The Cocktail Bar Is Queer

Once existing in parallel to popular drinking culture, queer bars are now helping define it.

• story: Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
• photos: Brian Finke

Day Drinking at the “Gay Beach of New York”

What does summer drinking look like at Jacob Riis? Six groups of beachgoers offer a glimpse inside their coolers.

• story: Christian Rodriguez
• photos: Christian Rodriguez

How Wayne Smith Becomes Cher

For more than 40 years, the Dallas native has impersonated the Goddess of Pop at gay bars across the country, garnering legions of fans all his own.

• story: Alex Gonzalez
• photo: Chris Rusanowsky

“Shots, Shots, Shots!” in Gay Tijuana

A swirling site of transience and transformation, the border city has become a place to experience an LGBTQ+ scene as it’s evolving.

• story: Emma Glassman-Hughes
• photo: Carlos Moreno

Tiny Pony Is the Gayest Bar in Yucca Valley

Meet the regulars who make the gun-shop-turned-queer-bar a desert oasis.

• story: Rax Will
• photos: Dylan + Jeni

A Tour of Seattle’s Queer Cocktails

Bartender and nightlife icon Adé A Cônnére leads a crawl through the signature drinks at Pony, Kremwerk and Cherry.

• story: Mark Van Streefkerk
• photos: Amber Fouts

Nobody’s Darling Is Chicago’s Queer Cheers

Founded by two queer Black women, the cocktail lounge is an inclusive antidote to the city’s cis-centered bars. Meet the regulars who have found a home there.

• story: Abby Keller
• photos: Clayton Hauck

Carla Rossi Is Portland’s Premier Drag Clown

The pasty-faced, White Claw-slinging queen of PDX nightlife takes her name from the jug of cheap wine favored by art students.

• story: Andrew Jankowski
• photo: Rak Salt