We’ve brought you the best party cities around the world, and even the best festivals, but today we are going to bring you some of the World’s Best Gay Bars.

Amsterdam – Club Church

It goes without saying that Europeans know how to party and are not bound by any of our North American puritan ideals. Once you step into Amsterdam’s best gay club, Club Church, this fact is definitely apparent. Just take a look at their theme nights – Naked Bar Wednesday, Underwear Party Friday and Sex on Sunday. Since the club has showers available, these theme nights are more than just euphemisms.

Atlanta – Mary’s

Atlanta’s very own Mary’s is not your typical gay club. Attracting a wide range of gays and non-gays alike, Mary’s hosts every thing from karaoke nights to theme parties. It’s a great place to meet-up for some strong mixed drinks and get your dance on.

Bangkok – DJ Station

Whether you are looking for a taste of something back home or are in the mood for some local cuisine, Bangkok’s DJ Station is one of the best gay clubs to pick-up locals and expats alike. With a hot and sweaty dance floor that is packed virtually every night no one needs to go home alone. Hey, they call it Bangkok for a reason.

Barcelona – Axel Sky Bar

In the heart of Barcelona’s gay quarter is the Axel Sky Bar, located on the top of Hotel Axel. Not a typical club, the Sky Bar is a great way to kick back and relax with a few drinks beside the hotel pool and Jacuzzi.

Berlin – Berghain

Ranked as one of the best, if not the best, gay clubs in the world, Berlin’s Berghain is a must visit destination for anyone that is into the club scene. With multiple bars and theme nights this club has a little something for everyone. Whatever your kink, your desire, your interest, one night of partying at Berghain will leave you completely satisfied.

Chicago – Sidetrack

Sidetrack – or more commonly pronounced Sidetracks – is Chicago’s most popular gay bar. This huge venue consists of multiple bars, an outdoor terrace and offers such theme nights as Show Tune Monday’s.

Dayton – Club Masque

This LGBT club attracts of mix of every type of party-goer, from trannies, drag queens and kings, to lesbians, gays, bis, and non-gays who collectively dance the night away to some of the best electronic music being spun today. Dayton’s very own Club Masque is probably one of the hottest clubs out there.

London – Heaven

One of London’s oldest gay clubs, Heaven, has been going strong since the late 70s. You’d think with its age that it wouldn’t attract the new generation, but it is the complete opposite. With is spectacular line-up of DJs, Heaven blasts the latest house beats until the wee hours of the morning.

Mexico City – Club Living

This multilevel club is hosted inside an old church, and with the GoGo dancers, dance floors, chill out rooms and in-house cantina it is hard to imagine Mexico City’s top gay club, Club Living, was once a place of worship.

Montreal – Unity

Drag Queen bartenders, three floors of dancing and multiple bars is what makes Montreal Canada’s top gay club, Unity the number one spot to be Thursday through Saturday.

New York – Splash

From buff underwear clad bartenders, to large video screens blaring top 40 dance remixes, New York’s Splash is a staple of the gay nightlife. No stop in the Big Apple is complete without a night at Splash, whether you take in Musical Monday’s or Campus Party Thursday’s, the mix of hot and sweaty dance floors, GoGo dancers and chill out lounges will make it a night to remember.

Paris – Le Raidd

From the street side patio to the bumpin’ dance floor, Le Raidd is the number spot to have a great night out in Paris. Le Raidd’s most famous feature is their GoGo dancer cage, which is actually a Plexiglas shower stall where dancers rhythmically soap up all night long.

Philadelphia – Woody’s Bar

Both a local and a student bar, Philadelphia’s Woody’s Bar is not only the City of Brotherly Love’s best known gay bar, but the best place to hook-up. Attracting students from Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel and U. Penn, everyone is bound to have a good night, no matter what your age.

Rio de Janeiro – Le Boy

Rio de Janeiro’s Le Boy is s massive club that is essentially all dance floor with a drink-tickets only bar situated smack in the middle. If you have had your fill working up a sweat to some of South America’s best techno beats you can always relax on the balcony that overlooks the entire club.

São Paulo – The Week

More than just a nightclub, São Paulo’s The Week has been described of a way of life. This 20,000 square foot club consists of two indoor dance floors, The Babylon and Colours, a huge outdoor area and an amazing pool, which almost always helps to turn each night into a huge pool party.

Scottsdale – BS West

With a casual dress code of shorts and flip-flops, Scottsdale’s BS West attracts those looking for a laid back night out. Even though it’s kind of a dive, BS West still attracts the best looking crowd around, especially on 2-for-1 Wednesdays.

Toronto – Woody’s

Toronto Canada’s very own Woody’s is Toronto’s oldest gay bar. Celebrating over 20 years in existence, this happening place is not a typical club – which is very noticeable right away by the lack of a dance floor – but what they lack in club atmosphere they make up in other more creative ways. From special event nights, such as Drag Shows to contest like the Best Chest contest, your attention will be occupied to the point where you forget that you even want to dance.

Zürich – Cranberry Bar

Known for their exquisite drinks and knowledgeable mixologists, the Cranberry Bar is one of Zürich’s best LGBT clubs in the city with two-floors virtually packed every night of the week.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.