Being a part of the queer community, I am always excited when I meet another queer person. Unfortunately, that’s pretty hard. Aside from randomly having a queer classmate or co-worker, I have yet to find a place to socialize with my community. So, I rolled up my sleeves and did the hard work to find us all five queer places for us to meet and hang out.
1. Hamburger Mary’s
If you’re living in Orlando and you haven’t heard of Hamburger Mary’s, you must be living under a rock. They’re found on Church Street in downtown Orlando and serve burgers, salads and brunch (with bottomless mimosas). The twist: Drag shows. Every Sunday they have their Broadway Brunch, featuring popular drag queens performing our favorite Broadway tunes. They also have other weekly events including bingo and trivia nights, as well as “Dining with the Divas” every Friday night.
2. Funky Monkey Bistro and Bar.
Over on I-Drive, there is the Funky Monkey Bistro and Bar. Like Hamburger Mary’s, they cover your restaurant basics (but with more vegan options). Also like Hamburger Mary’s, they have their own drag show Friday and Saturday nights, occasionally featuring our favorite queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” It’ a $10 cover to get in, but they also have VIP and party packages available.
3. Parliament House.
Found on Orange Blossom Trail, there is Parliament House. Established in 1975, this place has become a notable part of Orlando’s gay history. Not only is it a gay club, but it is a resort. The property includes pretty much everything you need for a gay old time. The resort has hotel rooms and a pool. There is an outdoor performance area, as well as the Footlight Theater which has shows every Friday and Saturday. And if clubbing isn’t your style, they have the Rainbow Café, which is open 7am to 11pm.
4. Southern Nights.
For the ladies, there is Southern Nights on Bumby Ave. Every Saturday they have “Girl The Party,” the largest lesbian night in Florida (or so they claim). It includes a drag show, sometimes featuring queens from “RuPauls Drag Race,” and dancer, featuring the always gorgeous Ivy Les Vixen. It’s a $10 cover to party, but I would suggest bringing singles to tip the queens and dancers.
5. The Center.
If clubbing isn’t your thing and you would prefer a lowkey place to get involved with the queer community, The Center is the place for you. They basically function as a community center and safe space for queer people. They have group meetings there for various queer groups as well as AA meetings, as well as events like yoga and bingo. Beyond that, they do volunteer work around the Orlando community and help provide connections with LGBT+ resources in the area. They are also home of the Angel Force, who blocked out protesters from the funerals of Pulse victims. You can become a member for $40 a year and $20 for students.
If you want to meet more queer people, definitely check these places out. They are all fun and supportive businesses and organizations in the queer community of Orlando. And if you see me at any of them, come and say hi!
