Best Gay Bars and Clubs in Puerto Vallarta (2026)
Puerto Vallarta gay nightlife is nothing short of legendary. From buzzy open-air bars where you can sip margaritas under the stars to high-energy nightclubs packed with sexy go-go dancers, PV has something for every kind of partygoer. Here are the best gay bars and clubs to check out in 2026.
Why Visit Gay Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has been welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers for decades — long before “gay travel” became a marketing term. What started as a quiet beach escape for artists, expats, and queer pioneers evolved naturally into one of the most established gay destinations in the world.
Today, PV’s nightlife blends old-school warmth with new-school energy. The Romantic Zone feels like a true gay village: social bars, drag venues, mega-clubs, beach parties, and men-only spaces all coexist within a few blocks. The crowd is diverse — locals, retirees, party boys, couples, bears, first-timers — and the vibe stays friendly, not cliquey.
Add ocean breezes, strong drinks, late hours, and a culture where striking up conversation is the norm, and it’s easy to see why people keep coming back.
PUERTO VALLARTA TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Planning your trip to Puerto Vallarta? These travel tools and services will save you money and make your visit stress-free:
🌟 Pro tip – Some links on this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our travels and helping us create more content like this!
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🌟 Pro tip – Some links on this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our travels and helping us create more content like this!
The Best Gay Bars & Clubs in Puerto Vallarta
The Corner Bar — Best Cocktail Bar & Social Start
⭐ Best for: Cocktails, conversation & starting the night right
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Basilio Badillo 339)
If you’re new to the Puerto Vallarta gay scene, The Corner Bar is the perfect place to start your night. This stylish bar has quickly become a favorite, and we can see why. Think: sexy, shirtless bartenders, killer cocktails, and a super friendly crowd. The vibe here is casual yet lively, making it a great spot to meet people before heading out to dance.
Mr. Flamingo — Best Open-Air Party Bar
⭐ Best for: Dancing (practically) in the street & carefree fun
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 247)
If there’s one gay bar you can’t miss in Puerto Vallarta, it’s Mr. Flamingo! This tropical, open-air bar in the heart of the Romantic Zone is always packed, with cheap drinks, pop music, and fun-loving crowd.
There’s no cover, no dress code, and no attitude. Just grab a drink, dance wherever you find space, and enjoy the fact that no one here is trying too hard.
Banana Factory — New Kid on Lázaro Cárdenas
⭐ Best for: Social drinks, flexible vibes & late-night exploration
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 341)
Banana Factory is one of the newest additions to PV’s gay nightlife scene — and it’s already winning people over fast. The space is surprisingly versatile, making it easy to shape your night exactly how you’re feeling.
Start out front with a drink on the sidewalk for prime people-watching, move inside to the bright, energetic main bar, or slip out back to the more intimate rear bar — our personal favorite. And for those feeling adventurous, there’s also a dark room tucked toward the back of the venue.
La Noche — Best Rooftop Gay Bar
⭐ Best for: Rooftop views, drag & go-go dancers
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 267D)
La Noche delivers on every level — literally. Start upstairs on the rooftop with strong cocktails under the stars, then work your way down to the dance floor as the night heats up.
Drag shows are nightly and consistently excellent, and the crowd skews social early before turning full party mode later on. One of PV’s most reliable “something-for-everyone” venues.
La Catrina Cantina — Best Drag-Focused Bar
⭐ Best for: High-energy drag & fun crowds
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 315B)
If drag is non-negotiable, La Catrina Cantina belongs on your list. Performances are lively, the crowd is engaged, and the energy stays high without feeling overwhelming.
Pro move: order a bucket of beers — locals know it’s the best value and keeps the party going longer.
CC Slaughters — Best Pre-Club Energy
⭐ Best for: DJs, go-go vibes & warming up to dance
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 254)
CC Slaughters works perfectly as a bridge between relaxed bars and late-night clubs. The front lounge stays social, while DJs and performers bring the energy up as the evening progresses.
If you’re heading to Industry later, this is an easy, natural stop beforehand.
Industry Nightclub — Best Large-Scale Gay Club
⭐ Best for: Circuit beats, big crowds & late nights
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 258)
Industry is Puerto Vallarta’s biggest and most famous gay club. Expect high production, international DJs, shirtless crowds, and packed dance floors — especially during White Party, Pride, BeefDip, and holiday weekends.
If you want a full nightclub experience that lasts until the early hours, this is where you’ll end up.
Studs Bear Bar — Best Bear & Cruise Bar
⭐ Best for: Bears, admirers & late-night spice
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Basilio Badillo 283)
For something a little spicier, head to Studs. Located near The Corner Bar, this venue is where things get wild—especially upstairs on the dance floor (and just above it—IYKYK).
Studs has a sexy, playful atmosphere, with a mix of bears, otters, muscle daddies, and admirers. Plus, there’s a dark room now both upstairs AND downstairs if you’re feeling adventurous.
They also host themed nights and special events plus weekly drag bingo, making it a must-visit for those looking for a fun alternative to PV’s high-energy clubs.
Club Jet’s PV — Men-Only, Nudist-Friendly Club
⭐ Best for: Sex-positive energy & after-hours exploration
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Insurgentes 330)
Just around the corner from Corner Bar and close to Studs, Club Jet’s PV is one of the newest additions to PV’s nightlife — and it goes exactly where you think it does.
This men-only, nudist-friendly venue features play spaces and a sex-positive atmosphere that feels intentional, clean, and confidently queer. It’s owned by the same team behind Jet’s NKD Boat Tour, making it a natural nighttime extension of what many visitors already love during the day.
Spartacus — Legendary Gay Sauna & Social Space
⭐ Best for: Cruising, socializing & a full men-only experience
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Lázaro Cárdenas 240)
Yes — Spartacus is that place. One of Puerto Vallarta’s longest-running LGBTQ+ institutions, this massive men-only sauna sits just steps from La Noche, Industry and the rest of the Romantic Zone nightlife, making it an easy stop before or (most likely!) after a night out.
Start upstairs at the rooftop bar, which is surprisingly social and a great place to warm up with a drink before heading downstairs. From there, the venue opens up into a sprawling, multi-level maze offering just about everything you could want: steam room, dry sauna, open showers, hot tub, rooftop pool with loungers, lockers, private cabins, a movie room, and winding labyrinths to explore.
On big weekends, Spartacus is wall-to-wall busy, drawing a mix of locals, visitors, bears, muscle guys, and curious first-timers. It’s bold, unapologetic, and very much part of PV’s nightlife DNA — another reason the city remains one of the most complete gay destinations in the world.
🌟 Pro tip – For more details from our visit and behind-the-scenes insights, head over to our Patreon.
Bonus Spots — Where to Go After the Beach
Before the sun sets and the clubs take over, here are some chill spots to grab a drink:
- La Chachalaca – A casual, easy stop straight from the beach with strong drinks and zero fuss.
- Blondies – This iconic frozen cocktail bar is another perfect post-beach stop. Blondies slushie-style drinks are refreshing, and the vibe is always fun. Plus, their upstairs lounge is a great spot to kick back and people-watch.
Bonus Spots — More Upscale & Relaxed Gay Bars
If you prefer a quieter, more relaxed gay scene, here are our top picks:
- Jorge's Bar – Run by Jorge, formerly of the now-defunct Hotel Mercurio, this welcoming bar has quickly become a local favorite. Great happy hour specials, a super chill crowd, and air conditioning make it especially appealing in summer months.
- The Swedes – For a great martini with a view, head to The Swedes. This charming restaurant and bar has an upstairs lounge where you can enjoy a well-made cocktail in a more relaxed setting.
- Garbo Piano Bar – If you love piano bars, Garbo is an absolute must. This classy lounge features live music, Broadway classics, and jazz performances. Try the Prince Harry martini—a delicious mix of vodka, fresh lime, and homemade ginger.
Where to Stay for Gay Nightlife in Puerto Vallarta
If nightlife is your priority, staying in the Romantic Zone makes everything effortless. For a full breakdown of options — from party-forward resorts to boutique stays — see our Best Gay Hotels in Puerto Vallarta (2026) guide.
That said, if you want the most polished, social, and modern gay hotel base right now, this is our top pick:
Tryst Puerto Vallarta — Best New Gay Boutique Hotel
⭐ Best for: Style, social energy & walking to everything
📍 Location: Romantic Zone (Púlpito 138)
Why We Love It:
- Central location steps from bars, clubs & Los Muertos Beach
- Multiple rooftops with pools & bars
- Sunday drag brunch that turns into a full rooftop party
- Modern rooms, strong cocktails & real social energy
Tryst isn’t just a place to sleep — it’s part of the nightlife itself. Whether you’re pregaming at the rooftop bar, brunching into sunset, or walking home after last call, it puts you exactly where you want to be.
Final Thoughts
Puerto Vallarta’s gay nightlife remains one of the easiest, friendliest, and most satisfying scenes anywhere. You can shape your night however you want — cocktails and conversation, drag and dancing, sex-positive exploration — all within a few walkable blocks.
Whether you’re here for a long weekend, Pride, BeefDip, or your annual winter escape, PV proves once again why it’s not just popular… it’s iconic.
🌟 Pro tip – For the full experience, pair this guide with our Gay Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide, Best Gay Hotels, and Patreon-exclusive behind-the-scenes nightlife coverage — because some stories are better told off the dance floor.
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