One of the last places most people think of when they're looking for a good time in Seattle is SoDo. At a glance it might seem like nothing but a wasteland of warehouses, passing trains, and loud trucks, but to the surrounding neighborhoods and any intrepid urbanites it offers a few choice Queer and Queer-friendly hangouts.
The Comeback
This venerable Queer bar, once known as R Place, re-opened in January this year and has been going strong since. On Thursdays it has Happy Hour from 4 PM to 9 PM, followed by the Amateur Strip Show (A.S.S.) hosted by dynamic drag duo LÜCHI. On Fridays the Happy Hours are Disco themed, with a RuPaul's Drag Race viewing party at 8 PM, and LASHES, Seattle's longest-running drag show, closing out the night.
On Saturday, July 30, The Comeback will host TURN'T: Black Sound Rewound, a celebration of 70 years of "raw Black and Queer music," featuring Seattle Gay DJ legends Riz Rollins and Almond Brown.
August 13th will see the bar's, and the city's, first Bollywood Night, an event series for LGBTQ+ South Asians, Desis, and their allies. Sponsoring the events is the Seattle chapter of the Queer Desi and South Asian (QDASA) group, a national organization working to create safe spaces to celebrate Queer Desi and South Asian identities.
Supernova
Though this inclusive nightclub launched just over a year ago, it sees huge lines on Friday and Saturday nights, and that's no accident. As the home of Sapphic Seattle and BeautyBoiz, it has, by all accounts, redefined the Queer Seattle nightlife with free-flowing performance art that mingles with the crowd. No two nights at Supernova are the same. Make sure to order tickets in advance; their shows sell out fast.
On Fridays the club hosts TGIF, with classic party anthems, fresh hits, and drag performances, all ushered along by DJ's. Saturdays there are for Stayin' Alive, a blend of Disco both classic and Nu, with aerialists and the club's in-house band, Universal Peoples.
Sleight of Hand Cellars
For those less inclined towards late nights and loud music, this Queer-owned wine tasting room weathered the pandemic doldrums to now host occasional concerts and karaoke nights, in addition to its wine tasting events. Tastings can be made by appointment, but walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
Although no particular events are currently listed for the future, one can expect chill tunes from the likes of life-long songstress Kate Barreth and funk ballad up-and-comer Brittany Danielle. And conveniently, the upscale Nine Pies Pizzeria is right next door, for those who want to round off a tasting session with a tasty margherita (or something fancier).
Queer-friendly spaces
Although the Monkey Loft Rooftop Lounge is listed as a "casual" spot, its parties can last up to 12 hours, featuring both guest and local DJ's. It has hosted fundraising events for the entertainment nonprofit Nightlife Relief Fund, a "community-built network" for DJ's, bartenders, and other music and arts professionals.
Meanwhile, the SoDo taproom of the Ghostfish Brewing Company is a lively, family-friendly space with award-winning, gluten-free beers, hearty food, and gender neutral bathrooms.