In this guide · 9 sections
The honest summary: Reno has four gay bars and one LGBTQ-owned lounge with regular drag. They are spread out from downtown to Kietzke Lane, so there is no strip to walk. Each one has a different crowd, which makes up for it.
The bars
5 Star Saloon, downtown
5 Star Saloon at 132 West St is Nevada's longest-running gay bar, dating from the early 1970s, according to Travel Gay and Visit Reno Tahoe. It has a small dance floor, a stage for drag and karaoke, cheap drinks and a local crowd, and it is open about 7pm to 3am every night. Google reviews are mixed (3.4). People go for the owners and the dancing, not the decor.
Carl's - The Saloon, South Virginia
Carl's - The Saloon at 3310 S Virginia St, near the Peppermill, is the low-key bar. Travel Gay describes its crowd as leather-leaning. Pool is free on Tuesdays and Friday is Underwear Night, and there are pool tables and a backyard patio. It opens at noon and closes at 2am, or 4am on Friday and Saturday.
OTC Bar & Lounge, Kietzke Lane
OTC Bar & Lounge ("Out of the Closet") at 340 Kietzke Ln opened around Halloween 2025 in the building that was once Tronix, Splash and Coyote Saloon. It has DJs, go-go dancers, drag and karaoke, with happy hour from 2pm to 7pm. Opening days have changed since it launched, so check Instagram (@otcbarreno) before you go.
The Selden, Midtown
The Selden at 960 S Virginia St had its grand opening on 6 June 2026. It is a cabaret and dance bar with DJs, drag, burlesque and drag brunch, and it is open until 2am. The weekly line-up is on theseldenreno.com.
The Emerson, Midtown (friendly, drag)
The Emerson Cocktail Lounge at 955 S Virginia St, across the street from The Selden, has the same LGBTQ owner. It is a mixed cocktail lounge, but it runs Drag Brunch on some Sundays at 1pm and charity Drag Bingo on the second Thursday of each month.
When to go
Friday and Saturday are the busy nights everywhere. For a quieter afternoon drink, try Carl's. For drag, check the Selden, OTC and 5 Star Saloon listings for the week. Pride weekend in September is the busiest time of year.
Closed or changed
Faces NV closed in November 2022. Splash (2018) and Coyote Saloon (closed 2025) were at the Kietzke Lane building OTC now uses. Our Bar and 4th Street Bar are mainstream bars, not gay bars. Reno has no lesbian bar at present.
Practical
The drinking age is 21 and bars check ID. Nevada has no statewide closing time, so some bars run to 3am or 4am. Only the two Midtown bars are within walking distance of each other. Take a rideshare between the rest, and from downtown late at night.
Last verified: October 2026.