The sister city to Dallas, Fort Worth has charms of its own, a town that hangs onto its century-old nickname of “Cowtown.” In the 1870s when the railroad came to town, the Fort Worth Stockyards flourished and the streets of Hell's Half Acre were full of cowboys spending their money in the many bars, dance halls and bawdy houses. Until 1917, when the federal government declared martial law here, the area retained a rowdy reputation. Even today, if you’re looking for men whose boots and ten-gallon hats are part of their daily attire, you’ve come to the right place.

The oil boom of early twentieth century West Texas brought a lot of money to the region, and in recent years Fort Worth has promoted itself as the "City of Cowboys and Culture," The Kimbell Art Museum, stands out as one of the foremost examples of modern architecture in Texas, housing one of the state's best collections of European old masters, Asian, Pre-Columbian, and Aftrican/Pacific Island art works. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth collects post-World War II art in all media. The Amon Carter Museum boasts one of the most extensive collections of American art in the world, specializing in art of the American West, in a building designed by Philip Johnson.

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents seasonal concerts at Bass Performance Hall, also the Fort Worth home of the Texas Ballet Theater company. The orchestra's Concerts In The Garden summer music festival takes place each year, June through July, at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held every four years (next in 2017), and performances of the Fort Worth Opera each spring, are additional cultural highlights.

The gay community here is surprisingly lively. Q Cinema hosts one of the region’s biggest gay film festivals in June, and the Texas Gay Rodeo Association stages events throughout the year, including an annual Texas Tradition Rodeo in Februrary/March. In October, when the weather’s cooler, things heat up for Tarrant County Gay Pride Week.

 

Getting here

Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport sits between the two metropolises. It’s 24 miles from downtown Fort Worth. Several bus companies will shuttle you to the city.

 

Getting around

This city sprawls in every direction, so the car is the easiest way to get around. Public transit buses and commuter rail lines are operated by the "T" - the Forth Worth Transportation Authority.

 

Neighborhoods

Most of the gay establishments are located in the historic downtown area.

 

Media & Resources

The Tarrant County Lesbian & Gay Alliance has updated information on what's going on around town.

Cowtown Leathermen is the local sponsor of the annual run at the Texas Conference of Clubs Landsite among their other events throughout the year. Visitors are welcome at their monthly meetings, the second Monday of each month, 7pm at Club Changes, Fort Worth.

The Trinity River Bears organize year-round social get-togethers with brunches, cook-outs, camping weekends, pub crawls, and more.

See our gay Fort Worth listings tab for map locations and website links for clubs below, plus hotels, restaurants, performance venues and museums/galleries.

 

Bars

1851 Club Arlington (931 W Division St, Arlington), small neighborhood bar, karaoke, Friday/Saturday drag shows, live bands, internet jukebox, pool table, games, WiFi access.

Best Friends (2620 E Lancaster), laid-back cocktail and dance club with patio, a short drive from the gay-friendly Hotel Trinity (2000 Beach St; 800-989-3556).

Club Changes (2637 E Lancaster), "Cheers" -style neighborhood gay bar, casual mix,  DJs, Divine Miss Divas Shows.

Club Reflection (604 S Jennings), gay & lesbian Country & Western dance club, home bar of Cowtown Leathermen.

Rainbow Lounge (651 S Jennings) hot dance club mix, men/women, gay/straight, friendly lounge, karaoke, boy and girl stripper/dancers, foam parties, 18+ Wednesday amateur strip.

In Denton, north of Fort Worth/ Dallas, Mable Peabody Beauty Parlor and Chainsaw Repair (1125 University Dr, Denton), features live bands, burlesque and drag shows - everyone welcome.