The Richmond Region is delivering a delicious new way to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. “Dine
Out For Pride,” running June 5-11, is bringing together over 20 local restaurants with menu and drink
specials to benefit VA Pride and OUTRVA, a region-wide initiative to support queer visitors that
launched in 2014.
In the words of the Chosen Family podcast, “Richmond, Virginia is a gay Mecca.” It’s like Pride Month
every day, and any visitor that belongs to the queer community can see that the Richmond Region is
a destination for celebration and connection with other LGBTQ+ individuals and supporters. Visitors
to the region will find numerous special events, fun activities, and local businesses where they can
go all out for Pride Month and celebrate diversity year-round.
Summer of Pride Events
Flowers After 5: Pride Edition and Conservatory Illumination at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers
visitors a chance to see its famous conservatory dome colored in rainbow lights, visit local LGBTQ+
organizations, and watch drag performances, all on June 1. There’s also a LGBTQ+ Family and Youth
day on June 4.
Drag Brunch at the Branch will feature “RuPaul’s Drag Race” royalty Jaymes Mansfield hosting a
morning of local and regional drag artists at the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design on June
3.
Pride Night at the Diamond is the Richmond Flying Squirrels celebration of LGBTQ+ baseball fans,
including special merch and drinks available on June 23.
Black Pride RVA will return July 14-16 with events celebrating the Black queer community from all
over Virginia with lectures, markets, drag shows, and parties all weekend.
Pridefest 2023 is dedicated to the diversity and celebration of the LBGTQ+ community. It’s coming
up Saturday, September 23 at Brown’s Island.
Food and Drink
L’Opossum is an LGBTQ+ owned French restaurant with locally sourced seafood and select wines.
Cobra Cabana serves specials like the “Gay-Fil-A” sandwich that benefit local queer youth
organizations.
Bocata Arepa Bar, Richmond’s only arepa bar, recently received a spot on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to
Eat in the US 2023,” and is run by two gay Venezuelan immigrants.
Barcode, a gay bar found in downtown Richmond, opened back in 2001 and continues to be a haven
for LGBTQ+ visitors looking for a chill vibe to end the night.
Papi’s is the newest addition to the gay bar scene, hosting drag shows and special dance nights like
it’s Miami.
Community Resources
Richmond LGBTQ Chamber increases visibility of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and their allies.
Diversity Richmond is both a LGBTQ+ friendly thrift store and hub for many queer events,
marketplaces, and lectures.
He She Ze and We hosts families of young trans and non-binary individuals for gender-affirming care,
support, and community.
OUTRVA is a Richmond Region Tourism-led initiative for LGBTQ+ visitors to find friendly destinations,
lodging, and attractions that are queer-inclusive.
TransJam Events helps small trans-owned businesses come together for markets, meetings, and
community events.
Active
Stonewall Sports is an LGBTQ+ and Ally run non-profit that provides comradery through a variety of
sports leagues. Funds made through these tournaments go towards local LGBTQ+ resource centers.
Body Arccenters on queer wellness and personal training for every body. Visitors can attend open
gym and yoga classes held monthly.
Explore this weekend itinerary to visit iconic LGBTQ+ friendly destinations across our region
featuring businesses owned by members of OUTRVA, the Richmond Region Tourism initiative for
queer visitors to go out, stay out, and live out and proud.
About the Richmond Region
Seven destinations, each with their own personality and flavor, make up the eclectic Richmond
Region. From urban bustle to small town charm, from river life to nightlife, a visit to RVA is as diverse
as the people you’ll meet along the way. The Town of Ashland, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights,
Hanover County, Henrico County, New Kent County and the City of Richmond warmly welcome you
for an “Only in Richmond” experience. The Richmond Region celebrates diversity, equity, and
inclusion through community-driven initiatives at the heart of everything that we do.
About Richmond Region Tourism
Richmond Region Tourism, the official destination marketing and tourism organization for the
Richmond Region, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Region to
meeting, convention and sports event planners, tour operators and leisure travelers. More than 16
million people visit the Richmond Region annually, contributing nearly $2.9 billion to the local
economy. Tourism generates almost 24,000 jobs in the Richmond Region.
For more information, visit VisitRichmondVA.com.
