Gay clubs newport ri

A anecdote from last year to illustrate: In the fall of 2019, we partnered with the Top of Pelham for a NewportOUT night at the dueling piano bar. Check out this article from around that time documents it in detail, including a hate crime smashing of the establishment’s front windows in its early days.

But that definitely has not always been the case.

What the locals have to say: I used to go there when I was in the Navy and first coming out. It initially opened as the Venetian Room in the 1960’s, catering to naval men. September is a sweet spot too: warm water, calmer streets, and good dining without the summer crush.

The Looking Glass

Middletown was home to a short-lived gay bar called The Looking Glass in the late 1980’s located where Diego’s Barrio Cantina is now on Aquidneck Ave.

Gay Nights on the Town

Fast forward nearly a decade, and throughout 2014-2015 locals in the community organized themed gay nights under the banner of Bliss at a few different establishments including Dockside, the former Rhino Bar, and Christie’s (now part of Forty One North).

But we at NewportOUT think there is something special and important about having the space in town that is dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. It was a common practice.

Castaways

In 2003, another bright spot emerged when Castaways opened at the same location as David’s, but it was short-lived, closing again in 2006.

You’ll usually find Pride events and parties in late spring or June across the state, plus queer mixers and themed nights that pop up during the busy summer season. Whether you call yourself a man, woman, male, female, boy, boi, girl, gurl, guy, gal, daddy, cross dresser, butch, fem, leather, bear, gay, lesbian, drag king, drag queen, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, alternative, questioning, curious, or simply human - where to find a fun place for meeting or dating or scene to free your life.

Travel from north, south, east, west, central, uptown, midtown, downtown, county, city - driving directions from your address to the location of the new Rhode Island gay watering hole.

At NewportOUT, part of what we do is producing events to serve as gatherings for our LGBTQ+ community - in bars, at parks, at the beach, and sometimes on boats! Check local listings and social accounts a few weeks out, since many events get announced close to the date.

What the locals have to say: One patron who responded to a post on Facebook about the history of gay bars in Newport recalled seeing Gloria Vanderbilt with her son Anderson (Cooper) getting a drink there.

But as a small organization, we can only do so much. We hung a big rainbow flag on the third floor window facing Thames Street.

If you tell me where you’re staying and your vibe, I’ll suggest a tight shortlist. Add to the conversation on our Forum, or to the comments below.

The Venetian Room / Raffles

First, we had Raffles, which was located on Farewell Street in Newport right up the block from Del Nero’s cleaners towards Broadway.

Or you can always email us at info@newportout.com

PS - Do you have first-hand knowledge of Newport’s gay bars of past years?

The closing of Newport’s gay bars over a decade ago is roughly in line with a trend in the U.S. and this article points to research on 37% of gay bars shutting down between 2007 and 2019.

In practice, Newport’s queer scene skews toward welcoming mainstream spots, seasonal pop-up parties, and nearby Providence for dedicated gay nightlife.