Philadelphia Gay District: The Gayborhood

Philadelphia is a city founded upon equality, and this naturally extends to the LGBTQ community. With annual pride celebrations, a lively gayborhood, and a host of gay-related cultural events taking place throughout the year, gay Philly should certainly feature on your travel itinerary for your next gaycation to the United States. 

In Philadelphia, the gay district is not named specifically, but simply referred to as The Gayborhood, and you will find it in the heart of Philadelphia’s Midtown Village. Running between 11th, Broad, Chestnut, and Pine Streets, The Gayborhood is teeming with LGBTQ-related and owned bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs. 

From swanky cocktail lounges and clubs, to underground dive bars and sports joints, The Gayborhood caters to all tastes. Along with plenty of LGBTQ venues, Philadelphia’s gay district boasts 69 rainbow street signs, and several rainbow-painted crossings to make you feel right at home.

Gay bars and restaurants Philadelphia

Kick-start your day in The Gayborhood with a visit to popular cafe Green Eggs. This is the kind of place to head if morning gluttony is your thing, and it offers a decadent menu items including red velvet pancakes and cajun crab mac n ’cheese. For the best gay bars in Philly, Tavern on Carmac is a great start and it provides something a little unique; it’s a piano bar that hosts singalongs. Here you can also enjoy various craft brews along with a decent wine list. Alternatively, stop by Knock Restaurant and Bar on a Wednesday and you can get into some karaoke. 

Those who like leather and levi should head to The Bike Stop, this is a welcoming bar that attracts a certain crowd, and offers sport viewing upstairs. Beers come at reasonable prices, and there’s also food options to ensure you don’t leave on an empty stomach.

Gay clubs Philadelphia

If you are looking for the best places to go gay clubbing in Philadelphia, Woody’s is a good place to start - and finish. This mega club and lounge is one of the city’s most iconic gay clubs and guarantees a fun night out on the town. On the first floor, you’ll find a traditional bar and coffee lounge, while the second floor offers streaming videos and one impressive dance floor. Voyeur is also a popular after-hours dance club, and is a great spot to partake in the odd bit of flirting. Things only really get going from 2am here, and you can expect top-notch DJs along with an excellent sound system and lighting.

Gay Pride Philadelphia

Pride takes place at the beginning of June every year, and is a week-long event of parties, cultural activities, and one impressive Pride Parade that travels through the streets of The Gayborhood, Midtown Village, and Old City.