Gay Seattle · City Guide

Seattle is a city in a constant state of evolution. A global leader in science, engineering and culture, the city is a bastion for innovation. The city has a long and established relationship with performing and visual arts, hosting the country’s best jazz musicians and artists for decades. Liberal social attitudes, forward-thinking and creative spirit, all make Seattle a hub of expression and freedom.

Seattle is a thriving and vibrant capital of LGBT+ community and culture and is truly accepting and respectful of all identities. Boasting the 6th largest LGBT+ population in the USA, the city has been committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for gay locals and travelers for years. There is plenty to do in this bustling and exciting city and there is something suited to every gay traveler’s interests and tastes.

Gay Rights in Seattle

Washington State is frequently described as one of the most gay-friendly states in the USA and the rights and protections afforded to LGBT+ people here confirm this. Same-Sex marriage was legalized in 2012 and civil partnerships have been legal since 2007. LGBT+ people in Washington State also enjoy a number of legislative bills that protect them from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

In 2016 Seattle took a local vote and banned the use of conversion therapy on minors, and in 2017 legislation was passed that prohibited the use of conversion therapy on any person in Washinton State. Transgender people now also have the right to modify their birth certificate and other official documents.

Gay bars in Seattle

Seattle’s gay village of Capitol Hill is home to a vibrant and varied mix of gay bars and clubs for tourists to enjoy and the area is known for being an edgy, eclectic and diverse hub of gay nightlife.

The jewel of Seattle’s gay nightlife crown, Neighbors is a large venue that spans three floors and is one of the city’s most popular gay venues. The video and sound systems, multiple bars, great atmosphere routinely draw in large crowds, making neighbors the place to be. The club opened in 1983 and has a long and established history of providing amazing gay clubbing experiences in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Neighbors is known for its diverse crowd, legendary drag shows and late-night food service.

One of the best gay clubs in Seattle, with thumping techno beats and a state of the art sound system, Pony is the place to go for a lively night out in Seattle. The club is popular amongst the city’s edgier gay crowd and has an effortlessly cool atmosphere, the venue was previously a gas station, and has kept many of the original industrial features. Pony is a great place to end a night on Capitol Hill and is also one of the best places to meet gay locals, and the spacious outside deck provides ample area to chat and connect.

Gay Hotels in Seattle

Seattle is a hub of free expression and liberal attitudes in the USA, as such the majority of hotels and accommodations in Seattle can be considered gay-friendly. The Warwick Seattle is a stunning gay-friendly Downtown hotel. This popular venue boasts panoramic skyline views and contemporary rooms that are decorated to a stylish standard. The hotel features a full range of facilities including a pool and gym. The city’s downtown and many gay nightlife venues are just a short walk away.

Hotel 1000 is one of Seattle’s most stylish and minimalist hotels and is ideally located in the bustling Downtown area. From here, guests are within walking distance of the gay neighborhood of Capitol Hill as well as many of the city’s best restaurants and bars. The hotel features great on-site dining as well as a lively bar and lounge.

Gay travelers looking for a more luxurious and opulent stay should consider the Hotel Monaco. This plush and comfortable hotel offers guests a great range of amenities as well as stylish and trendy rooms with a great location.

Getting to Seattle

The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport welcomes flights and travelers from across the globe and is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. One of the busiest airports in the USA, passengers can travel from any of the terminals to the city’s Downtown area in less than an hour.

The Light Link rail service arrives at the airport’s main rail terminal every 10 minutes and is a no-transfer, direct journey from the airport to the Downtown area. The network is easy to navigate and the journey should take roughly around 40-minutes. Alternatively, there are numerous shuttle, bus and taxi options available at any of the terminals.

Getting around Seattle

Light rail

The Seattle Link light rail is an overground train system that operates on multiple networks throughout the city. The main light-rail route runs directly from Angle Lake Station to the University of Washington, and through downtown Seattle making 14 stops along the way. Many of these stops are central and will give you access to the city’s top tourist attractions.

The light rail runs from sunrise to midnight and is a great option if you’re looking for convenient, reliable and quick travel around Seattle’s central areas.

Bus

The city bus is fast and efficient however it can get crowded and in summer months it can get very stuffy. To ride the bus you can either get an ORCA card- passes that allow you to use the city’s public transport, or download the mobile app to purchase and pay for tickets.

Streetcar

The Seattle streetcars connect the city’s Downtown to the vibrant and artistic South Lake Union neighbourhood. The network also takes riders to and from the large waterfront park and one of the city’s most bustling shopping and dining districts. Fares are generally affordable and the streetcars run from around 6 am until late evening.

Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is teeming with modern feats of architecture, open green spaces and artistic wonders - as well as the world's first Starbucks. Some of the best things to do include:

• Climb the Space Needle
• Shop at Pike Place Market
• Visit the world's first Starbucks store at Pike Place
• Visit the Chihuly Gardens and Glass
• Discover the Museum of Pop Culture
• Wander past the Gum Wall
• Escape the bustle to Discovery Park
• Unwind on the green banks of Lake Union

Read More: Things to do in Seattle.

FAQs

When to visit Seattle

July to August is repeatedly cited as the best time to visit Seattle. The weather at this time is mild but still pleasant and without the freezing lows that the city experiences in winter. Autumn brings clear skies with no rain, making it a great time to explore. This is also the period when the majority of festivals and events take place in Seattle.

However, travelers looking for the cheapest prices on flights and hotels should consider visiting between November and February, when the weather is great and everything is cheaper.

Visa

Those living outside the United States will require a temporary travel visa, and these can be applied for through the official US Embassy website or in your local US embassy.

Money

There is an abundance of ATM machines around Seattle, and the majority of venues will accept both credit and debit cards. However, some ATM machines and card readers may add an additional fee for transactions attempted with overseas cards. The accepted and expected rates of tipping in Seattle are 15-20% for good service.