The World’s Best Cities for Gay Clubbing

Some people travel to get in touch with nature. Some people travel to learn more about cultures in far-flung lands. And some people travel to party!

One of the best things about the gay travel scene is that it caters to hedonism, so if you want to forget all about the stresses of daily life by going wild on the dance floor, you need to get yourself to these epicenters of gay clubbing.

Berlin

Okay, Berlin is a bit of an obvious one. But it’s obvious because it’s just such an epic place for parties that it cannot be ignored!

As one of the most prominent hipster destinations on the planet, it’s also extremely gay-friendly.

I might describe it more as gay dominant, and straight friendly. So don’t worry if you are a hetero who wants in on the action – you’ll be welcome in the club too!

My lasting memory from visiting Berlin is dancing to Torn by Natalie Imbruglia in Club Schwuz in the early hours of the morning. I mean, how brilliantly weird is that?

And if you want something a little darker and more “clubby,” you can’t beat Berghain – an “after hours” joint that has been described as the best club in the world more than once.

London

The truth is that London’s gay scene is in decline. A handful of my favorite places from just a few years back have now closed down, mostly because of the high rent prices in England’s capital.

But even when it’s in decline, London is a more happening city than most.

If you go to one club night in London, it has to be Duckie at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which has held its own each Saturday night for more than twenty years, and the crowd remains the most diverse of any gay club night in the capital.

You can expect to hear big pop tunes, but there is also live performance art every week for something a bit different.

And if you want a gay megaclub, London has those too. G-A-Y at Heaven attracts the biggest pop talent to perform every Saturday night, and you should head to Fire if you want to dance to thumping techno and take your shirt off with the Muscle Maries.

See also: Europe’s Best Gay Beaches

Buenos Aires

Latin America has always been a place that has been friendly towards the LGBT population, with same-sex marriage legalized in many countries waaaaaay before the States or the UK.

And it’s in the major cities of South America that you can find the most epic gay clubs and parties.

For those who love to party not into the night, but into the early hours of the morning, Buenos Aires is the place to be.

For gay partying in Buenos Aires, there are two neighborhoods: San Telmo, which is the historical center and has a relaxed, vibrant feel, and Palermo, which is more upscale and swanky.

For a taste of the city’s LGBT history, don’t miss Contramano, which is the oldest gay club in the city, now over thirty years old.

That club tends to draw an older crowd, so if you want big beats and sexy guys, Amerika Disco is the place to visit, dance, be seen, and make new friends.

There are three floors of music, and you’ll have an unforgettable time.

See also: The Challenges of Being a Gay Traveler

New York

New York is one of the world’s most exciting cities for many reasons, not least because of its enduring appeal with the LGBT community.

New York is split up into several districts, and the type of scene you are after will dictate where you hang out.

The Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan is where you go for budget dining and hot gay clubbing.

At Industry Bar, you can catch a drag show after work, but then things heat up if you take the party across to XL Nightclub, which is officially NY’s largest gay nightclub.

But if you want something a little more off the wall, you would be better off venturing to the Brooklyn district.

Okay, Brooklyn might be more of a lounge around, have a drink, and look at the hipsters kind of place, but there are still definitely big parties where you can shimmy.

Metropolitan has been a staple on the Williamsburg scene for a decade now, and Happyfun Hideaway is a new kid on the block that mixes fun dance tunes with an artistic vibe.