“Nevada ranks as the best state in America for LGBTQ people as a state. It has a relatively low share of hate crimes motivated by gender identity or sexual orientation. It also has nearly all laws suggested by the HRC for LGBTQ rights, including nondiscrimination laws, parenting laws, statutes against hate crimes, and those ensuring protections for health care access.

Nevada passed 34 laws protecting the rights and safety of its LGBTQ residents from 2009 to 2019. The state also has no laws considered infringing on these protections, according to the HRC.” says usatoday.com

So as you can imagine, our LGBTQ+ community is a thriving place filled with unique hot spots all around the Las Vegas area. If you are looking for a fun place to get a few drinks and mingle with other community members or allies, then this is where you want to start your planning! Below are my top 5 Gay bars you should experience for yourself this 2022 in Las Vegas.

5. Fun Hog Ranch 🏆 “The Local Favorite.”

 Call: (702) 791-7001 |  Website: funhogranchlv.com/  |  Hours: Open 24/7

495 E Twain Ave, Las Vegas Nv 89169

A friend of mine describes the Fun Hog Ranch as “The gay guy’s answer to a bro’ish dive bar.” My experience? The people are very upbeat and want to chat with you, and it’s primarily locals! So this is a great place to meet people. There is gaming! If you sit at the bar, you can try your luck on keno, poker, blackjack, etc. Not into gaming, no problem; there are also private booths available. The Jukebox is open to all music types, so setting a mood that meets your pace is easy! Will you see a lot of lesbians? Not really, this is more of a place for the guys, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t welcome. This place is open to everyone and is very friendly and welcoming from the moment you walk through the door. I can’t talk about the Fun Hog Ranch without mentioning its fantastic drink specials! They are daily!

• Mojito Mondays
• $2 Tuesdays
• Hump Day ( Wednesday) $4 drink specials
• Thirsty Thursdays – All you can drink
• Sunday Funday! All you can drink beer

Overall I give this place a “Locals Favorite” badge. The bartenders are super friendly and personable. The bar is positioned right in the heart of a local residential zone just outside the Strip, home to many casino workers, mid 30’s homeowners, and families. And it’s not as flashy as the rest of the bars on this list, and it feels like more of a Cheers-style bar.

 

4. The Garden 🏆 “The Most Photogenic.”

Call: 702-202-0900  |  Website: thegardenlasvegas.com/  |  Hours: 5pm – 3am

  1017 S 1st St #180, Las Vegas, NV 89101

I would describe the Garden as ” The best party spot within a mile radius of its proximity.” Located on the border of The Arts District, right across from the Arts Factory, hides a bar behind tall walls only to be found by its rainbow flag fluttering aside its dark worded Oversized sign. Anytime a friend invites me to meet them at “The Garden” I drink a big glass of water before I leave my house. I know that no matter what we think or plan to do, we will end up dancing the night away with a hefty hangover after a night at this unpredictable fun bar. The Garden is not afraid to get “turn’t up” on a Monday. I once heard they got a fine from the city for partying too hard and had to shut down for a few weeks! I hope I’ve conveyed that the Garden is home to a vibrant atmosphere by now. Esthetically it’s a gorgeous bar with several Instagram-able spots. The drinks are club priced, meaning they can range from $10-$18+. Did I mention they have an excellent Happy hour? From 5-7p, on Thursdays and Fridays, you can get drinks as low as $7, including wine and food! The cuisine is also something not to be missed. I recommend coming here for a late lunch and staying for a night of drinks before heading to another place.

The Food Menu includes:

• Charcuterie board
• Chicken Tenders
• Sliders
• Salads 
• Vegan-Friendly Options

The VIP Service is one of the only ones you will find within this area of the Arts District. I recommend visiting this link to contact a promoter for rates and availability to explore getting a table here. 

 

3. The Garage 🏆 “The Best Happy Hour.”

Call:  702-440-6333   |  Website: http://www.thegaragelv.com/  |  Hours: 24/7

1487 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119

If you want to play some games while you drink, this is the best bar on this list. The Garage has pool tables, dartboards, shuffleboard, and video poker! Located a short distance from UNLV, this is the best college gay bar in Vegas, period! Prices here are perfect for those living on a student cost of living. This place gets packed! Drinks are so cheap here, and the staff is well-trained. It’s a reliable place to meet friends and have a classic hang-out session. The Garage is also known for its unique and budget-friendly events; from Trivia nights to Mancave Mondays, it’s a place you must fit into your schedule and experience for yourself. Want to come in on a Sunday? They will have $1.25 hot dogs and half trays of cheese nachos 2 pm-7 pm. Not to mention 2-FOR-1 Drinks until 7 pm.

Mondays $4.50 Absolut Cocktails & Shots
Tuesdays $3.50 Fireball Shots
Wednesdays $5.50 Jack Daniel’s
Thursdays $3 Off Top Shelf Liquor
Fridays $3.50 Cherry/Jäger Bombs
Saturdays $4 Long Island Iced Teas
Sundays $4 1800 Silver Shots

The Garage is another great place to experience a very local atmosphere, and it is not as much of a party place as #4 and number #1 on this list. Still, it is a great place for socializing and enjoying the company you came with without breaking your bank.

2. FreeZone 🏆 “The Sexy one  & 🏆 Best AfterHours Spot.”

Call: (702) 794-2300  |  http://www.freezonelv.com/  |  Hours: 24/7

610 E Naples Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Close to the Strip stands a Pioneers of the Historic Vegas Fruit Loop. You will find the Freezone within a few minutes from the Strip and less than a mile from the Howard Hughes Airport. You cannot skip this place while exploring the Vegas gay culture. To miss the Freezone is to miss the essence of the Vegas LGBTQ+ community. This is one of the oldest gay bars in Vegas, deemed by practically any local “home away from home.” Freezone opened its doors back in 1996 and has grown in popularity as the best place to visit after hours. If you don’t want to go home, you can go there. If you are new to the Fruit Loop, it is a significant part of our city’s gay history; its history dates back to the 1970s. Many bars have come and gone, but the Freezone stands firm because of its precision and peaceful place to let loose atmosphere. They have excellent security to help you feel safe while you dance the night away. There are pool tables behind the dance floor for those who would instead shoot some billiards. They have graceful drag shows and events on a regular schedule and not to mention the on-staff eye candy walking around with shots in skimpy undergarments. If you are interested in trying their menu, no rush on your arrival time; it’s 24/7! That’s pretty rare, considering it consists of delicious tacos, burgers, fries, quesadillas, and even birria.
If you decide to dabble in their happy hour, it begins at 1 pm-8 pm and offers 2 for one on all well-drinks. Once Happy Hour is over, starting at 8 pm, they have a beer bust that is only $15 and a Cocktail bust for $17 for all you can drink! The bar itself is a bit dark and foggy from all the smoke machines making it a bit hard to get a good photo, but it is a lively place with some of the best parties I’ve ever been to, and the drag shows will keep you entertained whether you come on a weekday or the weekend.

 

1. The Pheonix 🏆 “The Best Gay Bar in Vegas.”

Call: (702) 826-2422  |  Website: thephoenixlv.com  |  Hours: Open 24/7

 4213 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Time and time again, the Pheonix is voted the best gay bar in Las Vegas. I think this is because, as a local, its location is perfectly central to all four corners of the valley, and they have karaoke! Unlike many bars, they host almost daily events and have video gamed tables. So you can enjoy your cocktails and play Wii with your friends! The Pheonix has a small but often used dance floor, a restaurant, a full bar with gaming, excellent outdoor seating with hookah service, and a great entertainment lineup. A significant part of the appeal is the music selection. They often have top-rated DJs that get the place moving. Between its historical location and ample parking, something about this bar aid in the ease of enjoyment this place eludes to a local.
When asked to describe The Pheonix, the owners said, “Our mission is to show pride in our community through acceptance and inclusion, communal effort, art, self-expression, and participation.”
They offer two daily happy hour specials, weekly karaoke, pool tables, darts, patios, special events, and more! I give this place the #1 spot because although it shares a lot of traits with other bars on my list, The Pheonix is a much more openly friendly atmosphere; I can t name a single time I came here and didn’t leave with a new friend phone number or Instagram info. The people who flock to this place are warm and welcoming, and the staff matches perfectly. If a bartender sees you sitting alone or seeming down, this is the kind of place where they will go out of their way to send you a drink or direct some people to introduce themselves to you. Overall it’s the most comfortable and welcoming bar and one to enjoy on a more chill night of your travels. They get pretty live here on the weekends, but it can be a local crowd. If you are visiting and want to have a great experience, the vibe is best on a Sunday through Thursday (in my opinion). The Pheonix offers food from 12–2 am on weekdays. The menu includes traditional bar foods like tacos, fries, salads, tacos, burgers, baked mac and cheese, and even ribs! Every 4th Saturday of the month is ladies’ night for all the females.