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The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque has an unbeatable location along the mighty Rio Grande. Set in the arid Southwest, it’s a mecca for outdoors lovers. Albuquerque’s gay community is small and friendly. Most of the city's gay bars and clubs are location in the Nob Hill neighborhood, bisected by famous Route 66.

 

Things to do

The Sandia Peak Tramway, the world's longest passenger aerial tram, takes hikers and skiers up into the Sandia Mountains.

One of the biggest annual events is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a nine-day event in October, during which 750 hot-air balloons add vivid splashes of color to the vast desert sky.

The Albuquerque Pride Parade is held in mid-June, and the annual Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival takes place in October.

The New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association hosts the Zia Regional Rodeo each summer, in August. Check their site for details.

 

Getting here

The Albuquerque International Sunport is 3 miles southeast of downtown. The ABQ RIDE city bus service can get you from the Sunport into town. There are also shuttles and limos, taxis and car rentals. See the Sunport website for full information.

 

Getting around

As in many cities in this region, you’ll probably need a car to get around. For public transportation see the website of ABQ Ride.

 

Media & Resources

The Pride Guide covers Albuquerque, Santa Fe and other New Mexico LGBT business listings and events.

Common Bond aims to be the local LGBT "virtual community center."

Duke City Fix is about Albuquerque people, food, culture, opinion, and more!

For general news and local listings consult the Alibi weekly paper.

Visit Albuquerque, along with their general listings, also has LGBT pages. Albuquerque.com is another online guide to the area.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Albuquerque listings pages.

 

Bars and Clubs

Albuquerque Social Club (4021 Central Ave NE), membership club, pool games, drag shows, good drinks prices.

Effex Nightclub (420 Central Avenue SW), Wednesday through Saturday gay dance nightclub; mixed/alternative industrial/goth Wednesdays, Beer Bust Thursdays, Friday/Saturday dances, shows.

QBar (800 Rio Grande Blvd NW), upscale bar and lounge, wine and cocktails, tapas menu, Asian, New Mexico traditional and French fusion.

Sidewinders (8900 Central Ave SE), country western, Latin, and hip-hop music mix; drag queen bingo and shows, karaoke, retro dances, pool tournaments and bartender hunks.

 

For some area lodgings and restaurant suggestions and more, see our Gay Albuquerque map & listings tab.