Whether you're planning a sunny day trip or a relaxing weekend by the sea, explore LGBTQ+-friendly spots, events, groups and hidden gems across our wonderful Isle, where diversity is celebrated and everyone is welcome.
Did you Know? In 2024, Margate specifically became known as “England's unassuming LGBTQ+ hub,” with census data showing over 7% of the population, on the Isle of Thanet, identifying as LGBT+, a higher percentage than cities like Manchester and Bristol.
Margate Pride
Margate Pride is a community-led, arts-focused organisation committed to celebrating diversity and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, allies, and beyond. Through year-round events, they aim to combat discrimination and isolation while promoting social cohesion and fostering a sense of belonging. Margate Festival takes place throughout August and offers many activities and ways to get involved. Pride Day is always the second Saturday of August.
Ramsgate Pride
A relatively new grassroots, community-minded organisation, founded in 2024.
Friends of Dorothy
Margate Pride has established their ‘Friends of Dorothy’ accreditation in which local organisations review and agree the MP code of conduct for allied events, venues, and businesses. This enables visitors to recognise LGBTQIA+ or allied-run businesses. These are mostly Margate based, but there are some Thanet-wide organisations/venues who have signed up too. Look out for the ‘Friends of Dorothy’ sticker in the windows.
Dedicated Venues
CAMP is a queer bar and community space on Northdown Road in Margate. We opened in 2022 after running iconic queer club nights in Margate for years prior.
Margate Arts Club is a joyful, DIY, inclusive, intersectional, community organisation. Running since 2015. Home to a number of regular dance and DJ events. In addition to the dancing, there’s socials, gatherings, life drawing, classes, workshops, experimental music nights and a whole host of other community-focused projects.
La! Out & Proud in Margate, Thanet’s new gay owned gay managed safe space for the LGBTQIA community and allies.
Queer Meetups and Groups in Thanet
Bower Street Morris
Hankie waving, cocktail sipping, high leaping team in the People’s Republic of Margate. New members are always welcome!
CAMP’s Book Club
Monthly book club hosted at CAMP that focuses on queer literature.
Cirque De Mar-Gay
Queer (and ally friendly) circus skills beach jams! Share your skills, learn new tricks and meet other weird circus folk!
Crafty Queers
Queer craft club, Ally friendly!
🪡Bring your own craft, Make new friends!
LGBTQ+ Young Adults Group
Second Thursday of every month from 6pm-7.30pm bookmarked going forward. Venue is TBC.
Margate Queer Library and Archive
An inclusive, community-minded space opening 14th June
Margate Queer Writers
Collective of LGBTQI+ writers living in Margate.
Pool 4 Queers
Hang out with fellow queers & play pool. Meetups at Margate Lido Pool hall.
Potluck Margate
Bring a dish and share a picnic, weather permitting.
Queer Fight Club
Self defense classes for trans and queer people. Runs every Thursday from 6pm-7pm.
Queer Knit
Crochet, general crafting and knitting, held at Margate Arts Club.
Queer Run Margate
Weekly walks, runs and socials.Starts at Bugsy's, on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Dogs are welcome.
Queer Sunset Club
Queers (and friends) watching sunsets together. Drinks / snacks potluck style - bring to share.
Queer Swim Margate
Hang out, swim, and socialise. All bodies welcome!
Queer Tennis Ramsgate
Tennis on Wednesdays 7-8pm at Spencer Square Courts. Occasional socials at Penelope’s bar in town.
Tea-Time Socials
Monthly get-together for ‘swishy seniors’ aged 55 and older. Teas, coffees, cakes and performances. Margate Pride initiative.
Trans Club Margate
Community-led group for trans people
Cirque De Mar-Gay
Visitor Information Centre The Droit House Stone Pier Margate Kent CT9 1JD Te: 01843 577577 Email: visitorinformation@thanet.gov.uk www.visitthanetbusiness.co.uk