Asheville nc gay clubs
Legacy Bars of the Carolinas
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Fragmentary seems like the most appropriate word to explain the history and customs of oppressed people, and especially the LGBTQ+ collective. Our heritage and tradition has often gone undocumented for fear of unintentionally providing information that could lead to unwanted trouble from our oppressors. Summon it a fail sheltered, if you will, but the end result was/is a huge loss of LGBTQ+ history prior to the 1980s.
In other instances, our history was often deemed as insignificant or unworthy of being saved by those in a position of power to make decisions about historical preservation. As late as the mid 1990s I can still recall the shock I felt when I was informed by a periodical librarian at the Atlanta Fulton County Public Library that copies of locally produced queer and lesbian publications were thrown away when each new edition arrived, unlike the mainstream straight newspapers and magazines, which were typically archived.
When I inquired as to why, the librarian shot me an incredulous look and replied with a patronizing to
Learn why I moved to Asheville and haven’t moved out. Asheville has been great – but spot my thoughts on some common questions about what it’s like being part of the LGBTQ+ people here, and pros and cons of moving to and living in Asheville.
So why did I country on Asheville? I ponder a little background is important for context.
I grew up in a medium-sized college town in North Central Florida. We had community there, but the kind of community that you get in an area with urban-sprawl, no real vibrant downtown core, and a small but growing emphasis on art, music, theater, and lack of diversity in the general population.
My hometown had culture, it just wasn’t the culture I was looking for. The lgbtq+ community felt small. Perhaps it wasn’t, but it felt that way.
A limited years after graduating college, I had the opportunity to move to Boston. What a stark contrast to Florida. I finally had the culture that I wanted. Rainbow flags adorned residential and retail shop windows. There were gayborhoods. And pride. Wow.
After a while in Boston, it turns out that despite the deep feeling of acceptance and belonging, I really missed the friendlier, smaller
Asheville, North Carolina, is a vibrant city that boasts a thriving LGBTQ collective. From historic gay bars to inclusive craft breweries, the city offers something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explore the best LGBTQ bars and clubs in Asheville, from dance parties to queenly shows and everything in between.
O. Henry’s and The Underground
O. Henry’s has been a staple in the Asheville LGBTQ community for over 55 years. When Smokey’s Tavern closed its doors in 2015, O. Henry’s became the oldest gay bar in the city. The bar is housed in a lodge-style stone and wood building with plenty of seating inside, a pool table, and a karaoke evening every Wednesday. On weekends, you can catch flamboyant shows featuring local talent.
Attached to O. Henry’s is The Underground, an industrial dance bar that hosts a First Friday move party and other themed dance nights and entertainment.
Find O. Henry’s on Instagram at (@ohenrysasheville).
Scandals and the Grove House Entertainment Complex
Scandals, a three-floor nightclub, opened in 1982 and is located in the Grove House Entertainment Complex, which also includes Club Eleven on Grove and Boiler Room Ashe
Downtown Asheville
Gay and lesbian visitors to Asheville, North Carolina, identify a very friendly atmosphere, especially in the eclectic and artsy downtown. Place to the famous Biltmore Estate, Asheville is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains with limitless outdoors activities. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which rides along the ridge tops, is one of most stunning drives in the nation. You will find a diverse population, with a large gay and woman loving woman community that enjoys conference visitors (since most of them were once visitors before they fell in love with the area and moved).
RomanticAsheville.com is a 500-page online travel reference (free) with 1,600+ photographs with plenty of “insider” journey tips, including a unique gay and lesbian Asheville guide. Find guides to accommodations, hiking, waterfalls, art, Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, events, and more. To help you plan a trip, here are ten favorite outings for lgbtq+ and lesbian visitors to Asheville:
1. Romantic Dinner: The farm-to-table craze is complete steam in Asheville with dozens of locally-owned restaurants that work closely with local farms.
2. Bed &
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