Best Transgender Bars and Clubs in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids sits in the middle of what locals sometimes call the Corridor — the stretch of I-380 running between Iowa City to the south and Waterloo to the north, with Des Moines roughly two hours west. Cedar Rapids has been steadily building its own LGBTQ+ scene, and while it may not have the bustling gay districts of larger cities, it boasts a handful of bars and events that anchor the community. There is no dedicated transgender bar in Cedar Rapids proper, and the regional picture is similar: the scene is queer-bar-centered and drag-heavy, genuinely trans-welcoming in practice even if not trans-exclusive by name. For Cedar Rapids trans locals, the realistic map spans Basix in Cedar Rapids itself, Studio 13 in Iowa City about 30 minutes south, and the cluster of LGBTQ+ venues in Des Moines about two hours west.
The Cedar Rapids Trans Scene
Basix — formerly Club Basix, which opened in 1997 — is the anchor of the Cedar Rapids LGBTQ+ community. In 2012, legendary drag performer Pretty Belle purchased the club and ran it for a decade as Belle's Basix; in 2022, Corridor Entertainment Group, the same ownership group behind Studio 13 in Iowa City, stepped in to continue the Basix tradition. With the next closest LGBTQ+ bars being in Iowa City and Des Moines, the queer community has long relied on Basix as the local anchor, and the Iowa City ownership group brought fresh investment and renovation. Trans people in Cedar Rapids typically split their time between Basix for a local neighborhood-bar feel and Studio 13 or the Des Moines corridor for bigger crowds, larger drag productions, and more varied queer spaces. The scene is genuinely inclusive rather than explicitly trans-flagged, but both Basix and Studio 13 carry a reputation as no-judgment zones where the trans community is a visible, comfortable part of the crowd.
Top Transgender Bars and Clubs for Cedar Rapids Locals
Basix
Type: LGBTQ+ bar with drag shows and weekly events
Location: 3916 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Features: Basix offers drag shows, Cedar Rapids' best happy hour, and fun events throughout the week, open 7 days a week from 5pm until 2am. Weekly events include Bar Bingo on Tuesdays, free trivia on Wednesdays, and drag shows Thursday through Sunday.
Website: https://basixcr.com
Studio 13 Iowa City
Type: LGBTQ+-owned nightclub and drag venue
Location: 13 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA — approx. 30 min from Cedar Rapids
Features: Studio 13, previously known as the Alley Cat, has been the Corridor's favorite LGBTQIA+ nightclub for over two decades, located in a historical building in downtown Iowa City and one of the most popular nightclubs in Iowa. Upstairs offers an energetic scene with music and drag performances, while the downstairs area provides a more laid-back vibe with karaoke, comedy acts, pinball, and arcade games. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 8pm to 2am; 21-plus on Tuesdays, 19-plus Wednesday through Sunday on show nights.
Website: https://www.icnightlife.com/venues/?id=s13
The Blazing Saddle
Type: LGBTQ+ bar with drag shows and Latin nights
Location: 416 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309 — approx. 2 hrs from Cedar Rapids
Features: The Blazing Saddle is the oldest gay bar in Des Moines, known as the Gay "Cheers" since opening in 1983. It features a country-western theme, strong drinks, and a full schedule of drag shows and trivia. Latin Nights and various types of drag shows run Wednesdays through Sundays. Worth the drive for Cedar Rapids folks making a Des Moines weekend of it.
Website: https://www.theblazingsaddle.com
The Garden Restaurant and Show Lounge
Type: LGBTQ+-owned restaurant, show lounge, and rooftop bar
Location: 525 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 — approx. 2 hrs from Cedar Rapids
Features: Des Moines' premiere LGBTQ+-owned restaurant, show lounge, and rooftop patio bar. Famous for its elaborate weekend drag shows, themed events, and a full kitchen menu. Whether attending a lively drag brunch or a mesmerizing evening show, visitors consistently report feeling a sense of safety and joy. The Garden also maintains a public-facing resource page on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, signaling its community orientation beyond nightlife.
Ready to meet Cedar Rapids kinksters tonight?
Join 129+ active members in your area. Free forever.