The best gay clubs and bars in Miami for a night out with the boys

Twist is one of the most storied gay spots left in Miami Beach, a reliable joint to end the night. The multi-floor space has seven bars to choose from and there’s never a cover here. Shirts have a tendency to come off in the morning hours, but the two-for-one happy hours every day from 3 to 9pm make an earlier stop at Twist worthwhile.

The lobby bar at this chill gay hotel is a great place to meet visitors and get the lay of the land from savvy locals. Start your night off with a cocktail or three if it’s happy hour (daily 5–8pm) before setting out for even more adventures around the beach. On any night of the week, you’ll find plenty of activities to entertain yourself at the Gaythering, including karaoke, trivia nights, bingo and Friday’s flirty Bears & Hares party.

Minutes away from Twist (and named for one of the legendary club's O.G. bartenders), Nathan’s is a decidedly more chill proposition in South Beach. And though it recently expanded, this bar still retains its cozy, community-driven feel. Spearheaded by Nathan himself, gay programming runs the gamut from Drag Race watch parties to karaoke and Monday drag performances kicking off at 11pm and 1am.

On the mainland, R House (whose logo recently transformed from a regular “R” to an adorable bum-shaped one) is the undisputed champion of lit Wynwood drag brunches. Hosted by Athena Dion, the saucy affair takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when the best of Miami’s drag performers flip and twirl all over R House’s expansive interior and outdoor patio. The queens and their entourage tend to hang out after the shows, making for an overall festive, gay time at the bar through the weekend.

Ever seen someone do a death drop on the sidewalk? Now’s your chance. Palace is home to the best drag brunch in the entire world. For $55, enjoy a choice of brunch dishes and bottomless mimosas on the expansive outdoor patio as you take in the iconic looks, legendary lip-syncing and death-defying acrobatics of Palace’s hard-working queens. After the final seating, stick around for the T dance, when a scantily clad DJ hops on deck for mingling and twirling on the dance floor.

Willy's is the full-fledged, no-frills LGBTQ+ bar that's long been missing in the bustling mainland neighborhood known for its colorful street art and nightlife. The 75-person bar is cozy, camp, cheerful and affordable, with specialty cocktails ranging from $11 to $13 and beers and seltzers starting at $7. For programming, expect dance parties, themed nights, RuPaul watch parties and album release nights. And, save the occasional special event, there's never a cover charge.

You’ve seen Madonna songs in drag before. It’s time to watch a queen crush some Celia Cruz. Azucar is an LGBT option for those who don’t want to trek to South Beach. Just off Coral Way, Azucar is a home for Miami’s thriving Latin LGBT population. The curious should check out Sunday night’s sultry Noche de Cabaret, when the cover charge is usually $10. It’s an art you can appreciate without a translator.

When it comes to the LGBT scene, it’s worth making a trip to Wilton Manors, one of the most gay-friendly neighborhoods in the country. When the sun goes down in Wilton, all restless bodies head to the Manor, the neighborhood’s biggest and wildest club that boasts loud music, fleshy dancers and flashy decor. 

This no-frills mainstay on Española Way has a long history of hosting all manner of queer-friendly parties, from drag nights and karaoke to bingo. These days, don’t miss the monthly Gender Blender, a punk-themed party with drag burlesque, performance artists and queer-centric bands and DJs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gender Blender (@genderblendermiami)

Gramps is by no means strictly a gay bar but it’s a loud and proud ally. The LGBT-friendly Wynwood bar also happens to throw the absolute best weekly drag party in town: Double Stubble. Every Thursday at 9pm, Miami’s drag community is on full display with some truly breathtaking performances—and this ain’t your average drag. Performances here are avant-garde, over-the-top explosions of creativity and ferocity.

Another popular Wilton Manors excursion, Hunters continues the legacy of its namesake sister bar, a staple in the Palm Springs gay scene for two decades. The South Florida iteration offers revelers a modern, remodeled space on Wilton Drive complete with a spacious dance floor, a massive video screen and an upstairs lounge that overlooks all the action. On Fur Fridays, stop in for extended happy hour until 8pm and don’t stop dancing till the spiked disco ball stops spinning.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hunters Wilton Manors (@hunterswm)