In the heart of the Mediterranean lies a land where millennia-old history and age-old traditions blend with a vibrant contemporary spirit, creating a unique and captivating mix: Sicily. In addition to its natural beauties, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and culinary delights, Sicily has developed a solid culture of hospitality and inclusiveness in recent years.
This cultural evolution has allowed the queer community to flourish, leading to the birth of numerous gay clubs in Sicily, events, and evenings designed to meet the needs of an LGBTQIA+ audience. If you’re looking for welcoming places, non-judgmental fun, and the opportunity to meet people who share your worldview, this guide is for you.
From the lively nightlife of Palermo to the vibrant atmosphere of Catania, through the entertaining evenings of Messina and the activism of Syracuse, to the surprising discoveries of Agrigento: we present our updated guide for 2023 on gay clubs in Sicily.
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Queer Nights, Gay Clubs & Bars in Palermo
Exit Drinks – Gay Bar
Regarded as a staple for the LGBTQ+ community in Palermo, Exit Drinks has been around for over 25 years. Open for both aperitif and afternoon coffee, this historic venue is known for its evenings enlivened by DJ sets and drag shows.
Address: Piazza S. Francesco di Paola, 38-41
Cha – Gay-Friendly Bar
Another must-visit spot in Palermo is Cha, a gay-friendly bar and tea room: it’s the perfect place for a chat with friends, a tea or a dessert, in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Address: Via Giuseppe Velasquez, 28/30
Caterina Pub – Lesbian Bar
Also known as Laguna Blu, Caterina Pub is a lively meeting spot for Palermo’s lesbian community: the pub offers a friendly environment where you can meet new people, relax, and enjoy a drink.
Address: Via Squarcialupo 19
I Love Tuesday – Gay Night (Tuesday)
Every Tuesday, the city seems to transform into a weekend thanks to the “I Love Tuesday” event hosted at the Country Disco Club. With Exit Drinks as a partner, this is a not-to-be-missed event for the local LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
00_Open – LGBTQ+ Night (Friday)
For those looking for a new spot for Friday evenings, “00_Open” is a fresh addition to the Palermo LGBTQ+ scene. A place where you can feel free to be yourself and have fun until the last note.
Fabric Club House – Gay Venue (Saturday)
Saturday night in Palermo is synonymous with Fabric Club House. This nightclub, managed by Exit Drinks, offers a weekly program full of animation, music until dawn, drinks, and fun.
- Address: Via Ugo la Malfa 91
PopShock – Gay-Friendly Night
Although not a permanent venue, PopShock Party is an itinerant evening that takes place in the best Sicilian clubs. With a consistently excellent DJ line-up, this night is gay-friendly and highly recommended.
Gay Clubs, Bars, Nights and Saunas in Catania
The atmosphere of Catania is famed for its warm hospitality, and it’s a place where the LGBTQ+ community can truly feel at home.
Buio Wine Cocktail Bar – Gay Bar
Buio is a beautiful bar in Catania where you can enjoy a drink in good company while listening to live music. The venue is frequented throughout the year, especially during the summer when patrons spill out onto the streets, filling them with life and cheer.
Address: Via Barone della Bicocca, 20
Nievski – Gay Bar
Nievski is a renowned landmark for the gay community in Catania, a historic meeting place located right in the heart of the city center. The stairway next to the bar is a favorite spot for the local gay community to gather and socialize.
Nievski offers not only a welcoming place to spend time, but also quality cuisine, with delicious fried dishes and seafood-based main courses. It’s the perfect place for an evening meal, a pre-dance drink, or simply to meet new people.
- Address: Via Alessi, 15
Le Capannine – CG Management Gay Night
The gay nights organized by CG Management at Le Capannine are a must-attend event if you find yourself in Catania. These events take place throughout the year, both in winter and summer, and are known to be incredibly fun. CG Management is renowned for organizing some of the best parties in Catania and throughout Sicily.
If you visit Catania, attending at least one of these events is a must. These nights offer a wide variety of experiences, always different from one another. To stay up-to-date on all future events, visit the official CG Management Instagram page.
Fallo è Bello – Gay Night (Saturday)
“Fallo è Bello” is the Saturday night event dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community of Catania, which always attracts a large number of participants and guarantees great fun. This event is organized in all seasons, both in summer and winter, and always boasts the presence of top-level DJs and themed animations.
- During the summer months, the event is held at Viale Kennedy 1.
- In winter, the address to remember is that of Supercinema, located in Via Gisira.
Terme d’Achille e South Factory Club (SFC): saune gay
For those seeking a more intimate and relaxing experience, Catania also offers two gay saunas: Terme d’Achille and the South Factory Club (SFC). These places not only provide an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate, but are also meeting and socialization spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Terme d’Achille: Via Tezzano 13
- South Factory Club (SFC): Via Fischetti, 10
Also, read our article on gay beaches in Sicily
Gay clubs and queer nights in Messina
OMD – Gay Night
OMD, acronym for “Oh my God!”, is one of the most fun Saturday nights in all of Sicily. With incredible entertainment, DJs playing until late, and drag queen performances, Saturday night in Messina will never be the same.
Gay Venues in Taormina
Taormina is an international city that attracts tourists from around the world every year, giving its vibrant gay scene a unique, cosmopolitan touch while always maintaining its local character.
A staple location is the O’Seven Irish Pub, a gay-friendly venue. Although an Irish pub might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a gay bar, Taormina hosts many Northern European tourists, and O’Seven is an ideal place to meet new people. The pub offers live concerts, broadcasts sports games on TV, and serves dishes from the delicious Sicilian cuisine.
You can find the O’Seven Irish Pub on Corso Umberto, at the corner of Largo la Farina 6. It’s a perfect place to make interesting new acquaintances and enjoy Taormina’s unique atmosphere.
Gay cruising in Agrigento
Although there are no specifically gay venues in Agrigento, the city still offers some opportunities for cruising. This practice, consisting of spontaneous meetings between LGBTQ+ people in public places, is widespread. Here are some of the most frequented places for cruising in Agrigento:
- Bus parking lot, behind the Astoria cinema
- Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, in front of the post office
- Piazza Fratelli Rossetti
As we have seen in this 2023 guide to gay clubs in Sicily, this region proves to be welcoming and inclusive, and offers numerous venues and evenings for the LGBTQ+ community.
Moreover, there are more and more Italy Pride events taking place in Sicilian cities, including Ragusa, Palermo, and Syracuse.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what Sicily has to offer in 2023, but always remember that the gay scene is constantly evolving and growing. So don’t hesitate to explore, get to know and discover new places in this sunny and welcoming land. And save this article among your favorites, to see future updates regarding gay venues in Sicily and the evenings that this region has to offer.
