4. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida and beyond, but we make no guarantees. Featuring standout dishes like deviled eggs crowned with fried chicken, crab cake “shrimp & grits,” and oxtail ramen stew, the place also has a particularly warm ambiance, attentive service, live music, and a grown-up lounge atmosphere.
Roma Pizza – A casual slice joint right on bustling 7th Avenue, serving unpretentious and reliably satisfying classic Italian-style pizzas and pies with airy crust, vibrant tomato sauce, and quality ingredients.
ULELE – This transformed 1903 water works plant on the riverfront is now a modern, elegant, Native American-inspired restaurant named after a legendary Tocobaga princess.
Classic with just the right touch of Cuban flair.
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District – You know exactly what you’re getting with Hilton and hey, why mess with a winning formula? Bare in mind it is rather small though, and the lack of jacuzzi or pool is felt.
Should the sauna not appeal to you your best bet is the aforementioned Mr.
D’z Men’s Emporium on one of its kink themed nights!
Gay Beaches in Tampa
Sunset Beach on Treasure Island – Tampa Bay's “gay beach” is a little out of the way, just west of St. Petersburg at the southern tip of Treasure Island. It’s a bit further along the stretch, though!
Gay Events in Tampa
Tampa Bay Pride Festival & Parade – Tampa wears its Pride credentials openly, whatever happens in Florida as a whole.
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown– Set in a red-brick building in the heart of Ybor City, steps from Ybor’s lively gay bars and the TECO streetcar, this LGBTQ+-friendly hotel features sleek, contemporary interiors. Perhaps the Reservoir Bar is for you. Seminole Heights – Artsy & Alternative
This hip and laid-back neighborhood is home to craft breweries, dive bars, and LGBTQ+ friendly spots that cater to a more relaxed and alternative crowd.
While there is a retail space here for all things leather, Mr D’z Men’s Emporium is an LGBTQ+ bar in Tampa that’s billed as “an alternative leather-vibe bar/establishment.” And, while the vibe may be leather, make no mistake, all are welcome at Mr D’z, where an outdoor seating area, good music, lockers, fun vending machines, and great drinks, are all waiting to greet you.
Allied Bars
Reservoir Bar
1518 E 7th Avenue
Looking for a local dive bar?
(No, we don’t mean the local gays.) Book tour →
Cigar Museum – In the Ybor area, you’ll also find the Cigar Museum, which details Tampa’s rich cigar-making past. The bar’s reputation for inclusivity attracts a diverse crowd, making it one of the best spots in the city for fun and connection.
If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).
Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. Downtown Tampa – Upscale & Trendy For those who prefer chic rooftop bars, speakeasy-style lounges, and craft cocktails, Downtown Tampa is a great option.
Book tour →
Egmont Key State Park – Accessible only by boat or ferry (departing from Fort De Soto Park), the island has a historic lighthouse, the ruins of the Spanish-American War-era Fort Dade, and pristine, shell-strewn beaches. Accessibility and the “red-carpet” treatment are part of the package, making Club Prana a VIP experience for all.
Tampa’s Gay Bar Scene: Come as You Are, Be Who You Are
Regardless of who you are, how you identify, what you’re into, or who you love, there’s a gay bar in Tampa that’s right up your alley.
The native-inspired dishes feature grilled local shellfish, game, and produce cooked over a massive barbacoa fire pit. Everything about the hotel is particularly spacious, from the big rooms themselves to the entrance hall, restaurant and pool area making it a great retreat for any who find big cities claustrophobic. It’s your traditional low-key dive bar that describes itself as “the finest hole-in-the-wall” in Ybor City.
The city of St. Petersburg, also part of the Tampa Bay area, offers even more options for gay bars and other LGBTQ+ friendly establishments.
Looking for something a little less nightlife-related? You’ll need a car to get there—just head west from St. Petersburg on Central Avenue or Treasure Island Causeway, then follow Gulf Boulevard south to West Gulf Boulevard.
Nearby are tiki huts, neighborhood cafes, outdoor bars like Caddy's, and local restaurants such as Shrimpy’s Waterfront.
Pass-a-Grille Beach (St. Maybe there’s just something about year-round sunshine, the coast, and a sizable Latin American community that provides fertile ground for nurturing a laid-back, welcoming attitude for LGBTQ+ visitors. If you're looking for gay clubs, Tampa has plenty to offer.
Taxis and rideshares are plentiful and efficient, with flat-rate fares to the city center.
Once in Tampa, public transportation is straightforward and user-friendly.