Best Transgender Bars and Clubs in Minneapolis
Minneapolis sits in a region where the queer and trans nightlife scene is spread across the Twin Cities metro — meaning your night out might begin on Hennepin Avenue downtown, jump to Northeast Minneapolis, or cross the river into St. Paul. Minneapolis and St. Paul together offer everything from massive dance clubs and legendary dive bars to drag cabarets, queer sports bars, and a thriving pop-up party scene. There is no single dedicated trans bar here, but what the Twin Cities do have is a circuit of LGBTQ+ venues where trans people are a genuine and consistent part of the crowd, not an afterthought.
The Minneapolis Trans Scene
Unlike cities where gay bars cluster on a single strip, the Twin Cities scene is spread across neighborhoods — downtown Hennepin Avenue, the Northeast Arts District, Loring Park, Uptown, and across the river in St. Paul. According to local oral history, the Gay 90's was always a haven for trans folks, and its open, inclusive programming continues to welcome everybody who just wants to have a good time. Beyond the permanent bars, Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to an ever-changing underground network of queer culture and events; ad hoc dance parties and alternative club nights like The Klituation, GRRRL Scout, Daddy Issues, and Cyber City Disco are as reliably fun and, in many circles, as popular as the cities' gay bars. GRRRL SCOUT is worth singling out: it offers multi-artist dance parties designed to get you moving, and this gay- and trans-owned event company even provides a free clothes closet if you need the finishing touch on your going-out fit.
Top Transgender Bars and Clubs for Minneapolis Locals
Gay 90's
Type: LGBTQ+ dance club and drag venue
Location: 408 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Features: Now two floors and seven bars' worth of dancing the night away, Gay 90's is still the cornerstone of LGBTQ+ nightlife in the Twin Cities. Events include the Infamous LaFemme Drag Show and "So You Think You Can Drag," a talent show for newcomers. The sheer size of the venue — multiple rooms with distinct vibes — means you can find your level of intensity on any given night.
Website: https://gay90s.com
The Saloon
Type: LGBTQ+ dance bar
Location: 830 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Features: The Saloon is the Twin Cities' premier gay dance bar and a Hennepin Avenue institution for over 35 years, with a spacious dance floor, booming sound system, and rotating lineup of DJs. They often host drag, comedy nights, contests, and brunch, making it easy to find a night that fits your mood.
Website: https://thesaloonmpls.com
LUSH Lounge & Theater
Type: Drag venue and LGBTQ+ bar
Location: 990 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Features: LUSH is two destinations in one: the Theater, with a full schedule of drag brunches, drag shows, and other live performances, and the Lounge, a warm front bar. LUSH Lounge & Theater is a dedicated performance venue with nightly drag and cabaret shows — it's the closest thing to a purpose-built drag theater in the region. Drag Queen Bingo runs Saturdays, and weekly trivia and the long-running Queer Circus variety show round out the calendar.
Website: https://lushmpls.com
Roxy's Cabaret
Type: Dedicated drag cabaret and dining venue
Location: 1333 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Features: From dazzling drag shows and lively brunches to classic movie screenings, karaoke nights, and the ultimate game night, Roxy's Cabaret offers various events that cater to every taste. Live shows run five nights a week, and the drag brunch on Sundays is one of the most consistently recommended ways to spend a weekend afternoon in the Twin Cities queer scene.
Website: https://roxyscabaret.com
19 Bar
Type: LGBTQ+ dive bar
Location: 19 W 15th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Features: One of the country's oldest operating gay bars, 19 Bar is a deeply beloved dive bar that offers a laid-back, no-frills space to play pool, yap with friends, or simply unwind. In 2025, it reopened after a fire forced it to close for nearly a year. The come-as-you-are ethos here is genuine — no dress code, cheap drinks, and a crowd that tends to be mixed in age and identity.
Eagle MPLS
Type: LGBTQ+ bar and grill
Location: 515 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415