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Get to Know the Gayborhood

Posted on May 25, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025

The Gayborhood, in the heart of Washington Square West, is Philly’s iconic LGBTQ community hotspot. It's filled with shopping, dining, and plenty of nightlife.

Check out this map of the Gayborhood spots listed below. (Google Maps)

Check out this map of the Gayborhood spots listed below. (Google Maps)

Giovanni’s Room is a Gayborhood staple. It’s the oldest LGBTQ bookstore in the U.S, and it carries more than just books. You can also find records, CDs, DVDs, vintage clothing, and accessories.

In 2004, lesbian entrepreneurs Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran opened the Mexican restaurant Lolita on South 13th Street. They now own nine restaurants and boutiques in the area, including Barbuzzo.

Barbuzzo is known for its budino, a decadent pudding cup with salted caramel and chocolate. But before treating your palette to sweets, customers can choose from wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta dishes, colorful vegetables, and tons of seafood.

Rainbow butterfly wings adorn the outside of Cockatoo Philadelphia. (Brittany Valentine/City Cast Philly)

Rainbow butterfly wings adorn the outside of Cockatoo Philadelphia. (Brittany Valentine/City Cast Philly)

If you’re celebrating Pride Month in June, Cockatoo Philadelphia is a great spot. This bar and restaurant has cocktails, wine, beer, tapas, empanadas, and plenty of vegan options too. It’s a vibrant and safe space for the LGBTQ community and allies alike.

Mark your calendars for Philly Pride 365, which takes place on Sunday, June 4. The march begins at Independence Mall and ends with a festival in the Gayborhood at 12th and Locust 🏳️‍🌈

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