While Las Vegas has long been a gay-friendly city, and has become even more so since the election of liberal-minded mayor Oscar Goodman in 1999, its tourist industry makes little provision for gays and lesbians.

There are no specifically gay hotels, and none of the casinos makes any especial efforts toward attracting gay visitors.

As far as specifically gay nightlife is concerned, it's largely a question of joining in with the local scene. There's a scattering of gay bars and clubs throughout the city, but the main concentrations are in what's known as the " Fruit Loop ", around the intersection of Paradise Road and Naples Drive, a mile east of the Strip and just south of the Hard Rock Casino, and in the Commercial Center on Sahara Avenue, not far east of the Strip.

None of the bars are exclusively devoted to women. In addition, of course, most gay and lesbian travelers are likely to find something to suit their tastes amid the bustle, glamour, and kitsch of the Strip, and there's certainly plenty to enjoy in the shows and spectaculars reviewed in the Entertainment section.

Information

For up-to-date information on events and happenings in Las Vegas's gay community, be sure to get hold of the two free newspapers , the weekly Las Vegas Bugle  and the monthly Out Las Vegas. Both are available at the gay and lesbian bookstore Get Booked, 4640 Paradise Rd (daily 10am-midnight; phone 737-7780), one block north of Tropicana Avenue, and also at the lively Mariposa Café , across the street at 4643 Paradise Rd (daily 24hr; phone 650-9009).
The Gay and Lesbian Center of Las Vegas , 912 E Sahara Ave (Mon-Fri 10am-7.30pm; phone 733-9800), is a drop-in center that provides information on community resources, social clubs, and health-related issues.


Although Nevada state law does not recognize gay or lesbian weddings , many of Las Vegas's wedding chapels, both independent and in the major casinos, offer commitment ceremonies. Few publicize such services, but by way of example the chapels at Paris, Bellagio, and Mandalay Bay are all known to have hosted them, while the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, 1205 Las Vegas Blvd S (phone 384-0771 or 1-800/574-4450), is sympathetic and gay-owned.