Gay Bars Austin

Manplay.com will give you everything you need to know about Gay Bars Austin. The history of the gay bars Austin scene, what's happening and where it's happening. It's time to really live life, make plans, have a little fun, be who you want to be: Gay and Proud! Austin has a reputation as one of the gay-friendliest cities in all of Texas. It's very evident that both gays and lesbians are welcome in Austin far more than any other city in a very conservative Texas. It is quite shocking, though, that with a city that is so gay-friendly and has quite a large gay population, which continues to rise steadily, that there aren't more gay bars for the LGBT community to hang out in. You can literally make it to most of these bars in one night if you start out early enough. Although there may not be a ton of gay bars, at least the ones that are on our list are all a lot of fun and promise to deliver a good time!

History Of Gay Bars Austin

Gay bars Austin has an interesting history, the first well-known gay bar, Dirty Sally's, had a 30 year lifespan that started in 1968 and ran until 1988. It was the typical neighborhood bar, but the difference was that it was a gay bar. There was finally a place for local gay men (and women) to hang out and not be afraid of being on a date with someone of the same sex because this was the norm here. It was THE meeting place for so many of the LGBT community and where many gay men and women first had the opportunity to gather as a group and truly be who they were. It was the first place where drag queens could be drag queens and where men could share an intimate moment like holding hands or being affectionate with another man, in public, in Austin. Dirty Sally's helped to pave the way for the gay community. Then in the early 1980Õs, The Boathouse helped to 'break the lock' on the Warehouse District. It became well known across the country as the bar to perform at for Drag Queens and they came from all over the United States to do so. The Boathouse made its mark in the Warehouse District and soon more gay bars and clubs started popping up in the area.

These early gay bar pioneers saw a lot, dealt with a lot and in the end stood up for what it was that they believed in. They lived through raids, randomly set fires, hate crimes, AIDS, and still they persevered. Had the owners of the first gay bars in Austin not been willing to endure and move forward, gay bars Austin would not be as commonplace, friendly and welcoming as they are today.

Out And About: Gay Bars Austin

Gay bars Austin have a lot going on all the time, no matter if it's early in the week or you're ready to kick off your weekend. There may not be a lot of gay bars Austin, but the few that there are are some of the best ones in the country. If you're looking to see a Drag show you can head over to OilCan Harry's or Highland Lounge to take in a good one. There are Drag classes at Rain on Tuesday nights, which always promises to be a very interesting experience and a lot of fun too! Head over to Bout Time II for a little game of beach volleyball outside on the court or choose to dance the night away.

Gay Bars Austin: Directory

There are some famous and long-standing gay bars Austin that are worth checking out and we've made it easier for you to do so by making a detailed list with the particulars for each one in the following directory. Now's the time to get out there, check out these bars and have an amazing night!

OilCan Harry's

Type: Gay Sports Bar and Dance Club
Space: 3 full-service bars, an outdoor deck and lots of space to dance
Crowd: Although a Gay bar, the guests tend to be both gay and straight
Address: 211 W. 4th Street, Austin, Texas (Warehouse District), United States
Phone Number: 512-320-8823
Website:http://www.oilcanharrys.com
Any Notes: Check out the website to see what's going on at Oilcan Harry's. Has been dubbed as Austin's only gay sports bar. Open 7 days a week - Monday to Friday from 2pm until 2am, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm until 2am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

There is always something going on at Oilcan Harry's. Each night of the week has featured events along with many more additional events that are added to the week.
Monday Nights: Service Industry Night. Half price drinks after 9pm.
Tuesday Nights: Glam Drag Show. Austin's most decorated professional Drag Show hosted by Kelly Kline.
Wednesday Nights: College Night (18+) and Drag Survivor. Drag Survivor Season 6 hosted by Kelly Kline.
Thursday Nights: College Night and Stripper Circus. The dirtiest show on earth is Stripper Circus with dueling DJs Kavika and Eriq Stylez.
Friday Nights: DJ Kavika Dance Party, Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament and Overdrive After Hours Party. Overdrive After Hours Dance Party with DJ Macky Ray.
Saturday Nights: DJ Eriq Stylez and Overdrive After Hours Party. Overdrive After Hours Dance Party with DJ Macky Ray.
Sunday Nights: Sunday Sports Social, College Night and Super Sunday Divas Show. Wear your jersey for special sports pricing and hang out with other athletes like yourself for the Sunday Sports Social.

Rain

Type: Austin's Upscale Gay Lounge
Space: Relaxed atmosphere with a large dance floor
Crowd: Gay-friendly bar who welcomes everyone
Address: 217 W. 4th Street, Austin, Texas (Warehouse District), United States
Phone Number: 512-494-1150
Website:http://www.rainon4th.com/
Any Notes: Open 7 days a week - Monday to Thursday from 4pm until 2am, Friday to Sunday from 3pm until 2am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

There are featured nights every night of the week:
Monday Nights: Martini Mondays and Trivia Night
Tuesday Nights: Drag Classes with Sabel Scities
Wednesday Nights: Super Rush hosted by Cupcake and Sabel Scities with DJ Deftone. An interactive drag experience. A drag and variety show with a whole lot of fun! Start time is 10pm.
Thursday Nights: Down and Dirty Night. All male amateur strip off. Hosted by Bobby Cook and Sabel Scities. The Rain Report segment with Sable Scities is also filmed on Thursday nights.
Friday Nights: Austin's Hottest Happy Hour. Unwind after a long week with Friday Happy Hour from 4 to 9pm. DJ DefTone then brings you Friday Nights. Power Hour starts at midnight, this is an 18+ night.
Saturday Nights: The Boys of ATX Dance from 10pm to close. DJ Filty Rich and the hottest Austin boys dance the night away in the cages. Sunday Nights: First Aid Happy Hour Sundays with music by DJ Protege.

The Iron Bear

Type: Gay Bar
Space: Patio, bar area and dance floor with lots of room
Crowd: A bar for Bears by Bears but all are welcome. Typically an older crowd with a few younger men who are looking to meet older men
Address: 121 W 8th Street, Austin, TX 78701, United States Phone: 512-482-8993
Website:http://www.theironbear.com/home.html
Any Notes: Open 7 days a week - Monday to Saturday from 3pm until 2am and Sunday from 2pm until 2am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

Monday Nights: Monday Madness
Tuesday Nights: Poker Night
Wednesday Nights - Planet Fabulous Karaoke starting at 9:30 pm hosted by Murrah
Thursday Nights: Geeks Who Drink featuring DJ Alpha
Friday Nights: Austin's hottest Friday night party is: Friday Night Bears
Saturday Nights: Leather and Latex every 2nd Saturday of the month
Sunday Nights: Planet Fabulous Karaoke starting at 9:30 pm hosted by Murrah and Bear Beer Bust Sunday's (cheap, cheap, cheap beer!)

Bout Time II

Type: Gay-friendly nightclub and bar
Space: A Sports Bar feel, a dance floor and daily happy hour specials
Crowd: Gay-friendly
Address: 6607 N Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX, 78752, United States
Phone Number:512-419-9192
Website:http://www.bouttime2.com/
Any Notes: Open 7 days a week from 2pm until 2:30am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

Great dance floor with lots of places to sit if that's what you're looking to do. A perfect bar to accomodate large groups. There are pool tables, a great bar, a good patio and a volleyball court outside as well. You will often find amazing happy hour specials and there are always events going on that are lots of fun!

Highland Lounge

Type: Premier Gay Lounge, Patio Bar and Dance Club
Space: Accommodates up to 650 guests with the largest dance floor in the Warehouse District
Crowd: Gay nightclub that welcomes all guests
Address: 404 Colorado Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Phone Number: 512-649-1212
Website:http://highlandlounge.com/
Any Notes: Open Monday from 7pm until 2am, Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Open Thursday from 10pm until 2am, Friday from 9pm until 2am, Saturday from 9pm until 3am and Sunday from 2pm until 2am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

Thursday Nights: Outcast Bingo and Drag with Lady Crackle, Cupcake and Special Guests from 10pm-12am, King Louie Hip Hop night with the Boys of ATX @ 12am
Friday Nights: Tucked - Austin's Best Drag Show, 11pm - 2am, Lesbutante & The Boss every 2nd Friday of the month - ladies night from 9pm - 1 am
Saturday Nights: BMP Saturdays - We Own The Night with DJ BigFace
Sunday Nights: Texas Hold'em from 5pm-8pm, Late Night Karaoke with host John 8:30pm - 1:30am

Cheer Up Charlies

Type: Queer Hipster Haven
Space: Described as a colorful cabin with a large outdoor music venue behind it
Crowd: Different LGBT people than the downtown crowd
Address: 900 Red River Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Phone Number: 512-431-2133
Website:http://cheerupcharlies.com/news/
Any Notes: Open 7 days a week - Mondays from 6pm until 2am, Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm until 2am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

Happy Hour: Daily from 4pm until 8pm Music and events nightly

Halcyon Coffeehouse, Bar, and Lounge

Type: Gay Hipster Coffeehouse, Bar, and Lounge
Space: In the heart of Austin's trendy Warehouse District with high ceilings, art adorning the wall, comfy seating inside as well as on the poatio
Crowd: Gay Hipsters, Straight men and women
Address: 218 West 4th Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Phone Number: 512-472-9637
Website:http://halcyoncoffeebar.com
Any Notes: Open 7 days a week - Monday to Friday from 7am until 2am and Saturday and Sunday from 8am until 2am
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

Happies Hour: Monday - Sunday from 4pm until 8pm
Monday Nights: World Music Jam with Roberto Riggo
Tuesday Nights: Rotating Local Music
Wednesday Nights: Luis Banuelos

Gay Bars Austin: Directory

There may not be a lot of gay bars Austin, but the ones that are still here are worth checking out. We promise that you will be happy that you did. It's clear that each bar has a lot going on on any given night. It'll be a cinch for you to find a night that will be burned into your memories fast. You'll quickly realize just how easy it is to fit in and it will be as if you've been hanging out in gay bars all your life.

There are gay bars that are PERFECT for everyone in Austin including you, but what's comforting to know is that there are gay bars like this wherever you go across the country. Have a look at Dallas. Finding gay bars has never been easier that it is now with our article on US Gay Bars. You'll find what it is that you're looking for and a whole lot more.