The best gay bars in Thanet
LGBTQ+ gay bars, clubs and venues in Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs for club nights, pop-ups, drag, queer performance and music
Margate has established itself as a gay cultural wellspring along the East Kent coast - with no small help from Margate Pride, which has gone from a small grassroots protest to a festival taking over the town.
And while Margate may wear the queer crown in Thanet, Ramsgate hosted its first Pride in 2024 and Broadstairs Pride is set to put on its own event this year. You'll find many queer-friendly venues, organisations and nights all over Thanet too. And many of these places know how to throw a bash.
Running any sort of venue these days is hard, and some queer spaces have folded. Yet those that remain have built fortified communities around them, and offer much more than a place to get sweaty and dance.
While there are many inclusive venues and spaces across Thanet that welcome everyone, here are the venues waving the rainbow flag.
La! & Lafayette's, Margate
Opening on the site of the former Madhouse bar, which most recently housed Build-a-Burger, La! is Margate's newest queer venue. An old school, flamboyant gay bar, the night spot is licensed to stay open until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 2am at the weekend. Look out for bingo nights, classic drag shows, brunches and cabaret nights. Resident bistro-style kitchen Lafayette's serves up lunches, brunches, dinners and Sunday roasts, with plenty of plant-based options to get stuck into.
13-15 High Street, Margate, CT9 1DL. instagram.com/la_margate/
Margate Arts Club, Margate
More than just a club with a calendar of fun party nights and DJs, Margate Arts Club hosts drag nights, queer cabaret and performance art bashes, as well as talks, creative workshops and community events in the daytime.
276 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2PT. margatearts.club/
CAMP, Margate
Opened in 2022, the small and colourful bar, also has a busy programme of events. From trivia nights and book clubs, to DJs, karaoke trivia nights, shows and kids parties, CAMP may be snug but it packs a lot in.
125 Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2QY. campmargate.com
Alley Bar, Ramsgate
Brought to you by the Screaming Alley cabaret collective, this new members only bar is found in the basement of Salt House barbers on Queen Street. Set to be a home for LGBTQ+, political cabaret, bank on seeing drag acts and queer performance by Thanet performers as well as acts from London and out of town. Membership will get you a host of perks - being part of the tight-knit and supportive community around Screaming Alley. Below Salt House Ramsgate, 12 Queen Street, Ramsgate. CT11 9DR. screamingalley.co.uk
Queer Cuntry, Margate
Not a club but a pop-up event not to be missed, Queer Cuntry is a LGBTQIA+ country-themed club night and a massive hoe down. Come for line dancing, dancing dancing, drag, tunes, silliness and good times. Follow them on Instagram for details of their next show.
Margate Beach Club
Taking on from the ashes of Sundowners, Margate Beach Club is three floors of inclusive space that hosts stand up nights, drag acts and club nights. While the terrace is no longer part of the venue, you can still see the sun set across Main Sands, from the large windows near the bar. 1 Albert Terrace, Margate CT9 1UJ. margatebeach.club
