LGBTQ-Friendly Neighborhoods In Tampa

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If you’re looking for a welcoming, cozy gayborhood to relocate to, look no further than beautiful Tampa in sunny Florida. This city is known for its gorgeous beaches, sugar-white sand, fabulous nightlife, and Southern hospitality.

What are the most LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods in Tampa? What are the residential options like, and what are each area’s main attractions? This guide will tell you more about these amazing neighborhoods and why you should move there.

Why Is Tampa An LGBTQ-Friendly City To Live In?

The city of Tampa enjoys the reputation of being one of the most gay-friendly places in Florida. This is in large part to the efforts of the LGBTQ community and Jane Castor, the city’s first-ever openly gay mayor.

Gay marriage has been legal here since 2015. The city also hosts Tampa Pride, a week-long celebration that draws thousands of visitors every year. There are also many gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses and clubs in this city, and over 6% of Tampa’s population is LGBTQ. Residents can look forward to living in a warm city where they can feel free to be themselves and receive support from the thriving LGBTQ community.

Check Out These LGBTQ-Friendly Tampa Neighborhoods

Thinking of moving to Tampa? These LGBTQ-friendly areas are known for being welcoming, vibrant places to live in. Here’s a quick guide to some of the best gay-friendly Tampa neighborhoods and what it’s like to stay there.

The GaYbor District/Ybor City

Ybor City is home to some of Florida’s most famous historical and cultural attractions, including the Florida Baseball Museum and Jose Marti Park. This neighborhood began as a haven for Latin immigrants, but it gradually became home to many gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses, earning it the affectionate nickname “GaYbor District”.

There are plenty of apartment complexes here, housing mostly students and young professionals. Affordable renovated shotgun-style houses can also be found on some of Ybor City’s quieter blocks. Living closer to Seventh Avenue brings a little more noise and traffic, but the nightlife here is lively and gay-friendly. Residents can walk over to Bradley’s on 7th to dance the blues away with go-go boys, or dress up and catch a hilarious drag show at Southern Nights Tampa.

Ybor City also prides itself on patronizing traditional establishments and preserving its history. Rock Brothers Brewing is known for producing craft brew, while J.C. Newman Cigar Co. operates to this day as America’s oldest family-owned cigar maker. Guided tours of the area are common in the daytime, where locals help tourists learn more about the district’s rich heritage and what it was like to grow up there.

The Heights

The Heights are made up of three smaller, gay-friendly neighborhoods: Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights, and Riverside Heights. These areas have a very vibrant and bohemian vibe, primarily because of the local effort to restore old buildings and support homegrown businesses.

Over the last few years, the Heights has seen more businesses open up and breathe new life into these neighborhoods. Despite the boom, the Heights have still retained much of the small-town, authentic charm that has enticed so many to move here. Historic, craftsman-style bungalows dominate the local architecture, and many of the homes here are priced below the median for Tampa real estate.

The happening vibe and affordable prices have attracted some of the best chefs in Tampa Bay, so there are many hip breweries and cafes here. Living in the Heights will give you access to many amazing artistic and cultural experiences too. Residents can enjoy a performance at nearby Armature Works, a restored mixed-use space. The inventive restaurant Rooster & The Till is also popular with Heights homeowners because of its fresh take on New American small plates.

There’s no shortage of cozy bars here where you can catch up with old friends and make new ones. Mandarin Heights in Seminole Heights is a favorite amongst jazz lovers, while Independent Bar And Cafe is popular for sharing comfort food over a cold one.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is known for its colorful bungalows and Colonial Revival homes close to Tampa Bay’s Bayshore Boulevard. While real estate prices are higher here, it’s well worth it for those looking for a pet-friendly, walkable neighborhood with many open parks.

Living around Hyde Park offers easy access to the open-air mall Hyde Park Village, where you can catch an upcoming concert, window-shop, or try organic food. We highly recommend going during the first Sunday of the month to browse the Farmer’s Market.

The historic Tampa Theater is just one of the many historic buildings located in Hyde Park. Built in the 1920’s, it’s one of the oldest theaters in the US. After restoration, it was turned into a cultural center for local events like stand-up performances and movie screenings.

Downtown Tampa

Downtown Tampa is the bustling, open-minded cultural center of Tampa City. There’s an eclectic mix of architectural styles in this urban center, with many contemporary, Mediterranean, and ranch-style homes in various sizes. There are also plenty of upscale high-rise condos here, which are perfect for couples and those living solo.

This neighborhood is close to many LGBTQ entertainment options and historical and artistic attractions. Work and play live side by side here too, as many firms and organizations have offices in its business district. The job opportunities, good weather, and diverse population all make Downtown Tampa an attractive place to live in.

Residents can easily walk to the sprawling Sparkman Wharf, a great park to dine, shop, and catch live entertainment. The Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is another spacious place to relax, where you can stroll with your pets or catch one of the monthly free concerts.

Live In These Amazing LGBTQ-Friendly Neighborhoods In Tampa

If you’re looking for a new place to nest in, these lovely Tampa neighborhoods are all welcoming choices where you’ll feel right at home. Check out these locations we’ve mentioned and their main highlights. With Tampa’s reputation for being an inclusive area, you’re bound to find a great district to move to.

**Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).

Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.

Rachel Covello

Rachel Covello is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. She was the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization. She is currently the Publisher of OutCoast.com and Producer of the OutCoast TV YouTube Channel, both of which highlight LGBTQ welcoming destinations in Florida.

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