Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country (and the world). With an estimated 175 casinos and 156,000 hotel rooms, just waiting for tourists, Las Vegas fits a lot into relatively small space. As a queer traveler, I’m always looking for places that are welcoming and Las Vegas overwhelmingly fits that bill. Thinking of taking a trip to Sin City anytime soon? Then here’s a handy guide to making the most out of queer Las Vegas.
So many options
Picking a place to stay in Las Vegas can feel daunting, with so many choices and locations. On the Strip, you’ll find dozens of hotels and resorts, the majority of which are very LGBTQ+ welcoming. The Sahara, Caesars Palace, and The Cosmopolitan are all recommended by Las Vegas Pride.
Off the Strip, The Rio recently hosted the LGBTQ+ Task Force’s conference Creating Change. Staff were trained on how to best welcome and accommodate LGBTQ+ visitors, and that care was felt throughout the casino and resort. The Rio has recently undergone massive renovations, including refreshed rooms in one of its towers. The remodeled rooms are spacious and clean, with separate sitting areas from the sleeping quarters. If you don’t mind staying off the Strip, it’s a solid option.
Also off the Strip and right next to the Las Vegas Convention Center is the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, home to Las Vegas PRIDE Family Bingo.
One thing I noticed about hotels and casinos in Las Vegas was a lack of gender-neutral or even family restrooms. While visiting the Strip with a trans nonbinary friend, finding a safe and accessible restroom option proved challenging. In places like the Arts District, gender-neutral bathrooms were far more prevalent. It’s certainly something for Las Vegas to consider if it wants to appeal to LGBTQ+ guests.
“Let me entertain you“
Head over to the Linq Hotel and Experience to catch the shimmer of Las Vegas’s newest show. Discoshow takes audiences on a trip back in time to the days of disco, with an immersive experience that will have you dancing the night away. After meeting Discoshow’s resident roller hosts, you’ll move into a black box theatre where the action and 70s tunes are nonstop. As the dancers move throughout the space, each has a story—including a blossoming gay romance. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be learning dance steps and moving throughout the space the entire time.
America’s queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese, quite literally dazzles in her Las Vegas residency at the Venetian. With impeccable costumes covered in rhinestones and glittery baubles, Von Teese’s show is a nod to both classic burlesque and the heyday of the Vegas showgirl. She is flanked by a cast of fellow burlesque dancers, including sword swallowers and a trio of male dancers performing a queer tango. If you pay attention, you’ll catch references to Gypsy Rose Lee and even the infamous Las Vegas film Showgirls.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! at the Flamingo features a rotating cast of RuGirls, performing killer lip-syncs, skits, and more. While the performance I attended started with a bit of low energy, by mid-show the performers found their groove with the audience. Asia O’Hara, Derrick Barry, Eureka O’Hara, and Jaida Essence Hall are just some of the queens you may catch at your performance.
If you can’t get enough drag, then you’ll want to head to Drag Brunch at Gipsy Nightclub. Las Vegas attracts some of the best drag artists in the country, and it’s evident in the high-energy performances and epic mixes at Gipsy. At the performance I attended, the crowd went wild over a medley of Chappell Roan songs, while another performer literally climbed the walls and hung from the ceiling—a perfectly chaotic (yet controlled) afternoon out in Las Vegas’s queer neighborhood, The Fruit Loop.
Right next door to Gipsy is Las Vegas’ famed LGBTQ+ bar and lounge, Piranha Nightclub. Piranha has a residency of popular drag queens, including RuPaul’s Drag Race performer Alexis Mateo. Each night, you can catch special performances, themed dance parties like Latin Nights and guest DJs from around the country.
What would Las Vegas even be without the famed neon signs, blinking and beckoning up and down the Strip. The Neon Museum seeks to preserve this unique part of Las Vegas history, showcasing creaking, rusted signs of yesteryear alongside more recent additions. Massive metal signs—many of which still work—shine for guests and take you back to a time when celebrities like Liberace and Debbie Reynolds ruled the desert oasis.
Bevs and bites
There is no shortage of food experiences in Las Vegas, from high end restaurants to fast casual, but here’s a list of places to consider.
Tucked inside the Palms Casino and Resort, is Scotch 80 Prime, a high-end steakhouse that carries an elevated old school Vegas vibe. Playful cocktails exist alongside the classics, while seafood towers and tins of caviar pair with succulent wood-fired steaks.
Whether you are heading to Discoshow or not, Diner Ross at the Linq is a unique experience. Walking into the restaurant, which has a connection to the show, is like stepping back into the late 70s. With its expertly decorated melange of browns and oranges, servers and staff wear curated vintage outfits and serve up culinary homages to the time period with dishes like Dirty Martini Salad and Steelhead Trout Almondine.
Want to try a little bit of everything? Then a food tour might be on the menu. The team at Lip Smacking Foodie Tours will take you on an adventure through The Strip. The moveable feast of sorts starts at a restaurant in a casino (mine started at the Aria’s Javier with delightful enchiladas) and continues as you move on through the resort. You can expect to dine in at least three high end restaurants, while meeting fellow diners and learning about Las Vegas history. Want to go all out? Add a helicopter tour to your post-desert plans.
While many tourists visiting Las Vegas never leave the Strip, there’s a lot to love outside of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Afterlife Tea and Boba Room is a queer and women-owned little oasis outside of the action, where you can pick up a variety of boba drinks and vegan treats. Afterlife also supports several community groups, offers meetups and displays local artists in the cafe.
For more vegan options and a can’t miss experience, stop by No Butcher, a meatless deli in Las Vegas’ KoreaTown neighborhood. This LGBTQ+ friendly spot is making their own plant based cheeses and meats like NoPepperoni and NoTuna, plus fresh beverages, salads and desserts. (I personally recommend the NoPastrami sandwich on fresh bread with the gluten-free almond cookie.)
Off the beaten path
If you can, plan to spend some time outside of the casinos and resorts and head to the Las Vegas Arts District, located just a short Uber ride from the Strip. There you will find a bustling scene of vintage shops, art galleries, restaurants and experiences.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame is located right in the district, with a small but mighty collection of burlesque history. A wall of pasties from famed burlesque dancers, Gypsy Rose Lee’s steamer trunk and hundreds of images tell the story of burlesque in the U.S. and beyond. There are even the ashes of some of burlesque’s famed divas housed at the location.
If you have shopping on your mind and the luxury shops and casino gift stores aren’t cutting it, you’ll be in luck in the Arts District.
Akin Cooperative features wares from local artists from jewelry to home decor to apparel. Order a glass of wine or craft beer while you shop at this queer-friendly establishment, which brings all the good vibes.
Just a couple doors down is Good Wolf Lifestyle Co., an airy shop with independent fashion labels and surprisingly affordable options. Owner Sean Blanchard was a delight to talk to, and enthusiastic about showing off the latest arrivals and piling up options outside of my fitting room. Yes, I did walk away with an incredible crop top.
If vintage is your bag, then find your way to the Antique Alley Mall. A treasure trove of vintage Vegas souvenirs, independent sellers have their own stalls, and a friendly staff welcome you through the door.
Finally, even casual readers will be entranced by The Writer’s Block, an independent bookstore on the outskirts of Downtown Las Vegas (that was founded by a gay couple!). The front of The Writer’s Block features a coffee shop, which leads into an almost ethereal shop, filled with books and trinkets. Cardboard cutouts of James Baldwin and Virgina Wolfe, along with several hundred artificial birds, beckon you to get lost in the expertly curated sections.
Las Vegas isn’t just about the bright lights and big casinos—it’s a city full of experiences that make it a must-visit for LGBTQ+ travelers. Whether you’re catching a drag show, exploring the Arts District, or grabbing a bite at a queer-owned café, there’s something for everyone. From high-energy nightlife to hidden gems that feel like home, Vegas delivers on spectacle, community, and plenty of unforgettable moments.