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The best LGBTQ party destinations in the UK and Europe have been ranked

The Bottle Club’s ranking of party destinations names Prague and Brighton the places to be this Pride month

By Emily Maskell

Words: Emily Maskell

Thanks to a ranking of the top LGBTQ+ party destinations across the UK and Europe by The Bottle Club, you can now make a fully formed decision on where to sip cocktails with rainbow flag decorations this summer.

Ranked on a total score out of 70 that is broken down into 7 categories scored out of 10 (10 being the highest mark) – including rankings for the LGBTQ+ bar scene, drink prices, how Instagrammable the location is and how safe the area is for queer people – you can now see the most inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly destinations ahead of Pride month.

Pulling data from the likes of Hotels.com, Instagram, and Yelp, The Bottle Club names Prague in the Czech Republic as “the hottest and gayest place to let your hair down.”

With its 52 LGBTQ+ bars and opinion polls showing increasing levels of support for same-sex marriage, Prague’s gay neighbourhood Vinohrady offers LGBTQ+ tourists a fun (but safe, with a reassuring hate crime rating) time. 

Spain takes the second and third spot on the overall ranking with Madrid and Gran Canaria both scoring over 50 out of 70. After several significant changes over the last decades, Spain is home to some of the most advanced LGBTQ+ rights in the world.

As for its social climate, Madrid is in the top three for its LGBTQ+ bars rating while the picturesque, white-sand island of Gran Canaria boasts gay-exclusive accommodation as well as being ranked the safest in Europe in regards to hate crime.

If you’re looking to hop on a plane for a weekend away in Europe to celebrate Pride, The Bottle Club recommends Mykonos Gay Pride which promises a queer party like no other, where local hotels and drinks prices scored high.

As for the UK, it’s no surprise Brighton takes the top spot for the best queer party destination. Pride in the UK’s LGBTQ+ capital is always a show-stopping extravaganza, while eccentric clubs and a thriving nightlife keep the queer party going all year round. 

This year’s Brighton Pride will see Christina Aguilera headline the festival over the weekend of 5-7 August for the 30th anniversary of the celebration and protest.

The best UK LGBTQ+ bar, however, is in none of the cities above. The Bottle Club name Cardiff’s Marys as the top place to grab a drink during pride month with a strong 31.3 out of 40 for the destination’s accessibility, Instagramability and google rating among the highest. 

The real takeaway from The Bottle Club’s research is that you don’t have to go far to experience the glory of Pride, there are treasured LGBTQ+ destinations right on your doorstep.