Rome LGBTQ+ Neighbourhood Guide: Queer-Friendly Bars, Culture & Nightlife

A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood look at Rome’s LGBTQ+ community and nightlife.

Where’s the rainbow in Rome? Some neighbourhoods keep a lower profile, while others show their colours more openly. From long-running nights like Frappe at Largo Venue to events such as Flag in Piazza Vittorio, the city has its own landmarks in LGBTQ+ culture and nightlife. As a member of the community or an ally, you don’t want to miss this guide that gathers the best queer and queer-friendly bars, clubs, and cultural spaces across the Eternal City.

Pigneto 

Explicitly Queer

• Magnebevo e Sto ar Pigneto (Via Macerata, 3): a small bar with a huge heart. You come for the Mezcal & delicious food, and stay for the chosen family energy.
• Malo Glitter Bar (Via Fanfulla da Lodi, 3): enjoy drag, disco, karaoke and sparkle from Wednesday to Sunday (every night is a story!)
• Tuba Bookstore Bar (Via del Pigneto, 39/a): a feminist & queer bookshop that organizes related book presentations and events. A welcoming space to read and connect over a great coffee.
• Mondi Possibili (Via Macerata, 24/A): a sex-positive love boutique that believes pleasure equals power. Go on, we dare you to explore!

Inclusively Welcoming

• Largo Venue (Via Biordo Michelotti, 2): hosting “Latte Fresco”, an intimate and queer Friday night, with stand-up comedy and dance in a lively music club setting.
• Cargo (Via del Pigneto, 20) and Zazie (Via Ettore Giovenale, 16): bars with inclusive vibes that don’t ask, they just welcome.

Monti 

Explicitly Queer

• Coming Out (Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 8): an iconic venue for drinks, karaoke night on Thursday and drag shows.
• My Bar (Via S. Giovanni in Laterano,12): youthful and international gay bar, with 24/7 pride energy!
• 101 Roma (Via Panisperna, 101): a small cozy club with a good music selection and Drag Thursdays. Remember you need a dedicated membership to enter this club!
• Company Club (Piazza Manfredo Fanti, 40): a bear-friendly and laid-back disco bar, open from Thursday to Sunday.

Inclusively Welcoming

• Pifebo (Via dei Serpenti, 135) & Humana (Via Leonina, 38)

San Lorenzo 

Explicitly Queer

• Libreria Antigone (Via dei Piceni, 1): a go-to place for queer literature and book talks on gender studies, queer art and history you won’t forget.

Inclusively Welcoming

• La Conventicola degli Ultramoderni (via di Porta Labicana, 32): an intimate venue for nightly variety – burlesque, cabaret, and live music – La Conventicola degli Ultramoderni blends vintage glamour with immersive, interactive shows in a 1940s-inspired setting.
• Giufà Cafè Libreria (Via degli Aurunci, 38): an independent bookstore that focuses on cultural promotions and a range of well-selected projects.
• Bonario (Via dei Volsci, 121): a queer-friendly restaurant that serves Mediterranean delicacies with vegetarian and vegan options.

Portonaccio

Explicitly Queer

• Muccassassina (Via di Portonaccio, 212): a renowned themed party within Qube Disco, a multi-floor gay club known for its drag shows on Friday nights.

Trastevere 

Inclusively Welcoming

• Zalib (Via della Penitenza, 35): an ARCI membership-based space where you can read, study, or meet with friends. It features two indoor gardens, shelves of books, and a calendar rich with cultural events.
• In Vino Veritas (Via Garibaldi, 2/A): it sits at the edge of Trastevere, serving wine, cocktails, and a range of gin. Regulars gather here for drinks and the easy-going feel of a neighbourhood bar.
• Freni e Frizioni (Via del Politeama, 4): it’s known for its inventive cocktails and energetic crowd. Locals and travellers gather here for carefully mixed drinks, and the feeling of being right in the flow of Rome’s nightlife.

Historical Center

Inclusively Welcoming

• Spazio Sette Libreria (via dei Barbieri 7): a bookshop-bar in the centre of Rome where you can browse shelves, order coffee or cakes surrounded by books. Friendly service and a resident cat make this place extra special!

Testaccio 

Explicitly Queer

• Gay Center (Via Nicola Zabaglia, 14): the home to LGBT+ community, Refuge LGBT and Gay Help Line.

Portuense 

Explicitly Queer

• Frutta e Verdura Club (Via di Santa Passera, 27): a gay nightclub with electronic music parties, a dark room, and chill-out area. It stays open until dawn and, being far from the centre, is best reached by car, taxi, or ride-share.

Final Dare: Queer Festivals and Events in Rome

Alongside its bars and cultural space, Rome comes alive during festivals and gatherings that give rhythm to the queer calendar. From the Pride parade and summer nights, to the one-day celebrations and film showcases, each of these events adds a new voice to the city’s cultural scene. Here are some of the past and recurring LGBTQ+ happenings to keep in your agenda:

• Fetish Pride Italy by Leather Club Roma (from 5th to 8th of December, 2025)
• Giornate di Cinema Queer (next edition coming soon, 2025)
• Glamorize @692SecretGarden (from 17th of September, 2025) 
• FLAG Queer Culture Festival in Piazza Vittorio (from 12th to 14th of September, 2025)
• Collettivo “Kinky Girls” Events (6-7th of July, 2025) 
• Largo Venue Frappè Night (Summer 2025) 
• Ostia Queer Festival (27th of July, 2025) 
• SAFFFO 1-DAY Queer FEST(A) (7th of June, 2025)
• Roma Pride (14th of June, 2025)
• The Venus Rising (from 14th of February to 14th of September 2025)
• Queer Summer Festival (September 2024)

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