LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces Guide

I’ve found Roanoke to be a welcoming community, and the folks are lovely here.

-Bonnie Chavez

As a transplant from Albuquerque, NM, I had concerns about moving to “The South”. I am a Mexican-American, an out lesbian, and a feminist. Since moving here, I’ve found Roanoke to be a welcoming community, and the folks are lovely here. I’ve compiled a list of great spaces for our LGBTQIA fam. We love to hear your feedback, so if you have your own safe spaces or recommendations, please let us know, and we can add them to the list! If you ever want to chat about what life is like for LGBTQ+ community members or just as someone looking to relocate, I’m happy to chat anytime.

[This guide began as a project by Bonnie Chavez, and has grown into a community-gathered resource shaped by locals, LGBTQ+ community members, artists, makers, organizations, and allies across the Roanoke Region.]

Favorite Coffee Shops, Cafes, & Bakeries

• Second Cafe – The perfect place to meet someone new, try fabulous and weird drinks, and attend a wide variety of events
• Sweet Donkey Coffee – Fabulous atmosphere, occasional drag shows, and allies all around
• RND Coffee (both locations)– a hub to meet up with people, excellent coffee, and queer-friendly staff
• Bridges Starbucks – Pride flags galore, and they are unionized
• Little Green Hive (both locations) – very cool atmosphere, a great place to work, all are welcome
• Mill Mountain Downtown – The Youth SAGA meets monthly and feels very comfortable in the space
• Breadcraft –  Yummy coffee, welcoming staff, local art galore, AND life-changing shortbread
• KindBrew Coffee & Tea House – Family-owned spot with lots of trinkets, teas, and specialty coffees
• Evie’s (Eh-vees) Bistro & Bakery – A local gem with the tastiest cakes, the kindest staff, and the most welcoming environment
• Ursula’s Cafe – This spot has a donate-what-you-can structure to help feed and warm folks in our community

Big Gay Restaurants, Brunch Spots, & Gathering Spaces

Jack Brown’s is a burger and craft beer haven in the market square of downtown Roanoke

• Well Hung Vineyard – I mean, it’s in the name! Plus, they host regular drag shows. Known for their frose (aka wine slushies).
• Scrambled – Easy breakfast, mimosas are delicious, and kind staff, excellent for a gaggle of gays.
• Jack Brown’s – Small burger place with to-die-for fries, and an incredible beer selection for the morning after your adventure at The Park.
• Crystal Spring Grocery – An adorable, little boutique grocery store in South Roanoke with arguably the best wine selection in town. But real talk, the lunch and brunch counter is where it’s at. Open for Sunday brunch with bubbly cocktails from 11 am-2 pm.
• Motel Studios – Take a drag performance and make it crafty. Motel Studios offers a cool industrial space for local drag performers to entertain the masses.
• Fork in the Alley – A great spot for brunch, trivia, or catching a live music performance. They also host Fork-a-Palooza, a local gem featuring live bands.
• River and Rail – Fine dining, American restaurant with arguably some of the best cocktails in town. Located right near Fork in the Alley and Crystal Spring Grocery, if you’re looking for an upscale treat, then post up on the patio or bar.
• Cuba Petes (Macados Downtown Roanoke) – This was one of the first gay spots in Roanoke. Week nights are feisty!
• Show Pony – A locally-owned and loved young queer spot in the Grandin neighborhood. Inclusive, delicious, and lovely cocktails.
• Dorothy & Franks – The bottom floor is the bar and restaurant, the second floor is a hi-fi lounge, and the top floor is an Airbnb!
• Catered 2 the Soul – While she doesn’t have her own restaurant yet, this local caterer creates DELISH dishes. It’s a black-, queer-, and woman-owned business.
• Food Hut RKE – These guys are known for how hard their chicken tenders and smashburgers hit (and they deliver to Golden Cactus & Big Lick Breweries!)

Hotels & Lodging Spots

The main lobby restaurant area in the Liberty Trust Hotel

• Hotel Roanoke – To be fair, I’ve only stayed at one hotel, it’s bougie, and the staff is delightful, and *bonus* The 1882 Lobby bar is fun, and the staff is a hoot – DRINKIE DRINKS!
• Liberty Trust Hotel Bar: Friday night drinks, it feels like an urban escape, incredible atmosphere, plus, it’s a boutique hotel with beautiful rooms for a romantic getaway
• Roanoke Boutique Hotel: It’s really more of a bed and breakfast for outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s so adorable, and the owner is super-welcoming and attentive. Just blocks away from downtown Roanoke.
• Fire Station One (Stock Restaurant located inside): Fire Station One is an exquisitely renovated, historic fire station that houses the Txtur living furniture showroom, Stock Cafe restaurant and bar, event space, and seven expertly decorated rooms.
• MisterB&B Roanoke – Airbnb more your style? We recommend using this website to search for a wide variety of gay lodging accommodations in the Roanoke Region.

Breweries, Bars, & Nightlife

The Park on Halloween

• Big Lick Brewing – This spot has yummy beers and an endless supply of events to attend. They also have an awesome outside area with firepits (and it’s pup-friendly)
• A Few Old Goats Brewing Co. – A queer-friendly spot with an awesome outside area. Tuesday nights are extra prideful!
• Blindhouse Beer Co. – This is an extra special spot. It’s smaller than most, but the staff is welcoming, and it is home to a lot of queer sports after-practice hangs.
• Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage – The staff is incredible, the space is welcoming, and the management goes out of their way to accommodate any friendly face that strolls into this establishment. Lots of fundraisers and gay events happen here! (And it’s the home to the Floatilla After Party)
• Golden Cactus Brewing – This brewery is unmatched for vibes and atmosphere. They regularly host markets, private events, and … queer weddings!
• Olde Salem Brewing Company (both locations) – Not only is the staff amazing, but the vibes and welcoming and the brews are delicious.
• Lucky – Famous for their “cube,” which is a deliciously crafted ice cube filled with fresh pressed juices, spices, and flavor that you can then pour the bourbon of your choice over (they have tequila cubes too); Lucky has a funky and fun vibe with an upscale spin.
• Fortunato – Roanoke’s traditional Italian kitchen with locally sourced ingredients, unique Italian wines, and original cocktails. If you ask nicely, they might let you into their sneaky speakeasy, Stellina, next door. Either way, the cocktails don’t disappoint.
• Stellina – It’s dark, it’s romantic, the drinks are beautiful, date-night material.
• Drip Tasting Room – This spot is almost open, so keep an eye out. It’s a queer-, woman-, and black-owned tasting room offering guided tea, coffee, and wine tastings.
• The Park – For the ones who stay up late (I’m asleep by then)! It’s young, it’s fierce, they host regular drag events, and EVERYONE is welcome. The Park celebrates Pride Weekend during the last weekend in April with TONS of performances by RuPaul Drag Race queens!

Beauty, Books & More

Shot of Misfit Beauty Club in Roanoke City

• Electric Eye Custom Tattoos – Do you like art? How about permanent art? Electric Eye is a woman-owned and operated tattoo shop that provides a safe space for all walks of life in Roanoke. They regularly host fundraisers and flash events to support local initiatives and commit to ensuring they give back to their community.
• Misfit Beauty Club – An awesome, welcoming space for those looking for a little bit of TLC and self-care. Ran by a local drag artist, Sue Spence, Misfit Beauty club provides creative cuts, nails, vivid color jobs, and fun and funky beauty services for all.
• A New Slate Salon – If you’re looking for a gorgeous bo-ho boutique run by lovable humans who will give you the utmost care and kindness while delivering a cut… check out A New Slate.
• Bellamuse is a queer- and woman-owned photography and rental company in our region. She does weddings, headshots, portraits, and more!
• Sweet Rain Healing – A queer- and POC-owned yoga studio and welcoming community space, Sweet Rain Healing focuses on caring for your mind, body, soul, and energy through the lens of authenticity, social justice, empowerment, and liberation.
• The Lotus Collective – This is a locally owned spot that is a safe space to breathe, move, feel, and come home to yourself.
• Dragon Bite Books – This is a donations-based secondhand bookshop and creative reuse center that focuses on crafting, art, and book collecting. They are extremely friendly and wonderful humans
• Wonderous Books & More – Delightful, locally-owned used bookstore where you can find pretty much anything your heart desires

Queer Community Spaces

Image of Motel Studios’ soft launch in downtown Roanoke

• Motel Studios – This is a beautiful spot where chaos and creativity converge, offering you a safe space to explore pottery. They also host private events and drag shows!
• Canvas & Coffee Art Cafe – A welcoming art cafe where you can enjoy handcrafted drinks, choose an art project, or create your own work of art at your own pace. No reservations required.
• Common Clay Pottery – This isn’t just a spot to learn pottery; they also host events, workshops, and showcases to display diverse art projects in the community.
• The SlapShop – Gabrielle King is not only a Get2KnowNoke Talent Ambassador, but she also has her own brick-and-mortar pottery shop and event space. She makes art and experiences that slap.
• Make Roanoke – This is a community-oriented workspace where folks can use 3D printers, woodworking equipment, electronics equipment, metalworking tools, and sewing machines.
• 5 Points Music Sanctuary – A beautifully restored old church transformed into a music and events venue. I’ve never seen a bad show here. Eclectic music, fun date nights–it’s a vibe.
• Lindor Arts – This is a staple in the community that has supported regional art for over 55 years. They offer a gallery to walk through, as well as custom framing services.
• Art on 1st – This is a safe and welcoming place for artists of all abilities, income levels, challenges, and experience to learn, create, and display their art in a gallery setting. They host lots of workshops!
• Roanoke County Public Libraries – The library is open, and they do not get enough credit! The ROCO Library is not only a safe space to relax, read, research, and learn, but it’s also nestled in a lovely walking area. Books and movement? Yes please.

Community, Sports, & Social Groups

• Roanoke Diversity Center – Great place to get oriented (ha!) and find out what’s happening. We celebrate Pride during the last weekend in April!
• Verses Roanoke – Black-, woman-, and lesbian-owned safe space and hub for community events. Verses hosts lesbian nights, S.H.E events, and black success markets
• Second Friday – Second Friday is the official FLINTA monthly pop-up event provider in the Roanoke Region. From clubbing, open mics, picnics, ice skating, and more, the Second Friday events center the female/women, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, transgender, and agender community.
• Queer Joy Star City – Oneida Huntington is a talent ambassador and heads this grassroots LGBTQ+ community and social initiative in the Roanoke Region. From queer trivia to karaoke and speed friending, Oneida provides pop-up events that are fun, safe, and a great way to meet new friends.
• Downtown Divas – Roanoke’s premier drag experience events are hosted throughout the year at a variety of local venues.
• SWVA LGBTQ History – Not necessarily a physical space, but this is the history project that ran from 2015 to 2025. It’s an excellent resource for those looking to learn more about the community’s history.
• The Peaks Retreat and Adventure Center – Offers a safe space for learners of all backgrounds to grow and explore. They welcome and celebrate LGBTQ+ guests to join them for events, camps, and overnight adventures.
• Blue Ridge Pride Sports – Sporty? Roanoke has PRIDE LEAGUES! Trans-friendly, allies, and kind folks welcome, all organized in partnership with the Roanoke Diversity Center
• PLAY Pride Athletic Leagues – PLAY Pride leagues are designed to offer a safe, fun community for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies.
• Roanoke Rugby Club – With emphasis on “no experience necessary”, Roanoke’s Rugby Club is an inclusive, safe space for anyone looking to get active in the sport and in the community.
• Twin Valley Roller Derby – Known as Roanoke’s only women’s roller derby organization, this group teaches you skills you need to succeed both in the rink and off it.
• Rollnoke – A group of skaters (mostly rollerskating but all skaters welcome) that meet up to skate and network every Tuesday for happy hour on wheels. All are welcome.
• Queer Dance Roanoke – This is the region’s queer art movement network. They partner with so many local organizations to bring dance to the community.
• Milkshake – Lana Nixon is a talent ambassador and opened the doors to her co-owned dance studio in early spring of 2026. This is a safe space to move, feel, and learn how your body can move!
• Cirqulation Studio – This spot values accessibility and creating an affirming space. They have high-quality equipment and can safely accommodate students of all sizes.
• Dream Dance Studio – Marina Trejo Perez is also a talent ambassador who uses her power to invite anyone into the culture and movement of her dance studio.
• Big Lick Latin Underground – This is a community of Latin dance lovers who are dedicated to facilitating safe and inclusive events in their communities.

Did we miss anything?

Thanks for checking out my list of LGBTQIA safe spaces in the Roanoke Region. Now go out, be yourself, and wear your pride gear! I was pleasantly surprised, and I hope you are, too, darlings! Don’t forget to hit us up with your favorite spots.

Our region’s tourism organization, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, also has a section on their website on how to plan your LGBTQ+ trip to our region – check it out!