As the open-minded folks that Vancouverites are generally known to be, we’re very proud that Vancouver has become one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities! If you’re looking for a perfect spot for a night out, whether it be a cocktail with friends or a night of debauchery, this city has the options that will fill your desires.
Gay Bars & Nightclubs
The hub of Vancouver’s gay nightlife lies almost entirely within the Davie Street Village – a compact area within downtown Vancouver’s West End that is best known as Vancouver’s premier gay district, where the LGBTQ community hangs out. That said, with homosexuality being increasingly accepted as a norm in our society, the LGBTQ community no longer feel like they have to dwell in the West End and now merely blend in – living in all of the city’s neighbourhoods.
In between the Davie Village’s numerous gay-friendly shops, restaurants and businesses are a variety of gay bars and nightclubs that serve different types of interests, clientele and gay subcultures.
1181
Type: Bar, Lounge
Space: small
Clientele: posh, young, hip, chic
Address: 1181 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.1181.ca
1181 is the perfect lounge for drinks on Davie Street, with new cork and mirrored walls often illuminated with tea lights for a soft ambience. Bartenders are consistent and welcoming towards the entire community.
Image: 1181
Numbers Cabaret
Type: Dance Nightclub, Bar, Lounge, Cabaret
Space: large
Clientele: diverse
Address: 1042 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.numbers.ca
There are so few places left for us to dance in the city but since the closure of The Odyssey you can often find us shaking it at Numbers. With their multi-level bar and game rooms it has become a destination for gay tourists and locals.
Image: Numbers
Score on Davie
Type: Sports Bar, Pub, Food
Space: mid-sized
Clientele: diverse, all ages
Address: 1262 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.scoreondavie.com
A popular patio destination for local Vancouverites and a great place for people watching. The food and service is great and you often are able to chat with other tables making the vibe very social and relaxed.
Image: The Score
The Junction
Type: Pub, Bar, Dance Nightclub
Space: mid-sized
Clientele: young
Address: 1138 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.junctionpub.com
The Junction, this hot spot on Davie is often full on weekends with a wide range of clientele. Junction hosts a large dance floor and limited seating with a single pool table. Bartenders are awesome, and of course you have to love Lola!
Image: Michael Kalus
Fountainhead Pub
Type: Pub, Bar
Space: large
Clientele: diverse
Address: 1025 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie
Website: www.thefountainheadpub.com
One of our favourite gay spots on Davie! You feel relaxed and at home here, staff are amazing and very kind. But if someone gets out of hand, see-ya-later! Respect for the community is very important and we love that about the Fountain Head. A large heated outdoor patio is a great attraction as well as the pool table and dart board. Feels a bit like a gay sports bar. Love it!
Image: The Fountainhead Pub
Pumpjack Pub
Type: Bar
Space: small
Clientele: bears, older men
Address: 1167 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.pumpjackppub.com
The Pumpjack is a fun and open-minded leather bar with a twist and mature clientele, though a fun place for all ages. Come pride you are hard pressed to find a spot to move in the Pumpjack.
Image: John M
Oasis Ultra Lounge
Type: Lounge, Bar, Rooftop Patio, Food
Space: large
Clientele: diverse, young, casual
Address: 1240 Thurlow Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.oasisondavie.com
Oasis is a great place for a cocktail, especially after a long day and with their great outdoor rooftop patio you cannot loose. They also have a decent sized dance floor and comfortable seating. We love the mix of gay clientele too, keeps the energy fresh!
Image: Oasis Ultra Lounge
Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightclubs
Beyond the permanent gay bars and nightclubs, several other establishments in Vancouver are known to be gay-friendly and regularly host gay-themed nights/events.
Five Sixty
Type: Dance Nightclub, Music Venue, Bar, Lounge, Art Gallery, Acrobats
Space: very large
Clientele: hipster, young, dancing, chic
Address: 560 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Website: www.fivesixty.ca
Note: Gay nights are on Saturday
More so known now for larger parties and events Five Sixty started off strong in the gay community, now it is a specific destination location for larger scale events. Great dance floor and enough bars that you can get a drink relatively quickly.
Image: Five Sixty
The Cobalt
Type: Bar, Music Venue, Food
Space: small
Clientele: diverse, young
Address: 917 Main Street, Vancouver
Website: www.thecobalt.ca
Note: Generally gay-friendly, but also check the schedule for gay nights.
The Cobalt hosts a monthly event and it should not be missed. A lot of faces you do not normally see come out to play this night and you can see another side of the community. We need more establishments to host monthly events.
Image: Milo de Villiers
Celebrities
Type: Dance Nightclub, Music Venue
Space: large
Clientele: young
Address: 1022 Davie Street, Vancouver (Davie Village)
Website: www.celebritiesnightclub.com
There has been a lot of coverage on Celebrities being gay or not-gay. It is a great-sized venue and the gay community has had many years of enjoyment from this establishment. We suggest you give it a try yourself and then decide. After all, you can clearly see that we do have some options left – but we certainly do need more. Perhaps we could see a gay night in Gastown or Yaletown pop up in the future!
