Columbus ohio gay

The 6 Most Widespread Gay & LGBTQ Bars and Clubs in Columbus

Columbus, Ohio, has one of the most thrilling LGBTQ+ nightlife scenes in the Midwest. From the buzzing Short North to Olde Towne East, the city is packed with gay-friendly bars, nightclubs, and drag shows that keep the party going. Whether you're looking for inhabit music, an epic karaoke night, or a wild dance floor, Columbus has it all.

And if you want to combine with LGBTQ+ people before heading out, check out Lex, the app engineered for meeting homosexual folks and making real lesbian and gay connections. Download it here!

1. Union Cafe – The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Hotspot

Address: 782 N Steep St, Columbus, OH 43215

No list is complete without Union Cafe - a gay bar and restaurant in the heart of Brief North. It’s the perfect place to start your nighttime with delicious sustenance, strong drinks, and a welcoming crowd. If you adore karaoke nights, kingly shows, and vibrant energy, this is your spot.

Union Cafe is one of the most vibrant gay bars in Columbus, located on High St in the heart of the Short North district. Known for its friendly atmosphere and welcoming staff, this LGBTQ+ hotspot offers a playfulness mix of karaoke, live

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Gay For Good Columbus mobilizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gay (LGBTQ+) and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion and strengthen ties to the broader Columbus community. We facilitate welcoming, inclusive service projects in assist of a wide range of causes throughout Columbus and the surrounding areas, and we see forward to meeting you.

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Upcoming Events

  • G4G Columbus + Freedom A La Cart
     July 26, 2025
     10:30 pm - 11:30 pm

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G4G is Proud to Volunteer with Nonprofits Serving the Greater Columbus Community!

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G4G Columbus would like to thank Flag Pins For A Cause for their generous aid of Gay for Good and the Columbus chapter.

Curious Cbus: Why Does Columbus Own So Many LGBTQ People?

Megan Bursey noticed something alternative about Columbus when she visited her girlfriend last December.

“There were just event flags everywhere and 'Make America Lgbtq+ Again’ flags," Bursey says. "I was looking for a bicycle and all the bike stores had flags everywhere and it was really nice to see that. People were very openly gay, which was very comforting, too.”

The experience spurred her to ask WOSU's Curious Cbus venture, “Why is there such a huge LGBTQ population in Columbus?”

Data backs up Megan’s instinct. A 2015 Gallup poll place Columbus in the top 15 of the nation’s 50 largest metro areas with 4.3 percent of its population naming as lesbian, male lover, bisexual or trans. That's a larger percentage than Brand-new York City and Washington, D.C., grant alone fellow Midwest cities like Indianapolis (4.2 percent), Cleveland (3.7), Cincinnati (3.2) and Pittsburgh (3.0). 

In 2010, the Gay/Lesbian Index listed Columbus as one of the highest 20 “gayest” cities in America. 

Those designations may be relatively new, but Julia Applegate from the Institute For LGBTQ Health Equity at E

Uncover the Pride and Pulse of LGBTQ+ Columbus

Columbus is a welcoming municipality for all, celebrating its inclusivity and diversity year-round. Since 2013, the urban area has scored 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index annually, which measures how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are for LGBTQ+ people who stay and work there. National outlets like Thrillist have referred to Columbus as a "queer oasis" and a city that "shows its Pride 365 days of the year". Join us in support of our LGBTQ+ community all year long by shopping local at our LGBTQ+-owned businesses.

Read on for more LGBTQ+ things to do in Columbus.


 

 


Your ultimate travel guide to the city’s LGBTQ+ warm spots. Whether you're visiting for Pride or planning a trip any second of year, OUT in Columbus is your go-to resource for exploring the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene that makes our city shine.