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Seattle Gay Travel Guide
What do New York City, Washington DC, Miami, and Chicago have in common? They all have a higher annual rainfall than Seattle. What do Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Portland, the Big Island of Hawaii, and almost every city in New York State have in common? They all have more cloudy days per year than Seattle. Somewhere along the line, Seattle developed a bad reputation as a city where it always rains, where the sun never shines, and where more people kill themselves than in any other place in the U.S. That’s also wrong. Seattle isn’t even in the top 10 for suicide rates. (Las Vegas tops that chart!) What Seattle is, then, is arguably the most spectacular of America’s major cities, nestled between snow-capped mountains and the magnificent waters of Puget Sound. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S. Not just because there are lots of fun things to see in the city, like Pike Place Market, where the rambunctious vendors juggle fish and sing to the passersby, the Boeing Factory, where you can see planes being assembled in the largest building on earth, the Waterfront on Elliott Bay, packed with shops and seafood eateries, and the Space Needle, offering what is undoubtedly the best 360-degree view of any such tower on the planet. But it’s Seattle’s location, surrounded by the most pristine oceanic rainforest and some of the wildest and most remote wilderness in the Lower-48, that truly make it so popular. People flock here to hike, trek, climb, ski, and kayak in such spectacular places as Mt. Rainier National Park, home to one of the most beautiful mountains on earth and the largest glacial system in the continental U.S. Or Olympic National Park, a bizarre land of hundred-mile beaches, dripping rainforests, hot springs, and ice sheets. The haunting beauty and wildlife of the San Juan Islands is justifiably popular. And all this wilderness has infused the city, including its gay community, with a twiggy, hippyish politicism and outdoorsiness. This is, after all, the city that invented “grunge.” Today, Seattle gays enjoy the tolerance of this green city, and have made their home in Capitol Hill, just northeast of the downtown area. You’re just as likely to run into a genuine gay lumberjack here as a bleached, buffed club kid. That’s what’s so refreshing about this very unique city. It seems like the only requirement to be accepted by the community here is a political desire to better the gay lifestyle in America…and a love for the outdoors. On warm days, the gay crowds flock to Madison Beach on Lake Washington to tan and socialize. For those who want an all-over tan, there’s a gay clothing-optional beach a 20-minute walk north of Richmond Beach Park. A dense network of buses and cable cars provide an easy way to get around in the city, and alleviate the frustration of Seattle’s notorious traffic. However, if you’re branching outside the city, you’ll need a car.
Gay Seattle Bars, Restaurants and Clubs
R Place is your place to start in Capitol Hill. It’s a 3-level bar that attracts a wide variety of folks, and is always busy. C. C. Attle’s and The Men’s Room are extremely popular adjoining bars. Manray is a trendy video bar that also has a small menu. Elite may either frighten or entice you with its name, but rest assured there’s no snobbery here. The Madison Pub is always packed, especially at happy hour. The Sea Wolf Saloon draws an older, friendly following. Downtown, try Timberline Spirits. This large bar has a country-western theme, but draws a big crowd from every genre. Two-stepping lessons are complimentary on Friday evenings. Re-Bar is an unusual space, part theatre, part cabaret, part bar. It’s constantly reinventing itself, and thus attracts folks of every persuasion, but always a healthy contingent of gays. The leather crowd favors The Cuff, The Eagle, and Double Header, which claims to be the oldest gay bar on the west coast, dating back to the 1930s! Lesbians hang out at the Wildrose Tavern, a restaurant, bar, and dance club.
Gay guys have two choices for dance venues: mainstream and fringe. Neighbours has been the gay dance spot in Seattle for decades, and offers the same dance experience you get from virtually any big gay dance club in the nation. The Vogue is an alternative dance club. And we mean alternative. Their theme nights can be real eye-openers.
Seattleites recognize only two food groups: Coffee and Seafood. Starbucks was launched here, and the freshest and largest catch of any west coast fishing port comes into Seattle each day. Though you’ll never have to go more than a few blocks to find a coffee shop (Starbucks or otherwise) or a seafood restaurant, there are other things to eat in the city. Seattle’s premier gay restaurant is Thumper’s, a sprawling Capitol Hill eatery with an eclectic American menu. The Cadillac Grille, attached to C. C. Attle’s and The Men’s Room, serves up genuine American diner food. Hamburger Mary’s delights in offering its traditional serving of camp. They also have a 200-seat cabaret that hosts outrageous events.
Gay Friendly and Gay Seattle Hotels
Seattle has a number of gay B&Bs. The Gaslight Inn sits right in the center of Capitol Hill, and boasts a heated pool! The Capitol Hill Inn is also centrally located, and features sumptuous breakfasts. The Gypsy Arms hosts only one set of guests at a time, and can either be a traditional B&B, or a leather B&B if you choose to use their dungeon room. The Bacon Mansion is known for setting the standard for luxury B&Bs in the Pacific Northwest. Barclay Court Guest Studios is owned by a gay artist and features elegant modern architecture and décor. The Seahurst Garden Studio is a rental property offered exclusively to lesbians.
Call an edirp.com gay travel specialist at 1-888-EDIRP-EZ (1-888-334-7739) or (214) 520-0345 (U.S.) to book any of the hotels mentioned above. Any hotels with links may be booked via our secure online booking system.
Seattle Gay Pride and other Gay Events
Seattle Pride happens at the end of June, and focuses heavily on live performances and political activism. In August, the Queen City Cruise, an “unforgivable naughtycal adventure on the high seas,” is an outrageous party on Lake Washington. The 3 Dollar Bill Cinema hosts the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in mid-October.
Travel guide by Benjamin Starr, a travel writer who claims the entire world as his home. When he's not at home, he can sometimes be found at a residence in Dallas, Texas. To contact Ben, email him at benjaminstarr@sbcglobal.net. |
