LGBTQ+ friendly bars and restaurants

Scotland is one of the most LGBTQ+ welcoming and friendly places in the world. We pride ourselves on being an enjoyable destination for everyone.

Across our cities you’ll find a range of gay bars and restaurants, offering a fun and lively scene for your break away. Scotland’s two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, have particularly active LGBTQ+ communities. Our smaller cities may not have specific LGBTQ+ bars, but they are still very warm and welcoming.

Here are some of our top picks in Scotland’s cities:

Pride, Edinburgh

© @prideedinburgh

Glasgow

UNDERGROUND

This gay bar in Glasgow’s Merchant City is a refreshing addition to the LGBTQ+ night life. Get involved in lively karaoke and drag nights, or try out the pool table and relax with your favourite tipple.

Visit Underground

DELMONICA’S

Offering a welcoming LGBTQ+ place since 1991, this boozy gay bar serves up a range of fun and fruity cocktails and hand-finished pizzas. Check out their packed schedule of high energy acts and performances, including the famous weekly drag show.

Visit Delmonica’s

THE WATERLOO

Triple award-winning and the oldest gay bar in Glasgow, the Waterloo doesn’t disappoint! Enjoy weekend entertainment and special shows, alongside a colourful atmosphere, tastebud tingling drinks, and the start of a big night out in Glasgow.

Visit The Waterloo

AXM Glasgow

Branded ‘Scotland’s biggest and best LGBTQ+ nightclub’, this gay bar and club has gained a significant reputation for being a friendly, fun and attitude-free place to be in Glasgow. With frequent events, shows and performances, you’re in for a lively night of entertainment too.

Visit AXM Glasgow

POLO LOUNGE

Located on Wilson Street in the heart of the city, this inclusive space is a great option on a night out in Glasgow. There are two floors with four rooms offering private booths and exclusive drinks.

Visit Polo Lounge

SPEAKEASY

A friendly café by day, and the perfect drinking den at night, Speakeasy offers an eclectic drinks selection, as well as private booths, creating the perfect spot for a night out in the city.

Visit Speakeasy

Riding Rooms

© @aftermath_photography @fae.wildfyre

RIDING ROOMS

If you’re looking for a vibrant cocktail and cabaret bar that features seven nights of stage acts and performances every week, you’ve come to the right place! Peruse the menu of quirky cocktails served up in everything from jam jars to silver kettles – you’ll find the weird and wonderful happens here.

Visit Riding Rooms

CC Blooms Bar & Kitchen

© © ccbloomsbar

Edinburgh

CC Blooms

CC Blooms is something of an institution, having been a vital part of the gay scene in Edinburgh for more than two decades. During the day, you can enjoy a range of dishes in an elegant upstairs diner, while in the evening, head along to their lively cocktail bar and buzzing downstairs dance floor.

Visit CC Blooms

CAFÉ HABANA

Sandwiched between CC Blooms and the Playhouse Theatre, the ever-busy Café Habana is ideal for a quick drink between shows. It is friendly and unpretentious, so you can try good value drinks with pop and dance tunes.

Visit Café Habana

The Street

This LGBTQ+ friendly bar offers a great selection of cocktails and drinks, as well as burgers, wraps and nachos in a relaxed, stylish locale. Theme nights and pub quizzes take place during the week, and there’s an old-school photo booth.

Visit The Street

THE REGENT

Dubbed ‘the best real ale gay pub in Edinburgh’, this relaxed, dog-friendly bar has twice won CAMRA’s Edinburgh Pub of the Year Award. You’ll love the pub’s relaxed atmosphere and great selection of ales.

Visit The Regent

PLANET BAR

A popular choice for pre-drinks before a night out, Planet Bar offers good value deals, comfy seats and a pool table, plus quizzes and karaoke on certain nights of the week.

Visit Planet Bar

Loft Nightclub

© @ loftclubperth

Perth

LOFT NIGHTCLUB

Open 5 nights a week, The LOFT is a great place for drinks, cocktails, dancing and socialising in the ‘fair city’ of Perth. It’s located above That Bar Lounge, so you can choose from a lively atmosphere, or a laidback night with friends.

Visit LOFT Nightclub

Inverness

ROCPOOL

 Tuck into tasty dishes made with the finest Scottish ingredients at Rocpool restaurant in the Highland capital. Celebrating their 10 year anniversary in 2022, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a high-quality dining experience at this trendy spot.

Visit Rocpool

HOOTANANNY

This traditional Scottish pub provides a warming atmosphere to tuck into hearty pub grub as well as popular favourites to drink. Keep an eye out for fantastic live music and performances throughout the year too. Previous acts have included Mumford and Sons, Sam Fender, Jake Bugg, Dougie Mclean and Skerryvore.

Visit Hootananny

THE ALLEY CAT

Inverness’ first fully vegan restaurant, the Alleycat is a popular favourite amongst locals and visitors, with a range of delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes to choose from.

Visit The Alley Cat

Aberdeen

CHEERZ Bar and Club

CHEERZ was established in 1996 and has been at the heart of Aberdeen’s small but welcoming gay scene for the best part of two decades. It’s a go-to place for a night on the town and boasts one of the largest drink ranges in the city centre.

Visit CHEERZ

Dundee

THE SALTY DOG

Head to Crichton Street to this small but top-rated LGBTQ+ friendly gay bar in Dundee. It serves up a range of popular drinks and a welcoming environment.

Visit The Salty Dog

KANDY BAR

Winner of Scotland’s Best Independent Bar in 2014, make sure to add Kandy Bar to your list of places to stop for a tipple or two in Dundee.

Visit Kandy Bar

POUT NIGHTCLUB

This nightclub on St Andrews Street is a popular spot for students and city locals alike. Head along to Dundee’s gay nightclub with a colourful atmosphere, a variety of drinks, and a mix of music.

Visit POUT Nightclub

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