“Keep Austin weird.” This is a phrase that is found on t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, mugs, beer glasses, signs, and more. Why is Austin weird and how did it get that title? Well, it’s rather easy actually. First of all, Austin’s geography is totally different than most of the rest of Texas. It’s green, hilly, and looks very different from much of the rest of Texas. Second, it is home to the University of Texas, a huge campus of over 53,000 students, all who love Austin and do their best to keep it weird, especially when they party on the weekends in downtown Austin. Third, it is culturally far more progressive than most of the rest of Texas and has a fully diverse population. The motto was first termed by an Austin librarian who made a donation to a quirky radio station, calling in his donation as an effort to “keep Austin weird.” Obviously, it stuck and became a rallying cry of the larger Austin community. Obviously, keeping Austin Texas weird includes recognizing and supporting the LGBTQIA+ population which makes up about 5.9% of the total metro area population, behind only San Francisco and Portland Oregon.
LGBTQ+ Lifestyle in Austin
Legal Status of the LGBTQ+ population in Austin
This is a mixed bag. State law does not protect the queer population from discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations. Several proposed bills to the effect have died in committees. The good news is that several city ordinances and policies do provide these protections, Austin included.
State law also does not protect the LGBTQ+ community from insurance discrimination. Again, all bills in the state legislature always die in committees, but local ordinances counter this.
State law also allows discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community based on religious beliefs, and conversion therapy is allowed. There is a hate crime bill that covers sexual orientation but not gender identities. Austin’s ordinances do not conform to all of these. Instead, their eye is on diversity and equality as a part of keeping Austin weird.
Organizations By and For the Austin LGBTQ Community
In a few words, Austin is a pretty welcoming and safe space for this demographic. Austin is a community that embraces diversity, and that includes the LGBTQ+ community, a part of its continuing efforts to keep Austin weird.
There is no lack of support and resources for the queer Austin community. Here are a short list of the most prominent:
Equality Texas
This is basically a lobbying organization that organizes citizens to put pressure on the Texas legislature to take up and pass bills that move toward equality for the LGBTQ+ population in the state. They hold demonstrations outside of the Capitol building in Austin, organize pressure campaigns on lawmakers, and such.
Austin Gay & Lesbian Pride Organization
While this organization is instrumental in organizing Pride festivals and events in Austin, it does a number of other things all year – to connect all members of the LGBTQ+ community, to educate, and to provide resources to that community throughout the year.
www.blacktie.org
This is an LGBTQ+ organization that holds a black-tie dinner in February to raise funds for the community. Each year it names specific organizations that will be the beneficiaries that year. Small business leaders and large company representatives alike support and attend these dinners. Queer-owned businesses are also a large part of the attendees.
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
In 1997, the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce was formed for the Central Texas region. In its own words, the Austin LGBTQ Chamber is focused on supporting a prosperous regional economy through participation of local communities with Austin LGBT Chamber membership of LGBT-owned small businesses, corporations, non-profits, and those that support diversity and equality of the entire queer population in the workplace.
The Austin LGBT Chamber has a variety of membership options for queer owned businesses and their allies, beginning with the membership they choose along with the option to upgrade at any time.
The Austin LGBT Chamber has published a directory of members on its website and urges everyone to take a look at the buying power that directory represents. To tap into a part of that buying power, the Austin LGBT Chamber encourages businesses in all of these categories to join the chamber.
The Austin LGBT Chamber also sponsors relevant events throughout the year, one of which is a networking event which allows members and allies to develop mutual business connections.
If you access the Austin LGBT Chamber website, you’ll also find a blog with lots of relevant articles that provide insights and important information.
All of the organizations that are key to the support of the LGBTQIA+ are more than are listed here. But this gives you an idea of the terrific community support for this population in the Austin metro area. And there’s no doubt that one influential voice in this support is the large number of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs, many of which are owned by members of the queer population themselves.
So, it’s time to look at the best gay and lesbian in Austin hot spots for dancing, partying, making connections, and more. Well, actually let’s make that LGBTQ+ hot spots, because we will be looking at bars and clubs that are friendly and fully inclusive, even if their focus may be on a specific sexual orientation.
Bars, Clubs, and Other Austin Spots for the LGBTQ+ Folx
This is a pretty complete listing for Austin residents and visitors alike. Some may even not be exclusively queer but totally welcoming of the community; some are owned by LGBTQ+ folx; some are huge; some just great local dives; some are not bars at all. Basically, a huge variety to suit what anyone might be looking for any day or night.
Rain
Rain is one of the most popular gay clubs in the Warehouse District (4th Street) of Austin. And it’s a member of the Austin LGBT Chamber. Rain is a bit upscale and offers all sorts of great entertainment.
- Great dance floor with DJs: music by a ton of artists, including Ariana Grande (a big supporter of LGBTQ+ rights) and others.
- Drag performances by local well-known drag queens, like Nadine Huges and Vylette Ward. Vylette Ward is also well known for her charity work in support of the LGBTQ+ community in Austin.
- Go-go boys’ performances are a regular event.
- Themed nights and weekly events
- Popular amateur strip contests with cash prizes on Thursday nights
- Happy hour different drink specials every day of the week
- Menu with reasonable pricing, including vegan choices
All in all, Rain has something for everyone. Their website is currently under renovation, but events are publicized on their Instagram account.
Daily hours are: Mon – Thurs,4 pm – 2 am; weekends, 3 pm – 2 am
Oilcan Harry’s
Oilcan Harry’s is in the Warehouse District of Austin, on 4th St. It’s been around 30+ years and is the oldest of its kind in Austin. Oilcan Harry’s is just legendary.
While it is most often filled as a dance club because of its huge dance floor, Oilcan Harry’s is so much more. It has daily themed nights featuring a host of DJs, drag queens, go-go boys, comedy shows, karaoke, bingo, and more. It’s open 2 pm – 2 am 7 days a week. Here’s the rundown of what to expect at Oilcan Harry’s::
- Monday – Drag competition for amateurs – cash prizes
- Tuesday – current events in Texas, bingo, drag performances, and karaoke
- Wednesday – LatinX drag performance
- Thursday – Last Party on Earth – dancing, drag shows, sweating, and drink
- Friday – throwback music for dancing; amateur strip night at 11:30 pm
- Saturday – comedy drag show and competition for amateurs, weekend grind with DJs and go-go dancers
- Sunday – Dirty Dynasty Bingo; drag songsters sing by audience song requests
Oilcan Harry’s also offers a full menu – pizza, pastas, burgers and sandwiches, and great choices of sides and bar foods. Eat, drink, and be merry every night of the week. (Oh, and they have an outdoor patio when anyone needs a break from the party inside). Check out their website for any special events coming up – there’s always something new at Oilcan Harry’s. This bar is an Austin LGBT Chamber member.
Iron Bear
Any visitor to Austin should not miss some time at the Iron Bear on 6th St. While it’s a bar for bears, the Iron Bear loudly proclaims that it is open to everyone. There’s lots of music with DJs for dancing every night of the week, but daily events as well, most of them beginning in the later part of the nights:
- Musical Mondays with viewing parties of videos of Broadway shows
- Sunday Fundaze – drag brunch followed by DJs and dancing until 2 am
- First Thursdays – Game nights, including pool, darts, bingo, trivia and more
- First Fridays – Country Night
- Every Wednesday and Sunday – Karaoke
- 2nd Saturday of the month – Underwear night
The food at the Iron Bear is great and casual – burgers, wraps, salads, sandwiches, wings, hot dogs, and even desserts. Iron Bear bar foods and appetizers include such things as pizza and Southwestern egg rolls.
Now that much of the renovation of 6th Street is coming along nicely, Iron Bear is back to its regular hours – 3 pm to 2 am, 7 days a week. It’s one of the oldest bars in Austin, and no trip to this town would be as cool if one of the most well-known clubs was not hit.
For all the details of Iron Bear’s events, menu, and amazing bar staff, check out its website. And it’s an Austin LGBT Chamber member.
Cheer Up Charlies
The Red River District in Austin is an area between 6th and 15th streets in downtown East Austin, often referred to as part of the South Lamar Blvd District. It is also called the “cultural district,” but the definition of culture in this district of town refers to the bars and clubs that have a huge diversity of music.
Enter Cheer up Charlies, a standout spot well known to Austin residents, but anyone who visit Austin Texas will not want to miss it. A visit to the Red River District, and this should be your first stop. And you may actually want to make a night of it right there and come back for the rest. This club is a hit with the locals, so it may be with you too.
Cheer Up Charlie is in its 15th year of operation in Austin’s Red District and is LGBTQ owned by partners, Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover. It was recently one of 30 LGBTQ+ businesses awarded an HRC grant to keep safe and important spaces open for the queer population all over the country.
Like most other establishments in the Red District, the owners primarily use local talent – live music with DJs and local drag performers, and other musical events., dance parties, karaoke nights, and much more. Great cocktails will round out the atmosphere at this club. While the club does not serve food, a food truck with vegan options is conveniently located outside.
To keep updated on its calendar of events, go to their website.
Highland Lounge
HIGHLAND LOUNGE (@highlandloungeatx) • Instagram photos and videos
Highland Lounge has been in the Warehouse District, on Colorado St., since 2014. Here’s all you need to know to make your late-night weekends a hit in Austin:
- It’s huge – 3 stories and 6 bars – never a long wait for a drink, brew, or shot.
- Large dance floor with DJs
- Drag performances and go-go boys each weekend night. Drag queens often include contestants from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
- Open only on Friday and Saturday nights. Doors open at 9:30 pm; shows begin at 11 pm; bar closes at 3 am (last call at 2:30).
- Happy hour from 9:30 to midnight – 5$ drinks, $5 brews, $6 shots
- Eat before you go – no food is served
- Purchase tickets to shows in advance – they often sell out
- Table reservations available – no standing in line, VIP server, 6 maximum per bottle.
If you’re looking for an upscale bar, to round out you night, Highland Lounge will be a hit – don’t miss it.
For a detailed rundown on the shows, visit their Instagram page.
Barbarella Austin
Here’s a bar that many Austin locals insist is the best place to dance. It’s another late-night bar where the party begins at 9:30 or 10:00 pm depending on which day of the week. It’s often a video bar, playing music videos for dancing. And happy hour is every night between 9:30-10:30 pm., but there are special event themed nights that begin later. It’s sits right on Red River St in the Red River District.
- Tuesgayz on Tuesdays – Gay, lesbian, and trans music performers
- Grits and Gravy Thursday – Soul and Rock n’ Roll music
- Friday – 80s night for music with DJ
- Saturday – New Noise – pop music, old and new, Indie dance pop and electronic
In short, there’s an awesome vibe at Barbarella’s for music and dance lovers.
If you are a late-night snack eater, there are sandwiches, crepes, and fresh fruit sno-cones.
For details of music, DJs, and performers, see its Instagram page.
Coconut Club
Anyone who visits Austin will not want to miss at least one night at the Coconut Club on Colorado St in the Warehouse district. And it is scheduled to be demolished at some time in the future, to make way for a multi-use high rise building, so don’t wait for another trip years down the road.
Above all, this bar is a dance club with great DJs on its two dance floors. The vibe is tropical and energetic, given the variety of dance music. It’s spacious and outdoors – way more than a simple outdoor patio. Among gay bars, it’s tops for dancing – electronic, urban Latin, pop, rap, and other great music mixes with a great mix of great DJs too.
There are actually three dance floors at this gay bar – two at Coconuts and a third if you count the smaller dance floor at Cuatro Gato – a gay bar next door connected by an open door. The Coconut Club outside is a rooftop dance floor with an amazing view of downtown Austin and hip-hop music. The bar’s inside offers a spectacular light show, seating for people watching, and old school and electronica music. Cuatro Gato offers reggae music, another really popular music genre in Austin.
There are sometimes a cover fee for $10 but a tremendous value compared to tickets and reservations at many other bars in the city of Austin. Most drinks involve coconut water or milk, so if that is not appealing, just drink beer – plenty of options there.
Hours are Wed – Fri. 9 pm – 2 am; Sat., 1 pm – 2 am; Sun., 5 pm – 2 am.
Overall, the Coconut Bar is just fun and a great place to get your dance on.
Neon Grotto
Neon Grotto is an incredibly fun place, not just because it is a part of the gay bar scene in the city of Austin but for its totally unique sabores (flavors) of each room and floor of this three-story club with any music venue you’d want to experience. Its name says it all – NEON in capital letters.
Each floor has a different theme both in decor and music venue. The first floor almost has an Egyptian vibe. there DJs spin hip hop and where there is an occasional drag show. The second floor is a mix of techno and R&B. The rooftop (a bit of a climb) has lots of green space and more of a lounge area atmosphere, but more music, a great view of the city of Austin, and an occasional drag performance too.
There is a $10 cover fee but is probably well worth it given the variety inside. Good fun is had by all. Among gay bars in Austin Texas, this one is totally unique. And it’s part of the Coconut complex on 4th Steet, so run over to any of the other bars, grab a drink, and return.
Neon Grotto is open 7 days a week 4 pm to 2 am. Check its Instagram page for details about weekly events.
Elysium
If you miss the goth culture and music of the 80s, you don’t have to any more. Just visit Elysium, a gay bar in the Red River District of the city of Austin. Elysium has been in this converted warehouse since 2001 and bills itself as the only place of its kind in Austin. And one visit will convince you too.
Elysium has live music, canned music with DJs – Goth, industrial, electronic, synthpop, Euro dance, and underground retro. It has themed nights, a sunken dance floor, flashing lights, and even a smoke machine. It regularly hosts drag performances too. Drinks are very reasonable for the area.
Elysium is open 9 pm – 2 am (closed on Monday).
For all the latest on what’s booked in the way of live music and other events, check Elysium’s Facebook page.
Violet Crown Social Club
Violet Crown Social Club is a rather laid-back gay bar in the city of Austin, on E. 6th street – Red River District. It’s really just a neighborhood dive – dim lighting and totally relaxing vibe. There’s a pretty diverse clientele, relatively young, who come in daily for great drink prices and lots of seating space both indoors and on the huge outdoor patio space.
Violet Crown may be best known for its “Iron Whip” – a specialty drink of the house. This gay bar has its own kitchen for casual bar food (e.g. its sliders) but right across the street is a Detroit-style pizza truck should anyone prefer that.
The TVs behind the bar play movies and sporting events during all sports seasons. Even though Violet Crown is a gay bar for the neighborhood, it might be worth a visit if you are vacationing in Austin Texas and want a break from the noise and revelry on 4th Street. You’ll be welcomed. And grab a t-shirt while you’re at it.
This gay bar is open 7 days a week from 5 pm til 2 am. Discounts on drinks every afternoon.
You might want to check out its Facebook page for any special events.
Sellers Underground
Back to 4th Street again for a gay bar with a bit of a different style and vibe.
Sellers opened its doors in 2011 but closed permanently during the pandemic. It has come back better than ever with its own unique style in the city of Austin.
It’s and open gay bar with a huge variety of music – R&B, Pop, Electropop, and EDM, among others – call it eclectic, with a big dance floor and bartenders whose specialty cocktails are from films of the 70s.
Drag queen performances are a mix of comedy, talent and humor – among the best in the city of Austin some say.
Get updated on the details on Sellers Facebook page.
‘Bout Time II
Those out for a night on the city will have to travel a bit north to the St Johns town area to visit BT II, LGBTQ owned by Tino Calderon and Ray McDermett, partners in the business and in life. The spot was closed during the pandemic because the owners couldn’t make the rent and, like Sellers Underground, this gay bar is back and promises a night of fun for the entire LGBTQ+ community.
BT2 has live entertainment, DJs for dancing, pool table, game-rooms and outdoor patios. There’s even a sand volleyball court. Weekly events of karaoke and drag shows round out a whole world of a full fun night. Check out its Facebook page.
Swan Dive
If ever there was a world of fun for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s this gay bar in the Red River District.
What was once simply an indie music spot, Swan Dive has turned itself into a great destination for partying that is tremendously supportive of the “Keep Austin Texas Weird” vibe. Crowds hit up this lively spot for Tuezgayz nights for burlesque and drag queen performances. Add to that queer comedy nights and live music by local Austin LGBTQ+ music artists, and you have the diversity for which the city of Austin prides itself.
One cool feature? When you hit up Swan Dive, you share a patio with Barbarellas – double the weird world of Austin Texas!
Swan Dive is closed Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. All other nights it is open from 9:30 pm – 2 am. For detail of upcoming events, just go to its Facebook page.
Jackalope
If you’ve ever visited bars in Texas, you may have come across the “bucking bull ride,” made famous in the movie Urban Cowboy. Well, in keeping with the goal of keeping the city of Austin Texas “weird,” here’s a wildly popular gay bar that has a giant jack rabbit statue, complete with saddle, at the entrance. It’s a favorite photo scene for visitors to the city of Austin.
Inside, a guest will find B-movies on the TV and 80s music. but the music and and TV is turned off for regular and special events – free comedy shows, butt stuff bingo, ranch style Sundays with country music on a regular basis. Frequent special events include karaoke, cabaret shows, mixer brunches, live music, and even speed dating. All of this makes Jackalope a pretty cool place to grab drinks and, when that late night hunger hits, there’s a full menu you can check out on its website.
All in all, the variety of food, drink, shows, and other special events gives the world of Austin Texas in a single place 7 days a week from 12 noon til 2 am. Its original location on 6th Street is still rockin’, but a second one has opened in the South Shore Neighborhood and easy access to the South Congress nightlife too. For updates, follow them on Facebook.
Halcyon
Back to 4th Street again. Halcyon is billed as a coffee bar (with spirits included of course) and lounge, but it is much more than that. Coffee bars don’t stay open until 2 am and feature live music on certain nights and drag brunches on weekends. There’s also meals and desserts.
There’s a large indoor space and a patio for playing games and other revelry.
There are combinations of live music, DJs and dancing, and even drag queen performances and brunches. A variety of food is also served – for a full menu check out the Halcyon website.
Some other details? Happy hours daily from 4 – 8 pm; Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 8 am – midnight; Friday and Saturday, 9 am – 2 am.
For updates on all events, check out Halcyon’s Facebook page.
Lustre Pearl East Austin
The historic Rainey Street District in Austin Texas is filled with bungalows that have now been transformed into bars and restaurants, and shops. Sitting in the heart of all of this is Lustre Pearl East Austin, a bungalow-turned-gay bar with a huge backyard housing picnic tables and lots of games.
This bar produces signature cocktails and plenty of brew varieties, and anyone who gets the “hungries” late at night after the kitchen has closed, will have a bunch of food trucks right on site – all sorts of snacks on, even taco trucks.
Lustre Pearl East Austin is really big on Texas sports, and their big TVs run collegiate and professional Texas sports for all seasons. TVs play inside and out. Games that are being played are always advertised on Lustre Pearl East Austin’s Facebook page.
And it’s not that Lustre Pearl East Austin doesn’t have other events. For example, every Tuesday at 8 pm is Trivia With Geeks night.
Hours of operation are as follows; Sunday – Thursday, 11 am – midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 2 am (watch for brunches). Kitchen closes at 11:pm and food trucks kick in.
Speakeasy
Located on Congress Ave, in the heart of the Warehouse District of the city of Austin, is a bar that takes its patrons to a different world. Speakeasy is a three-level club with all of the ambiance of the roaring twenties. Juxtaposed against this environment is live music, DJs playing all music genres, and many special events on certain days of the week. It’s been around since 1997.
Scheduled regular events include the following:
- Spazmatics live band every Wednesday for the entire summer
- Monday is open mic night
- Sing-a-Long Saturdays – 80s night
- Friday – 90s night with live entertainment and DJs
And by the way – is there any other bar in America that has a bowling alley? Probably not. Another unique feature? Terrace59, a more chill rooftop lounge with low lighting, lounge chairs, and an amazing view of Austin’s skyline.
Speakeasy doesn’t serve its own food, but you can buy sliders from a food truck on site.
For all of the latest updates and a monthly calendar, go to Speakeasy Facebook.
The Grackle
The Grackle is a bird. Exactly how this neighborhood dive bar on East 6th Street in Austin Texas got its name, after a bird with yellow eyes and a fan tail but perhaps ask owner Jason Ackles how that came to be. (Note: his last name is part of the bird’s name). He is an actor most well-known for his role as Dean Winchester in the TV series “Supernatural” which ran for a number of seasons, 327 episodes total, and can still be found on many streaming channels for those who are interested in the supernatural/fantasy world.
Whatever the reason, the Grackle has become a hugely popular dive bar, surrounded by pricier and fancier places, most well-known for it vast array of whiskeys and bourbons that other clubs in Austin Texas don’t offer – over 200 to be more exact. Of course, this is combined with plenty of beer choices and a vibe that just speaks to the “common folk.”
What else does the Grackle offer? How about a vintage jukebox, darts, pool, other games, happy hours, record parties, and even live music on occasion. This is the true Austin Texas vibe.
Food? Yes. Fun? Yes. Authentic Austin Texas vibe? yes. Great booze and beer? Yes. Keeping Austin Texas weird? Yes.
For updates on what’s going on at Grackles, go to its Instagrams page.
Austin Eagle
Soft kink and leather in Austin in a bar where everyone is embraced and welcome, no matter who you are, how you identify, or what your sexuality is. One night in this cool world, and locals and those who visit Austin will be back for more. While kink is the norm, Austin Eagle is well attended by a huge variety within the queer community, is LGBTQ owned, and is doing its best to keep the city of Austin weird.
A restaurant by day and a bar/club by night, Austin Eagle is located in the northeastern part of downtown Austin, where people can gather inside or out. Its frequent events include karaoke, kink trivia, drag shows, line dancing with DJs, RuPaul’s Drag Race viewings, and its now famous BBQ + Beer Bust the 4th Sunday of every month. Whether you are into kink or just curious and into people watching, you’re invited to join in everything at Austin Eagle.
Austin Eagle is open 6 days a week (closed on Mondays) until 2 am. For an updated calendar of events, check its website, Facebook, or Instagram pages. And it’s an Austin LGBT Chamber member.
Rusty’s (Formerly Rusty Spurs)
Don’t be fooled by the name change. Rusty’s on East 7th Street has a new look but has kept the theme and the same events as it has always had. For the LGBTQ+ population that loves country western music and vibes, Rusty’s “has your number.” Two large rooms with dance floors and an outside patio offer everything a country western bar could provide:
- Line dancing
- Dance lessons
- DJs spinning traditional and modern country western music
- Occasional live bands
- Brews of all kinds along with cocktails.
- No in-house kitchen but food venues, including taco trucks, are often right outside or within walking distance.
Nothing says Texas more than country western music and line dancing. Rusty’s has it all but specifically for the LGBTQ+ population. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Austin, an amazing city in Texas, visiting Rusty’s in this city will not disappoint! Check more detailed info at Rusty’s Austin – NowPlayingAustin.com.
There are More Than LGBTQ+ Nightspots in Austin
In many ways, Austin has almost a small-town vibe among Texas cities, even though the metro area of this city is sprawling. It is a very different city from the rest of Texas because of its geographical topography (it’s green!) and because it is committed to remaining weird. And the city’s residents like it that way.
So, let’s have a look at some other LGBTQ+ offerings in Austin.
The Little Gay Shop
Located on East 12th Street, The Little Gay Shop is LGBTQ owned, and has a mission of maintaining an on-the-ground space for LGBTQ+ creators and artisans to have a place to display and sell their creative merchandise – apparel, including t-shirts, pins, and jewelry, posters, art, and other merchandise that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, including the huge array of fiction and non-fictional stories, novels, and more of all genres.
The Little Gay Shop also promotes and sponsors all sorts of events that promote LGBTQ+ rights and protections. And it is a proud member of the Austin LGBTQ Chamber.
Hours are as follows for those who should visit and support the LGBTQ+ population in Austin:
- Monday – Thursday, noon til 6 pm
- Saturday, 11 am – 7 pm
- Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm
Check out the Little Gay Shop website for more details on the merchandise
La Barbeque
Here is an Austin oddity – a great BBQ restaurant owned by a lesbian couple, LeeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem. In Austin and in all of Texas for that matter, barbeque has been a man’s world. Probably because there is a lot of physical labor involved in running a BBQ restaurant. But both had been brought up in the barbeque business, met each other, got married, and decided to give it a go.
They began in a food truck, then moved into becoming a part of another restaurant, and then finally opened their own restaurant on Cesar Chavez St. in East Austin in 2021. The restaurant does not keep bar hours, open Wednesday – Sunday from 11:am – 6:00 pm, but the business is thriving, both as an eatery and as a popular takeout spot for local to grab a meal on the go.
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Earlier in this article, we talked about the Austin LGBT Chamber. Here is the interesting thing. Austin LGBT Chamber members include a large number of organizations and businesses that are not directly queer-oriented, or LGBTQ owned. They are “straight” organizations that support the goals of the chamber related to advocacy of the LGBTQ+ population. And there are a number of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs that are not Austin LGBT Chamber members. So, here is what everyone of the queer community in the Austin metro area must do:
- Individuals – access the Austin LGBT Chamber and check out its membership as you are looking to make purchases of products or services. For example, the Cupcake Bar on North Lamar Blvd. is a member. The South Congress district is filled with shops, galleries, restaurants and such. Check out businesses in South Congress that are LGBT Chamber members and patronize them.
- Bar and club owners – If you are not yet an Austin LGBT Chamber member, then it’s time you join. If you make purchases for your spot, then patronize those that are Chamber members. Where do you bank? Choose one of the Chamber’s member partners. The LGBTQ+ community in Austin and surrounding towns must collectively join hands to advocate for their equality.
Now – About Austin Pride
Every year the Austin Pride Foundation plans a parade and festival for Austin Pride. This year, the Austin Pride celebration is on August 23. The motto for the 2025 Austin Pride parade and festival is “Silence = Death” As the LGBTQIA+ population faces some serious threats and challenges, it is time to be loud and proud – more than ever before. As the Foundation states on its website, “This isn’t just a festival; it’s a movement. Louder, prouder, and bolder than ever.”
The Austin Pride Festival will be held in Fiesta Gardens with top name entertainment, vendors and food booths and trucks, and, as always, a family-friendly space too. The Austin Pride Parade begins at the Texas State Capitol and go from North to South Congress Ave., through the Warehouse District, and end at the Congress Ave. Bridge.
The Austin Pride Foundation also holds a Stonewall remembrance rally on the steps of the State Capitol every June. But many more events related to Austin Pride take place in Austin and surrounding towns. Here are several events takin place in and around Austin during the national pride month in June.
- Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at the beginning of June. This Austin Pride event takes place on Lavaca Street and includes artists, vendors, resource organizations, and the chance to kick off June Pride month.
- The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum. Held near the town of Barton Springs – large party featuring live music, karaoke, and other performances.
- Austin Public Library. During the entire month of June, the library system offers an array of events – ice cream socials, dancing lessons, screenings of LGBTQ+ movies, and even a queer tarot reading show. Everything’s free. Check out the library website for all of the details of what and where.
- Queerbomb. Usually in early June, this is a huge picnic for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Check out the location on the organization’s social media.
- Round Rock Pride. This small town is actually considered a suburb of the Austin metro area. It hosts a Pride festival and early June at Centennial Plaza – live performances, food trucks, merchandise for sale, etc.
- Austin Pride Party at the Little Gay Shop – an Austin Pride market featuring LGBTQ+-owned businesses, a drag queen story hour for kids, and more (even free drinks for 21+ crowd). It is held every June at the Distribution Hall in East Austin from 11 am – 5 pm.
- Neon Rainbows’ Pride and Gay Ole Opry Drag Show – toward the end of June. Held at Cheer UP Charlies from 9 pm – 2 am. Free and open to the over-21 crowd.
- Austin Pride Bar Crawl – usually the 3rd week in June. Begins at Thirsty Nickel at 4 pm. – with stops at multiple bars in downtown Austin and a culminating party at Tiger Lily starting at 10 pm. Tickets required. All proceeds benefit The Trevor Project. Do some good while you celebrate Austin Pride.
- Pease Park Pride Picnic – held toward the end of June. Huge green space in the heart of Austin. Free family-friendly event featuring dancing to DJ music.
- Taylor Pride – This nearby town hosts and annual Pride festival in its Heritage Square Park. Free admission. Music, themed merchandise, and local venders. Get updates on the event’s website.
Let’s Recap…
Austin. A city in Texas that rather defies the rest of the state. Austin’s topography is different – a green town oasis in a state that is mostly non-green, and a city dedicated to its motto to keep Austin weird.
All of this means that Austin is committed to being a different oasis for the LGBTQIA+ community in its acceptance and focus on equality for its queer population. Austin is home to a host of organizations, businesses, bars and clubs, hotels, restaurants, districts, and other spaces that embrace its queer community, providing that community with welcoming spaces that are safe, embracing, and dedicated to equality for all gender identities and sexual orientations, despite some pretty oppressive state laws.
Locals and visitors alike to Austin will find a city that is “weird” but beautiful and eclectic. And locals and visitors to Austin who are part of the LGBTQIA+ population will find no other city in Texas and most of the US more welcoming. In Austin, everyone can be who they are, love who they want to love, and live as they want to live, despite the fact they are in the middle of a one of the most conservative among conservative states.
So, drink in all of the amazing sights, sounds, playground, and beauty that is Austin.
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