The SGN's third annual Reader's Choice Awards have come to a close — and results are in! To celebrate, here's a little bit about the fabulous performers, athletes, businesses, and organizations our community loves.

Best Queer Bar — Rumors Cabaret

This "openly open" club has been in business since 1984 and is one of the longest-running in Bellingham. Its daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. is incredibly affordable, with $3 wells and $4.50 cider and microbrew pints. By holding community drag shows, karaoke nights, and Drag Race watch parties, and hosting special guests at their weekly "Queer Ass Fridays" events, the folks at Rumors' have created a radical and ravishing Queer space. 1119 Railroad Ave., Bellingham

Finalists: Wildrose (Seattle), Unicorn (Seattle), Kamp Social House (Seattle)

Best Brunch Spot — Dreamland Bar & Diner

Fremont's whimsical and dreamy community diner has themes of nostalgia playfully woven through its decor, food, and lively events. Its weekly Saturday drag brunch features the queens Arriety and Irene the Alien, plus various guest performers. While waiting for plates of chicken and waffles and raspberry-infused breakfast martinis, visitors can meander through Dreamland's disco-ball hallway and reflect wistfully on happy, peaceful, and perfect days. 3401 Evanston Ave. N, Seattle, https://www.dreamlandfremont.com

Finalists: Kamp Social House (Seattle), Endgame Bellingham (Bellingham)

Best Coffee Shop — Squirrel Chops

Hanging on the wall is an illustration of the cutest little critter holding a cup of coffee. Central District's Squirrel Chops is women and LGBTQ+ owned and specializes in small-batch, locally roasted coffee — and that's not the coolest thing about it. It's also a hair salon with experienced stylists and a fifth-generation barber who's dedicated to gender-affirming, euphoric cuts. 2201 E. Union St., Seattle, https://www.squirrelchops.com

Finalists: Caffe Adagio (Bellingham), Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. (Olympia, Seattle), Ocean Beach Roasters (Ocean Shores)

Best Thrift Store — Worn Again Thrift

Bellingham's mostly vintage store is filled with customers experimenting with their sense of style, sustainably. The six-person team doesn't separate clothes by gender, believing that they can be worn by anyone who likes them. Also, one of the store's employees is a shop dog named Archie — what's not to love? 232 E. Champion St., Bellingham, https://www.wornagainthrift.com

Finalists: Lifelong (Seattle), Red Light Vintage & Costume (Seattle)

Best Bookstore — Elliott Bay Book Company

Woman- and Queer-owned Elliott Bay Book Company has been in Seattle since 1973. In 2010, it moved from Pioneer Square to Capitol Hill, where it remains a community staple, with shelves dedicated to Queer studies and LGBTQ+ authors, as well as plenty of author talks. The knowledgeable staff and beautiful building are sure to charm. 1521 10th Ave., Seattle, https://www.elliottbaybook.com

Finalists: Village Books and Paper Dreams (Bellingham), Charlie's Queer Books (Seattle)

Best Tattoo Parlor — Electric Kitten Tattoo

Despite its recent opening in 2021, Electric Kitten's tattoo artists cover a wide range of styles, including American traditional, stipple and line shading, neo-traditional, and dotwork. Owner Robyn Emlen founded the Community Tattoo Collective, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for organizations that help people in the PNW through tattooing; in 2023, the participating artists raised $50,700. Two shop artists have expressed interest in Furbys, making the business the ideal spot for that long Furby tattoo. 5309 22nd Ave. NW, Suite E, Seattle, https://www.electrickittentattoo.com

Finalists: Triassic Tattoo (Seattle), Bad Apple Tattoo (Seattle), X Tattoo (Bellingham), Red Sparrow Tattoo (Bellingham), Wisteria Tattoo (Bellingham), Sorry Sorry (Seattle), Sabbath Tattoo (Bellingham), Old School (Bellingham), 17th Avenue Tattoo (White Center), Gargoyle Tattoo (Aberdeen), Stanwood Tattoo Company (Stanwood), Supergenius Tattoo (Seattle)

Best Charitable Organization — Queer Mountaineers

The volunteer-led nonprofit hosts outdoor social events and classes through four different chapters across the PNW. Back in February, the cofounders of the organization told the SGN that their biggest priorities are community and access. Ten members of Queer Mountaineers, along with two guides, summited Kulshan (otherwise known as Mount Baker) in June 2023. https://www.queermountaineers.com

Finalists: Lambert House (Seattle), Lifelong (Seattle), DVSAS (Bellingham), Burien Cares (Burien), Gender Justice League (Seattle), Free2Luv (Seattle), Cocoon House (Everett), Grays Harbor College Food Pantry (Aberdeen), Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (Seattle), Spokane AIDS Network (Spokane), Seattle's LGBTQ Center (Seattle)

Athlete of the Year — Megan Rapinoe

Known for her skill and advocacy, Megan Rapinoe ended her 11-year career with the Seattle women's soccer team, OL Reign, in November 2023. During her time on the field, she helped the US women's national team win two World Cups. She was also among a group of players who filed a wage discrimination claim against US Soccer over unequal pay compared to male teams; the claim ultimately ended in a settlement that secured equal pay for the teams in the next union contract.

Finalists: Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Jess Fishlock (OL Reign), Dak (Dallas Cowboys)

Best Comedian — Juno Men

Juno Men mixes storytelling and comedy in all of the events she participates in — or creates herself. As producer of Comedy Nest Seattle, a weekly open mic night focused on women, Trans, Queer, and POC people; and Flock!, a Queer comedy showcase, Men carefully crafts jokes centering her Trans and Asian identity. She also occasionally hosts events from The Moth, a nonprofit that hosts storytelling events across the United States.

Finalists: Sneaky Boo (Seattle), Kailyn Bosley (Bellingham), Repeating Gossip (Bellingham), Joe Dombrowski (Seattle)

Best Drag Performer — Isabella L. Richards

The Afro-Latina diva has 11 years of performing under her belt and has reached audiences all around Washington. The powerhouse performer has close ties to Seattle University's Triangle Club, whose drag show she participated in every year from 2016 to 2020. Curious drag-brunch-goers can see her in Bremerton, Seattle, and Tacoma, specifically at Taqueria Cantina, where she'll be appearing twice in January and February.

Finalists: Shay Fox, Issa Man, Jizzy Pop, King Leo Mane