Best Transgender Bars and Clubs in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits at the southeastern edge of Hampton Roads, the sprawling metro that also includes Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. The city itself has one verified LGBTQ+ nightclub — The Rainbow Cactus — but the region's denser cluster of queer bars is in Norfolk, roughly 20–30 minutes away by car. For trans people living on the Oceanfront or in the suburbs, a short drive to Norfolk is simply part of the deal, and the venues there are well worth it.
The Virginia Beach Trans Scene
"Most folks don't realize that Hampton Roads is home to an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 transgender and gender non-conforming people," according to Thea Ross, founder of The Calos Coalition, a Virginia Beach-based trans advocacy nonprofit. Despite that population, dedicated trans-only nightlife doesn't exist as a permanent fixture in the 757 — what's here instead is a set of LGBTQ+ bars and queer-coded venues that have built genuine trans-welcoming cultures over years. From The Wave to 37th and Zen, Norfolk has long been recognized for its wide variety of gay bars, and Virginia Beach contributes The Rainbow Cactus to the mix. Norfolk offers options ranging from casual bars to full-on drag venues, and trans locals move fluidly between all of them.
Top Transgender Bars and Clubs for Virginia Beach Locals
The Rainbow Cactus
Type: LGBTQ+ nightclub and show bar
Location: 475 S. Lynnhaven Road, Virginia Beach, VA
Features: The Rainbow Cactus bills itself as the only LGBTQIA+ nightclub and show bar in Virginia Beach, operating Tuesday through Sunday starting at 6 PM. It has been a premier nightlife destination since 1996, offering drag shows, themed events, and a lively dance floor. You can watch drag shows at Rainbow Cactus Company's Dragtastic Fun events, which serve as a regular anchor for trans and queer locals who don't want to make the drive to Norfolk.
Website: https://www.therainbowcactus.gay
The Wave
Type: LGBTQ+ dance club
Location: 4107 Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA — approx. 25 min from Virginia Beach
Features: With two DJs, two dance floors, three bars, and plenty of room, The Wave is the place to be when you want a proper night out. Saturday nights — known as "SaturGAY" — are a local favorite, with two dance floors running the hottest tracks in the main room while the back room keeps the energy going. The Wave is 18-plus all night, with a free entry window before 10 PM for those 21 and up, making it one of the more accessible options in the region.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheWaveNorfolk
MJ's Tavern
Type: LGBTQ+ neighborhood bar with regular events
Location: Downtown Norfolk, VA — approx. 25 min from Virginia Beach
Features: MJ's Tavern is the spot to start for a relaxed bar feel, food, and staples like trivia, karaoke, and brunch. The crowd for karaoke is known for being talented and fun, and the whole place feels welcoming and inclusive. There's a culture at MJ's of staying open on holidays intentionally to provide a space for those who don't have a home to go back to, which says a lot about how seriously the bar takes its community role.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/mjstavernnorfolk
37th and Zen
Type: Queer bar and drag venue with mixed programming
Location: Norfolk, VA — approx. 25 min from Virginia Beach
Features: 37th and Zen hosts a mixed crowd and some interesting entertainment offerings, from Goth to kink, as well as karaoke and drag shows. It covers a lot of ground with drag shows, karaoke, and theme nights, making it a reliable option for trans people who want variety in a single venue. The programming skews eclectic and the crowd tends to be broader and more gender-diverse than some of the other bars on this list.
Website: https://37thandzen.com
MJ's Tavern — Leather and Community Nights
Note: MJ's also hosts specialty nights including leather events — the Mr. Virginia Leather title has come through MJ's Tavern, making it a periodic destination for the leather and kink-adjacent queer community, which has significant trans membership in Hampton Roads.
What to Expect
Most venues in the 757 queer nightlife circuit are mixed LGBTQ+ spaces rather than trans-exclusive bars, but that doesn't diminish how trans-welcoming they are in practice. At The Rainbow Cactus in Virginia Beach, you're looking at a show-bar environment with drag performances on a regular schedule and a crowd that runs from regulars to tourists — the vibe is loud and celebratory, and there's no dress code to navigate. Norfolk venues like The Wave skew younger and lou