Philadelphia is loaded with trans inclusive places and hardly anyone cares about your gender identity.
From TG friendly night spots, to support groups and communities – the city has it all.
It just depends on your preference and the type of setting you want to meet trans men and women in.
So whether you’re entirely looking for a platonic relationship, something serious or even casual, we’ve got you covered.
Join us as we explore the best places to meet trans in Philly and talk about what makes this city such a wonderful place for trans individuals.
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Philadelphia
1. Bars and Clubs
If you want to meet trans folks in a more casual setting, then nothing beats night venues.
Fortunately, Philadelphia offers a nice variety of trans friendly bars and clubs, so let’s look at a few of them.
Tavern on Camac – This is predominantly a gay bar but nowadays, it’s also a popular hangout spot among trans and even cis individuals.
Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar – You’ll find trans folks here almost every night enjoying drag performances.
And while I also had a good time when I visited, it’s worth noting that some visitors have reported less-than-friendly encounters with the bartenders.
Franky Bradley’s – A must-visit in Philly for fans of drag and burlesque shows. The venue has two floors.
The main floor when you walk in has a big bar with a lot of seating while upstairs you’ll find a party atmosphere with a college vibe. You’ll find plenty of LGBT+ folks here regardless of the time you visit.
Woody’s Bar – This bar used to be my go-to place to socialize with trans folks back in the days.
But judging by this Reddit post, it looks like they’ve started hiring transphobic staff. I really hope they get their sh*t together soon.
Bob and Barbara’s Lounge – A welcoming dive bar that welcomes everyone. You can meet TGs here on Thursdays, on their energetic drag nights, as you can see in the video…
2. Community Centers and Organizations
Philadelphia is home to several trans-friendly community centers and organizations.
The William Way LGBT Community Center is a prominent hub, hosting various programs, including support groups and social gatherings.
The Mazzoni Center is another resource famous for providing healthcare and support. It acts as a pillar for the LGBTQ+ community, especially TGs.
And if you’re a young individual between the ages of 14 and 23, check out the Attic Youth Center.
3. Trans Dating Sites
Philadelphia has a thriving community of trans individuals on online dating sites.
And while it’s hard to pin down a single app, I’ve mostly had a positive experience on OkCupid.
It’s one of the few apps that lets you pick your gender identity. But keep in mind that it also has a lot of chasers.
However, I also dated some nice cismen through the app and made many trans friends.
And when I’m in the mood for something casual, I use TSDates. It’s one of the largest T4M sites out there.
4. Online Groups and Pages
There are a ton of online groups and communities that you can join to socialize with trans folks.
We’ll start with TransWay, a Facebook group that hosts weekly discussions for trans and gnc individuals every Thursday.
Another option is Queer Exchange but they only welcome current LGBTQ+ residents of Philly. So you’ll have a hard time joining if you’re a traveler.
An alternative to that is Philly LGBTQIA+ Events. It’s a public group so you can see info about upcoming meetups without becoming a member.
There’s also a group on Meetup.com but they only allow TG and non-binary folks. Allies can only if they can have a group member to vouch for them.
5. Other LGBT+ Spaces
Philadelphia has many more LGBT+ owned businesses that are great for meeting transgender folks.
The most popular is Giovanni’s Room, a long-running queer bookstore. You’ll find a lot of friendly people here.
Another place is Queen & Rook Game Cafe. It has a mixed crowd with cis, queer, and trans individuals all chilling together.
And if you’re into fitness then Nonnormative Body Club is a TG friendly fitness community that hosts training sessions and workshops in Philly.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a really big community of trans and non-binary individuals.
Throughout the two weeks I visited here, I was fortunate not to encounter any form of discrimination.
The city even has a cool “gayborhood” with rainbow crosswalks and street signs that make it stand out.
And one of the things I love the most about Philly is its pride parade. Just look at how packed it is…
Overall, while it’s unlikely you’ll face problems as a trans person in Philly, it’s important to note that experiences can vary.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Philadelphia
If you want to meet trans individuals then you really can’t go wrong with Philly.
The city has a ton of inclusive spaces, especially in areas like Clark Park which is packed with LGBTQ+ bars and clubs.
Then to make things even better, there’s also the Gayborhood that is located in the heart of Washington Square West.
And if somehow you still run out of trans friendly venues then there are more than enough online communities and groups to join.
So we hope you find an option that works best for you to connect with trans men and women in Philadelphia!
Ashley Taylor
Having grown up feeling misunderstood and unaccepted within my own family.
I also faced difficulties when it came to dating and connecting with guys around the world due to a lack of awareness about trans-friendly venues.
To address this, I took it upon myself to create city guides specifically tailored to meeting trans people.
