Gay bars are not as exclusively gay as they once were. Some bars that once were predominantly gay are now not, and some gay bars have redefined themselves to feel more inclusive. These are the best of the Gay Bars in Minneapolis. Also,if you are looking more broadly at the gay scene, this blog is comprehensive.
Things to Do in Minneapolis, Gay Bars
- Eagle MPLS – Under new management, this isn’t as hard core leather as it used to be, or other Eagle Bars around the country. Gay men go here. This is the most popular gay bar in Minneapolis. Amenities include a spacious patio with a heated section, game room, and occasional themed events like “Showtunes Sunday.” They serve pub fare alongside a full bar, with food options including burgers, sandwiches, and weekend brunch.
- 19 Bar – If you want to go to a neighborhood gay bar that has the grit and character of a dive bar, then check out the 19. You have to pay cash. There is a really great patio, pool tables and darts. Billiards is a big deal here and they have a few billiard teams that play against other gay bars. This place is old school. It is the oldest gay bar in the cities and arguably the oldest gay bar in the world, continuously running and gay owned. Established 1952.
- Jetset Underground – This is a radical new dance club by the same owners of the Jetset that was in the North Loop. Jetset was awesome, and this is even an improvement on that. Simple. Great music, clean amazing decor, and great drinks. Jetset Underground, located in the Garland Building on East Hennepin Avenue, is a new incarnation of the long-standing Jetset Bar in Minneapolis. After the original North Loop location closed in 2018, it reopened in June 2020, occupying the former Honey nightclub space. Catering to a primarily LGBTQ+ clientele, the bar boasts a dance floor and multiple lounge areas. A new additionis recently extended hours of operation and the introduction of a food menu.
- Lush – Also under newish management, Lush has turned from a bar into a Lounge and Theater. Don’t be scared. It is still a bar of sorts. The drag shows are great. LUSH, located in Northeast Minneapolis, is a premier LGBTQ+ bar and entertainment space originally opened in 2012. It features two distinct areas: a modern lounge offering drink specials and a swanky theater hosting drag shows, burlesque, and live music. Ownership recently changed hands in 2023 after a brief closure, with new owners making the bar so much better.
- Saloon – They don’t call themselves a gay bar anymore, but a queer space, but enough gay guys still go here that it is on the list. Still, most of the bartenders are gay, and it is gay owned. The shower contest is also pretty gay. They also do the biggest and best Pride Party, but is Pride gay? Saloon, established in 1987, is a long-standing LGBTQ+ bar in Minneapolis. While no longer solely identified as a gay bar, it retains a significant LGBTQ+ patronage. The bar features weekly events, with Sunday’s “Amateur Shower Contest” being its most well-known. During this 18+ event, participants compete for a cash prize by giving a seductive “bathing routine” on-stage in a shower. Admission fees apply, with variations depending on age and time of entry. The bar itself hosts DJs, drag shows, and drink specials throughout the week. The Tank is a monthly leather/fetish event held at The Saloon, a gay bar in Minneapolis. It takes place on the last Friday of each month from 10 PM to 2 AM. Entry for The Tank is separate from the main bar, with a $10 cover charge (free coat check with entry fee). Dress code is strictly enforced, requiring leather/neoprene/rubber pants, harnesses, gear, uniforms, or specific attire combinations. Jeans are accepted only with boots and a solid white/grey/black t-shirt. Consent is mandatory, and photography requires permission. The event is 21+ and it is sexually charged.
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