Mainz - Guide for Gays, Lesbians and Queers

Mainz is the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and a university city on the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main. Its queer scene is small and shaped largely by community groups. For more choice, Wiesbaden and Frankfurt are only a short trip away. Mainz itself has a handful of long-standing addresses that belong firmly to the city.

The most important meeting point is Bar jeder Sicht at Hintere Bleiche 29 in the city centre. It is a café and bar and at the same time the culture and community centre for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, inter* and queer people in Mainz. It is run by the association Sichtbar Mainz, and much of its programme is planned by volunteers. Besides the bar there are readings, film nights and group meetings, as well as services for queer young people and testing events. Anyone new in town will find it the easiest place to connect.

A very different address is Chapeau at Kleine Langgasse 4. The small pub is known as the oldest gay bar in the region. Space is tight, but there are regulars and conversation at the bar.

The biggest queer date of the year is Christopher Street Day. The association Schwuguntia organises it together with a culture week called Sommerschwüle. The march sets off from Fischtor and runs through the city centre, followed by a street festival on the Malakoff-Terrassen by the Rhine.

The scene in Mainz is small and personal. People meet in the centre, everything is within walking distance, and many know each other through the local groups.