Finding Your Chosen Family in the Blue Ridge
A queer-centered weekend celebrating Asheville's LGBTQ+ community
Dylan's Take
Real talk: Asheville changed my life. For the first time ever, I have close gay friends. Like, actual friends who text me memes at 2am and show up with wine when I'm sad. Growing up in Florida and living in Boston, I always felt like I was performing 'gay' wrong - not into the right music, not wearing the right clothes, not caring about the right things. Here? I can wear my grandmother's vintage necklaces to the office, play volleyball badly with other gays who also played zero sports in high school, and nobody's trying to put me in a box. This isn't a 'gayborhood' city - we're everywhere, integrated into every coffee shop, brewery, and hiking trail. And honestly? That's exactly what makes it magical.
Seasonal Editions Available
Pride Week Special: Maximum Gay Asheville
Because June means we turn the volume up to 11
Cozy Queer Winter: Fireplaces & Feelings
Hibernate with your chosen family
Your Weekend Schedule
Queer Spaces & Community
Firestorm Books & Coffee
Start at this worker-owned collective with incredible queer literature section
Insider Tip: Check their event calendar - often have queer book clubs and events
O.Henry's
North Carolina's oldest gay bar - our Stonewall
Insider Tip: Fridays are busier, drag shows at 10:30pm
Scandals Nightclub
Three floors of dancing and drag performances
Insider Tip: The basement is the dance floor, top floor is chill
Banks Ave Bar
Late night at the queer dance party spot
Insider Tip: First Fridays are specifically queer dance parties
Community & Culture
West Asheville Farmers Market
Very queer-friendly market with local vendors
Insider Tip: Look for the Queer Farmer booth when in season
Malaprop's Bookstore
Browse their extensive LGBTQ+ section
Insider Tip: Staff are incredibly knowledgeable about queer lit
All Day Darling
Very gay-popular brunch spot
Insider Tip: The staff is largely queer and the vibes are immaculate
Highland Brewing
Afternoon beers where gay volleyball happens
Insider Tip: Tuesdays 6pm for volleyball, but Saturdays are chill too
The Odd
Dinner at this very queer-friendly punk venue
Insider Tip: Check if theres a drag show or band tonight
Fleetwood's
Late night chapel-turned-music-venue, very inclusive
Brunch & Chosen Family Vibes
Biscuit Head
Epic brunch with the queer Sunday crowd
Insider Tip: The wait is long but the jam bar is life-changing
River Arts District
Gallery hopping in a very LGBTQ+ friendly artist area
Insider Tip: Many artists are queer and happy to chat
Double Crown
Coffee and community vibes
Insider Tip: Very queer barista crew
Sunday Service at The Crow & Quill
Industry night, very queer service industry crowd
Insider Tip: Half the bartenders in town hang here Sunday nights
Must-Do Experiences
- O.Henry's for history and community
- Drag show (multiple venues offer them)
- Highland volleyball (Tuesday nights)
- Firestorm Books for queer lit
- Banks Ave dance party
- West Asheville queer stroll
- Find your people at a brewery
Insider Tips
- Asheville is integrated-queer not gayborhood-queer
- Most spaces are LGBTQ+ friendly, not just gay bars
- The volleyball league is incredibly welcoming to beginners
- Pride happens in October here (better weather)
- Orbit DVD is the last video store and very queer
Where to Stay
Highest concentration of queer-owned businesses
Close to O.Henry's and nightlife
Getting Around
- • West Asheville is very walkable
- • Downtown has most nightlife options
- • Uber/Lyft are reliable and drivers are chill
- • Many queer folks bike everywhere
Photo Ops
- 📸 O.Henry's iconic sign
- 📸 Firestorm Books pride display
- 📸 Drag show glamour shots
- 📸 Highland volleyball action
Rainy Day Alternatives
- Extended time at Firestorm Books
- O.Henry's opens at 4pm
- Dobra Tea has cozy queer vibes
- Malaprop's extended browsing
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