Looking for the best gay bars in Seattle to wet your whistle? Look no further than the longstanding (and highly popular) Capitol Hill scene, where the majority of Seattle gay nightlife exists. Bars cater to two main lifestyles here: the classic nightlife of go-gos and video bars, and kinkier alternatives with a strong leather community. Gay Seattle floats all your boats!
One of the biggest venues in the city is R Place, which has three floors. Order your first round on the first floor and scope out the scene before venturing to the second for a cocktail in the lounge. Once well liquored, dance the night away on the third.
Riding the trot of New York’s intimate and historic West Village bars, Pony transports patrons back to the feel of the 1970s, but with updated amenities and music.
Madison Pub is one of the city’s most low-key gay bars and is the best place to catch a sports game and taste a variety of Seattle beers. Don’t be scared to chat with the friendly locals and play a few rounds of darts or pool.
More gay Seattle bars and clubs
Queer/Bar is a new to the Seattle bar scene and offers a younger crowd a safe space for all gender and sexual expressions. All are welcome. The venue also puts on one of the best drag shows in town!
Take to the dancefloor at Neighbours Seattle, a bar that has kept Seattle on its feet for more than 30 years with its high-energy anthems and lifesaving DJs. When the downstairs gets too packed, venture upstairs for the hidden bar without a line!
Alternative gay bars in Seattle
For leather and fetish lovers, the Cuff Complex proudly declares itself Seattle’s “premier leather bar and fetish club” and attracts DJs from all over the world. Another popular leather bar is the The Seattle Eagle, which attracts patrons eager for all sorts of shenanigans and debauchery.
Bears make a beeline for Diesel, Seattle’s most-loved bear bar, while the younger, hip crowd into electro make their way to Kremwerk and the Timbre Room.