Unicorn Bar | Kingston, NY

Just down the street from her home, Francesca Hoffman has done something truly special. She has carved out a space in the growing “queer mecca” of Kingston where strangers become friends, bands play to sold-out crowds, and people come from all over just to have a space to be themselves.

Welcome to Unicorn Bar, serving the queer and creative community near and far. “I like to joke that we’re hetero-friendly,” Hoffman tells GO. Since opening in May 2024, Unicorn Bar has become a full-on community hub, hosting events at least five nights a week, including small events like their monthly pleasure salon and support groups, and larger events like sold-out concerts and burlesque shows.

Hoffman, who has a background in events and a deep love for her neighborhood, pulled together a dream from a mix of a small inheritance, a bank loan, and a whole lot of community time, money, and sweat. “It really was made possible by so many people who showed up to just help out, and it also made it feel that much more community-driven,” says Hoffman.

Unicorn is made up of three main areas: a cozy front bar, a quieter side lounge, and an outdoor patio with picnic tables. There’s something for everyone, because everyone really does show up. “There’s a wide range in terms of demographics. We’ve got 20- and 30-somethings up to 60- and 70-somethings coming through. We’ve got the goth kids and just your average queer folk. It really runs the gamut, so programming is about being as diverse as we can,” shares Hoffman.

It’s the kind of bar where people make real connections, and Hoffman says it starts with the staff. “We’re very welcoming from the minute you walk in the door, and our team is so great about making everyone feel at home. Strangers are actually talking to each other at the bar. A lot of relationships have started at our bar in the last year,” Hoffman adds.

Despite Kingston’s size, you can expect to meet people from all around. “I’ve heard people say how relieved they were that they didn’t have to go into the city, and I’ve heard people are driving two-three hours to come from Massachusetts, the Catskills, and Westchester,” Hoffman smiles. 

Mother | San Francisco, CA

Occupying the former site of the iconic Esta Noche, Mother pays homage to its roots while carving out its own identity. The bar’s interior exudes a comfortable, unpretentious charm with worn wood floors and a custom-built photo booth that captures magic night after night. The cocktails are crafted with care, and the atmosphere encourages genuine connections over pretense.

Opened in early 2023 by Malia Spanyol, this “dyke of center” establishment has quickly become a cornerstone for femmes, queers, and allies seeking a space that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Bon Appétit even named it one of the 11 Best New Bars in the U.S., highlighting its role in reviving a precious piece of community that was at risk of fading away.

Mother’s calendar is always packed with events, like their Ladies Love House Music monthly dance party, their Seasoned party for elder queers, and Melanin & Estrogen meet-up for trans femmes of color. Every event they plan centers on both community and celebration, and every person who attends is there to have a good time. And if you met a cutie that you can’t get out of your head but didn’t get the courage to talk to, you can head to Mother’s Missed Connection board and get reconnected.

SidePeace Sports Bar | Houston, TX

Right next door to Houston’s beloved lesbian bar Pearl, SidePeace Sports Bar is flipping the script on what a sports bar can and should be.

Opened by queer nightlife legend Julie Mabry, the genius behind Pearl, SidePeace is the first bar in Houston dedicated to women’s sports. And no, we don’t mean they throw a single game on mute in the corner. At SidePeace, the main screen is the women’s game. And the sound is on.

“We felt it was time to bring [a women’s sports bar] to Houston,” Mabry tells GO. “SidePeace is the perfect name because the idea was that this bar would serve as a softer version of Pearl, where you could relax away from the club environment.”

Opening SidePeace in February was no easy task. The space was previously owned by the Fat Boots Trailer Park Bar, which Mabry says “didn’t align well” with Pearl’s clientele. Worried about a new tenant moving in and conflicting with Pearl’s business, Mabry decided to take over.

“We invested a significant amount into remodeling this location…transforming the space from a trailer park theme to an outer space theme,” Mabry says. “We remained open after surviving a tornado and a hurricane within five weeks of each other.”  

The vibe is sporty, flirty, and fiercely femme-friendly. There’s a laid-back energy that makes it the perfect place to cheer, jeer, or make eyes at the babe across the bar. Mabry describes SidePeace as “very chill unless there’s a WNBA game.” 

As far as events, let’s just say SidePeace knows how to throw down. Watch parties for the Houston Dash, and trivia and theme nights. The bar also hosts DJs and throws regular R&B and Latin nights on weekends, drawing in a significant crowd.

If you’re tired of settling for sports bars that ignore the leagues you love, grab your jersey and your crew and head to SidePeace. 

Rikki’s | San Francisco, CA

After a buzzy soft opening in May, this queer-founded, women’s sports-obsessed bar is celebrating its official grand opening this month. Named after the legendary Rikki Streicher, lesbian activist, Gay Games co-founder, and owner of SF’s iconic lesbian bar Maud’s, Rikki’s is carrying on her legacy of building spaces where queers gather, thrive, and yell passionately at sports broadcasts.

The two founders, Danielle Thoe and Sara Yergovich, met playing soccer for the San Francisco Spikes queer soccer club and bonded over their shared struggle to find a reliable bar to watch women’s sports.

“Considering two new professional women’s teams in the Bay, Bay FC and the Valkyries, it was the perfect time to create a women’s sports bar in SF,” Yergovich tells GO. 

Rikki’s is a chic athletic clubhouse meets laid-back neighborhood hang. They’ve got a full kitchen, a welcoming and buzzy energy, and a rotating lineup of events that celebrate women’s sports and queer excellence. You can attend trivia nights that honor the GOATS, watch parties where you’re actually allowed to scream at the screen, and community events that go beyond the final score.

Prior to the opening of Rikki’s, Thoe and Yergovich hosted women’s sports watch parties to connect with their community, which allowed them to build a following of loyal customers. 

“We announced the concept late last summer and were overwhelmed with the community support—whether through investments, supporting our events, or physically helping us get the space ready,” Yergovich says. “We’ve also had fantastic support from the Castro community, who have been excited to have a women-centric space in the Castro.”

The timing of Rikki’s opening couldn’t be more perfect. With the Golden State Valkyries making their WNBA debut, Rikki’s is positioned to be the it spot for Bay Area fans. Finally, a place to rally for your favorite team that doesn’t make you ask, “Do you think they’ll put the women’s game on…?”

Honey’s | Los Angeles, CA

Honey’s is one of LA’s lesbian-owned, queer-centered bars, and it’s serving up the kind of nightlife that makes you want to cancel your plans and stay forever. Opened in early 2023 by a powerhouse trio, Kate Greenberg, Mo Faulk, and Charlotte Gordon, Honey’s transformed the former Girl at The White Horse into a vibrant, inclusive space that feels like a love letter to the queer community. With plush lounge chairs, hanging plants, art deco vibes, and a dance floor that begs you to let loose, it’s the kind of spot where every corner holds a new adventure.

The cocktail menu is as fun and interesting as the queers who frequent Honey’s. From the smoky allure of a mezcal concoction to the sweet embrace of a honey-infused whiskey, there’s something for every palate. And for those who prefer their drinks sans alcohol, the spirit-free options are crafted with just as much care and creativity.

The bar hosts a rotating lineup of events that cater to every facet of the queer spectrum. We’re talking BIPOC-centered dance parties, socials like the Queer Women of Color Filmmaker Mixer, and nights dedicated to soft butch vibes. Honey’s makes sure that everyone feels seen and, most importantly, at home.

If it feels like the lesbian bar renaissance is finally here, you’re not imagining it. From Brooklyn to Boston, Houston to the Bay, queer-owned spaces are popping up with bold vision, inclusive vibes, and hot queers.

And guess what? There are even more lesbian bars on the horizon! Spots like Val’s in Philly and Chapstick in Nashville are getting ready to open their doors any day now. The future is bright, the drinks are cold, and the gays are gathering. See you at the bar.