Written By : Alice Wilson
Photography By : Stuart Linden Rhodes.
When I told a friend I was writing about the queer scene in York, they replied:
“What are you going to write—go to the train station and spend £20 on a ticket to Leeds?”
We laughed. Then we cried. And then—because that’s what queer resilience looks like—we rallied, and went out on a rainbow-tinted treasure hunt through the cobbled streets of York.
It’s true: York doesn’t have the Freedom Quarter of Leeds, or the Canal Street of Manchester. In fact, it doesn’t even have a single gay bar. And yes, I think that’s a piss-poor show.
I am variously rageful and despairing about the evacuation of queer culture in York. What I refuse to do is slap on a grin and join the neoliberal toxic positivity dance that insists everything will be fine. Because here’s the truth: there is potency in our rage. And there is potency in our joy. This piece is written to spark both—and to highlight the spaces where queer joy is already being cultivated, defended, and weaponised.
Unmissably rainbow-y from the outside, unmistakably queer on the inside. I’ve picked up slow-burn lesbian sci-fi here, alongside books on queer Kabbalah and a bisexual bible. The staff are helpful, nerdy, and make you feel instantly at home.
Portal Bookshop -
Portal isn’t just a bookshop—it’s a hub. They run daily events throughout LGBTQ+ History Month, operate a pay-it-forward scheme so anyone can access books, and even post The Trans Teen Survival Guide worldwide for free. It feels like the kind of place where revolutions are plotted in the basement—though, for legal reasons, of course, that’s definitely not happening.
Over the Rainbow Café -
Directly above Portal, Over the Rainbow is a queer-affirming café that takes inclusivity seriously. They even offer communication badges so you can let others know how you’d like to interact.
Beyond good cakes and caffeine, their events calendar is a gift: DIY crafting Mondays, LARPing Wednesdays, low-sensory Thursdays, queer board games Sundays, and Mario Kart tournaments at Spark.
Queer Arts HQ -
A powerhouse of creativity. Their Literary Lounge (alternate Mondays) is a gentle space for sharing words and ideas, while Friday queer dance nights and Thursday queer voices choir sessions bring rhythm and community to York’s evenings.
FreekLime Queer Climbing Group -
A fresh addition to the scene, meeting Tuesdays at Clifton Moor. There’s something about carabiners that draws queers in, but beyond the gear, it’s a vital sober space to connect, sweat, and support each other.
GeneraTe: Trans & Non-Binary Socials -
Held on the first Monday of each month, with updates on their (sorry) Facebook page. They run trans & non-binary swimming sessions, online and in-person support groups, and plenty of chances to meet people navigating similar journeys.
Drag Bingo & Karaoke -
If your queer heart beats to Lady Gaga and tequila, Tuesdays at Yates (8pm–1am) will serve you drag performers, innuendo, screeching, and maybe even a full house.
York LGBT Forum -
A grassroots charity doing vital work. Their weekly Wednesday coffee socials (6.30–8.30pm, York Travellers Trust) are simple but powerful: a brew, a biscuit, and the safety of queer community.
The Bottom Line.
York might not boast neon-drenched gay bars or sprawling queer districts. But it does have sparks of brilliance—intimate, vibrant, and sustaining. These spaces prove that queer culture in York is alive, even if fragile.
So yes, if you’re desperate for a “proper” gay night out, you may still need that train ticket to Leeds. But if you stay in York, there’s plenty of good, great, and gae to discover.
