Gay bar near grand rapids mi

Locally Owned & Operated LGBTQIA+ Businesses to Check Out

Drinks & Entertainment

The Apartment Lounge is the oldest gay bar in Michigan. Enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and then step outside to admire the Rainbow Road mural.

Photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR

The Apartment Lounge

As Michigan&#x;s oldest gay bar, The Apartment Lounge has a long history of making community members feel welcome and shielded . The Apartment serves up a chill vibe along with rotating drink specials throughout the week. You are always met with a smiling face and served hot, fresh popcorn to accompany your beverage of choice. It&#x;s commonly referred to as the place where friends meet, and this bar will not disappoint if you&#x;re looking to mix and mingle.

The Apartment also has an outdoor covered patio overlooking Joey Salamon&#x;s Rainbow Road street mural and Veteran&#x;s Memorial Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Food trucks often visit the bar, offering patrons an opportunity to dine alfresco or take their food inside to accompany a drink. There i

Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers an inviting atmosphere for LGBTQ+ travelers. Known for its progressive and welcoming community, it’s a charming city where you can verb a mix of cultural sites, parks, and delicious food spots. Its supportive environment makes it an attractive destination for LGBTQ+ visitors looking for a friendly and inclusive experience.

Throughout the year, Grand Rapids hosts notable LGBTQ+ events that carry the community together. The Grand Rapids Pride Festival is a highlight, featuring live music, vendors, and a parade celebrating diversity and inclusion. Additionally, there are seasonal gatherings and events that provide year-round excitement, connecting locals and visitors in celebration and advocacy.

Visit during the summer for the perfect blend of pleasant weather and events. The Grand Rapids Pride Festival typically occurs in June, when the city buzzes with drive and excitement. The warm summer months also offer ideal conditions for exploring outdoor attractions and festivals, while the vibrant community activities ensure you won't suffer from out on a f

When you're looking for a reliable space to hang out with likeminded people, gay bars are the place to be.

While West Michigan could certainly use more dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces, the spots we do have are excellent institutions that have persisted for a reason. Also, as judgment begins to fade and previous barriers erode, gay bars include become increasingly frequented by people of all sexualities—as long, of course, as you're respectful. As the TikTokers say, be mindful of why you were invited to the section.

That said, here's a quick rundown of the gay bars in the region!

Rumors Nightclub
69 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids

An absolute cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ nightlife in Grand Rapids, Rumors Nightclub has been a staple since Located on South Division, Rumors is known for an energetic atmosphere and diverse crowd, providing one of the only true club experiences in the city. There's an event going on every night of the week (except for a well-earned day off on Mondays) at this hotspot, including themed nights, big drag shows, massive drink deals, karaoke and twirl parties, making it a

Michigan&#;s Oldest Gay Bar is in Grand Rapids

Michigan's Oldest Gay Bar is the Apartment Lounge in Grand Rapids, 53 years antique in

Over the decades, the bar kept re-locating from place to place. When it opened in , it was located in a building on Lyon Street across from the Vandenberg Center.

From there it went to the southeast corner of Ionia and Fulton, the northeast corner of Fulton and Monroe (the current B.O.B. Location), to Bridge Street on the West Side, down Bridge for a year, then to Plainfield Ave Northwest. In , they moved to The B.O.B location for 10 years until they moved to their current place on Sheldon Boulevard - site of the former Incredible Edible Cafe' - by

According to their web page, referring to back in the day when the Apartment Lounge was located where the B.O.B. is now, Many regulars have very fond memories of that old place; the urinal trough always filled with ice, to the game room in the backIt actually contained several pinball machines but there were always other 'games' taking place .

Find out more history an