Sarasota Gay and Lesbian Scene

(Sarasota, Florida - FL, USA)

Located on Florida's gorgeous Gulf Coast, Sarasota is far from being a large city and comes with a population just topping 50,000 residents. There is a fairly understated gay scene present in the city, with a number of the previously popular nightclubs and bars being closed in recent years, following the damaging recession period.

The various bars of Sarasota certainly welcome a mixed crowd of all persuasions and so if you are looking for a night out with your LGBT friends, the downtown district is a good place to start, particularly along Main Street and around the Opera House.

Located on the northern side of Sarasota and within relatively close proximity to the Rolling Green Golf Club is the Throb Nightclub on the Industrial Boulevard. The Throb Nightclub functions as the city's only dedicated gay nightspot and is just a short drive away from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Various themed nights reliably draw in the crowds, with drag shows, karaoke and quiz nights being particularly popular at Throb, along with dancers and Sunday's drag bingo games. However, for a more comprehensive gay scene, you will need to look outside of the city and pay a visit to 'nearby' Orlando and Tampa.


Also nearby is Palms of Manasota, the first gay and lesbian retirement community in America. Palms of Manasota is situated between Sarasota and St. Petersburg, and has become well-known in this part of Florida.

Sarasota Gay Pride Festivals

The city's hugely popular annual Pride Fest is held each year towards the middle of October, at the Robarts Sports Arena within the Sarasota Fair Grounds. With many parties along the waterfront, Pride Fest also includes lively events at the Ringling School of Art and Design.

Gay Day Orlando is another popular LGBT event, being held each year around Orlando's famous Walt Disney World attraction and drawing more than 100,000 gay and lesbian visitors to the area.