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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Riding Rooms
© @aftermath_photography @fae.wildfyre
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.
CC Blooms Bar & Kitchen
© © ccbloomsbar
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Loft Nightclub
© @ loftclubperth
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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