Rome, the eternal city, is famous worldwide for its majestic beauty and rich history, but it’s not just that. It also serves as a shining example of diversity and inclusivity, thanks to its LGBTQIA+ scene. The city is dotted with gay venues, providing a safe and welcoming space for individuals to be themselves and socialise.
In this guide, we will take you on a journey to discover the most captivating places, ranging from bars and nightclubs to cruising clubs. Each with its unique style and charm, these gay venues in Rome will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
You might also be interested in: Gay Rome: the secret history of the Vatican Museums
Gay Venues in Rome: The Bars You Absolutely Must Visit
Roma Club – LGBTQ Friendly Bar
101 Panisperna Street, Rome
Strategically situated between the gay street and the central station, the 101 Roma Club is a modern gay venue in Rome that captures the atmosphere of European gay bars. The bar provides a spacious area for meeting new people and having a chat right as you walk in, while a secondary area is equipped with private rooms for those desiring a bit of privacy.
Magnoebevo e Sto ar Pigneto – Gay-Friendly Bar
3 Macerata Street, Rome
In the heart of the lively Pigneto district, Magnoebevo is a little gem of a gay-friendly bar in Rome that is definitely worth a visit. With its cocktails and a menu of food suitable for both dinner and aperitif, this venue stands out for its quality and attention to detail.
But what makes Magnoebevo truly special is its staff: welcoming, friendly, and always ready to put the customer at the centre of attention. Visiting Magnoebevo doesn’t simply mean visiting a venue; it means becoming part of an extended family, where every customer is welcomed with open arms and made to feel at home.
Tuba Bazar – A Queer Space for Books, Food, and Friendship
39/a Pigneto Street, Rome
Tuba Bazar first opened its doors years ago as a feminist bookstore and, over time, has transformed into a queer space where individuals belonging to the LGBTQI+ community can feel comfortable, whether they’re engrossed in a book or sipping a drink amongst friends. This unique place has evolved to become a beacon for the community, providing a welcoming and stimulating environment for anyone who wishes to join.
Open daily, Tuba Bazar also offers dinner service, with a kitchen that dishes up delicious meals to satisfy every palate. The venue stays open until one in the morning, providing a cosy retreat for those wishing to spend a quiet evening in good company.
Coming Out – Gay Bar
8 San Giovanni in Laterano Street
Located in the heart of the historical centre, just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, Coming Out is one of the most well-known gay venues in Rome. It offers a friendly atmosphere, perfect for socialising and making new friends. The venue operates as a bar and restaurant during the day, while at night it comes alive with themed events, drag shows, and live music. Here you can also find a small shop for gay-themed items.
My Bar – Gay Friendly Venue
12 San Giovanni in Laterano Street
This cosy bar is open continuously, from dawn till dusk, enlivening the evenings of the famous gay street. My Bar is perfect for a quick snack or for sipping a few drinks in the company of friends.
Colosseum – Lesbian Bar
22 Colosseum Square
Easily reachable on foot and a short distance from the other two mentioned venues, the Colosseum is a very popular bar among the Roman lesbian community. This welcoming venue has become a reference point not only for girls but for the entire LGBTQIA+ community of Rome, thanks to its friendly atmosphere and the varied calendar of events and themed evenings.
Gay and LGBTQ Friendly Nightclubs in Rome
Muccassassina – Gay Night on Friday
- Winter season: Qube, 212 Portonaccio Street
- Summer season: SNOOD MANDRIONE – 63 Mandrione Street
For 29 years, Muccassassina has been the unmissable Friday night event for Rome’s gay community. Each season offers as always multiple rooms, DJs from around the world, spectacular entertainment, and over 4000 boys and girls who crowd this unforgettable night every Friday. Visiting Rome without stopping by Mucca would be a real shame!
During the summer season, Muccassassina transforms and becomes Dorothy, an outdoor event that enlivens Saturday night with its magical atmosphere.
In the winter, Muccassassina is held at the Qube, located at 212 Portonaccio Street, while in summer the event moves to SNOOD MANDRIONE, at 63 Mandrione Street. Both locations are easily accessible by public transport and are located in well-connected areas.
Company (from Thursday to Sunday) – The meeting point for bears and leather lovers in Rome
40 Manfredo Fanti Square
In perfect harmony with the famous Company of Milan, its Roman counterpart is a cruising bar offering electro and house music nights from Thursday to Sunday. On Saturday evening, however, it comes alive with special and more mainstream trendy events. The venue is particularly appreciated by the “bear” and “leather” clientele and offers dark rooms for those seeking spicy and adventurous encounters.
But it doesn’t end there: on Mondays, Company Rome organises the “Cruise on Monday” event, dedicated to all the bears who want to prolong the fun, dance and meet new people at the beginning of the week.
The Company is the ideal place for bear and leather enthusiasts, where they can find a welcoming and fun environment to share experiences and spend unforgettable evenings.
GIAM (Saturday) – LGBTQ+ Night
Planet Rome Venue – 36 Commerce Street
Giam turns Saturday night into an explosion of colours and sounds. With internationally renowned DJs and spectacular performances, the Roman night becomes a stage for the LGBTQ+ community. From autumn to spring, Giam is the perfect place to let go and celebrate diversity in a unique and welcoming atmosphere.
Frutta e Verdura (Sunday morning) – After-party (gay and bear)
27 Santa Passera Street
When someone tells you “Tonight, I’m going to Frutta”, don’t expect a quiet vegetable market, but rather prepare to have fun until dawn! Frutta e Verdura is the most famous after-party in the Capital, attended by the gay and bear community.
Held every Sunday morning, from 4 to 10, this event offers an engaging and lively atmosphere, with gogo boys and international DJs setting the scene for the party. Frutta e Verdura is the perfect place for those who want to prolong the fun of Saturday night.
Cruising Bars: The Spiciest Gay Venues in Rome
The Devil Inside
Largo Itri, 23
The Devil Inside is a historic cruising bar in the Italian capital, located near a splendid villa with garden and swimming pool. This venue offers a unique and intriguing experience, with weekly parties dedicated to the fetish world, such as leather, latex, and uniform-themed events.
Inside The Devil Inside, the atmosphere is engaging and seductive: a nudist area, a maze, and men to men performances ensure visitors can let themselves go and experience new emotions in a safe and private environment. Here, freedom of expression and the discovery of new pleasures are encouraged and celebrated.
Censured Cruising Bar
Four Cantons Street, 5
Rising from the ashes of the historic Aperion cruising bar in Rome, Censured is renewed thanks to a careful renovation of the premises, to offer high-quality services to its patrons. This venue is distinguished by its soft lights, comfortable sofas where you can sit and chat and caress the skin, and hard videos that feed an atmosphere of seduction and mystery.
Censured has two bars and an impressive staircase leading to an upper floor, where guests can discover dark spaces perfect for playing and retreating into private rooms. The venue is designed to offer a pleasure and fun experience in a safe environment that respects everyone’s needs.
Located near the Cavour metro station, at 5 Four Cantons Street, Censured is easily reachable and is in a central and well-connected area of Rome.
Skyline Cruising Bar
Via Pontremoli, 36
The Skyline cruising bar offers a unique and engaging experience thanks to its two bars, a video room, a smoking area, and an intriguing maze with private cabins. This lively venue is always crowded and regularly organises themed evenings, attracting a varied clientele looking for adventure and fun.
Among the most popular events, on Mondays Skyline proposes the “Naked Party”, in which participants are invited to remove their underwear and hit the dance floor for a night of partying and carefreeness. The welcoming and uninhibited atmosphere of the venue allows visitors to explore their fantasies and desires in a safe and respectful environment.
Bananon Club – Gay Bar/Cruising
Via Pontremoli 28, Rome
The Bananon Club is an avant-garde proposal in the panorama of gay venues in Rome, offering a unique and engaging experience for its visitors. Upon entry, each customer receives a number to be placed on the shirt, allowing interaction with other bar-goers without having to resort to chat or apps.
This innovative bar not only serves delicious dishes and proposes an excellent musical selection, but also offers a private space dedicated to cruising, massages, and spicy encounters. The Bananon Club is designed to provide a safe and fun environment to explore your fantasies and make new acquaintances.
Entrance to the venue is paid, but always includes a welcome drink. Located at 28 Pontremoli Street in Rome, the Bananon Club is easily reachable by public transport and is in an area rich in attractions and nightclubs.
Other LGBTQ+ Places and Events of Interest in Rome
In addition to gay venues, Rome offers a series of other places of interest for the LGBTQ+ community. The city hosts various events and demonstrations, such as Roma Pride, one of the largest pride parades in Italy held each year in June. Roma Pride is an occasion to celebrate diversity and inclusion and promote the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Moreover, Rome is home to numerous LGBTQ+-friendly shops and boutiques, where you can find clothing, accessories, books, and artwork by artists and designers from the gay community.
Worthy of mention is the Libreria Antigone in Rome, an LGBTQIA+ bookstore specialising in gender studies, feminism, art, and queer theories, located at Via dei Piceni, 1. Here you can find not only books but also objects, DVDs, and sex toys.
The city also offers a variety of associations and support centres that provide services and resources for the LGBTQ+ community, such as the Gay Center Roma, at Via Nicola Zabaglia 14, a point of reference for information and support.
Last but not least, the chance to discover queer history in Rome, scattered throughout the city as well as the Vatican. With Quiiky Tour Operator, you can uncover the hidden gay history behind so much wonder. Thanks to the Untold History Tours offered by Quiiky, customised for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, you can discover, for example, the true story of Michelangelo, the greatest artist of the Italian Renaissance.
