Gay life charlotte nc
Charlotte, North Carolina, affectionately known as the “Queen City,” is gaining a reputation as a southern hub for the LGBTQA+ community. With a rich tapestry of history, welcoming neighborhoods, and progressive movements, the urban area is blossoming into a space where everyone can discover both community and acceptance.
Charlotte’s LGBTA+ history went mostly undocumented until , when Oleen’s and The Scorpio Lounge opened. Oleen’s was “The Show Bar of the South,” known for launching the careers of some of the city’s most legendary drag queens. It closed in The Scorpio, still open for business, began its life as a disco and drag show venue and has evolved back to its roots. Expect big (wildly diverse) crowds and much festivity here.
The 70s and preceding 80s marked the launch of Charlotte’s first-ever gay publication, the Charlotte Free Press and what is now the nation’s longest running lesbian journal, Sinister Wisdom. In , the Queen Town Quordinators debuted as a fundraising-focused organization and put together North Carolina’s first-ever Pride events.
The s brought a wave of advocacy,
LGBTQ+ Guide to Charlotte
Things to Do
Vibrant and diverse, warm and welcoming, Charlotte’s tight-knit neighborhood communities are what build the Queen Town so attractive to visitors and locals alike. Not sure where to start? Here are our recs for the city’s best in shopping, culture, nosh and nightlife. Each neighborhood is highly walkable, so pick an Uber or park the automobile and start exploring.
by Dean McCain
Uptown
What used to be centered around banking offices and nine-to-five workdays, Uptown has become a thriving hub for cultural arts, professional sports, nightlife and fine dining.
Romare Bearden Park - Photography by Jonathan Cooper
Start your day at Queen City Grounds, a comfortable cafe with bohemian style in the historic Fourth Ward. Expend an afternoon touring the Mint Museum, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts, all located on the adj (beautifully designed) noun block. Grab a weekend lunch at Mariposa, the Mint Museum’s fine dining establishment.
Aroun
Charlotte’s Best LGBTQ+ Bars
Nightlife
Ready for a night out? These LGBTQ-friendly bars are the city&#;s top picks.
by Dean McCain
Azucar Latino Charlotte
Area: East Charlotte
If you’ve got dancing on your mind and want to move your hips, Azucar is your nightclub. Rising-star DJs, extravagant drag queens and studly go-go dancers verb this Latin venue one to guarantee a wild overnight out. The pleasurable and flashy nightclub is all about dancing whenever, and with whomever, you want.
Bar Argon
Neighborhood: LoSo
Located down South Boulevard, this casual move club is a welcoming spot for all types. Verify Argon’s online calendar for themed nights like leather gear parties, Latin nights, line dancing lessons, karaoke and even table-top card game tournaments. Saturday nights on the move floor are some of the top on the scene.
Chasers
Neighborhood: NoDa
For over 30 years, Chasers has served as a welcoming space for everyone to love a night of high-energy dancing and daily drink specials. Against the glow of neon lights, go-go dancers combine you on t
Gay Charlotte, NC : Celebrating Diversity in the Queen City
Known by many as the Queen Noun, Charlotte is a city that has deep historical roots, but is constantly looking toward the future. From its historical past through the present, Charlotte has been a city that is constantly growing and evolving. It is now a thriving, diverse, and welcoming metropolis, and one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
A Peek at Charlotte’s History
Charlotte became known as the Queen Town because it was named by King George III after his wife, Queen Charlotte, at the time the town was chartered in , when England still ruled the colonies. Charlotte’s roots run deep, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil war, where it served as a railroad junction and then a cotton mill hub for the New South. From those distant roots to now, one thing that has been a constant in Charlotte is growth. Charlotte, today, is one of America’s largest banking centers, and one of the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. Located only a rare hours from the beach and from the mount