A TASTE OF LESBIAN EUROPE Your Pocket Guide to Queer Spaces
THE QUEER LIST | 2025 EDITION
PS: Vivienne Westwood shoes, owned by Peaches
Staying up to date with clubs and meeting places for the lesbian queer community is a full-time job. Some parties are held only once. Others might appear under one name, only to reappear a few months later with a new one. It's a constantly changing world.
This list is intentionally curated to spotlight spaces created for and by lesbians and queer women. While the broader LGBTQ+ community has many wonderful venues, the goal of The Queer List is to specifically uplift and increase the visibility of places dedicated to our part of the in community.
However, there are no rules without exceptions. Sometimes, a gay space simply demands to be included. I've also received inquiries about where I buy my clothes, so I have started to include some of the magic shops I love. And since the fact of the matter is that one day we will all die, I've also included some of my favorite churchyards—because the good news is that they can be beautifully poetic places for those of us still alive. Finally, I've included some sporting facilities, because let's face it: there would be no Roller Derby without the lesbians.
You might wonder why the list still misses countries and cities. Well, Rome was not built in a day. I am also a one-woman show. I work from my gut and I build this list as I go, which I find very exciting. There is still so much to discover. It's also a very good cliffhanger and an excuse for you to always come back.
My list contains many pop-up events with varying locations. To find the most up-to-date information, please follow the organizers on social media. This is a living document. If you miss your favorites on the list, I'd love to hear from you—please send me an email with your suggestions!
🇦🇹AUSTRIA
VIENNA
CAFÉ ROZA🔗
Burggasse 44
A queer-feminist cultural café and bar that offers a welcoming space for the lesbian community as well as for all queer people. Perfect for relaxed meetings, cultural events, and exchange.
CHICKLIT🔗
Kleeblattgasse 7
A feminist bookstore with a wide selection of literature focusing on feminist themes and queer perspectives. A wonderful place to discover inspiring books and connect with like-minded people.
MAREA ALTA🔗
Gumpendorferstraße 28
A cozy queer bar with a rich history; once a lesbian bar, it retains a welcoming atmosphere. It’s known for its diverse events and parties. Highly recommended. My notes on this place →
CAFÉ SAVOY🔗
Linke Wienzeile 36
Vienna's oldest gay café/bar, opened in 1897. A place with a long history, which today is a popular meeting spot for the LGBTQ+ community, including a very open and friendly atmosphere for lesbian visitors.
LÖWENHERZ🔗
Berggasse 8
A specialized lesbian, gay, and queer bookstore that, in addition to a wide selection of books, also offers events and readings. An important cultural meeting point for the lesbian community in Vienna. My notes on this place →
TRAHÜTTEN
ABSTEIGE ZUR BÄRTIGEN THERESE🔗
Alexander Kortschak Weg 6
What happens to queer life in the countryside? I found the answer at Austria's first queer hotel, nestled 1000 meters high on the beautiful Koralm. In the mountain village of Trahütten, they've created a welcoming hotel, a traditional tavern, and a space for art & culture. Each room is uniquely decorated with art and charm, but words don't do it justice. You simply have to experience it for yourself. Be warned: once you arrive, you may never want to leave. My notes on this place →
🇧🇪BELGIUM
BRUSSELS
THE CRAZY CIRCLE🔗
Rue du Prince Royale 11
A queer-friendly bar in Brussels, especially welcoming lesbian, bi, trans folks (and those questioning!) and their friends.
🇩🇰DENMARK
AALBORG
📚BUENS BOGCAFÉ - DENMARK’S NORTHERNMOST LGBT+ BOOKSTORE🔗
Maren Turis Gade 12
Opened in Aalborg in April 2021, it was the first dedicated LGBT+ bookstore in Denmark. The bookshop offers a wide range of genres in Danish and English. Many of the books center on LGBT+ themes like queer love, transition, history, or identity, while others are included for featuring clear LGBT+ representation. Besides books and coffee, they hosts coffee clubs, talks, creative nights, and events across Jutland.
COPENHAGEN
BAG DUGGEDE RUDER🔗
Enghavevej 75
A queer culture house with a personality. They run a Friday bar, open from 6 PM to midnight. It's a space for conversation, board games, and relaxing. Music is kept low to encourage connection. They also host book clubs, talks, and communal dinners. Everyone is welcome.
CAFE INTIME🔗
Allegade 25
Cafe Intime is a legendary, open-minded piano bar in Frederiksberg with roots in the 1920s. It’s a place for quiet dates or lively nights, with live piano every evening and a jazz orchestra on Sundays. The atmosphere is historic and welcoming to all.
CLUB VELA🔗
2-4 Viktoriagade
Vela is widely known as Copenhagen's only lesbian-founded bar, making it an important place for the community. When it opened, it transformed a space with over a century of storied history. According to the legend, the location was home to one of Copenhagen’s most famed (and notorious) brothel bars, operating from 1902 to 2004. Today, it's the kind of place where you can play a round of foosball, hang out with friends and lovers, or simply soak in the spectacular interior design. Beyond the party, Vela also hosts cultural events like poetry nights, live music, and popular electronic DJ sets.
GIRL X GIRL🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Straight friendly events for queer women & non-binary people.
LESBISK FREDAG🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
This recurring queer event is a fantastic mix of performance art and dancing. It’s inspiring, artistic, and wonderfully unpredictable. The spontaneous nature of the evening is a big part of its charm.
LADIES LOUNGE CLUB🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
An exclusive private lounge club in Copenhagen for lesbians, bisexuals, and non-binary people. Ladies Lounge hosts parties and social gatherings with live music and DJs that support women in music.
SABAAH🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
An organization working to improve minority ethnic LGBTQIA+ people's living conditions. They also organize queer club events.
📚THE POND🔗
Poppelgade 6
A queer independent bookstore and café run by three non-binary individuals. They host events like game nights and book launches, plus two book clubs: The Small Queer Press Book Club, uplifting diverse LGBTQIA+ stories from smaller presses, and The Gender Theory and Also Sometimes Gender Fiction Book Club, focusing on gender-related books — primarily theory and academic works, from Julia Serano and Bell Hooks to Talia Bhatt and Ursula K. Le Guin — along with some fiction.
🇫🇷FRANCE
COUCOU LES GOUDOUS🔗
If you want to stay up-to-date on the lesbian, bi, trans, and queer event scene in Paris and throughout France, you should pay the Instagram account Coucou Les Goudous a visit. Functioning as a centralized 'Lesbo-Queer Agenda,' their platform provides a comprehensive, community-driven calendar of events. They list everything from parties and bar nights to cultural gatherings from a wide range of organizers. Their name is a playful reclamation of a French slang term for lesbian, and as they state themselves, their mission is simple: 'Our participatory agenda aims to identify and promote lesbian and queer events in France.'
PARIS
My notes on Paris →
BAR LES AIMANT.E.S🔗
182 Rue Saint-Martin
Right next to La Mutinerie, I discovered a treasure: Bar Les Aimant.e.s, a cosy LGBTQIA+-inclusive bar. This location was the home of the lesbian bar Bar'ouf for ten years. In the summer of 2024, it was thoughtfully rebranded by its new owner, Lucie, who has preserved its spirit. It's the kind of bar you can go to after a day at work, enjoy a glass of wine, and a chat with your friends before heading home. I had one of my best evenings here, lost in a deep conversation about documentary filmmaking and women's lives in Iran with people I'd just met. The bar is also wheelchair accessible.
BONJOUR MADAME🔗
40 Rue de Montreuil
Are you looking for a militant feminist queer cultural bar? This is it!
CABARET DES MERVEILLES🔗
25 Rue de l'Hirondelle
I immediately loved this place—it's as queer as it gets! With everything from drag king performances to speed dating and dancing in 'the cave,' it’s a space where you can truly be yourself, whether you're naked or expressing yourself artistically through your clothes. The atmosphere is open, warm, and incredibly friendly, making it a well-known gathering place for queer feminist culture. Best of all is the thoughtful sound design: the music is loud enough for dancing in the cave, but kept low in the upstairs bar, so you can actually hold a conversation.
ELLES BAR🔗
6 Rue de la Tacherie
They describe themselves as a festive and welcoming lesbian bar that is also LGBTQIA+ inclusive.
LA CHAMPMESLÉ🔗
4 Rue Chabanais
Probably one of the oldest lesbian bars in Paris, it has been open since 1979.
LA MUTINERIE🔗
176-178 Rue Saint-Martin
With its raw, Berlin-style attitude and decor, this self-organized bar is a home to many in the queer, feminist, trans, and lesbian communities. It’s far more than just a place for drinks, hosting everything from karaoke and speed dating to tattoo and piercing sessions. What makes the location even better is its next-door neighbor: BAR LES AIMANT.E.S, another fantastic LGBTQIA+-inclusive bar.
📚LES MOTS À LA BOUCHE🔗
37 Rue Saint-Ambroise
According to Wikipedia, Les Mots à la Bouche is France's oldest LGBTQI+ focused bookstore, having opened in Paris in 1980. It’s considered the best place to find works related to homosexual and lesbian issues. However my impression was that it was mainly a gay bookstore with lesbian/queer islands. They also have an English language section and a webshop. The basement houses a collection of art books and fashion magazines. I've always wanted a copy of Andy Warhol's creation “Interview”, and I was surprised to discover it wasn't online-only. I was delighted to find the winter issue 558 in the basement. I really enjoyed the mix. Even though it was written in French I appreciated the staffs personal notes on some of the books. It gave the place an extra human touch.
MERCI-MARSHA🔗
8 Rue Richard Lenoir
This LGBTQI+ bar hosts a variety of events, such as stand-up comedy from LGBTQ+ and allied comedians, drag king and queen performances, themed nights like "Dungeons and Heels," a sex-positive Q&A over drinks, themed bingo, and open mic opportunities. The bar is named after gay rights activist Marsha P. Johnson.
MONTVENUS🔗
16 Boulevard Paul Vaillant Couturier
This queer and feminist bar offers events such as exhibitions, a Queer Poetry Evening, and a monthly "DYKE'S CLUB" (held every first Tuesday), which is a space for encounters and exchanges. During these meetings, one or more inspiring guests take the floor to address various topics to reflect upon together, aiming to feel a little stronger and empowered to act.
PÈRE LACHAISE CEMETERY🔗
16 Rue du Repos
This is perhaps the most poetic cemetery on earth. The graves could easily be mistaken for scenes from a gothic, romantic, dark movie. Actually, no words can describe it. Just come and see it with your own eyes. Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, and Marcel Proust are some of the famous figures buried here. On the lesbian side, we have two giants.
Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas had perhaps one of the most famous lesbian love stories of all time. They were together for nearly 40 years. They met in 1907 and remained together until Gertrude Stein's death in July 1946. Her gravestone has her name in gold. When her wife Alice B. Toklas died many years later, she did not want to take any attention away from Gertrude. She considered her a genius who should shine in her own light. (Gertrude herself also thought she was a genius. That's lesbian confidence for you.) At the same time, Alice wanted to rest beside her true love. I have never seen a solution like hers. If you ask me, it's brilliant. She wrote her name in gold on the back of the gravestone.
At first, when I read about it, I thought it was just another sad story about the “wife” being made into an appendix to the grand partner. When I actually saw it in person, I changed my mind. In doing what she did, she made sure she too got the spotlight. She did not have to share the cover with Gertrude. In doing so, she wrote a new story that says a lot about what kind of a person Alice B. Toklas was. It's a genius move. And they got to rest side by side for all eternity. If you want to pay them a tribute, you will find them at Division 94. My film showing Stein & Toklas grave →
📚SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY🔗
37 rue de la Bûcherie
Shakespeare and Company is a legendary institution with a history in two acts. The original shop, the place for writers like Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, André Gide, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, was opened in 1921 at 12 Rue de l’Odéon by Sylvia Beach. Across the street, her wife Adrienne Monnier ran her bookstore, La Maison des Amis des Livres. Together they created an epicenter for the modernist literary scene in Paris. (You can always count on the lesbians.)
Beach was a true champion of the arts, acting as James Joyce's patron. She supported him financially and was the first to publish his controversial book, Ulysses, when no one else would. Tragically, when Joyce finally achieved fame and money, he never repaid her. Of course, we never know what would have happened, but it’s tempting to think: without Beach, no Ulysses. Beach's shop was forced to close in 1941 during the German occupation of Paris.
The bookstore we know today as Shakespeare and Company was opened in 1951 by an American named George Whitman, originally under the name 'Le Mistral.' In 1964, he renamed it Shakespeare and Company as a tribute to Beach. However, just a warning, the shop today, despite its rich history, has a touristy vibe that feels like a contradiction. I would still recommend a visit. If Sylvia Beach and her friends are of interest to you, they have a good selection of books about these figures and the lesbian power couples and individuals behind the scenes.
📚VIOLETTES & CO🔗
102 rue de Charonne
Opened in 2004, Violettes & Co is a feminist, lesbian, and LGBTQIA+ bookstore. They offer a wide selection of feminist and lesbian works, primarily in French, but also feature a small section of English literature. They host events several times a week on a range of topics relevant to the lesbian, queer, and feminist community. There's also a café, providing a space for working, reading, or chatting with friends. I got the impression that it's a good place to hang out and expand your ideas. The walls display exhibitions by different artists, and the staff spoke English and were very inclusive.
🇩🇪GERMANY
BERLIN
Guest Post by Victoria: The Ultimate Lesbian Berlin Guide →
BEGINE - WOMEN’S CULTURAL CENTRE🔗
Potsdamer Str. 139
A culture and meeting point for women since 1986. BEGiNE hosts monthly program of live music, theater, readings, and exhibitions with a focus on international and emerging artists. It's also a community space, used by various groups for meetings, workshops, and planning actions. For some, it's the only lesbian bar left in town.
CAFE LUZIA🔗
Oranienstrasse 34
A queer cocktail, bar & cafe.
CURLY BAR🔗
Adolfstrasse 17
They present themselves as: “everything but straight” and offer evenings with queer dating, comedy and karaoke nights
LES BIENS🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Flinta, Safe Space Events, check their Insta for updates
MÖBEL OLFE
Reichenberger Str. 177
This place was electric! While the sheer number of fabulous lesbians was exhilarating, ironically, connecting with individuals proved surprisingly challenging. However, the overall experience was absolutely worthwhile. Flinta nights every Tuesday! My notes on this place →
OYA BAR🔗
Mariannenstraße 6
OYA is a queer-feminist collective in Kreuzberg. It's a dedicated safe haven for FLINTA (women, lesbians, inter, non-binary, trans, agender) individuals, with an explicit and heartfelt welcome for the BIPoC community. Functioning as a relaxed café by day and a cozy bar by night, it hosts a wide range of events, from panel discussions and poetry readings to concerts and community brunches.
OXI CLUB🔗
Wiesenweg 1-4
They showcase regular and almost weekly FLINTA Parties, which of many are lesbian friendly. They also have a dark room which is open on sex positive/centered parties.
📚SHE SAID BOOKS🔗
Kottbusser Damm 79
I could have spent days browsing the impressive collection at this feminist & queer bookshop. They offer a fantastic selection of books in both German and English, and the atmosphere is wonderfully zen—you can even grab a coffee and a cake while you read. I felt at home instantly, loving everything from the interior design to the super-friendly staff. It’s the kind of magical place where I found books I didn’t even know I needed.
My notes on this place →
SCHWULES MUSEUM🔗
Lützowstraße 7
The Schwules Museum (SMU) is one of the world's most important institutions for queer history and culture. Founded in 1985 out of a grassroots movement to preserve the stories of gay men excluded by mainstream museums, it has since grown to document the diverse lives and histories of all queer people (LGBTQIA+). Through its groundbreaking exhibitions, extensive archives, and community events, the museum explores queer history not just as a collection of identities, but as a critical practice that fights against all forms of discrimination. It remains a vital space for research, activism, and community gathering.
SILVER FUTURE🔗
Weserstr. 206
An inspiring place to people-watch, with speed dating events and drag king performances adding to the lively atmosphere. Perfect for a fun night out. “For Kings and Queens and Criminal Queers” My notes on this place →
📚SPINNBODEN🔗
Anklamer Str. 38
Spinnboden is one of the world's largest lesbian archives and libraries. Founded in 1973 out of the lesbian movement, it was created as an 'archive from below' to preserve the stories and histories ignored by the mainstream. The name 'Spinnboden' harks back to old spinning rooms where women would work and share stories—a tradition this space continues by collecting, preserving, and sharing lesbian culture. It serves as a vital resource and a community space for discussions and events. I highly recommend a visit.
STUECK🔗
Schlesische Straße 16
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Cocktail bar with FLINTA events on Thursdays.
SÜDBLOCK🔗
Admiralstraße 1-2
Queer bar with Flinta nights. Check their website for updates.
FRANKFURT
LA GATA🔗
Seehofstraße 3
I came to Frankfurt for one reason: to visit La Gata, one of the oldest running lesbian bars in the world. Operating since the 1970s, this legendary bar is a true time capsule. When I visited in the summer of 2024, the untouched interior created a truly special atmosphere, with walls adorned with a mix of naked ladies, portraits of Jean Seberg, and photos of a favorite football team. My notes on this place →
ZUM SCHWEJK 🔗
Schäfergasse 20
Zum Schwejk, a renowned gay bar with a tropical beach theme. The pastel colors, diving cyclops, and oversized sunglasses were a bit much, but the most exotic thing about the place was the fact that people were still smoking inside. I ordered a drink and, hoping for a lead, asked the bartender where to find lesbians. He just gave me a Mona Lisa smile, so I launched into a conversation with an older man in the corner. His recommendation? I should become a gay man, as I'd have more fun. My notes on this place →
LSKH QUEERES KULTURHAUS 🔗
Klingerstraße 6
An inclusive community house dedicated to creating a respectful and aware space for all queer identities. The core principle is open and gentle interaction, with a shared responsibility to be mindful of discrimination and privilege. It's a space focused on learning together and supporting each other's realities.
MUNICH
📚GLITCH 🔗
Barer Straße 70
Glitch is a cozy queer-feminist bookshop with a fascinating history. It was reborn from the cherished Lillemor’s, one of Germany's first women's bookstores (est. 1975), after the original owners retired. A new collective of four women saved the space, rebranding it as Glitch but keeping the original sign as a tribute to its legacy. The shop offers a well-curated selection of books, mostly in German but some in English, and provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you can discover new authors. It continues its predecessor's tradition of being an important community space. As far as I know, it is the only queer bookshop in Munich. My notes on this place →
THE LEZ 🔗
Müllerstraße 26
Lesbian-queer center Munich is providing a welcoming space for lesbian women and all FLINT (women, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans) individuals. It's a place to hang out, meet new people, and attend various events and group meetings. All who feel connected to the LGBTIQ community are welcome.
🇬🇷GREECE
ATHENS
ATHENS QUEER NIGHT, ATHENS🔗
Monthly sapphic-centered events are held for the Athens queer community. They host yoga classes, book clubs, parties, and game nights, just to mention a few. Check their social media for location.
SKALA ERESSOS
Skala Eressos is a small fishing village on Lesbos, legendary as the birthplace of the poet Sappho. For decades, lesbians have followed in her footsteps, creating what may be the only place on earth where Lesbians have truly claimed a piece of public space as their own. The international community here runs a majority of the local businesses—from bars and restaurants to shops and meditation centers. The village hosts a major international lesbian festival every September. There are no street names, so the best way to find your way is to explore on foot or simply ask a local. If you want to learn more about the place, I have a couple of different resources for you:
Check out my article “Berlin’s secret twin,” where I compare the two centers for lesbian pilgrimage: Berlin and Skala Eressos.
Read my personal travel notes on Skala Eressos here →
Read about an ordinary, extraordinary evening I had in the village here. →
AMAZONES ECO LAND🔗
On a plot of land on Lesbos, the Amazons have been reborn. This time around they have created a women's ecological community and holistic center located on seven acres of land near Skala Eressos. It's a sanctuary built by and for women, with a focus on land care, community building, and creative expression. The project offers opportunities for volunteering and hosts workshops, retreats, and other events designed for female empowerment. For location and directions, please contact them directly through their official website or social media channels.
AVATAR
This bar is located at the far end of the small village, close to the harbour. It's one of my favourites, perhaps because they feed the stray cats and serve excellent breakfasts and lunches. During the Skala Eressos festival, the small village can sometimes feel crowded. Then, it's nice to get away from it all, and this place just gives you that extra space.
FLAMINGO🔗
This bar is owned by an English couple and is a centre for the lesbian and queer community. You hear a lot of different languages, and you'll often find the two ladies in the kitchen fixing lunch or taking orders at the tables. My favourite evening here was last year during the festival when I saw a woman in the crowd sitting with her parrot, which wasn't on a leash. It was just hanging out with friends. You never know who you will meet. Everyone is included.
HARA BEACH BAR🔗
It's one of the popular beach bars/restaurants right on the waterfront in Skala Eressos. It’s frequented by the diverse crowd visiting the village, including the large lesbian and queer community.
OHANA SALOON
A well-known lesbian/queer bar right in the heart of Skala Eressos. The name 'Ohana,' meaning family (often chosen family), signals its role as a central meeting spot next to the Aegean Sea. PS. They have excellent omelets.
PASSIONI🔗
This Italian restaurant is run by a lesbian lady who makes excellent food. It has a beautiful garden and often hosts performances featuring poetry or music. Here I have heard readings of Sappho and Greek folk music. They have excellent wine and provide a cosy atmosphere.
🇭🇺HUNGARY
BUDAPEST
AURORA MODULARIS🔗
Auróra utca 11
At first glance, Auróra is a great place to relax, with a garden, live music, and a bar serving excellent cocktails. But it’s much more than that. It's a key venue for Budapest Pride and a vital community center for activism, founded on democratic principles. Its true significance hit me when I realized its courtyard was one of the few public places in the entire city where I could see a Pride flag.
DYKES ON HIKES🔗
Are you up for some LGBTQ hiking around Budapest? This group might be for you, as they welcome all dykes, dyke-adjacent people, and friends of all genders.
GABY’S BUDAPEST🔗
Katona József 41
A popular and dog-friendly American restaurant that's a go-to spot for the LGBTQ+ community. Open all day and into the night, it offers a welcoming vibe.
📚ISBN+🔗
Baross utca 42
Independent contemporary art bookshop + cultural center. Lots of books in english and a very queer selection.
LABRISZ LESBIAN ASSOCIATION🔗
Labrisz Lesbian Association is one of Hungary's oldest and most important LGBTQ+ organizations. Active since 1996, its work focuses on community building, cultural visibility, and public education. They are known for their groundbreaking school program that combats prejudice, co-organizing Budapest Pride, running a significant publishing program that gives voice to lesbian and bisexual women, and hosting cultural events like a long-running film club.
📚MASSOLIT BOOKS & CAFÉ🔗
Nagy Diófa utca 30
English-language queer friendly bookstore and café.
TURBINA🔗
Vajdahunyad Street 4
Turbina is a massive cultural and community space in Budapest's eighth district that seamlessly transforms from a daytime creative space into a major nightlife venue. By day, its 1,300 square meters host everything from art exhibitions and workshops to craft fairs, with a bistro perfect for work or a chat. By night, it becomes a powerhouse of the city's techno and house music scene, hosting top-tier local and international DJs.
WHY NOT🔗
Belgrád rakpart 3-4
A favorite of the local LGBTQIA+ community, Why Not functions as a café by day and a bar by night, celebrated for its friendly vibe and events like karaoke and bingo.
🇮🇪IRELAND
DUBLIN
STREET 66🔗
33-34 Parliament Street
An LGBTQIA+ bar with a packed schedule of events, including regular drag shows, live music, and DJ nights. They have a reputation for excellent gin and cocktails and are famous for their incredibly dog-friendly policy.
🇮🇹ITALY
ROME
📚ANTIGONE🔗
Via dei Piceni 1
A queer bookstore specializing in gender studies, feminism, art, and queer theory.
CASA INTERNAZIONALE DELLE DONNE🔗
Via della Lungara, 19
The International Women's House in Rome is located in the "Buon Pastore" complex, a former women's prison designated for women's social purposes in 1983. Established officially in 1992 after a feminist occupation in 1987, it's an autonomous center promoting women's policy, offering services, and fostering culture. Relying on support and resources, it houses facilities like a restaurant, guesthouse, and conference center, run by dedicated staff. It serves as a vital local, national, and international hub for women's rights, knowledge sharing, and support.
📚TUBA🔗
Via del Pigneto 39/a
Tuba is a feminist and lesbian-run bookstore, cafe, and bar in Rome's Pigneto district. Open since 2007, it's a space dedicated to women's creativity, fighting discrimination, and fostering a free, joyful, and conscious community through books, art, and events. Tuba collaborates with local groups to create a safe and inclusive space for all women.
COMING OUT🔗
Via S. Giovanni i Laterano, 8
The bar is a cornerstone of Rome's Gay Street LGBTQ+ scene since 2001, offers a diverse menu and lively events (drag, DJs, music). Founder Annalisa and her team create a welcoming space where community and diversity thrive under the Colosseum.
MY BAR🔗
Via S. Giovanni i Laterano, 12
My Bar, a LGBTQ+ friendly cocktail cafe in Rome, features a street terrace with Colosseum views. It becomes busy after 7 pm and is situated next to the Coming Out bar.
MUCCASSASSINA🔗
Viale Marcello Boldrini 7
This is a legendary Rome club night since the early '90s, started as a fundraiser for the Mario Mieli LGBTQ+ rights association. Now an Italian institution, it's known worldwide for its music, technology, and it’s queer nights.
GAY CENTER🔗
Via Nicola Zabaglia 14
The Gay Center is a space for the city's LGBT+ community. It's a place where people can access support and services, and where numerous community groups find a home to meet and organize. Beyond being a busy meeting spot, the Center actively works against discrimination. They are also running a service desk offering help, support and advice to LGBT+ individuals.
MILAN
📚ANTIGONE🔗
Via Antonio Kramer 20
A queer bookstore specializing in gender studies, feminism, art, and queer theory.
BUTTERFLY MILANO🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
They host exclusive women-only event in Milan. Check out their social media for updates.
POP MILANO🔗
Via Alessandro Tadino, 5
Transfeminist cocktail bar. They also host various events, such as networking opportunities, to help people connect.
TURIN
📚NORA BOOK & COFFEE🔗
Via delle Orfane 24d
A café and bookstore specializing in gender themes, feminisms, and LGBTQIAP+ culture.
🇳🇱NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM
BAR BUKA🔗
Albert Cuypstraat 124
Is a queer bar known for being a popular spot for women, but genuinely welcoming to everyone. It’s located in Amsterdam's De Pijp area (known for its great cafes and bars). They host lots of events each month, like pub quizzes, open mics, speed dating, and DJ nights. Check their Instagram or Facebook to see what's coming up. Wheelchair accessible.
CAFÉ SAAREIN🔗
Elandsstraat 119
It was started by a women's collective 1978, including pioneers from Dolle Mina’s, Paarse September, Lesbian Nation, as a much-needed women-only café. It became a feminist stronghold and legendary queer space. Today it is one of Amsterdam's oldest and most famous feminist/queer bars. A piece of Dutch women's and queer cultural heritage. Check out their Instagram for the upcoming events.
🇵🇹PORTUGAL
LISBON
CLUBE SAFO🔗
It’s an active Portuguese association focused on advocating for lesbian rights, promoting visibility, and hosting cultural and community events in Porto and Lisbon. They are running events like "The King Thing" drag king shows in Porto and Lisbon, bringing in international and local performers. They also collaborate with other queer organizations and initiatives, like Haus of Kiteria and Queer Porto Tour. For more information check out their website.
PORTO
QUEER PORTO TOUR🔗
Discover Porto’s LGBTQIA+ Heritage. A queer tourist guide in Porto, tired of repetitive mainstream narratives, created this tour to give voice to the forgotten and silenced stories of women and dissident bodies. For more information about the citywalks check out their website.
🇪🇸SPAIN
BARCELONA
BBK+🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
This is a network that organizes pop-up events and temporary gatherings for a community of women, lesbians, trans, queer, pansexual, and non-binary people. Since their locations vary, the best way to find out about upcoming events is to follow them on social media.
CARITA BONITA🔗
Carrer de Balmes, 69
If you're looking for the classic lesbian bar in Barcelona, Carita Bonita is it. Expect a welcoming atmosphere and a guaranteed good time with other women.
CANDY DARLING🔗
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 586
Just a stone's throw from Carita Bonita, Candy Darling is a queer bar. Check out their Monday night lesbian party for a dedicated women-loving-women vibe.
📚LA RAPOSA🔗
Tapioles, 47 bajos
La Raposa is a feminist cooperative in Barcelona's Poble Sec neighborhood, housing both a vegan bar and a feminist bookstore under one roof. Beyond its doors, the cooperative is a community space, organizing countless cultural and recreational activities for all ages.
NENIS LESBIAN PARTIES🔗
Carrer de Casanova, 171
They throw huge, lesbian parties around Barcelona on a roughly monthly basis. If one's happening during your visit, it's a must-attend. Check their social media for dates and locations.
AIRE CHICAS🔗
Carrer de la Diputació, 233
OBS! Temporarily Closed. Keep an eye out for the re-opening of Aire Chicas, a dedicated "girls' room" that used to be located within a larger gay club. It was an exciting and intimate space for women to mingle.
THE MINA COLLECTIVE🔗
Looking to connect meaningfully with other queer FLINTA folks in Barcelona, have some fun, and let loose? This open-minded community hosts events just for that! They recently held a FLINTA speed dating event. Check out their Instagram for details on future events, dates, and locations.
MADRID
FULANITA DE TAL🔗
Calle Regueros, 9
Opened around 2002, this bar is an iconic spot for lesbian, bi, and queer women in Madrid's lively Chueca district. It opened as the neighborhood was solidifying its status as a major LGBTQ+ hub in Europe. Check their social media for current hours.
📚LIBRERIA BERKANA🔗
Calle Hortaleza, 62
Berkana is a true institution, celebrated as the first-ever LGBTQ+ bookstore in Spain and Latin America. Founded in 1993, it has been a cornerstone of Madrid's queer community in the Chueca neighborhood ever since. With a large and active following online, it continues to be an important space for LGBTQ+ literature and culture.
📚MARY READ 🔗
Marqués de Toca 3
Mary Read is a transfeminist and anarchist bookstore and social center in Madrid. Named after the rebellious female pirate, this non-profit, community-run space is used for workshops, talks, and reading groups. While they specialize in radical transfeminist literature, their main purpose is to be a safe, accessible, and political meeting place for the community.
📚MUJERES & COMPAÑÍA🔗
C/ Ercilla 32
Mujeres y Compañía is a feminist bookstore and cultural meeting place in Madrid. They specialize in literature by and about women and serve as an important gathering point for Madrid's feminist community. In addition to selling books, they regularly host author talks, writing workshops, reading groups, and other cultural events.
📚TRAFICANTES DE SUEÑOS🔗
C. del Duque de Alba, 13
This is one of Madrid's leftist bookstores and social centers. Located in the Lavapiés neighborhood, it's a place to buy books on critical theory, feminism, and ecology. It's also a meeting point for activists, intellectuals, and anyone interested in social change.
SITGES
Just 40 minutes by train from Barcelona, Sitges is a beautiful coastal town. What Skala Eressos is to lesbians, Sitges is to gay men: a beloved destination famed for its festivals and accepting vibe. I stopped counting the gay bars, clubs, and restaurants – the place is packed! You'll see gay men openly holding hands, adding to the joyful atmosphere. While Sitges is predominantly a gay male hub, all are welcome. It's likely not your lesbian paradise, but it might inspire you to create one of your own! My notes on Sitges →
🇸🇪SWEDEN
MALMÖ
QUEER GIRLS MALMÖ🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
A Malmö community for queer women and non-binary people, with a focus on expats. Our main goal is to organize in-person meetups. The group communicates in English. You can join their community on Facebook.
HÄNGET🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Norra Parkgatan 2
Hänget at Moriska Paviljongen is a monthly after-work gathering, held on a Friday from 6 PM to 10 PM. The event features various local DJs and provides a dedicated space for all who identify as lesbian, non-binary, or trans.
MALMÖ ROLLER DERBY - CRIME CITY ROLLERS🔗
Kopparbergsgatan 8
Experience the speed and strategy of Malmö’s top-ranked roller derby team, Crime City Rollers. This league is a proudly inclusive space for women, trans, and non-binary athletes, making their games a thrilling and welcoming event. Check their website for bout schedules and ticket information.
📚PAGE 28🔗
Claesgatan 8
Sweden's only LGBTQ bookstore is a non-profit association that serves as a vital queer cultural venue and meeting place. It promotes LGBTQ+ culture through events like author talks, readings, and exhibitions. Their mission is to be an enduring sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community in Malmö and beyond. They offer a creative, and respectful space dedicated to community, justice, solidarity, and the celebration of unapologetic queer identity.
RIBERSBORGS KALLBADHUS🔗
Brygga 1
Experience the best of Malmö at this historic cold bath house, a beloved destination for sauna enthusiasts since 1898. The facility has separate sections for men and women, but on the first Monday of every month, the entire space is open to everyone—regardless of gender or identity—for a special 'MIX KALLIS' event. This place is known as a popular oasis for Malmö's queer community and a welcoming spot for visitors. Its unique appeal is so strong that some travelers make a special stop in the city just to visit. My notes on this place →
STOCKHOLM
DEMI MATBAR🔗
Katarina Bangata 21
Owned by Mimmi, Demi Matbar is a lesbian-owned restaurant designed to feel like her own welcoming living room. It has become a cherished favorite within the community, known for its great atmosphere and occasional events. Follow their Instagram for news and updates.
GUNN LUNDEMO🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Don't look for a venue named Gunn—it's a person. She's a celebrated DJ known for organizing fabulous queer parties, so make sure to follow her online for the latest announcements.
HERA🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Sapphic events, check their Instagram for the latest dates and locations
HOTELLHÄNGET🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Founded in 2013, Hotellhänget ('The Hotel Hangout') combines two great interests: women who like women and relaxing in hotel bars. Every fifth Friday, they gather at the Clarion Hotel Skanstull for a friendly event perfect for bringing a date, friends, or just yourself. Join their group for details on the next one! My notes on this place →
LILITH CLUB🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
A club that 'aims to provide an alternative, working-class, edgy and anti-terf nightlife for all women and non-binary people who love women.'
LLIPS🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
A treat for anyone who loves electronic music. This party is a welcoming space for lesbians and the entire LGBTQIA+ community.
MOXY🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
The largest lesbian club in Sweden, known for its rotating pop-up parties. Check their social media for the latest venue.
MÄLARPAVILJONGEN🔗
A gay-friendly café, bar, and restaurant situated perfectly with a scenic view over Lake Mälaren. Its beautiful setting makes it a top choice for a relaxing summer evening.
WISH STOCKHOLM🔗
Is a separatist association that welcomes women, transgender, non-binary and/or intersexual persons who have an interest in BDSM and fetishism. You will find more information on their website.
UMEÅ
CLUB BISOUS🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Umeå’s only queer nightclub, this event features everything from drag and burlesque to live shows and DJ sets. With a space runway, photo booth, and full bar, it's a complete nightlife experience. As the location can change, be sure to check their social media for the current address and dates.
🇺🇦UKRAINE
KYIV
In May, I learned the extraordinary news that Kyiv Pride was indeed arranging a Pride March in June. Being as ignorant as I am about war, I didn't have the imagination or knowledge to grasp that the fight continues even when a country is subjected to a Russian full-scale invasion. I wanted to know more, so I interviewed Kyiv Pride's Program Manager, Yuliia Shypitko. If you want to see what hope looks like, you can watch my video interview titled "Kyiv Pride: An unexpected sign of hope" here. Before we ended our conversation, she told me about her life in Kyiv. I asked her how people there meet up. She started describing various clubs, most of them large factory halls filled with techno music. I immediately pictured Berlin. The list you are now able to read was given to me by Yuliia. Life never ceases to amaze me. I know this says more about me than about Kyiv's nightlife. I wish for peace to come to Ukraine. I hope to visit these places myself one day.
CLOSER🔗
31 Nyzhnoiurkivska Street
Closer is a cornerstone of Kyiv's underground scene and is widely considered an inclusive and queer-friendly space. It is a multi-faceted space that hosts art exhibitions, lectures, and is famous for its techno parties. The club's open-minded and progressive ethos makes it a welcome environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
COLLIDER🔗
Kyrylivska 60
A rave party club with a multi-functional creative and cultural space. While it's a popular venue for underground art, music events, and workshops, its role has expanded significantly during the war. Collider has repurposed its resources to support the Ukrainian war effort by organizing volunteer networks and providing logistical assistance. The space also features music studios, an exhibition area, and co-working facilities.
INSIGHT🔗
Insight NGO is a Ukrainian public organization in Kyiv that provides a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Committed to the values of equality, feminism, and inclusivity, Insight offers a range of activities including lectures, discussions, masterclasses, and poetry evenings. It's a place where people can feel free from judgment, find psychological support, and connect with others. You can check their social media for more information on their events.
KELLER🔗
Kyrylivska 71
Located in Kyiv's Podil industrial district, Keller is a queer friendly bar and nightclub known for its electronic music scene. Housed in a former foundry, it features both an indoor bar and a large outdoor terrace, making it a dynamic venue for live DJ sets ranging from house to techno. Keller is considered a cultural space in Kyiv's nightlife, that attracts both locals and visitors.
KYRYLIBSK41 (OR MORE KNOWN AS) K41 🔗
Kyrylivska 41
∄ (pronounced "Kyrylivska 41" or K41), this nightclub is located in a massive former brewery in Kyiv's industrial Podil district. It's the capital's only dedicated queer club. Renowned for its techno scene and as a space for activism, ∄ is known for its strict no-photo policy, creating a private and secure environment. The name itself, a mathematical symbol for "does not exist," is a nod to the club's philosophy of encouraging in-person, "IRL" experiences.
Since the full-scale invasion, ∄ has become a symbol of resilience. It briefly served as a shelter at the start of the war and has since dedicated its focus to the K41 Community Fund, which provides essential financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine's local cultural community. The club also acts as a space for LGBTQ+ military members and veterans, hosting queer events that offer a much-needed sense of community and defiance against the ongoing conflict.
REYVAKH COLLECTIVE 🔗
🪩 Pop-Up Event
Reyvakh Collective is a queer/FLINTA rave and performance series that originated in Kyiv as a space for radical self-expression. It is known for its events that blend techno music with performance art and celebrate the power of community solidarity. Reyvakh has been bringing its unique events to other cities, including London, fostering a connection between the Ukrainian queer scene and its international siblings. Check their social media for updates and locations.
