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In the heart of the southern Piedmont between the mountains and the coast lies Charlotte, the "Queen City" of the South. A big banking center and one of the powerhouses of the region, Charlotte, has almost completely rebuilt their downtown with steel and glass towers.

To better understand this city visit the Levine Museum of the New South, an interactive history museum of the region's socio-economic transformation. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has a collection of mid-20th-century modern art, and The Harvey B Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture has significant collections of African-American art. For some theater and performance venues see below.

The gay community isn't that large, but it’s lively and incredibly diverse. The ReelOut Gay Charlotte Film Festival takes place in May, with more screenings of interest throughout the year. Come August, locals pour out into the streets for Charlotte Pride - ten days of events that climax with a weekend festival and Sunday Parade.

 

Getting here

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is due west of Charlotte. Approved Airport Taxis cost $25 to most downtown Charlotte destinations. Several buses cost $3 or less per ride into town: the green "Route 5-Airport" Sprinter, with direct connections from the airport to the Charlotte Transportation Center. CATS route 590. connects the airport with Northlake Park and Ride. See their websites for routes, schedule and fare information.

The new Rental Car Facility in the Hourly Parking Deck has nine companies, including Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and National -- follow signs from the lower level Arrivals/Baggage Claim area of the terminal.

Amtrak Carolinian/ Piedmont trains connect Charlotte (1914 N Tryon St), Greensboro, Durham and Raleigh in North Carolina; also Richmond, Washington DC, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton and New York. Amtrak Crescent trains connect Charlotte and Greensboro; plus Atlanta, New Orleans, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. Change trains for more destinations across North America.

 

Getting around

A car of your own will allow you to explore Charlotte and its beautiful countryside most easily, but taxis or public transit eliminate the need to navigate or to find parking.

CATS operates the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail, the CityLYNX Gold Line, and city bus services, a total of over 70 routes. Basic single fares are $2.20, paid as you board. Transfers are issued at the time of payment and are free unless you are transferring to a higher priced service. A LYNX Light Rail one day unlimited ride pass is $6.60, and a local weekly pass costs $30.80. There is no charge for rides between the six Gold Line stops.

Charlotte B-Cycle is the local bike share program. Buy an access pass online, or at any B-station when you’re ready to ride. Take a bike from any of the 29 stations, then return it to the station closest to your final destination. Buy a 24-hour pass at any B-station or online for $8. Those over 18 are not legally required to wear a helmet in North Carolina, but they can pick up a free helmet at the Time Warner Cable Arena Trade Street location. Anyone age 17 or younger can't use the program.

 

Local Media & resources

Q Notes is the regional gay publication - full of news, listings and commentary, with an online reader. Creative Loafing is the local alternative weekly for mainstream events, listings, and reviews.

For the official tourism site of the Queen City, see Charlotte, with area attractions, events, restaurants, hotels, shopping and more.

Stonewall Sports has organized competition in bowling, softball, volleyball leagues and other activities, plus socials and fundraising events.

Charlotte’s Lesbian and Gay Community Center closed in 2014, but as of 2018 they continue to update their website, and the facebook page remains.

For businesses listed below, and more, see our gay Charlotte map & listings pages.

Nightlife

As in all of North Carolina, the bars are membership clubs to comply with NC State ABC law. Members can sponsor guests at the door, otherwise new memberships take 3 days. Locals are used to this, and often help visitors. Call ahead or check the bar website for the fine print.

Argon (4544 South Blvd), gay video bar next to Sidelines, weekend VJs, special theme nights, go-go boys, drag shows, monthly CW line-dancing nights, pop-up performers.

Bar at 316 (316 Rensselaer Ave), gay/lesbian cocktail lounge, DJs, karaoke, trivia games, comedy drag shows, outdoor terrace, Sunday brunch.

Boulevard 1820 (1820 South Blvd), "food, fun and drag queens" - pizzas, burgers (veggie options), sliders, sandwiches, tacos, salads; drag shows.

Chasers (3217 The Plaza), gay nightclub with Tuesday and Thursday drag shows, Thursday through Saturday young male dancers in brief thongs, Mable's Kitchen; pool tables and karaoke Wednesdays.

Nickel Bar (2817 Rozzelles Ferry Rd), Thursday-Sunday African-American gay bar/ dance and show club, divas, sexy male dancers; everyone welcome.

Petra’s Bar (1919 Commonwealth Ave), gay/mixed cabaret bar, drag shows, live music, trivia nights, karaoke, movies, performers.

SERJ (2906 Central Ave), mixed/alternative gay-friendly cocktail bar in Plaza Midwood; guest DJs, dancing, paio. Formerly L4 Lounge.

The Scorpio (2301 Freedom), longtime local favorite dance and show club, Wednesdays plus Fridays through Sundays; diverse gay crowd, men/women, older/younger; urban and college nights, drag shows, male dancers, special theme nights.

Sidelines Bar (4544 South Blvd), HDTV sports bar, internet jukebox, WiFi, darts, Foosball, Wii, pool games and tournaments, bear nights.

Snug Harbor (1228 Gordon St), gay-friendly alternative/eclectic mix in Plaza Midwood; 18+ live music concerts, karaoke; EDM to Punk Rock to Reggae to CW music and Latin nights.

Soul Gastrolounge (1500 Central Ave), global tapas and cocktails lounge for a mixed crowd; small plates and sushi, dinner and late-night menus, Sunday brunch, patio seatings. Nightly DJs after 10pm play classic RnB, soul, house and an ever-changing mix of eclectic genres.

The Visulite Theatre (1615 Elizabeth Ave) is a live concert, dance, burlesque and special events venue/ bar/ nightclub.

Woodshed Lounge (4000 Queen City Dr), nightly men's leather and bear bar, weekend patio, drag pageants, karaoke, underwear and blackout nights; monthly Uproarr parties for bears and friends.

Holly Events presents For Lesbians Only (FLO) monthy events; and Just Twirl sposors holiday parties and charity fund-raising events - see their webste for the latest.

CLOSED: Cathode Azure Club (1820 S Blvd, suite 106), South Beach-style lounge, dancing, patio, drag, games; Central Station (2131 Central Ave), cocktail bar, drag shows, pool tables.

 

Theater & Performance

Actor's Theatre of Charlotte (933 Louise Ave), professional theater company in a new home, plays for mature audiences, cult movie screenings, nuVoices Play Festival.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Belk Theater (130 N Tryon St, Uptown) at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, a venue for classical music and pops concerts.

Neighborhood Theatre (511 East 36th St), live band concerts/ performances, all-ages shows.

Spectrum Center (333 E Trade St), entertainment and sports venue, features NBA Charlotte Bobcats games and touring mega-star performers.

Theatre Charlotte (501 Queens Rd), non-profit community theater stage productions; classic plays, regional premieres, musicals, films.

 

Restaurants & Hotels

See our map and listings pages for some restaurant and hotel suggestions, plus the three major area shopping malls.