Charlotte LGBTQ+ & Allied Business Guide
Whether you’re visiting for Charlotte Pride in August or any time of year, the Queen City welcomes you with open arms.
by Dean McCain
Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community of entrepreneurs and influencers are a driving force behind the Queen City’s constant reinvention and deep-rooted creative scene. From arts and entertainment venues to bars and restaurants, experience these LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses shaping Charlotte in vibrant ways.
Eat & Drink
300 East
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Since opening its doors over 30 years ago, 300 East has become a staple in the Dilworth neighborhood and Charlotte dining scene beyond. Under the leadership of managing partner and chef Ashley Boyd, 300 East places special focus on fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The comfortable, homey venue has been a longtime favorite brunch, lunch and dinner.
Artisan’s Palate
Neighborhood: NoDa
Artisan’s Palate is part dining establishment, part art gallery, and entirely pleasing to the senses. With a focus on offering globally inspired, locally sourced dishes in a community-focused atmosphere, Artisan’s Palate has established itself as a hybrid space where guests treat their senses through food, beverage, art, music and more.
Bean Vegan Cuisine
Neighborhood: East Charlotte
Bean Vegan Cuisine offers a 100% vegan-dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Opened in 2012 by owners Roy Parkhurst and Charlie Foesch, the Bean menu offers a wide array of comfort foods including pimento “cheesish” dip, fishless filet sandwiches and a variety of tasty burgers.
Counter-
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
The imaginative culinary forces behind Counter- aim to create a memorable dining experience for guests through creative use of flavor, sound and art tied to a central theme, rotating quarterly. Executive chef Sam Hart founded Counter- to elevate the food scene of their hometown while empowering rising star chefs to explore and create boundary-pushing cuisine.
Crown Station Coffee House & Pub
Neighborhood: NoDa
Crown Station offers a friendly, laid-back environment perfect for casual coffee hangs and happy hours. This coffee shop and taproom that boasts “the best chai in town,” along with fair-trade coffee, tea and local drafts. Check the monthly event calendar for open mic nights, comedy shows, dance parties and a bi-weekly Bear Night.
Detour Coffeebar
Area: Citywide
Since hitting the streets in 2019, Detour Coffeebar mobile coffee truck has brought high-quality and highly creative beverages to every corner of the Queen City. Proprietor Mike Hargett’s passion for handcrafted refreshments shines through a variety of espresso- and tea-based menu options. Check the online calendar to find Detour Coffeebar’s next location.
Dish
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Dish has been a Charlotte staple for over 20 years, serving some of the best comfort food and Southern hospitality the city has to offer. Stop in for fried green tomatoes and deviled eggs, the chicken thigh special smothered in gravy, or a boozy weekend brunch before exploring Plaza Midwood.
NoDa Canteen
Neighborhood: Camp North End
Next time you’re shopping around Camp North End, plan to stop for refreshments at NoDa Canteen. Located in the Boileryard area, near the live music stage and open seating area, NoDa Canteen offers ice-cold beverages, including sangrias, beer and wine, and the signature wine-based cocktail, the NoDaColada.
NoDa Company Store
Neighborhood: NoDa
Nestled comfortably in NoDa, the Company Store is an oasis worthy of your planless Sunday afternoon. Grab a cold sangria or a local Charlotte craft draft, maybe a snack from the bar inside, and find your way to the swinging canopy tables out back. The spacious garden patio offers a comfortable spot to relax and people-watch as the vibrant artsy neighborhood pulses around you.
Papi RickO
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Papi Ricko is the next stage of evolution for one of Charlotte’s most popular food trucks, Tacos Rick-O, known for its Miami-influenced Latin fusion dishes. Owner Ricky Ortiz has brought his signature fiery flavors and over-the-top style to a permanent location in Plaza Midwood. Ortiz is also the inventive force to thank for Charlotte’s first churro bar, Ricko’s Churro Bar in NoDa.
The Wine Vault
Neighborhood: University City, Elizabeth
The Wine Vault bottle shop and tasting room offers a cozy, community-friendly atmosphere that can be its own destination for the night or a jumping off point for the many nearby restaurants and entertainment venues. The original Wine Vault location in the University City has aged like a fine vintage since opening over 30 years ago, while the newer Elizabeth location continues to establish itself as a community centerpiece.
Shop
Boris and Natasha
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Boris and Natasha is a locally owned clothing and accessories boutique featuring unique, imaginative and sometimes even wild fashion pieces for women and men alike. Boris and Natasha has been an anchoring creative outlet in Plaza Midwood since 1999 and continues to thrill with a fantastically funky curated collection.
Paper Skyscraper
Neighborhood: Dilworth, Uptown, Davidson
Paper Skyscraper, with multiple locations in the Charlotte area, has served as the Queen City’s go-to gift and novelty shop for over 35 years. On offer are all things Charlotte including skyline puzzles, local artwork and scenic postcards, plus boardgames, barware and gifts for whatever event your social calendar may bring.
PlantHouse
Neighborhood: Dilworth, Huntersville
PlantHouse is not your average nursery. PlantHouse is a combination premium plant shop and do-it-yourself studio offering daily classes like terrarium building and candle pouring. Get your leaves and libations fix with signature workshops like “Boozy Bonsai” and “Succulents and Sangria,” or stroll through the retail space to find your newest home addition.
Pura Vida Worldly Art
Neighborhood: NoDa
Pura Vida Worldly Art teems with beautiful, handmade and sustainably sourced gifts and décor for the artful home. Here you’ll find elegant jewelry and unique terra-cotta planters alongside fair-trade teas, chocolates, candles and a range of organic self-care goodies. Stop in for greeting cards or an art print from around the world.
White Rabbit
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
White Rabbit is an LGBTQ-centric novelty shop for more adventurous shoppers, featuring wild styles of clothing and accessories, greeting cards and gifts, and playthings of the adult variety. Stop through for the latest in pride-wear, bathing suits and nightclub attire.
Things To Do
Hattie’s Tap & Tavern
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Hattie’s is a friendly neighborhood joint featuring local brews on draft, a massive dog-friendly patio, and themed nights ranging from comedy shows to burlesque and everything in between. Check Hattie’s schedule of events for special drag show nights, where even the audience comes dressed to impress.
Petra’s
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
This funky bar is open to anyone who might like dance parties, karaoke, live art performances or a stiff Tiki drink. Petra’s is a fun, lowkey atmosphere catering to anyone looking for a creative scene. Don't miss Hazy Sundays on select Sundays for an afternoon of deep house cuts and dancing on the back patio.
Rally
Neighborhood: Lower South End
Rally is a social pickleball club welcoming to players of all skill levels, with extensive food and drink options available courtside. Rally’s numerous indoor and outdoor pickleball courts offer a perfect space for group hangouts and special events. Players wanting to build their skills can sign up for a variety of lessons.
Scorpio
Neighborhood: South End
Scorpio nightclub is the newly re-imagined iteration of Charlotte’s oldest gay nightclub, which operated on Freedom Boulevard from 1969 to 2024 before relocating to South End. Expect a high-energy environment including large dance floor with frequent drag shows, electric lounge area and rooftop bar with great city views.
Starlight on 22nd
Neighborhood: NoDa
Starlight on 22nd offers a fun and eclectic space for varied cultural events, as imagined and implemented by owners Ruth Ava Lyons and Paul Sires. Check the monthly calendar for events like comedy shows, sip-and-paint nights, open mic nights and a host of other opportunities for creative engagement.
Two Ships Pottery
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Two Ships Pottery offers a fun and inclusive creative space for learning (or advancing) your personal ceramic skills, whether by wheel or hand building, from beginner to pottery pro. Classes are perfect for date nights, group hangs and even individualized tutoring sessions. Two Ships also produces gorgeous unique ceramic pieces available in the shop and at local boutiques around Charlotte.
