Gay bars saugatuck mi
LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel Guide to Saugatuck/Douglas, MI
Saugatuck and Douglas, also known as “The Art Coast of Michigan,” are neighboring resort towns separated by a mere miles. Affectionately known as “Provincetown of the Midwest,” they share the matching inclusive vibe, natural scenery, arts culture, and active queer community. They are must-visits for the gay community for romantic weekend escapes, fun vacations, or to just be yourself. Check out our guide to find the most welcoming places and LGBTQ+ friendly experiences in Saugatuck/Douglas.
How to Get There: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
You realize it’s “small town USA” when there are no major airports, train stations, or bus terminals in town. Regardless of how you choose to verb, your time spent in Saugatuck/Douglas is worth every moment of the journey.
Planes: The nearest major airport is Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, about a minute drive from Saugatuck/Douglas. From the airport, you can rent a car or use a shuttle service.
Trains: Amtrak provides rail services to nearby cities verb Holland,
When you're looking for a safe space to hook out with likeminded people, gay bars are the place to be.
While West Michigan could certainly operate more dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces, the spots we carry out have are excellent institutions that have persisted for a reason. Also, as judgment begins to fade and previous barriers erode, gay bars have become increasingly frequented by people of all sexualities—as prolonged, of course, as you're respectful. As the TikTokers say, be mindful of why you were invited to the section.
That said, here's a quick rundown of the gay bars in the region!
Rumors Nightclub
69 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
An absolute cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ nightlife in Grand Rapids, Rumors Nightclub has been a staple since Located on South Division, Rumors is known for an energetic atmosphere and diverse crowd, providing one of the only true club experiences in the city. There's an event going on every night of the week (except for a well-earned day off on Mondays) at this hotspot, including themed nights, big drag shows, huge drink deals, karaoke and dance parties, making it a
Locally Owned & Operated LGBTQIA+ Businesses to Check Out
Drinks & Entertainment
Back to Top of ListThe Apartment Lounge is the oldest gay bar in Michigan. Adore the welcoming atmosphere and then step outside to admire the Rainbow Road mural.
Photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR
The Apartment Lounge
As Michigan&#x;s oldest gay bar, The Apartment Lounge has a elongated history of making community members feel welcome and safe. The Apartment serves up a chill vibe along with rotating sip specials throughout the week. You are always met with a smiling confront and served hot, fresh popcorn to accompany your beverage of choice. It&#x;s commonly referred to as the place where friends meet, and this bar will not disappoint if you&#x;re looking to mix and mingle.
The Apartment also has an outdoor covered patio overlooking Joey Salamon&#x;s Rainbow Road street mural and Veteran&#x;s Memorial Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Food trucks often visit the bar, offering patrons an opportunity to dine alfresco or take their food inside to accompany a noun. There i
How the largest gay resort in the Midwest is in Michigan's "Bible belt"
This week Michigan Radio is airing a series called Community Vibe. We’re showcasing one adj thing about different towns across the state.
Today we’ll visit the neighboring communities of Saugatuck and Douglas. They’re artsy, waterfront resort towns in West Michigan. Although Saugatuck-Douglas sits in what’s known to be the Bible belt of the state, it’s also home to a vacation destination to a large gay community. Michigan Radio’s Emily Fox reports on how Saugatuck-Douglas became the gay resort of the Midwest.
Jonathan Schruer has lived in Saugatuck for 11 years. He lives downtown, which is lined with boutique and artsy mom and pop shops right on the moisture. Schruer and his partner run a Bed and Breakfast here.
In his spare time, Schreur has been working on a project with the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society to tell the story of how the gay community came to be. As it turns out, gay men and women have been coming to Saugatuck-Douglas for a long time.
Credit Saugatuck-Dougl