Guide To Boston's Gay And Lesbian Scene
Boston has a wide variety of options for those looking for a fun night out. The fun isn't confined to just one neighborhood; there's plenty to offer all around the city and on different nights of the week.
Alley
14 Pi Alley @ 275 Washington St.
Boston MA 02116
617.263.1449
www.thealleybar.com
A casual place to meet old and new friends, tucked away in Boston's Financial District. It can be cruisy, but is a popular stop for the afternoon cocktail crowd.
Club Café
209 Columbus Ave
Boston MA 02116
617-536-0966
www.clubcafe.com
The recently renovated Club Cafe in the South End has been entertaining Boston for more than two decades. The video club in back is usually the must go location on weekend nights and is usually packed. The renovations include a dance floor. ""CC" or 'club so-gay" is the place to see and be seen.
Machine/Ramrod
1254 Boylston Street
Boston MA 02215
617-266-2986
www.machine-boston.com/
www.ramrod-boston.com/
A multi-level club with multiple bars, Machine offers something for everyone. One room is a casual video bar with several pool tables. In the next room you'll find a whole different scene as a DJ plays the latest dance and house music which fills up the big dance floor. Upstairs and in the back you'll find Ramrod, for those who like men and leather. If you're not wearing any leather, be prepared to take your shirt off!
Paradise
180 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02163
617-868-3000
www.paradisecambridge.com/
A short trip across the Charles River you'll find the new Paradise. The two-level club has been recently renovated touting a bigger downstairs dance floor. Upstairs is the place where you'll find dancers performing 7 days a week.
Eagle
520 Tremont Street
Boston MA 02216
617-542-4494
Located in the South End, the Eagle is one of Boston's premiere cruise bars, featuring a neighborhood crowd. It's a friendly place to meet new people and to play some pool. The Eagle is most popular late at night before last call.
Estate
1 Boylston Place
Boston MA 02116
617-351-7000
www.chrisharrispresents.com/glamlife
In the Threater District you'll find what's dubbed "Boston's Original Gay Hip Hop and Top 40's Party." It's a popular destination for Thursday nights.
Fritz
26 Chandler Street
Boston MA 02116
617-482-4428
www.fritzboston.com/
Fritz is one of the most causal sports bars around and with multiple video screens, you'll usually find a game you want to watch. Fritz is a big sponsor of some of the gay sports leagues and often plays host to their functions and get-togethers. Despite having a tiny kitchen, you'll find they serve up a great brunch as well.
Rumor
100 Warrenton Street
Boston MA 02116
617-422-0045
www.rumorboston.com
Looking for something to do on a Wednesday night? Then check on Latin Night at Rumor in the Theater District. It's Boston's longest running Latin Night.
Dbar
1236 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester MA 02125
617 265-4490
www.dbarboston.com/
A short trip down Dorchester Avenue, you'll find one of the area's most popular hang-outs. The former Irish pub is now a trendy full service restaurant which transforms into a nightclub & lounge after 10pm.
Midway Café
3496 Washington Street
Jamaica Plain MA
617-524-9038
www.midwaycafe.com
Just for the ladies, Thursday night is Ladies night at the Midway Cafe. Come check out the crowd. You won't be disappointed and rock out to your favorite 80's tune.
Epic Saturdays (@ House of Blues)
15 Lansdowne Street
Boston MA 02215
www.chrisharrispresents.com
On Saturday nights, on the site of infamous Avalon, Boston's House of Blues becomes Epic for the night with the biggest gay dance party around featuring house DJs. On some Saturdays HOB may be reserved for private functions so it's good to check on line in advance.
Hot Mess Sundays (@ Underbar)
275 Tremont Street
Boston MA
917-428-4128
www.chrisharrispresents.com
Not working Monday or just looking for more fun to round out your weekend? Check out the "messiest night of mashup music from the 80, 90s and today" at Underbar.
Tuesdays at ZuZu!
427 Mass Ave
Cambridge MA 02139
617-864-3278
Looking for progressive club culture you can't find anywhere else? Zulu offers up a queer-trans-hetero space featuring some of the city's bravest up and coming talent.
Verve Lounge
811 Mass Ave
Boston MA 02118
617-345-5432
It's not well known and it's not in a place the regulars would usually think of heading to, but on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month you'll find a Tea Dance at Verve Lounge inside Rudi's Resto Cafe & Bar. Parking is available at the public garage off Melnea Cass Blvd
Fran's Place
776 Washington St
Lynn MA
781-598-5618
www.gofrans.com/
Just a little north of Boston you'll find Fran's. A popular hang-out with the largest dance floor in Lynn. Not looking to dance all night? The bar has two pool tables, video games, a flat screen TV and a digital jukebox.
47 Central Ave.
47 Central Ave.
Lynn MA 01901
781-586-0551
47 Central Ave offers up dance music on the weekends, pool and keno during the week.
Rise
306 Stuart Street
Boston MA 02116
617-423-7473
www.riseclub.us
Rise is Boston's after-hours club. While the rest of the city closes up at 2 a.m., Rise is just waking up. It's a membership club, which means you need to know someone to sponsor you in the door. Your best bet is to go out to Club Café, Paradise, or Machine and find someone who is headed to Rise. The first floor is a lounge and the second floor is where you'll find a pulsing, raving dance floor. No alcohol is sold.
Jacque's Cabaret
79 Broadway St.
Boston MA 02116
617-426-8902
www.jacques-cabaret.com/
You like dressing up? How about dressing up in drag? Check out the only place in Boston to see a true drag show. There's always something to see at Jacque's every night of the week.
Randolph Country Club
44 Mazzeo Drive
Randolph MA 02368
781-961-2414
www.randolphcountryclub.com
Leave your golf clubs at home. Located south of Boston, RCC is a popular place for men in the summer. Come early to grab a chair and pick the right spot to hang-out around the big in-ground pool. At night all year round, RCC is a fun laid-back place to meet friends for drinks, dance and maybe try some karaoke.
