Copenhagen is Denmark’s capital and a city known for its design, canals, and relaxed pace. For LGBTQ+ travelers, it combines cultural highlights with a gay scene that, while small, is open and easy to enjoy.
Daytime exploration starts at Nyhavn, the harbor lined with colorful houses, restaurants, and boats. From here it’s a short walk to Amalienborg Palace, home to the Danish royal family, and Rosenborg Castle with its gardens and crown jewels. Tivoli Gardens is another highlight, mixing amusement rides with beautifully landscaped spaces. For art lovers, the National Gallery and the contemporary Louisiana Museum (a short train ride away) showcase both Nordic and international masters. The Designmuseum and the National Museum provide further cultural depth, while Copenhagen’s many cafés and bakeries add fuel between stops.
The city is made for cycling. Rent a bike and join locals along the canals and leafy streets, or take a boat trip for a different perspective. In summer, locals flock to harborside swimming spots, and winter is for cozying up in stylish cafés.
At night, the gay scene is centered around a handful of venues. Jailhouse CPH is a themed bar popular with both locals and visitors, while Never Mind is the city’s main late-night club, staying busy until morning. Cosy cocktail bars provide quieter spaces, and Pride in August adds an extra layer of energy to the city, filling streets with music and color.
Copenhagen may not have the largest gay scene, but its welcoming spirit, cultural highlights, and compact size make it easy to combine sightseeing with nights out. It’s a city that feels both stylish and relaxed, perfect for a few days of exploration.
Visiting gay Copenhagen
Gay life is well integrated into Danish society and being gay is a non-issue. That's probably why you won’t find typical gay streets or areas in Copenhagen. Although the scene may look limited, Copenhagen gay life is very alive and compact and you’ll find well dressed and trendy gays all over the place. The Danes love to meet up and be cosy so going out starts early evenings in cafe’s. If you wonder if the spot is popular, just count the number of people smoking on the doorstep (smoking inside is forbidden).
Going out where?
For your daytime Latte or midnight cocktail served by young waiters check Oscar Bar & Cafe which change from cafe/restaurant to bar/club when night falls. If you don’t like the free peanuts, check the menu for light snacks or heavy meals.
For rough men...
For all you rough and butch guys, Men's Bar and Jailhouse are the places to be. The last one even has a nice restaurant where you get served by guys in uniform. If you feel for dressing up yourself and get kinky, SLM could be fun. Mind you, this is a fetish club with strict dress code, so leave those sneakers at home. If afterwards you feel for soaping up and get clean, check Amigo Sauna.
Morning after
Start up the following day by grabbing your coffee at Wayne’s Coffee or try the breakfast buffet at Hotel Petri. If you still need some energy and a protein boost after a night on the town, treat yourself to flødeboller at Summerbird
Shop till you drop
Finest fashion and latest trends you’ll often find in “hidden” basements on side streets to Europe’s longest shopping boulevard Støget. To spot gays from an outdoor terrace visit Cafe Kyss in the parallel street.
Be a tourist
When you don’t feel for walking and want to explore cultural and historic Copenhagen, grab one of the free public city bike and cruise the city. Visit Little Mermaid at Lange Linie, the colourful houses at Nyhavn, amusement park Tivoli, hip and happening Nørrebro or get a joint at squatters ”city” Christiania on your way to see the new Opera House.
Copenhagen beach life...?
During warm summer days take your swim trousers and rollerblades to Amager strand and in case you forgot them you can go skinny dipping at the men’s only section of the outdoor bathhouse at Charlottenlund. Inside the city you can take a dive at Islands Brygge – but don’t forget to bring your travel size BBQ to blend in with the locals.
Danes on the move
As Danes love to reinvent themselves and the world around them, don’t be surprised to find mentioned spots renamed, redecorated or closed down for new venues to be opened. Please tip Nighttours.com when you find out, as we like to be accurate all the time…
