Philadelphia gay restaurants
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The two-story underground lair absolutely drips with thousands of its owner’s designs plus vintage: rings, brooches, chains, charms, earrings, bracelets — all displayed in gilded frames, altar-like boxes, even inside pillars.
PRIDE BLOCK PARTY
One Sunday Every June, Woody’s main stage on 13th street at Walnut anchors this incredible PRIDE event that celebrates Philadelphia’s LGBTQIA+ Community.
OUT BLOCK PARTY
This is the day when our Community reflects, remembers, and recollects on the day when each of us was liberated and made the decision to be honest with ourselves, families, friends, teachers, and employers.
Many still do — thanks, in great part, to Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney, the married owners of seminal shops (Open House and Verde) and restaurants (Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyn’s, Little Nonna’s and Darling Jack’s Tavern). 12th and Pine streets
Halloween, Antique Row
Halloween owner Henri David isn’t just a jeweler.
The shop also hosts readings and other events in their newly renovated second floor reading room. Nonetheless, David’s Pine street rowhouse / jewelry shop, in operation since 1990 without a sign (let alone a website), feels like an absolute find. So does LGBTQ+ Philadelphia history, which you can learn more about by joining a walking tour (or bar crawl) with LGBTQ-owned Beyond the Bell Tours.
This list doesn’t just include what these businesses do and sell, however.
NEW YEARS EVE
Save the Date for December 31st, 2023…
This evening needs no introduction.
An Essential Guide to LGBTQ+ Philadelphia
Philadelphia, the nation’s birthplace and one of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ+ community, is proud of the historic roles it has played — and plays still — in the founding, advancement and celebration of the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights movement.
In 1965 Philadelphia hosted the country’s first major demonstration for gay rights, the Annual Reminders protests outside Independence Hall.
Originally founded as a healthy dessert alternative, Igloo’s self-serve offerings have expanded to everything from custard to churro cones and probiotic-rich froyo. When you order online, you can also put a free HIV test into your cart and pick it up alongside your “Janet” — the same vanilla cake, topped with fresh berries and strawberry pastry cream that Janet Jackson had for her birthday in Philly last month.
1516 Sansom Street, 2nd floor
Oyster House, Rittenhouse
When third-generation owner Sam Mink took over this seminal seafoodery from his dad, Sam had ideas. Their history of giving back: fundraising for gender affirmation surgeries, hosting same-sex engagement parties, partnering with LGBTQ+ orgs.
Along the way, he’s hosted fundraisers and given more than $100,000 to Philadelphia schools, the Mazzoni Center, and other worthy causes. But that’s not necessarily a reason to check out Cafe Life. Two: A menu revamp.
What our wonderful patrons say about us...
"Amazing food & coffee with even friendlier staff""
"Service and food were outstanding.
If you want to volunteer, sign up here!710 S. 5th Street
Ray’s Reusables, Northern Liberties
A former high school English teacher started Ray’s Reusables in 2019 as a passion project based around her low-waste lifestyle goals; the pandemic put her concerns about waste and sustainability front and center.
It also includes what they do for — their social impact on — the community.
LGBTQ-owned bakeries + cafes
Cake Life Bakeshop, Fishtown
This bakery has — twice! And this month, you can also pick up (or order) the restaurant’s annual ¡Saluds Dudes! 4409 Main Street
Darnel’s Cakes, Northern Liberties
Named for a cousin who died of complications due to HIV/AIDS, the business is on a mission to raise awareness of the disease.
1329 Pine Street, (215) 732-7711
Philly AIDS Thrift, Bella Vista
Philly AIDS Thrift has raised funds by selling “the lovely, useful, interesting, amusing, and sometimes mysterious items” that Philadelphians have donated since 2005. October was the month of “Coming Out Day” and it is more than a day to be proud, it is a day to celebrate life, love, and give thanks to all of those brave individuals that made our movement what it is today.
PHILLY BLACK PRIDE
Philadelphia’s Black Gay Pride Weekend, also known as Philly Black Pride, typically takes place in April an has, for decades, coincided with Penn Relay Weekend.
He’s an LGBTQ icon in Philadelphia, the man who, for well over 50 years, has thrown the city’s biggest and best Halloween ball — and leads every Easter parade on South Street.