Montevideo - Guide for Gays, Lesbians and Queers

Montevideo's queer venues are concentrated in the centre. The established bars and clubs are in Centro, Cordón and Ciudad Vieja, and many mixed places welcome queer guests as a matter of course. There is no gay district as such.

The largest place to go out is Caín on Calle Cerro Largo. The club has two dance floors, a bar and a darkroom, and draws gay men and lesbians alike. Small Club on Calle Brandzen in Cordón is a bar with drag shows, mostly frequented by gay men. In the old town, Chains on Calle Soriano offers live music and shows, again with a mainly male crowd.

The organisations that make up the Coordinadora de la Marcha por la Diversidad also matter a great deal to the community. They include queer collectives, feminist groups and trade unions. Besides organising the big march in September, they hold meetings, discussions and cultural evenings throughout the year. Newcomers and longer-term visitors can easily connect through these groups.

Travellers should check the clubs' social media channels before heading out, since programmes and opening days change. Many contacts are also made through dating apps, which are widely used in Montevideo. Anyone who wants to see queer life beyond the nightlife should not miss the march in September, which brings the whole community onto the streets of the city centre.