Bologna is hands down the most trans-friendly city in Italy.
With its large student population and inclusive atmosphere, you’ll find plenty of spaces where transgender individuals gather.
And don’t get me wrong, pretty much every place here welcomes trans folks with open arms.
However, some spots are more popular within the community and in this guide, I’ll highlight those places.
But first, let me explain how I gathered the information for this guide.
Methodology for Finding Trans Friendly Spaces in Bologna
There’s a lot of misinformation on the internet nowadays and I believe in transparency.
So here’s some insight into how I’ve gathered the info for this guide.
Personal Experience – I love travelling, so the majority of the guides I write are based on personal experiences.
Note that, I say “majority” because it’s impossible for me to visit every destination. But in this case – yes I’ve visited Bologna.
Local Network – I understand that experiences can vary, so these guides are not written just based on my experience alone.
Instead, I connect with the locals of the city through my network and directly ask for their opinions as well.
Online Forums – I spend a large chunk of my time on forums like Reddit.
Everything I write is based on the data I’ve collected after scrolling through hundreds of comments.
Even if I’ve visited a venue myself, I wouldn’t recommend it until I make sure that others have also had a positive experience.
List of TG Friendly Venues in Bologna
Bologna, with a population of over 380,000, is highly LGBT+ friendly.
A survey by Statista supports this, showing that 91.34% of respondents consider Bologna a good place to live for gay and lesbian people.
This inclusive attitude also extends towards the trans community as you’re unlikely to encounter transphobia.
If you want to connect with the community, then start with the following places.
1. Bars and Clubs
Bologna has narrow streets and alleys, so most of its night spots are small and often packed with people.
You’d especially notice that in Old Town, which has a lot of friendly university students.
And you can potentially bump into trans people in pretty much every bar and club.
But here are some places that specifically attract LGBT+ folks.
Il Barattolo at Via del Borgo di S. Pietro
The place goes beyond being just a gay bar – it feels like a hub for activism, change-makers, hipsters, and smart people.
I saw representation from the entire LGBTQ community and loved it.
Special shout out to Camila who is one of the best bartenders I’ve ever met.
She kept me accompanied and made sure I don’t feel uncomfortable even for a minute!
Reviews of Other People about Il Barattolo
“My girlfriend and I were really happy to find this open, inclusive, and politically active LGBTIQ+ space while on holiday in Italy. Decent punk music, tasty cocktails, and generally happy vibes.”
Red Bologna at at Via del Tipografo
I went here to see the drag queen and was pleasantly surprised by the number of transgender patrons in attendance.
The club itself is also fantastic with a large dancefloor, swimming pool and even a darkroom.
You need to buy a €13 club card to enter but it’s definitely worth the money because this club knows how to throw a party!
Reviews of Other People about Via del Tipografo
Stefano Fiordaliso on Google Maps:
“Cheerful, funny, well-groomed. The entertainment and the drinks are excellent too. Frequented by young and cute people. It’s worth going there!”
Cassero Club at Via Don Giovanni Minzoni
This place is mainly an LGBT+ center but on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday’s it stays open from 11:30 pm to 4:30 am and acts like a nightclub.
You’ll find some of the best queer-focused parties in town here and lots of trans men and women hanging out.
But make sure to arrive early on the party nights otherwise you’d have to wait in a long line outside.
Reviews of Other People about Cassero Club
Camilla Zamboni on Google Maps
“Fantastic space for games, activism, events, and meeting wonderful folx! Go try some games with “La Gilda”!”
2. Community Centers and Organizations
As I said, Cassero is not only a club but also an LGBT+ center.
If you aren’t into parties then just drop by during day time, it opens between 9 am to 1 pm and then 3 to 6 pm.
I would also suggest following their Instagram page so you can learn about upcoming events and workshops.
In the past, they’ve hosted some big cultural and artistic events like the Gender Bender International Festival and Gay Cinema Festival.
Fun Fact: The Cassero center acts as a stronghold for Arcigay, one of the largest LGBT+ organizations in Italy.
3. Trans Dating Sites
Another easy way to meet transgender people in Bologna is through online dating sites.
I don’t usually recommend online dating, but in Bologna, it can be quite enjoyable since most people I encountered were respectful towards trans individuals.
You can use almost any site and get a good response, but I personally prefer OkCupid due to its trans-friendly search filters.
I matched with several trans profiles there. For a larger pool of profiles, Tinder is a great option as it’s one of the most popular dating apps in the city.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Bologna
Bologna is the most trans-friendly city in Italy, especially with its large student community.
Whether you’re alone or with friends, you won’t be bored and will have many opportunities to meet new people who share your interests.
It’s the most LGBTQ+ friendly city in Italy, with a strong culture of acceptance and a high proportion of LGBT+ individuals.
The open and welcoming atmosphere isn’t limited to just the center and university areas, it’s felt throughout the city.
You can get a hint of the atmosphere in this video shot during the Pride Festival…
So yeah, compared to other places I’ve lived, Bologna is a breath of fresh air.
Being transphobic would actually cause you more issues than being transgender or homosexual here.
The only city that comes close is Milan, and that’s mainly because many people from Bologna move there for work.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Bologna
I’ve visited many cities in Italy, but Bologna stands out for its friendly LGBT+ culture.
While the city might not have an overwhelming number of night spots, the ones that do exist are incredibly inclusive and welcoming.
And the large student population really makes it fun to hang out at bars and clubs.
Even if you’re introverted, I would recommend giving it a try, you’ll not only bump into transgender people but also have a great time in general!
