A no-frills lesbian bar in São Paulo offers a relaxing, inclusive atmosphere for a sidewalk beer and local, relaxed vibe. There’s food, too, with a menu designed like the lesbian flag, and the vibes are unparalleled. Visit for happy hour caipirinhas on weekdays from 5:30 – 7 p.m. and take some time to admire the funky art on the walls.
Asia
L’Paradis Lesbian Bar
Hong Kong
L’Paradis is one of the few lesbian spots remaining in a city that once had over a dozen. Open nightly until sunrise, the casual bar offers a safe space to hang, mingle, snack, or sing in the Tsim Sha Tsui district. Hanoi-based travel influencers Lake & H say, “L’Paradis has the best atmosphere out of all the lesbian spots we visited in Hong Kong,” reflecting on a night where the manager made sure were introduced to other patrons. The bar also has drinking games (beer pong is a favorite) for those who want to bond over friendly competition.
Agit
Tokyo
Tokyo has a smattering of fun and tiny lesbian bars, and Agit is a favorite for many. The woman-owned space has a small cover charge and cheap drinks, and an overall very fun vibe with lively karaoke. Hungry revelers can soak up the booze with snacks and heartier meals, like an ever-changing steamy oden. Check out the bar’s TikTok which showcases daily the space for would-be visitors or those who want to reminisce on a fun night out.
Roxie
Shanghai
Opened in 2015 by Dutch expat Ting Ting Liang, Roxie is Shanghai’s only lesbian bar. Colorful bras dangle over the long bar lining the dim club, known for themed parties and crowded, rowdy nights. There are poles for dancing, and the bartenders have a habit of pouring shots directly into guests’ open mouths. More than just a good time, Roxie is a solid community space for regulars as China’s queer scene lingers and daily life has become more challenging for queer folks living in an increasingly conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ climate.
Club Ace
Seoul
The lesbian clubs, or L Clubs, in Seoul, are known to be women-centric spaces to feel safe and have fun. Located in artsy Hongdae, photos are banned at Club Ace, for both privacy and to keep folks in the moment. “At Club Ace, I was illuminated only by a glowing haze of flashing lights muted by a thin layer of cigarette smoke,” Toronto-based Caitlyn Ng Man Chuen wrote in a recent Condé Nast Traveler essay. “Here, I was an outsider in some senses—a foreigner—but not one marked by difference in race or my queerness. The anonymity that granted me was one that made me feel free. I felt like I belonged, even if it was only in the cover of darkness.”
Goldfinger
Tokyo
A Tokyo staple since 1991, Goldfinger may be the city’s most famous lesbian bar. The “girl meets girl” spot welcomes patrons with a big rainbow flag at the corner and a neon “girls girls girls” sign gleaming into the entryway. Saturdays are exclusively women, and 2000 yen gets you access to an open bar, popcorn, and karaoke. Mondays celebrate trans guests with no cover, plus free popcorn and karaoke. In warm weather, outdoor seating is available as well. “It’s nice because everyone is welcome, and they have English-speaking bartenders, so it’s foreigner-friendly,” says Jen Suarez, an engineer who lives in Aomori in Northern Japan. “It’s a small, cozy space, and the drink prices are reasonable.”
