Charlotte gay club
Charlotte, North Carolina, affectionately famous as the “Queen City,” is gaining a reputation as a southern hub for the LGBTQA+ collective. With a rich tapestry of history, welcoming neighborhoods, and progressive movements, the city is blossoming into a space where everyone can find both collective and acceptance.
Charlotte’s LGBTA+ history went mostly undocumented until 1968, when Oleen’s and The Scorpio Lounge opened. Oleen’s was “The Exhibit Bar of the South,” known for launching the careers of some of the city’s most famous drag queens. It closed in 1997. The Scorpio, still open for business, began its life as a disco and performative show venue and has evolved back to its roots. Expect big (wildly diverse) crowds and much festivity here.
The 70s and early 80s marked the launch of Charlotte’s first-ever gay publication, the Charlotte Free Press and what is now the nation’s longest running lesbian journal, Sinister Wisdom. In 1981, the Queen City Quordinators debuted as a fundraising-focused organization and put together North Carolina’s first-ever Identity festival events.
The 1990s brought a wave of advocacy, with the foundation of groups like the LGBT People Center, and a broader accept
A Gay Night Out in Charlotte: Your Ultimate LGBT Bar and Club Guide
Ah, Charlotte—the Queen City! Known for its Southern charm, but did you recognize it also has a killer LGBTQ+ nightlife scene? Whether you're looking for laid-back vibes, drag shows that will leave you speechless, or a high-energy dance party, Charlotte's got your back. If you're new in town or just visiting, let me take you on a fabulous gay tour of the best bars, lounges, clubs, and hangouts in Charlotte. Whether you're cruising through Plaza Midwood or hitting up NoDa, these spots are where the party’s at! And for those wanting to link with other LGBT folks outside the bar scene, you’ve got to check out Lex, an app that lets you find your people in the group. Download it here.
Bar Argon: More Than Just Drinks and Dancing
Address:4544 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Let’s boot off this night with Bar Argon, Charlotte's only video dance bar and lounge. Seriously, only one—what are the odds? The vibe here is chill but upbeat, like that perfect friend who can both party hard and have a deep convo. Weekly drag shows bright up the stage, while the drinks keep the mood Nightlife Ready for a night out? These LGBTQ-friendly bars are the city's top picks. by Dean McCain Area: East Charlotte If you’ve got dancing on your mind and need to move your hips, Azucar is your nightclub. Rising-star DJs, extravagant drag queens and studly go-go dancers make this Latin venue one to guarantee a wild late hours out. The fun and flashy nightclub is all about dancing whenever, and with whomever, you want. Neighborhood: LoSo Located down South Boulevard, this casual move club is a welcoming spot for all types. Check Argon’s online calendar for themed nights fancy leather gear parties, Latin nights, line dancing lessons, karaoke and even table-top card game tournaments. Saturday nights on the twirl floor are some of the best on the scene. Neighborhood: NoDa For over 30 years, Chasers has served as a welcoming cosmos for everyone to relax a night of high-energy dancing and daily liquid specials. Against the glow of neon lights, go-go dancers join you on the dance floor an electric experience. Check Chasers’ calendar for regular events, such as drag s Back to InFocus: Charlotte Index… As a young gay gentleman in Charlotte of the 1980s, I managed to snag a fake ID that was realistic enough to convince bar owners I was five years older than I actually was. The fact that I was over six feet tall came in handy, too. There’s something about height that implies age. Beginning at the age of 16, I was able to gain entree into a number of Charlotte’s gay bars. My first experience came at a center city nightspot acknowledged as The Odyssey, At the time it was located at the corner of Morehead and Tryon Sts. in what had previously been a restaurant and its regional corporate headquarters. It wasn’t all that large, really, but sizable enough to offer three separate bars and a dance floor. Downstairs was another gay bar acknowledged as the Brass Rail. Standing outside and waiting in a line to the stairs that took you to where The Odyssey was, I heard other young gay men referring to the Brass Rail as “The Wrinkle Room,” indicating it was a place where mostly older gays congregated. Even then I thought their judgment seemed crass and flippant, but I was initially so nervous I just stood in the line quietly. I can still recall making my wa .Charlotte’s Best LGBTQ+ Bars
Azucar Latino Charlotte
Bar Argon
Chasers