The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide to Las Vegas
What better place for a weekend of debauchery than the original city of sin? Las Vegas has a little something for anyone who enjoys a good time, including the LGBTQ+ community. Vegas usually welcomes an extravagant Pride Month in October, but with travel having been a little trickier this year, planning for next year is a real mood lifter. So, whilst almost all of the main attractions are inclusive, a bit of inside information never hurt anyone. These are some of the spots that go the extra mile to really put on a show and make everyone feel included.
Splash Out at The Luxor Resort
It wouldn't be a trip to Las Vegas without a visit to the casino. All of the major casinos in Las Vegas are LGBTQ friendly, but one that always goes above and beyond is the Luxor Resort. This glamorous casino is perhaps best known for its annual gay fashion show, but locals will tell you that there's something even better.
Every Sunday their pool gets turned into the biggest gay pool party in the state. With pop anthems galore, plenty of gogo boys and a cocktail menu that'll have you dancing all afternoon long, there's no better way to spend a Sunkissed Sunday. Just don't let the drinks go to your head, the resort chapel also offers same-day, same-sex marriages, it is Vegas after all!
If for some reason you want a break from the pool, then the casino itself is a heaven for fans of gaming. Whether you're an online player or you stick to bricks and mortar, the enormous selection of no less than 62 tables guarantees something for everyone. Blackjack tops the list of the most popular types of table games, both in real life and online. So, why not take a bet on the $5 Luxor Blackjack tournament? If you want to brush up on your skills first then there are free lessons every day at noon.
Have Fun in the Fruit Loop
The Fruit Loop is known as Las Vegas' gay district. The streets here are such a nonstop party that it can be difficult to know where is the best! Clubs and bars spill out colorful partygoers onto the streets pretty much 24 hours a day, but there are a couple of clubs that are definitely worth a visit.
FreeZone holds one of the longest running drag shows in the city, which takes place both nights of the weekend. Drag Madness gives the incredible queens here a chance to really shine and is well worth making a special visit for. Ladies Night is on Sundays, which combined with karaoke is always hilarious fun. Thursday is for Boys and Tuesdays are Trans Unity night. The rota at this club gives everyone a chance to shine, but they'll never disagree to mixed groups of friends, no matter the night of the week.
The other big hitter is The Piranha Club. This Las Vegas staple is open 24 hours a day and has one of the best sound systems around. If all you want is to dance and dance and dance, then The Piranha Club should be first on your list. If you need a quick breather then the patio is pretty scenic and you'll quite often find "Drag Race" contestants hanging out here.
Time to Refuel
Party vacations can be exhausting, so you've got to keep your stomach full and those hydration levels high. Las Vegas is famous for it's totally over the top eateries, but what about some restaurants that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ crowd?
Hamburger Mary's describes itself as an open-air bar and grill for open-minded people. They serve straight-up delicious food, with burgers, unsurprisingly, as their most popular menu item. The Proud Mary is the most indulgent, comprising of a softy squidgy bun, two thick patties, grilled onions, cheese, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce, plus Mary's special sauce of course. If you've got any space left after that then the Unicorn Cupcakes are a sickly sweet delight. Once you've savored your lunch, don't forget to enjoy the drag show.
Time for a Little Culture?
Start your cultural adventure with a trip to Vegas' first gay bar. Bastille on 3rd is a little hard to spot, but worth the work it takes trying to find it. Once you're inside this Arts District bar you'll find, for Vegas, relatively cheap drinks in a somehow British feeling pub. Spend a little time soaking up the atmosphere, then it's time for the final stop on the culture trip.
Spiegelworld is one of the raunchiest shows that you're likely to find in Sin City. Fans of Cirque will absolutely adore this absolutely NSFW vaudeville show. Opium is part of the show roster, which plays as a super sexy space opera. There are skimpy silver outfits galore, and robot sex. Whether it's your thing or not, you can't argue that it's an incredible spectacle!