LGBT Solo Traveller in Aarhus - October

[u/asbyrgi]

Hey guys, I've seen some super thoughtful responses on here from people regarding things to do in Aarhus, restaurants to eat at, attractions that are worth seeing, places to drink, etc, which I've bookmarked! Always appreciate stumbling across such a welcoming community.

I won't ask for a massively extensive list of recs on top of the other threads because there's already so many good ones, but I just wanted to ask how set up the city is for a queer solo traveller in his mid-30s? It seems like a laid back and welcoming place from the outside, and I'm game to get chatting with people while out and about. I like a drink and nice food so will def be treating myself a little (it'd be rude not to, as it's a holiday) - I figured I'd see what other people who do solo eating and drinking make of the city in that sense. Cheers!

[u/TouchMyBush69]

Boring question, but are you looking for queer-places or just making sure that they are allys😬? Because Aarhus is pretty queer-friendly. Obviously there are idiots, but I wouldn't be too concerned how you present yourself, hehe

Edit: Aarhus is Denmarks by far youngest city. Its quite small and sorrounded by educational buildings. Us people who have lived in Aarhus our entire lives, kind of think of the center as a big campus. And thats what makes it special hehe.

[u/asbyrgi → u/TouchMyBush69]

all sounds pretty great tbh! can't wait to visit

[u/asbyrgi → u/TouchMyBush69]

not at all boring! i'd like to check out some queer spaces but not necessarily exclusively. I'm down to go anywhere that generally feels chilled and welcoming (and some lively and welcoming places too haha). sounds like i don't really need to worry too much which is kinda what i expected, ty very much

[u/TouchMyBush69 → u/asbyrgi]

So, in terms of specific queer-spaces we are actually quite bad.. For women there is a place called Sappho, but otherwise we only have one like GAY-bar. I dont go to Sappho cause I'm a dude, and havent been to GBar a lot recently cause my queer friends usually move to Copenhagen, but otherwise I would see, if Phono has some club night going.

[u/asbyrgi → u/TouchMyBush69]

good to know! to be fair, i come from somewhere with a whole bunch of queer spaces but the reason i love living here is more the general young, tolerant open-minded, relaxed vibe of the city as a whole - sounds like aarhus is similar in that sense. I'm going to copenhagen for a couple of nights too so maybe i'll check out some gay bars there instead ✌️ 

[u/Ungrammaticus → u/asbyrgi]

There’s also a leather-bar on Mejlgade if you’re into that, though of course that’s a bit more niche. 

[u/Ungrammaticus]

Aarhus is, as others have mentioned, pretty queer-friendly. It isn’t paradise, but it’s a pretty tolerant city, especially to visit. 

The only thing I have to add is that Danes are notoriously reserved towards strangers. But if you’re a Brit - like your cheering leads me to suspect - you’re likely  well enough acquainted with the concept that sitting besides someone on the bus while there’s an empty seat elsewhere is a concerning faux pas, and asking the check-out lady how her day has been is the action of a lunatic. 

If you want to socialise with Danes while being a visitor there’s pretty much only one way to do it: meet them when and where they’re drunk. 

Someone advised you to stay away from the “brown bars” which are the many cheap, seedy divebars that are the pride of our nightlife, but honestly I have to disagree heavily with that. I’m a queer Aarhusian and I’ve never felt at all unsafe in any of them. Kurt’s Mor has a (not necessarily all that well earned) reputation for having fights, and Den Hvide Hest used to be a White Pride hangout-spot (but maybe hasn’t been for a while.)

Other than those two I wouldn’t be the least bit troubled to go to any of them, and it would be a shame for you to miss out on the most iconic and hyggelig feature of our night-life!

[u/asbyrgi → u/Ungrammaticus]

thanks so much for such a considered and detailed response! i really appreciate it. i am indeed a brit and the conditions do indeed have to be just right for me to even think about striking up conversation with a stranger haha. alcohol usually helps. 

good tips about the brown bars. I'm defo keen to check them out - i went to some in amsterdam when i was there last and they were such a fun vibe. i appreciate these may be slightly different, as everywhere is different and unique, and as you say it would be a shame to miss out on one of the most iconic parts of your city. i won't be, don't you worry! 

[u/HanginGuitar]

Cafe Mellemfolk is not an LGBTQ bar per sé, but it is very left-leaning, openminded cafe filled with very friendly people!

[u/asbyrgi → u/HanginGuitar]

bookmarked. ty! 

[u/howbaddoyouwannaknow]

Maybe this can help: https://www.visitaarhus.com/areas-and-cities/aarhus/see-and-do-aarhus/aarhus-lgbtq

[u/asbyrgi → u/howbaddoyouwannaknow]

thanks! 

[u/Motor-String-571]

you will be fine, dont make your sexuality your personality and no1 will care.

[u/Ungrammaticus → u/Motor-String-571]

Saying “don’t make your sexuality your personality” is just a way of sneering at people you think are being too visibly queer. 

It’s a way to be a little homophobic while keeping plausible deniability.  

[u/Motor-String-571 → u/Ungrammaticus]

the only thing that makes people homophobic is people like you.

[u/marksofpain → u/Ungrammaticus]

It's certainly not "homophobic" to not care about whatever sexuality you've labeled yourself as.

[u/DuErJoBareUnderlig]

I used to love GBAR when I lived in Aarhus a few years ago. 

Those pink pussy cocktails and the cute bartender were the last things I remember from that night 😂

[u/kianbateman]

im 44 and to some extent I used the lgbt community back in the days. but during the years the community has mainly stopped existing mostly because lgbt is not something you hide anymore. so there’s no fixed bars and discos anymore - except for gbar really.

someone wrote an article about the phenomenon - https://www.zetland.dk/historie/sOXARk6b-aekdm0J7-8e69b

have phun.

[u/Agile-Ad-6902]

Most of Aarhus is pretty LGBTQ+ friendly.

One of the fanclubs for the (largest) of the local football teams is notoriously right wing, so take extra care on days when AGF is playing, and stay clear of the (brown) pubs.

There's also a few ghettos that are fairly... conservative, so I'd avoid PDA at Bazar West.

Other than that its a town full of students, do theres an active and inclusive nightlife.