Travel: Visit Seattle During Pride and Support LGBTQ+ Businesses

Eat Here

For elegant bistro presentation of Pacific Northwest fare, Harry's Fine Foods is a Capitol Hill favorite. Inside this converted corner bodega, or in its airy outdoor spaces, pair seasonal dishes with natural wines or craft cocktails from this produce-driven menu that includes plenty of meat and a bounty of local seafood. While Cafe Flora isn't in this neighborhood, it's well worth the short drive (under ten minutes) if you're in search of a top vegetarian menu in the area. Expect dishes like roasted fennel and maitake mushroom risotto with vegan mozzarella, Turkish cauliflower polenta with rainbow chard and feta, or an Italian black bean burger with house-made giardiniera and basil pesto. If quirk is key, you can't beat Saint John's Bar & Eatery back in Capitol Hill, where dinosaurs reign supreme. Dinos aren't just a theme here; they're a lifestyle, and you'll find them all over. Tuna Turner is the signature dish here (a tuna melt billed as "simply the best"), but you'll find other comfort foods like a fontina and cheddar mac and cheese, braised short rib shepherd's pie, and burgers (including a vegan burger). After meals, or even between, Cupcake Royale now has five locations around Seattle, each serving up Seattle's favorite cupcakes alongside Stumptown espresso drinks and homemade ice cream.

You'll have no trouble locating LGBTQ+ bars in Capitol Hill, but two of our favorites are Queer/Bar and The WildRose Bar. The latter isn't just the only lesbian bar in Seattle, but one of the few remaining in the entire country, operating on Pike Street since 1984. Queer/Bar is dedicated to active inclusion of the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum, and is also Seattle's premiere entertainment venue if you're a "RuPaul's Drag Race" fan, with RuGirls regularly performing to sold out crowds here. Aside from bars and restaurants, you may also find yourself in want of a quick snack or fresh bite on the go, in which case you should pop into Cone & Steiner, an upscale corner store specializing in local goods, prepared foods, and fresh fruits and flowers.

Shop Here

Eating and drinking are grand, but there are other ways to support the community with your dollars while in town. From the same owner of Queer/Bar, Big Little News is a curated magazine shop with an extensive collection of specialty titles in Capitol Hill, and it also sells a selection of gifts, alcohol, and other drug store finds. If you're still looking to piece together your best pride outfit, you may have some luck at Indian Summer. Keep in mind that the vintage finds here steer heavily toward the side of glamour here, though, so this may not be the place to find your parade gear. These are for your special events and appearances. Finally, the all-LGBTQ+ managed Crystallography Gems may be a bit of a hike south from Capitol Hill, but is worth the trek for shopping or even gawking. With a large and diverse collection that could rival small museums, a visit here is as much education as recreation.

Stay Here

If this is your first trip to Seattle, you'll also want to spend some time Downtown, close to many of the city's best-known attractions. From the Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture to Pike Place Market and the first Starbucks, no one would blame you for making this general area your home base. If you do, consider the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle: Downtown for a swanky stay with daily social hours (yes, that's complimentary wine and beer) that are often accompanied by live music or local pop-ups. Kimpton hotels are all pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your pup, too. If you want to stay closer to the festivities in Capitol Hill, though, you'll need to opt for something more along the lines of a bed and breakfast, but keep in mind that Downtown is only a 10-minute drive from Capitol Hill and ride-sharing services are easily accessed.