The best gay-friendly Dolly themed bars in honor of her 80th birthday
The only thing better than a queer-friendly bar is one that's themed Dolly Parton.
Mark
This week, Dolly Parton, the queen of country herself, celebrated her 80th birthday!
The milestone year came with some big presents: The governor of Tennessee declared Monday as Dolly Parton Day, and the storied songwriter gifted us with a new collaboration featuring Lainey Wilson, Queen Latifah, Reba, and Miley Cyrus.
Of course, age ain’t nothing but a number for the singer who once said, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” She’s staying booked and busy, and her upcoming Las Vegas residency was voted this year’s Best of GayCities’ Travel-worthy Performance.
Parton’s legacy has touched places all across the globe, from the Dollywood Resort to the Grand Ole Opry.
But recently, her star power, larger-than-life personality, and open LGBTQ+ allyship have stretched further, inspiring a new trend of Dolly-inspired bars filled with tributes, themed drinks, and lots of glitter.
Here are three queer-friendly, country-queen-honoring spots where you can get your Dolly on…
1. Jolene’s Honky Tonk
(@jolenescle)When Dolly told Miss Jolene to sashay away (and please don’t take my man), the red-haired beauty must have sauntered over to Cleveland, Ohio, and opened this little slice of life on 4th Street.
Jolene’s Honky Tonk is the brainchild of women- and LGBTQ-owned hospitality group Hangry Brands, and proudly marries “country spirit and city soul” with late-night chicken tenders, live music, a rooftop, and a massive “Saint Dolly” portrait.
All ages are welcome until 8 PM when this Parton-honoring spot transforms into 21-and-up only.
2. Dolly’s Swing & Dive
This local favorite in Brooklyn, New York, recently moved to a new home on Wythe Avenue. If you had any doubts about their love for Dolly — even though it’s literally in the name — just check out their bathroom, which is plastered in wall-to-wall vintage Parton vinyls.
Expect good deals on impressively crafted cocktails and a homey, but patently adult, watering-hole vibe. As co-owner Raffaello Vancouten told Time Out New York, “[We] took all the things we love most about a dive bar, like the boisterous attitude and cheap drinks, and made it just a little more grown up.”
3. White Limozeen
White Limozeen rests atop the Graduate Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, the home of country music and a hallowed stop in the tour of Dolly Parton’s history. So, naturally, this indoor and outdoor rooftop bar has a LOT of sparkles, tassels, and pink.
With regular appearances from DJs and drag queens, dining options, craft cocktails, photo ops, and the campiest decor known to man, there’s no better spot in the south to channel your inner Dolly or wear your coat of many colors.
Related
Dolly Parton-inspired rooftop bar opens at Nashville hotel
Pretty in pink, indeed!
