Although the Florida capital is home to thousands of progressive students at Florida State University and Florida A&M University, it may surprise some to learn that there are no gay bars in Tallahassee.
This doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do and see that is LGBTQ friendly in this North Florida city, the city even hosts a fairly large Pride celebration called Tallahassee PrideFest every April.
However, while the handful of gay bars that used to populate Tallahassee closed due to financial difficulties between 2010 and 2017, some of the city’s other bars still offer special gay nights, and many of the city’s restaurants, cafes, and shops They are quite LGBTQ -sympathetic. Among them, All Saints Cafe, Black Dog Cafe and Cypress Restaurant are the most open to gays.
LGBTQ-Friendly establishments near the capital
In the artsy and hip neighborhood of All Saints, the All Saints Cafe (903 Railroad Avenue) is a small, quirky, gay-friendly place that is open 24 hours, occasionally offers live entertainment, and is a pleasant place to hang out. hang out with friends or meet new ones. All Saints serves Italian sodas, espresso drinks, and light fare (with an emphasis on vegan food), and many college students spend time here before heading for a drink in the nearby fermentation room.
Overlooking beautiful Lake Ella, Black Dog Cafe (229 Lake Ella Drive) is a cozy and inviting veggie terrace cafe and restaurant. Also close to Lake Ella and serving fresh and creative “build your own” quesadillas, stir fry bowls, wraps, soups and salads, 1 Fresh Stir Fry Grill (1820 North Monroe Street 850-422-2111) is a popular, reasonably priced reasonable option that welcomes everyone.
If you’re looking for some of the most creative and artistically prepared meals close to downtown, consider dining at Cypress Restaurant (320 East Tennessee Street), which specializes in regional American fare with southern inflections. Notable options include a salad of bacon, blue cheese, and roasted Brussels sprouts; a double stack of pulled pork with corn cakes, cole slaw, and pickled peach barbecue sauce; and Florida shrimp and grits with country ham, shiitake mushrooms, and orange juice, thyme, and bourbon.
Other Florida destinations for LGBTQ travelers
Although Tallahassee is a generally accepting community, its absence of gay bars and clubs could make it less attractive to some LGBTQ travelers. Fortunately, there are several cities in Florida that offer a more prosperous and robust nightlife for gays and lesbians.
Panama City Beach to the west is home to the Splash Bar and No Name Lounge, while both Orlando and Tampa to the south are lined with gay bars, clubs, venues, and even bathhouses. Miami, Jacksonville, and Pensacola are also popular destinations for gay tourism.
However, Central Florida may be the ideal destination for LGBTQ travelers, as Orlando and Tampa have several options, including hotels and resorts that openly welcome all orientations. Bradley’s on 7th and City Side are among Tampa’s most popular destinations, and you can stay at the nearby Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg if you’re looking for LGBTQ-friendly accommodations.
