You don’t have to wait for Pride Month in June or even for Central Oregon Winter PrideFest to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Bend.

Embrace year-round pride by supporting queer-owned businesses and gay-friendly events in Bend. 

Get ready for Winter PrideFest

Since 2018, OUT Central Oregon (our amazing local advocacy group) has hosted Winter PrideFest to celebrate inclusivity and shared fondness for the outdoors. The event draws nearly 1,500 participants from all over the region for a weekend of fun winter activities and inspiring events.

The 2025 PrideFest takes place March 6-9 and boasts a huge array of happenings. There’s a welcoming “Snocial” at Volcanic Theatre Pub, a queer comedy night, tons of group ski rides at Mt. Bachelor, a PrideFest dance party, a nighttime snowshoe event with Wanderlust Tours, and a family-friendly ice skating party where participants skate wearing wigs (fun!) And don’t miss Drag Bingo, plus tons of other cool activities throughout the fun-packed long weekend.

Many events sell out, so make sure to snag tickets in advance. Bend hotels can also book up quickly, so start with Waypoint Hotel and Campfire Hotel (official event sponsors) for reservations. 

Check out Queer Climb Night

At Circuit Bouldering Gym, they’re celebrating Pride on the regular with their monthly Queer Climb Night. This fun-filled evening takes place the first Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. Participants can snag 50% off day passes, plus free shoe rentals. 

Don’t fret if you’ve never tried climbing before. The Circuit makes a great place to learn, as my kids can attest. 

Mark your calendar for the first Tuesday of every month, and get ready for an evening of climbing and connecting.

Grab a live souvenir at Somewhere That’s Green

One of the coolest concepts for a business—a combination plant shop and theatrical event space—lives right on the outskirts of Downtown Bend. Somewhere That’s Green is a magical oasis filled with lush greenery and some of the cutest pots and plant accessories you’ll find anywhere. Even if you’re not in the market for a plant, a ten minute stroll through this shop will bring your blood pressure down faster than you can say “ahhhh…”

One of my most treasured Mother’s Day gifts is a boob-shaped clay planter my kid bought here a few years back. I loved it so much I promptly returned and bought a phallic version that sits on my bookshelf and gets pivoted different directions, depending on whether I want to see butt or…well, not butt. I’ll leave that to your imagination.

What I love best about this beautiful queer-owned space is how friendly and knowledgeable the staff is. They have answers for any question you might have about their plants, and they’ll pot them for free when you purchase here. They also offer a fun variety of workshops and classes.

And don’t forget to check out the attached Greenhouse Cabaret, a tiny blackbox theater that hosts a unique array of performances. Tickets go fast and seats are scarce, so scope out their schedule and snag a spot at an upcoming show.

Buy breakfast or lunch at Bo’s

While Bo’s was once known mostly as a falafel bar, their menu boasts soooooo much more than that now, and OMG, guys—it’s all delicious!

They also host quirky events like Socially Awkward Bingo (fun!) and cater to lots of different dietary needs. Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to pick from at Bo’s, but meat eaters will swoon for their housemade sweet and smoky chicken.

At lunch I’m a fan of their bowls, which include your choice of protein (falafel or chicken?) plus tons of great toppings like sweet corn, pomegranate slaw, pickled cabbage, feta, and heaps of other tasty selections. That’s topped with your choice of scrumptious sauces (the pink tahini is to die for!) and served over a bed of dill rice, shredded greens, or both.

They also do breakfast until closing time. From bagel sandwiches to swoon-worthy hashbrowns topped with goodies like spiced apple compote or tasty Israeli salad, you’ll fill your belly and feel good about supporting a queer-owned business. 

Score a great new ‘do at Clover Cuts Barbershop

You know the old cliché about barbershops being a gathering place where folks show up to see friends as much as they do for a haircut?

That’s the vibe they’ve created at Clover Cuts Barbershop. This super-cool space on Greenwood strives to be an inclusive meeting place where individuals can connect, share stories, and build relationships. They also offer everything from buzz cuts to beard trims to skin fades with a complimentary hot towel neck shave.

And don’t worry, my fellow long-haired peeps—they’ve got skills to take your ‘do to the next level as well. They even cut kids’ hair in this family-friendly, inclusive, queer-owned shop staffed by some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet.

Find workspace and community at The Haven

Way more than just a co-working center, The Haven is your source for remote office space, meeting rooms, classes, a wow-worthy spot to meet clients, or a unique venue for fundraisers and corporate retreats.

They also boast one of the most breathtaking locations perched just above the Deschutes River. Long before this was The Haven, the building was home to a business I worked for after moving to Bend nearly 30 years ago. I’m not joking when I say I spent a whole ‘lotta my workday peeking out the window and thinking HOLY COW, it’s beautiful here! Views like that are what you get when you rent space at The Haven.

The people behind The Haven take pride in being a space to connect with others, collaborate, and get creative. They’re also deeply devoted to supporting women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, and others from historically marginalized communities. 

Whether you’re looking for day passes or punch cards to use for an occasional trip to Bend, or more long-term office space for an individual or a whole team, it’s worth checking out The Haven.

Find more queer-owned businesses

Want to know one awesome thing about Bend’s growth over the years? It’s that there are way too many queer-owned shops, restaurants, bars, food carts, service providers, and other businesses for me to possibly list them in one blog post. The places above are ones I know personally, but you know what’s fantastic? You can set out to find more on your own.

Head to the app store and search for Everywhere is Queer. Got it? Good! Now download the app and start searching. From food to hypnotherapy, you’ll find just about any service you’re seeking. The app makes it easy to discover welcoming, queer-owned spaces to shop, connect, eat, and learn all over the world—even in your own neighborhood.