Best Gay Bars & Bathhouses In Scottsdale
Scottsdale sits about 15 to 20 minutes east of Phoenix's most concentrated LGBTQ+ nightlife, and that proximity defines how locals actually use the scene. While Scottsdale doesn't have a traditional gayborhood, Old Town is the hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife — though even that anchor is in flux. For anything beyond a single bar, Scottsdale residents drive west into Phoenix, and that drive is short enough that most people don't think twice about it.
The Scottsdale LGBTQ+ Scene
About 15 minutes west of Old Town Scottsdale lies Phoenix's Melrose District "gayborhood," which offers a collection of LGBTQ+ businesses and clubs. For gay travelers, the Melrose District runs along 7th Avenue between Camelback and Indian School — and that strip is where most of the Valley's purpose-built queer venues are clustered. Phoenix's Melrose District is the center of its gay scene; you'll find one gay bar after another, so it's pretty easy to hop from one place to another. Scottsdale itself has historically had one dedicated LGBTQ+ bar, and Phoenix fills in everything else — leather bars, bathhouses, country dancing, Latin clubs, and lesbian-owned spaces that don't exist in the eastern suburbs.
Top Gay Bars & Bathhouses for Scottsdale Locals
BS West Scottsdale
Type: Gay bar / Dance club / Drag venue
Location: 7125 E. 5th Ave. Rear, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Features: Established in 1988, BS West remains Scottsdale's exclusive 21+ LGBT bar and nightclub, right in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale. It runs two bars, two levels, two patios, two VIP lounges, a flat-screen-equipped dance floor, and go-go boys. Note: Yelp listed this venue as closed as of early 2026 — verify current status before visiting by checking their social media or calling ahead.
Website: https://www.bswest.com
Stacy's @ Melrose
Type: Gay bar / Drag venue / Mixed queer bar
Location: 4343 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013 — approx. 20 min from Scottsdale
Features: Recently named Best Gay/Lesbian Bar in Phoenix Magazine's 2026 Best of the Valley, Stacy's anchors the Melrose District with a nightly programming calendar — the weekly Sunday drag brunch hosts high-energy performances with live music, while weeknights run karaoke, goth night, and DJ sets that draw a broad cross-section of the queer community.
Website: https://www.stacysatmelrose.com
Boycott Bar
Type: Gay bar / Lesbian-owned queer bar
Location: 4301 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013 — approx. 20 min from Scottsdale
Features: Since 2004, owner Audrey has built Boycott Bar as a pillar in the gay community — Arizona's last lesbian-owned bar and one of the only Latina-led queer venues in the country. High energy, it features drag shows, ladies' nights, Latin dance nights, and DJ sets.
Website: https://www.boycottbarphx.com
Charlie's Phoenix
Type: Gay bar / Country-western dance bar
Location: 727 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013 — approx. 25 min from Scottsdale
Features: Charlie's Phoenix is the legendary country-western gay bar at 727 W. Camelback Road that has been running since 1984, with country dancing, drag shows, line dancing lessons, and a spacious dance floor. There is genuinely no equivalent in the metro — it draws regulars from across the Valley on Wednesday and Saturday nights in particular.
Nu Towne Saloon
Type: Gay bar / Dive bar
Location: 1028 E. Pierce St., Phoenix, AZ 85006 — approx. 25 min from Scottsdale
Features: Opened in 1971, Nu Towne Saloon is the Valley's oldest gay bar, recognizable by the Eiffel Tower replica atop the building; it features a patio, pool tables, karaoke, and open-mic comedy.
FLEXspas Phoenix
Type: Gay bathhouse / Men's private club
Location: 1517 S. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 85009 — approx. 30 min from Scottsdale
Features: FLEX Spas Phoenix is a private gay men's club with amenities