Brighton

The heart of the scene is Kemptown, the area around St James's Street, just a few steps from the sea. It's considered the densest queer neighborhood in England outside London. Bars, pubs and cafés sit close together, with independent shops and everyday stores in between. If you're looking for queer Brighton, you'll end up in these streets almost automatically.

There's no shortage of places to go. Historic pubs like the Bulldog sit alongside bars such as Legends, the Queens Arms, Affinity and the Charles Street Tap, whose upper floor turns into the club Envy in the evening. The main dance venue is Revenge on Old Steine, which holds up to 700 people and is open seven nights a week. From a quiet pint to dancing all night, the neighborhood covers every mood.

Brighton's beach is a pebble beach that stretches for several miles along the promenade. A popular spot for the queer community is the eastern stretch toward the Marina, which also has a naturist area. On warm days the shoreline between the two piers fills up, and the water stays on the fresh side even in high summer. The eight-mile seafront promenade is great for a walk, and it costs nothing.

Brighton is at its best between May and September, when the weather is mild and life moves outdoors. The highlight of the year is Brighton Pride in early August, one of the biggest Prides in the UK. With the FABULOSO festival and the community parade it draws up to 450,000 people, so accommodation books up early around that time. For a quieter visit, come in late spring or September.

Brighton is about an hour south of London, with trains several times an hour. The nearest airport is London Gatwick, about seven hours from New York, and from there the train reaches the coast in around half an hour. The town is compact and easy to explore on foot, and Kemptown is a manageable walk from the station.

When it comes to the rights of queer people, the United Kingdom is one of the most progressive countries in Europe. Same-sex marriage has been possible in England since 2014, and protection against discrimination is written into law. Brighton itself is known as an exceptionally open and tolerant city, where holding hands and visible queer life are part of everyday life. For UK citizens this is a domestic trip; US citizens need no visa for visits of up to six months but must get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before they travel, so check the current entry requirements first.