Greater Miami & Miami Beach has long been a best-in-class destination for LGBTQ travelers in search of gay nightlife. If you’re looking for a night out at one of Miami’s hot gay bars or nightclubs, you have plenty to choose from. Whether it’s a drag show on Ocean Drive, boozie bingo at a lobby bar inside a gay hotel, or a late night on the dance floor of South Beach’s longest-running gay club, Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s gay nightlife is always a good time.

Palace

Palace is South Beach’s iconic gay bar on Ocean Drive, famous for daily drag shows and a weekend drag brunch featuring queens sashaying down the sidewalk and entertaining everyone in sight. From Fantasia Royale Gaga to CC Glitzer, Palace is home to some of Miami’s top drag queen talent. With a massive outdoor patio and sidewalk seating, the indoor bar is often a high-energy, DJ-fueled scene. Whether you want drag served with your brunch, lunch or dinner, the time is always right for a visit to Palace. And if you’re looking for a day at the beach, right across the street from the bar is the semi-official 11th/12th Street gay beach, which has a rainbow lifeguard tower and a scene of its own.

Nathan’s Beach Club

Situated in the heart of Washington Avenue, Nathan’s Beach Club, formerly Nathan’s Video Bar, is one of South Beach’s best known gay bars. Come on weeknights for DJs and dancing, or come on the weekend to check out the speakeasy in the back, perfect for a more-private VIP experience. Watch out for concerts featuring well-known performers, like Robbie Ellis. For those who remember Nathan’s nostalgic videos featuring old-school TV shows, you’ll still be able to watch them in the main room.

Catch a show by the many talented drag divas at R House

R House

Chef Rocco Carulli and his husband, Owen Bale, opened R House, a trendy Wynwood eatery and art gallery in a sprawling indoor/outdoor warehouse-style space, back in 2014. Their concept evolved through the years after partnering with drag queen Athena Dion and DJ Jody McDonald. Today, R House is a gay entertainment mecca with a lively weekend drag brunch. Stop by for happy hour specials Wednesday through Friday. On Friday evenings, come out for Yas Queen, hosted by Athena Dion and starring Miami’s fiercest queens. The Saturday Escandalo! party showcases a Miami-style drag show with a Latin twist, featuring a live salsa band. With Chef Rocco’s creative Latin cuisine and mixology program, a visit to R House is both sophisticated and high-spirited.

Gaythering bar area — Come as you are for craft cocktails & fun at Bar Gaythering

Bar Gaythering at Hotel Gaythering

Situated on Lincoln Road in South Beach inside Hotel Gaythering (which proudly calls itself the “gayest hotel in Miami Beach”), Bar Gaythering is the cheeky, approachable lobby bar that plays host to a variety of theme nights and a daily happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m. The red and black décor lends the Gaythering a sexy vibe, and the mood can range from laid-back to anything goes, depending on the time of night. On Monday nights, comedy queen Blamie Forret hosts karaoke. Wednesday nights mean trivia. On Thursday nights, Blamie hosts Boozie Bingo. The hotel is also home to a men’s sauna if you fancy some steam before or after a trip to the bar.

Disco balls — Get your groove on at Twist

Twist

Possibly Miami’s most iconic gay bar, Twist has kept the party going in South Beach for almost 30 years. The two-level, multiroom nightclub (with three dance floors) is always an adventure. Daily happy hour specials and multiple nightly events make this a must-visit spot. From late-night DJ parties to go-go dancers, drag queens and a diverse crowd of locals and visitors, a visit to Twist is a must for gay travelers in Miami. With the motto “never a cover, always a groove,” this hot spot has a welcoming atmosphere.

Kill Your Idol

A beloved South Beach dive bar with a punk spirit, Kill Your Idol has been a mainstay on Española Way since 2012. This spot promises cheap drinks and live music with no cover and no reservations. Although any night of the week at Kill Your Idol is solid, don’t miss the monthly Gender Blender, featuring drag burlesque entertainers, performance artists and queercentric rock bands and DJs.

Blackbird Ordinary

Tuesday evenings at Blackbird Ordinary have evolved into the ultimate hangout for many queer women and lesbians during Yes Ma'am Tuesdays ladies’ night. After all, who can resist a night filled with complimentary drinks for the ladies until 1 a.m.? While Blackbird Ordinary may not be explicitly designated as a gay or lesbian bar in Miami, and their ladies’ night isn’t exclusively tailored for the queer community, it has somehow transformed into a go-to spot for queer women on Tuesday evenings. The crowd is delightfully mixed and diverse, so expect a vibrant atmosphere!

Dance all night with resident DJ Hottpants at Double Stubble

Double Stubble at Gramps

Head to Gramps in Wynwood on Thursday nights for the raucous Double Stubble party with resident DJs Hottpants and Zehno plus a rotating cast of drag queens, trans and non-binary performers. The sprawling indoor-outdoor bar with a pizza window is a local favorite, drawing a diverse crowd out for a good time. Drag queen Karla Croqueta hosts the festivities, serving up a free-spirited and irreverent night out.

LPN!

LPN! typically touches down in Miami at El Palenque Nightclub in Little Havana, where the party doesn’t get started until 5:30 a.m. and goes well into the morning. With headlining DJs like Alex Lo, Otto Mark Oz and Yordy Joe Pacheco, it’s the ultimate gay after-hours party.

Club Boi at The Villa Nightclub

For a wild night out, look no further than Club Boi’s pop-up parties on the last Saturday of every month. The dance club serves up urban and Caribbean vibes with flashing neon lights, bottle service and a high-energy dance floor. DJs Dias and Gavin spin crowd-pleasing mixes, with everything from hip-hop to R&B, reggae, soca and dancehall, to keep the party grooving until late-night.

Azucar Nightclub

Not to be confused with the beloved Little Havana ice cream shop of the same name, Azucar Nightclub is a lively Latin LGBTQ club just off Coral Way. Hostess Rosario de la Vega, or Oyacito, as she’s known on social media, ensures a lively vibe. From weekly cabaret shows to special events, like the Miss Azucar drag queen pageant, the scene here is always energetic. Live DJs are sure to draw everyone onto the dance floor. There’s always something wild and fun going down at Azucar Nightclub.

Roving Parties

Score

What was once a legendary gay nightclub on South Beach’s Washington Avenue has now become a roving party all across Greater Miami & Miami Beach. If you want to party with Score today, you’ll have to check their events calendar to find out when and where they’re popping up next. From a Gotham City-themed rave in Doral during Miami Music Week to hosting the URGE Miami Thanksgiving Festival, Score knows how to throw a wild party.

Midnight Service

Dance the night away to house and disco at Midnight Service, a new LGBTQ party that draws inspiration from the spiritual journey that comes from enjoying great music on the dance floor. Expect beautiful people, high energy and a dance floor packed with revelers grooving into the wee hours.

The Playlist

The Playlist is a monthly event that brings together the LGBTQ community and anyone who wants to experience a free space where everyone is welcome. The events offer a dynamic program of performances, art direction and interactive activities that showcase the creativity and talent of the LGBTQ community. From dance parties to live music, The Playlist has something for everyone.

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