Western Europe is not only one of the most gay-friendly regions of the world but also a region with an abundance of bars, clubs, saunas and boutiques aimed at the community.
In major European cities, there’s almost always a place to party pretty much any day of the week, any week of the year. Because Europe is so densely populated, and has such great transportation options, it’s also very easy to get to these hubs of gay culture and nightlife no matter where you are on the continent.
But the question is: Who does it best? Where should international travellers focus their gay European adventure? What are the most gay European capitals?
Now, we know how much tastes can vary. Some of us love chic cocktail bars while others love big thumping dancefloors. Some gay and bi guys love it dark and dirty, while others are signing up for fashion-forward luxury experiences. Some want both. Different cities have different specialities. Baguette lovers should prioritize Paris, while those who live and die by dark rooms should head directly to Berlin.
Yeah, it’s a matter of personal preference. But based on the number of venues, uniqueness, history, brazenness of the community, ease of hooking up and the variety of gay experiences on offer, we’ve ranked the European capitals in order of their gayness. Here’s our top 10.
1. Madrid, Spain
Metro population: 7 million
Chueca is so chockablock with bars and clubs, some gay visitors never leave the gay district. But Spain’s compact capital has easy-to-get-to gay and gay-friendly venues scattered all around the city centre. The city hosts one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations each summer. Though its cruising clubs are appropriately skanky, many venues contain a splash of Spanish style.
Pro: Late-night nightlife and dining. Bars close at 3 a.m., clubs till 7 a.m.
Con: Scorching summers and siesta hours can limit daytime activity.
Must-visit Madrid
DLRO Live (C. de Pelayo 59, Centro, Madrid). The grand central of Madrid’s gay scene, this sophisticated multi-level club is where you’ll find the hottest DJs, drag shows and guest appearances by Drag Race alumni and their ilk.
2. Berlin, Germany
Metro population: 6.2 million
To call the German capital open-minded doesn’t quite do Berlin justice; this is a city where people hang around naked in parks, smoke in the transit system, and buy alcohol in stores and bars 24/7. Whatever your identity, orientation or proclivity, you’ll find likeminded people in Berlin. The aesthetic tends to be artsy and countercultural—trashy, campy, sleazy and grungy are compliments here.
Pro: Daytime cultural experiences, like contemporary art, are as abundant as the nightlife options.
Con: Germans can be obsessed with rules and pointing out that you’re breaking them.
Must-visit Berlin
Berghain (Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Berlin). Perhaps this is a cruel recommendation—the world’s best-known nightclub has a strict and mysterious entry policy, so not everyone gets in. (Tip: know who the DJ is, dress like someone who loves that style of music…but also just be yourself.) Their basement sex club, Lab.oratory, is more laissez-faire; their bouncers screen only for a masculine presentation. But wannabe Lab.oratory patrons should first check the theme—some nights are not for the squeamish.
Read our insider’s guide to Berlin here.
3. London, United Kingdom
Metro population: 14.9 million
The Brits strike an astonishing balance between being enviously posh and charmingly exuberant (drunk people trying to snog you in the street after the bars close). Whether it’s a traditional pub or a state-of-the-art nightclub, London has got it. Non-scene gays will love bohemian ’hoods like Haggerston, Dalston and increasingly glossy Shoreditch, while everybody else will want to start their evenings with pints on Old Compton Street in Soho.
Pro: Every queer niche has representation; the national museums are free.
Con: Less on-premises “action” than in gay bars on the continent.
Must-visit London
Heaven (9 The Arches, Villiers St., London). One of the world’s biggest gay clubs, with a history going back to 1979, this forever-young club remains an essential high-energy experience.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Metro population: 2.5 million
The Netherlands had a don’t-ask-don’t-tell attitude toward queerness going back a couple of centuries. But after being one of the first countries to legalize homosexuality between consenting adults back in 1971, it quickly became one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world. Amsterdam itself—first as a major port, then as a popular tourist destination—has always had a libertine side. Its (mostly straight) red light district is not the only stop in town that will make you blush.
Pro: Relaxed, inclusive, naughty, easy to explore.
Con: Nightlife is smaller in scale than in other capitals.
Must-visit Amsterdam
Club NYX (Reguliersdwarsstraat 42, Amsterdam). Billing itself as an “open minded” club, Nyx was named after the Greek goddess of the night, the daughter of Chaos. Young, excited, fashionable and silly in just the right way.
5. Paris, France
Metro population: 12.4 million
Sure, it’s got capital-R romance and delicious architecture, but the City of Light also has a great gay scene centred around the narrow streets of the Marais district, an elegant playground. The gay venues of the French capital range from the sophisticated to the sleazy—the French don’t much get worked up about consensual sexual transgression. Shop on the Champs-Élysées during the day, enjoy some of the world’s best cuisine, then find a basement venue where you can dance the night away.
Pro: Whatever kind of adventures you have, you’re doing them in Paris (sigh).
Con: Parisians aren’t great at flirting; you’ll probably end up hooking up with another visitor.
Must-visit Paris
Le Raidd (23 Rue du Temple, Paris). This perennial favourite is famous for its shower shows, which start at midnight every day of the week. The shirtless bartenders don’t hurt either.
Read our insider’s guide to Paris here.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
Metro population: 2.1 million
Our Scandinavian entry has a smaller scene than what’s found in other cities on this list, but the progressive and laidback attitudes of the locals makes up for it—Danish people will shrug at things that would be scandalous elsewhere. Most of the gay venues are in the district of Vesterbro. Though it doesn’t necessarily help anyone get laid, it’s also nice to know that the LGBTQ+ community there is very well organized and that the locals have your back.
Pros: Copenhagen is a compact city that’s easy to explore.
Cons: Nightlife ends earlier and may not be as wild as in other cities on this list.
Must-visit Copenhagen
Centralhjørnet (Kattesundet 18, Copenhagen). The world’s oldest gay bar, with a history that goes back to 1917, may not be where you finish the night (that’s probably Never Mind Night Club, Axeltorv 3, Copenhagen), but it’s a cozy place to start.
7. Lisbon, Portugal
Metro population: 2.9 million
Though Lisbon doesn’t have the same gay history as, say, Berlin and London, it’s become an emerging and impressive queer destination over the last couple of decades. The gay scene is concentrated around Principe Real, with another more mixed “let’s not label things” scene in trendy Bairro Alto. The Portuguese capital’s killer app, compared to other cities on this list, is its gay nudist beach, Praia naturista 19, which is reachable by public transit.
Pro: The feeling of discovering a growing range of gay nightlife options.
Con: Lacks the variety of nightlife options (e.g., leather and saunas) of other big European cities.
Must-visit Lisbon
Bar Tr3s (R. Ruben A. Leitão 2A, Lisboa). Probably the biggest gay bar in Lisbon, Bar Tr3s focuses on bears, but welcomes everyone—though some facial hair will help make a patron more popular.
Read our insider’s guide to LGBTQ+ Lisbon.
8. Vienna, Austria
Metro population: 2.9 million
The Viennese like to dress up, especially at parties like Weiner Regenbogenball, a ball held in a ritzy location each winter, where tuxedos are typical; and Wien in Schwarz, a fetish/leather party and festival with a 40-year history. For those who visit Vienna at other times of the year, the bars and clubs around Linke Wienzeile and Rechte Wienzeile provide a reliably fun time. For those who care about queer history, the city has a long and fascinating one.
Pro: Rich cultural heritage and a growing number of queer-friendly venues.
Con: Smaller scene compared to other European capitals.
Must-visit Vienna
Why Not (Tiefer Graben 22, Vienna). Established more than 45 years ago, this club, which has two rooms, each playing a different kind of music, is an essential stop for those seeking connections with the local community.
9. Brussels, Belgium
Metro population: 2 million
Small but mighty, Belgium was an early leader in LGBTQ+ rights, and the capital’s Saint-Jacques district, located around Rue du Marché au Charbon/Kolenmarkt, is packed with queer bars. Being the hub for the European Union makes it an especially international city. But what puts it on the map for gay men who like to party is La Demence, a mostly monthly event, held at various venues, which is one of Europe’s most reliably gay good times.
Pro: Cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Con: The prevalence of civil servants can sometimes make for an uptight vibe.
Must-visit Brussels
L’Homo Erectus Bar/Spit It Out (Rue du Marché au Charbon 5, Brussels). This bar/sex shop duo, with their naughty names and open minds, defines the playful Brussels attitude toward sex and gay cruising.
Read our insider’s guide to Brussels here.
10. Rome, Italy
Metro population: 4.3 million
Though it’s one of the larger cities on this list, Rome does not flaunt its gay life as boldly as other European capitals. But anyone who ventures out to one of the city’s gay venues, or takes a dip in some hookup apps, will quickly discover that there are lots of Romans up for some gay gladiating. That includes the cardinals and bishops who work in Vatican City. Via di San Giovanni in Laterano is where most of the queer venues are located.
Pro: Sensual, beautiful and less tourist-saturated than expected at night.
Con: More closeted and discreet than other European capitals.
Must-visit Rome
Coming Out (Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano 8, Rome). This lesbian-run all-queer resto-bar has something going on at all times of the day, including live music, karaoke and drag shows. An ideal place to go to see what one-off or monthly party might be happening during your visit.
Read our insider’s guide to Rome here.
