Use this guide to Virginia businesses owned by LGBTQ+ members of the community to support local boutiques, restaurants, and more! 

*This list is not meant to be comprehensive but to highlight a few of the businesses that help make Virginia a beautiful and inclusive place. 

Love Local: Regionally-Focused LGBTQ+ Owned Business Websites

Out RVA sign
Photo Credit: Joey Wharton, @joey_wharton

If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ restaurants and shops within the Richmond area, there are several fantastic partners that offer constantly-updated lists, including OutRVA, the Richmond LGBTQ Chamber, and Diversity Richmond

Equality NOVA shares a list of the LGBTQ+ and ally events, festivals, and other community activations for the Northern Virginia area. For Pride-centric businesses right across the Potomac from Washington D.C., check out the cities of Alexandria and Arlington

Coastal Virginia offers the Hampton Roads Business Outreach, whose mission is to empower and support LGBT and allied member businesses and provide the community with an inclusive and welcoming environment to live, work, and grow.

Virginia's Shenandoah Valley is home to the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, and just south, you'll find the Roanoke Diversity Center is located in Roanoke

For more information on LGBTQ+ events and businesses, visit the Virginia is for Lovers LGBTQ+ Travel page. 

SWVA - Blue Ridge Highlands

Chef T. at Union 41 - Bristol, VA

  • Union 41, Brislol– Chef T. earned celebrity fame during repeated appearances on Hell's Kitchen. Her new restaurant bring the whole family and farm back to the dinner table through her team's newest vision. 
  • Seven Sisters Brewery, Wytheville– Seven Sisters showcases a variety of live, local and regional music, large screen sporting events. This includes monthly Drag performances and karaoke, all while serving their tasty, high quality craft beer - in a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere, welcome to all.

Central Virginia

Northern Area

  • Farwell Cottage B&B, Hillsboro–Stay in a historic town in a stone house built in 1752.  The three-bedroom home was renovated with an updated kitchen, high-speed internet, and comfy gas fireplaces. Guests receive a local bottle of wine, pastries, and fresh eggs from chickens on the property.
  • Tarara Summer Concert Series by Bow Tie Strategies, Leesburg–Summer concert series at Tarara Winery that is organized by Bow Tie Strategies, a public relations and event management firm located in Leesburg.
  • Wicked Goddess Body Art,Vienna–A bright, airy and welcoming tattoo and piercing shop. Immaculately clean with an earthy, chill vibe, great customer service and talented artists
  • Healthy Humaning Institute, Fredericksburg–Specializes in comprehensive wellness feat. physician-supervised treatments. Leaders in anti-aging and wellness industry, exceptional customer service and guidance to improved well-being.
  • Charming Hill Farm, Brandy Station–Family farm located approximately an hour and a half from Washington, D.C. in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country. Their mission is to share the joy that animals bring, from goats and chickens to bunnies, ducks, peacocks, pigs, horses, and even a donkey. Guests have the chance to cuddle with goats and ride Oscar the miniature pony, who identifies as a magical unicorn and can frequently be seen showing off his rainbow hair and unicorn horn. 

Charming Hill Farms, Brandy Station, VA

Charlottesville Area

  • The Beautiful Idea, Charlottesville–Trans-owned bookstore, queer makers' market, alternative event space and community hub. Features books, artwork, jewelry, apparel, and other goods from more than two dozen local queer vendors, much of which can't be found anywhere else.

  • Coyote Hole Craft Beverages, Mineral–Cidery in Lake Anna featuring local craft beers and wines and full kitchen menu to complement ciders. Coyote Hole Craft Beverages specializes in producing unique, award-winning hard cider. 
  • Montifalco Vineyards, Ruckersville–Located on the Monticello AVA, Montifalco Vineyard is a boutique farm winery that blends Old World traditions with New World terroir. 

  • Wolfbane Productions, Appomattox–Wolfbane Productions has been bringing high-quality immersive theatre to the greater Lynchburg area for over 16 years. Outside of its nationally-recognized, award-winning mainstage productions, Wolfbane also offers premium arts education, women’s period health initiatives, and community outreach programs. 

  • Marie Bette Café & Bakery & Petite MarieBette, Charlottesville–Bakery and restaurant where customers can purchase bread and pastries or sit down and enjoy the breakfast and lunch menus in the on-site dining area. 
  • Umma’s, Charlottesville–Korean and Japanese American restaurant located right off the downtown mall in Charlottesville. Host monthly queer dance parties, as well as fundraisers and pop-up markets that showcase many members of the local LGBTQ+ community.

 

Richmond Area

Babes of Carytown, Richmond VA

  • Babes of Carytown, Richmond–Babes of Carytown is an LGBTQ friendly bar, founded in 1979 as a lesbian bar, and known for its beach volleyball court, live music, and drag shows. It is Richmond's only lesbian-focused bar, and one of few than twenty remaining in the United States. 

  • JewFro, Richmond–Jewish foods meet African flavors at JewFro. A Jewish/African deli by day and a culinary journey through two robust cultures by night, JewFro is meant to educate your palate and encourage cultural exchange and appreciation through food.

  • Godfreys. Richmond–Since it opeing in the Summer of 1997, has been a mainstay of Richmond entertainment and diversity. A club, bar and restaurant serving a mostly LGBTQ+ clientele, also a dance club with posing, special dance night, special events and one of the first, and most popular Drag Brunch's in Richmond.

  • RageRVA & SplatterRVA, Richmond–The perfect place to release pent-up anger or energy, RageRVA and Splatter RVA offers safe, nonjudgmental spaces for people who need to “let it out”.

  • Iridian Gallery, Richmond–Art gallery that features exclusively LGBTQ+ artists and art that matters to our community. They host year-round exhibits, art openings and hosts events benefitting the Queer community

  • Gold Lion Community Cafe, Richmond–Gold Lion Community Cafe and Duke’s Den Cocktail Lounge aim to bring an LGBTQIA+ affirming vegetarian coffee shop and event space to the Blackwell community. 
  • Ruby Scoops, Richmond–Located in Northside Richmond, Va. , our scoop shop opened in November 2020.  Ruby Scoops is a local  creator of premium small batch ice creams, sorbets, sherbets, and desserts, all handcrafted and scratch made by Chef & Owner, Rabia Kamara and the Scoops Squad. Owner and Ice Cream Creator Rabia Kamara is a graduate of L' Academie de Cuisine, is a member of Les Dames des Escoffier and won Food Network's Ben & Jerry's Clash of  the Cones.

  • Thirsty's, Richmond–Originally opened in 2018, owners/husbands Keyan and Cameron created one of the area's authentic, home away from home spots for RVA's queer community. Frequeent karaoke and Drag performances.
  • Chesley Creek Farm Cottages & Cabins, Dyke–Owners Chuck Swinney and Stu White offer secluded, individual cabins with fully appointed, deck & swimming Pool during season. Situated in the Blue Ridge mountains, an area famous for its natural beauty and rich culture, nearby are miles of hiking trails with mountain and valley vistas

  • Bar Code, Richmond–A long-established LGBTQIA+ bar and restaurant providing a friendly atmosphere, a fantastic menu, music and a great crowd.

  • Papi's, Richmond–RVA's frist Miami-style LGBTQIA+ bar and restaurant. Features weekly happy hour wiht delicious food and cocktails. Drag performances and brunch on the weekends. Located near Downtown's hostoric Schockoe Slip.

  • Soul Taco, Richmond–Soul Taco blends traditional Latin American Flavors and Southern food to combine a unique fusion dining experience. 

Marie Bette Café & Baker
OASIS Fine Art & Craft

Shenandoah Valley

  • OASIS Fine Art & Craft, Harrisonburg–A non-profit artist’s co-op with a mission to make art accessible for all, OASIS is passionate about creativity, community, & inclusion. With approximately three dozen members, the co-op is home to individuals who identify within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as many allies. 
  • Piney Hill Bed & Breakfast and Cottages, Luray–Piney Hill Bed & Breakfast and Cottages is located in the charming town of Luray in the Shenandoah Valley. 
  • Redwood + Co., Staunton–Makers of quality fine fragrances for the home and body. Products are meticulously hand-crafted in small batches, blending pure, sustainable, and nature-based ingredients. Also offer DIY candle classes, so you can take a piece of Staunton with you. Follow the shop on Instagram to see dates for the monthly Queen City Disco parties.
  • Hideaway Cafe, Winchester–Repeatedly named Winchester's best coffeehouse in the beautiful Old Town pedestrian walking mall. Focused on sustaining a welcoming and safe business and visitor experiences central to community’s cultural identity, and a place that plays a crucial role as a safe space for anyone and everyone.

Virginia Mountains

Crafteria
  • The PARK, Roanoke–Since 1978, has provided the area with the best night life and entertainment in the Star City. From world renowned Drag Queens to some of the hottest DJs on the east coast – there is always something to experience within the walls of The Park Dance Club. The Queer hub for region's LGBTQAI+ community.
  • Crafteria, Roanoke–Mid-century cafeteria building that houses a maker’s market specializing in Appalachian crafts and carrying small-batch food and handmade goods from 250+ craftspeople plus a record shop, coffee shop, food windows, and more. 
  • Buffalo Mountain Ziplines, Floyd–Provide zipline canopy tours with the longest and highest single line in Virginia as part of their eight-line course. 
  • Southwest Virginia LGBTQ+ History Project, Roanoke–Offers three LGBTQ history walking tours in the region.
  • Blue Ridge Pride Sports, Roanoke–Created by Roanoke Diversity Center, this regional group gathers Queer and Ally sports lovers for year-round Blue to connect people in the community to sports who are long time sports lovers or trying new experiences. Including running, kickball, cycling, softball, hiking, community awards and events.

Coastal Virginia

MJ’s Tavern
  • MJ’s Tavern, Norfolk–MJ’s has been a cornerstone of Norfolk’s LGBTQ+ community since its opening in 2012 – a crucial space for Queer people to connect and cultivate community. MJ’s Tavern offers special happy hours, diverse nighttime entertainment, a covered patio, American comfort food, and karaoke. 
  • The WAVE, Norfolk–Longstanding, popular LGBTQ+ dance club in the "757" for almost 25 years. Frequent, exciting and diverse Drag performances and shows.
  • Rainbow Cactus, Virginia Beach–Established in 1996, is now relocated and newly reopened, expanding their entertainment and community support work, featuring electrifying music, dazzling lights and unforgettable moments; a newly revamped food menu and shows four nights a week with the finest in female impersonation and LGBT entertainment.
  • 37the & Zen, Norfolk–Local favorite supporting the queer community, delicious food, Live Music and Entertainment
  • Norfolk Candle, Norfolk–Support local LGBTQ non-profits by purchasing these soy candles, created with intention & positivity at Norfolk Candle.  

Eastern Shore

  • Drizzles, Cape Charles–Gourmet shop that specializes in olive oils and balsamic vinegar. Also carries quality products like sea salt, peppercorns, locally roasted single-origin coffee beans, stuffed olives, dipping oils, gift baskets, and local art. 
  • Local-ISH Art, Cape Charles–Cooperative gallery that reunites artists from the Eastern Shore with the commercial district of Cape Charles. 

These are just a fraction of the LGBTQ+ owned restaurants around the Commonwealth; share yours with us in the comments below so that we can add them to the list!