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- Rainbow Travel
Exploring Gay Rome – The Nomadic Boys
Everywhere you step you stumble over an ancient artifact that dates back millennia…
It's a great place to explore with a loved one. However, if you're looking for gay parties and nightlife, Gay Rome is rather limited. There are a few places to go, but suffice to say, a trip to Rome should be more about the culture over the gay scene.
Is Rome Safe for Gay Travelers?
Yes, Rome is very safe for gay travelers.
Rome is very touristy with people visiting from all around the world, which makes it very gay friendly. We saw many LGBTQ tourists in Rome during our many trips here and didn’t have any issues booking a hotel room or an Airbnb. Rome also has a gay scene, albeit a pretty small one.
Although a subtle warning about LGBTQ rights in Italy, large swathes of society remain very conservative. For example, Italy is the only remaining major country in western Europe that has not yet passed gay marriage laws!
In addition, Italy has limited adoption rights as well as limited anti-discrimination laws. You’ll be fine in the central touristic areas, but if you’re heading out to more rural areas or smaller towns/villages beyond Rome, then take care to limit PDAs to queer-friendly spaces.
Where is the Gay Area in Rome?
The gay area of Rome is congregated along the street called, “Via San Giovanni in Laterano”, located to the east flank of the Colosseum.
This street became so ubiquitous with Rome’s LGBTQ community that it was officially named“Gay Street” in 2007. Along the Gay Street of Rome, you’ll find the two main gay bars of Rome – My Way, and Coming Out. These two gay bars are essentially the beating heart and soul of the gay area of Rome. Weather permitting, crowds spill out onto the street outside converging into one big gay street party-like atmosphere.
There are a handful of other gay bars, clubs, and saunas scattered all around Rome including the Company ROMA bear bar, the Frutta e Verdura gay club, a whole heap of gay cruising clubs, and two gay saunas, all set out.
Where To Stay In Rome?
The official gay area of Rome is close to the Colosseum, so that's where you'll want to base yourself if you want to be close to the nightlife gay scene. However, anywhere in the city center you base yourself you'll be rewarded by being within walking distance of some of the most remarkable monuments on the planet.
Exciting Gay Bars in Rome
Rome is a place to come for culture more than anything. There are a few gay parties happening, but not like anything you'd find in other European capitals.There are however a few gay places to check out, in particular Coming Out and My Bar on the gay street near the Colosseum.
Coming Out is the most popular gay bar in Rome, going strong since 2001. There are themed nights at Coming Out, the most popular are Tuesday nights for karaoke, and drag nights on Sundays. By day Coming Out is a cafe resto/bar. By night it morphs into a glorious gay cocktail bar.
Opening Hours: Coming Out is open daily from 8am until 2am
Location: It's located at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, 8
My Bar is located next door to Coming Out on the gay street and is another institution on the Rome gay scene. My Bar is a cafe by day and then by night morphs into a bar. It has a stage and a small dance floor where its resident DJ spins out commercial house music. My Bar also hosts the occasional karaoke night with a few hot exotic dancers.
Opening Hours: My Bar is open daily from 9am to 2am
Location: It's located at Via S. Giovanni in Laterano, 12
Exhilarating Gay Clubs in Rome
In terms of location, they are spread out in different parts of Rome, which will require a taxi ride to get to.
Fruits and Vegetables is the literal translation of this gay club – a play on the diversity of men you can expect to find. The main gay events that take place here are the men-only parties on Saturday evenings. House and techno music rule the school at a Frutta e Verdura night out.
Opening Hours: Frutta e Verdura hosts Saturday/Sunday parties from 11:30pm until around 8am
Location: It's located at Via di Santa Passera 27 which is around a 25-minute cab ride northeast of the main gay street
Qube itself is not a gay club but it's the venue that hosts ad hoc gay parties on Fridays.Spread out across 3 dance floors in a rugged building in suburbian eastern Rome, it feels more Berlin-like here, which we love! Music is a generous mix of rock, disco, techno, and my favorite, pop. A night out at Muccassassina can get pretty popular so expect a long queue if you arrive later.
Opening Hours: Muccassassina parties are usually held on Friday nights but sometimes they have Sunday T-Parties during the day and other special events, so check their Facebook to see what's coming up!
Location: It's located at Via di Portonaccio, 212 which is around a 25-minute taxi ride northeast of the gay street
Latin music and reggaeton pop are the main music you'll boogie to at Alibi and we're not complaining! The main parties happen at weekends, but it gets pretty busy, so unless you come early, expect to queue for a bit before you're allowed in.
Opening Hours: Alibi Club is open on Friday and Saturday nights from 11:30pm until 4am and on Sundays from 9pm until 2am
Location: It's located at Via di Monte Testaccio, 40/44 which is around a 10-minute cab ride southwest of the gay street
Saucy Gay Cruising Clubs in Rome
To head to one of the gay cruising clubs of Rome, of which there is a surprisingly high number!
Censured is the newbie on the gay cruising club scene of Rome!It's set on two levels, which includes a bar, lounge, changing room, smoking area, showers, a red “play room” and obligatory dark room. Censured Club is located at Via dei Quattro Cantoni 5 and is open daily from 10pm until around 3-5am.
K Men is Rome's most famous leather club going strong since 1997.It has no bar but has an abundance of “glorious holes!“, private cabins, playrooms and a video room. It is located at Via Amati Amato 6/8, and is open daily (except Mondays) from 10:30pm until around 3/4am.
It's a pretty large space with a maze, cabins, play zone, bar, with smoking and non-smoking areas. Membership is required to enter but can be purchased on entry. It is located at Largo Itri, 23, and is open daily (except Mondays) from 9 or 10pm until around 3 or 4am (and from 3pm until 1am on Sundays).
Skyline is a more chilled cruising gay club popular with men of all ages and body types. Skyline has a large cruising area with labyrinth, dark rooms, cabins, maze and video room. It is located at Via Pontremoli 36, and is open daily from 10-10:30pm until 3 or 4am.
Gay Saunas in Rome
There are two! Adam Sauna Roma and the Apollion Sauna.
