Whether you’re visiting Vegas on your own, with your partner, or with your whole squad in tow, you’ll want to know which hot spots, exciting attractions and community gatherings to visit. Las Vegas is an extremely welcoming environment, so get to planning your next perfect inclusive weekend.
Stay in Style
Every hotel has its own luxurious amenities built in, but a few go over the top to showcase their LGBTQ+ friendliness. Why not stay mere steps from all the action at Luxor Hotel and Casino, where some of the hottest DJs play at the longest-running gay pool party, Temptation Sundays. Check into Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas and surround yourself with amazing amenities, including the elegant Legacy Club and massive Stadium Swim pool amphitheater. A visit to Wynn or Encore always offers luxurious amenities and access to some of the best shows and restaurants in town. Caesars Palace takes pride in LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Whether planning a wedding or simply looking for a luxurious stay, Vegas is always a good move.
Divine Dining
When you want to enjoy a meal that exudes attitude, catch Señor Frog’s Drag Brunch inside Treasure Island Las Vegas. Featuring cast members from Ru Paul’s Drag Race alongside other beloved queens, you’ll be treated to brunch, bottomless mimosas and endless diva action. Keep the vibe going at Hamburger Mary’s. The famed LGBTQ+-friendly burger joint offers drag shows, karaoke, and just the right amount of sass to accompany your meal. Stop off at Border Grill at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino to try the spicy and vivacious flavors of renowned lesbian chef and restaurateur, Susan Feniger, and her business partner, Mary Sue Milliken. Eating at vocal ally and heralded chef, Giada’s namesake restaurant at The Cromwell will have you leaving full and happy.
Over the Top Entertainment
In Vegas, entertainment is king (and queen), and there are so many exciting shows to prove it. Fierce and fiery, The Fabulous Draganza has taken over AREA15’s the PORTAL every Friday night. Featuring some of the city’s most fabulous queens, Alexis Mateo, Coco Montrese, Kahanna Montrese, and special guest Elliott with Two Ts, the 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling, projection-mapped entertainment space comes alive with epic lip syncs, surprise performances and more. Head over to the Excalibur to see the hottest Aussie hunks in Thunder From Down Under. Or catch the wild, outlandish acts at the unforgettable ABSINTHE by Spiegelworld at Caesars Palace. In August, turn up the heat even higher with MAGIC MIKE LIVE at SAHARA Las Vegas and splurge on a meet and greet package to meet the fellas in person.
Unforgettable Nightlife
Both on and off the Strip, Las Vegas is a nightlife hub, so is it really any surprise that the LGBTQ+ community offerings are equally noteworthy? Just off the main drag, on Paradise Road, the lovingly coined “fruit loop” is home to several gay bars and nightclubs including Piranha Nightclub, QUADZ and FreeZone Nightclub and Bar. Head off Strip to The Garage to take advantage of its great happy hour and lively late-night scene. The Garden Las Vegas is an intimate and chic lounge bar located in the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District, featuring craft cocktails, light bites and an extravagant ambiance. Break all the rules with a visit to The Shag Room at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, where cocktails are serious business, or make your way to The Dorsey at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and be met with swanky décor and elevated drinks. No fabulous evening is complete without dancing under the chandeliers, or simply hanging out at The Chandelier inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Annual Events
Las Vegas is a year-round playground offering annual events that attract visitors from all around the world. So, whenever you prefer to visit, you’ll find many LGBTQ+-focused events that you won’t want to miss.
Celebrating gay men of all shapes and sizes who are also cigar and pipe aficionados, bikers or leathermen, SMOKEOUT 2021 will be held at Tuscany Suites and Casino, Aug. 25–30. A week filled with exciting activities, exclusive excursions and outrageous parties, SMOKEOUT is the largest event celebrating a vibrant subculture of the gay community.
From bull riding to cattle roping, the rodeo thrives in Vegas. Sept. 18–19, 2021, the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association’s BigHorn Rodeo will once again ride into Las Vegas, bringing with it all the typical rodeo favorites and camping events.
The biggest LGBTQ+ event of the year, Las Vegas PRIDE, is expected to return live Oct. 8–9. Completely centered around pride and diversity, the parade through Downtown Las Vegas on Oct. 8 and the festival on Oct. 9 will be bigger and more fabulous after the at-home virtual celebration in 2020. Las Vegas PRIDE also offers festive events all year long.
This is just a taste of some of the adventure that awaits you. There’s no wrong way to spend a weekend in Las Vegas.