Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties create lasting memories with your besties, but queer friend groups have more things to stress over than most when picking a location.
Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties create lasting memories with your besties, but queer friend groups have more things to stress over than most when picking a location. Are you having trouble finding somewhere queer-friendly but not too cliche for your prenuptial bash? Here are five unexpectedly amazing cities for LGBT bachelorette parties:
Portland, OR
We start out this list with a shout out for brides-to-be who feel unseen in masculine-focused queer spaces. Portland is one of the best lesbian bachelorette party destinations because it has a plethora of bars and parties specifically for Sapphics.
It can be tough out there for lesbian bars, and even though it’s B.S. that women have to work twice as hard to succeed in this world, the upside for bar goers is that there’s always something a little extra special about these venues. Take Portland’s The Sports Bra, a laid back watering hole that only shows women’s sports on TV, or Doc Marie’s, a bar and dance club that has a queer book corner on the top floor for your easily overstimulated friend.
Check the calendar ahead of time and align your trip with a Judy dance party to dance the night away with fellow lavender ladies. Lesbian bachelorette party destinations don’t get much richer than Portland. Be sure to treat your nature gays to a post-hangover hike in the city’s lush, Patagonia commercial scenery.
Malta
Europe hosts some of the best cities for a gay bachelor party – think the boundary pushing queer clubs of Berlin – but if you’d like a quieter getaway for your friend group, Malta is an intimate gay haven. ILGA-Europe ranks the island nation the safest in the region for queer people. Malta has a tolerance and safety rating of over 90%, beating Belgium’s second place by over 12%. The nation legalized same-sex marriage in 2017 and grants gender neutral passports.
Enjoy breathtaking Mediterranean views without feeling like all eyes are on the visibly queer foreigners. Queer tourists say there is a welcoming attitude among locals. The city-state’s metropolitan area is home to just 480,000 and the nightlife is brimming with gay bars. Gay travel writer Stefan Arestis reported that he and his partner “felt totally comfortable with public displays of affection and frequently saw other gay couples also doing the same” on the streets of Valletta, Malta’s capital. With such freedom, this destination could be the backdrop to a dreamy honeymoon, too. But if you do want to bring a posse, check out this guide to queer hostels in Malta to plan a big, gay European vacation for your queer bachelorette party.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Looking for a beachy south-of-the-border vacation that’s queer-friendly? Mexico is home to many good cities for LGBT bachelor parties, the cream of the crop being Puerto Vallarta. The “Zona Romantica” hosts most of the coastal city’s gay bars and entertainment venues. With three floors, La Noche offers a rooftop bar, drag shows and dancing.
One of the top-rated queer experiences in Puerto Vallarta is Diana’s Boat Tours. Cruise director Diana Decoste has been taking gays – and an open bar – out onto the ocean for 24 years to see whales, dolphins, and more. The scenic outing is followed up with a rowdy after party and entertainment, making for an easy queer bach itinerary.
Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN
There are queer people in the Midwest just like there are queer people everywhere else, and if you want to visit a rainbow haven with a gentle, welcoming Midwestern feel, Minneapolis and its sister city St. Paul offer a quaint getaway for gay vacationers. Come in the winter season for chic outdoor sports, followed up by the warm hospitality of the city’s many queer venues.
Drag queen-owned LUSH is friendly to all gender expressions and letters of the alphabet, and serves produce from local farms. Being in the “farm belt” means more climate conscious eateries and specialty coffee shops than you might expect in the Midwest. St. Paul soccer bar Black Hart is one of the area’s top lesbian bachelorette party destinations with entertainment that extends beyond the pitch. With its elusive hours, Jetset Underground is the spot for cool kid queers who want to be in-the-know.
Also, the Mall of America is indeed camp, and worth a visit.
Savannah, GA
So you’re looking at cities for LGBT bachelor parties and want:
We know, we know: New Orleans has all of that. But if you’re looking for those perks without as much hustle, bustle, and mess as the Big Easy, look no further than sexy little Savannah. Historic Savannah is a classy party spot for friends looking to hang loose, and a convenient destination for group trips. Its walkable leisure opportunities make it one of the best cities for a gay bachelorette party on the east coast.
The Hostess City never turns down a guest, and it has long been a queer-friendly refuge of the deep South. Drag is one of Savannah’s mainstay industries, and entertainment around town is never conservative.
For inside tips and tricks on planning the ultimate gay extravaganza in this spellbinding city, check out this guide from Bitches Who Bach, Savannah’s only queer bachelorette party planners.
Leave a Reply