Hamilton doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, but let me tell you, it’s got a thriving trans community that’s super welcoming.
But the thing is, there aren’t many LGBT-centered places here so at times, finding trans people can be a bit tricky.
The community’s spread out, but don’t sweat it because I’ve done the legwork for you.
So keep reading to learn the best ways to meet trans individuals in Hamilton and uncover some awesome spots together!
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Hamilton
1. Bars and Clubs
What I love the most about Hamilton is that pretty much every place is LGBT+ friendly.
There are also a ton of inclusive spots but note that they aren’t queer-centered.
Most of them have a mixed crowd, but based on my experience, here are some bars and clubs where you might encounter trans people.
The Well at 161 Wellington St N – This bar rocks free drag shows on Wednesdays, hosted by Kenadie St James. It’s always buzzing with amazing performances and Kenadie’s unbeatable sass.
Plus, they’ve got a big all-gender bathroom that’s always clean, so it checks all the boxes to attract trans people. Just a heads up, it’s not set up for wheelchairs.
Andthenyou at 145 Main St E – They charge a 5 bucks entry fee and have an interesting dark but comfortable vibe.
What I love the most is the energetic crowd. Plenty of queer and straight folks alike are just here to unwind, dance together, and have fun.
Casbah at 306 King St W – An extremely inclusive space and depending on the night, there’s a high chance of meeting trans people.
I recommend keeping an eye out for their drag and queer-themed nights.
While there are no specific days for these events, they regularly post their schedule on social media platforms.
Tracey’s at Upper James – A popular spot where people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, including cis, trans, non-binary individuals, gay, and lesbians, come together under one roof to enjoy karaoke
Zen Lounge at 69 John St – I visited Zen Lounge on a Friday and was pleasantly surprised to find them playing Latin music.
Initially, I only planned to stay for a drink but ended up dancing the whole night, thanks to the awesome crowd.
While the majority were cisgender people and lesbians, I noticed a few trans individuals mingling in the mix.
2. Community Centers and Organizations
Hamilton doesn’t have an official LGBT community center, but some organizations provide trans support.
Speqtrum is one of them, offering support to LGBTQ+ youth, mainly between 17-29 years old.
They organize two meetups each month and hold several workshops for queer and trans individuals.
Then there’s the Hamilton Trans Health Coalition, which focuses on providing medical support to trans people.
Joining as a member can be a great way to socialize, as they host meetups every month.
3. Trans Dating Sites
I know, Hamilton’s trans community is pretty spread out so meeting in person isn’t always easy.
So another alternative is to use online dating sites. As for which site to choose depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re interested in dating or making new friends, OkCupid is a solid option.
It has a large trans user base and generally attracts more mature profiles compared to apps like Tinder.
And hey, I have nothing against Tinder but it’s just that most of its users are looking for casual dating (which isn’t bad) but they aren’t honest about it.
4. Event Pages
Hamilton actually hosts a variety of LGBTQ+ events and venues worth exploring!
I’ll start with Fruit Salad, a newer event catering to WLW (women who love women), which began a few months back and hops between different bars and venues. There’s a high chance of encountering trans women at their events.
Sounds Gay is another recent addition, offering monthly music events at the Casbah, a downtown music venue and bar.
Featuring local queer musicians, it’s been a hit whenever I’ve attended with plenty of trans individuals. Again, confirm age requirements on their Instagram page.
I’ve also caught wind of a fresh event at Relay Coffee Roasters downtown.
While I’m blanking on the name, it’s essentially a laid-back queer coffee meetup, possibly held on the second or third Thursday of the month. Double-check the details on their Instagram page for confirmation.
Lastly, if you’re into drag shows then Adam and Steve put on some incredible drag events that you must check out!
5. Online Groups
Unfortunately, social media platforms do not offer the same level of variety to connect with TGs, but there are still a few options.
One of your options is 2SLGBTQIA+ Hamilton on Facebook. It has over 3.5K members and it’s a solid community to make new trans friends.
You can even use it for dating as they have a separate thread for singles.
Then we have the Facebook page of Hamilton Transgender Community.
Don’t let its lack of followers deceive you. They consistently post updates about upcoming queer events happening around the city.
6. Other LGBT+ Spaces
We’re not done yet because if you’re still scouting for more queer-friendly spots and are into working out then try out The Gym on Locke.
It’s one of the most trans friendly gyms in Hamilton and I just love the positive atmosphere.
Both the staff and members treat everyone with respect regardless of their gender identity or orientation.
And before closing out, I’d also like to give a shoutout to The Hearty Hooligan on Ottawa St.
It’s a vegan restaurant that promotes itself as a safe space for the queer community.
Needless to say, it’s always filled with people from the LGBTQ community!
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Hamilton
Living as a transgender person in Hamilton is generally a positive experience.
It’s a welcoming city and you won’t run into many issues with discrimination.
Of course, there are always a few transphobes around, but they mostly keep their thoughts to themselves.
There aren’t many LGBT+ hangout spots but blending in with the locals is very easy.
So yeah, while Hamilton may not be as crazy as bigger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, it certainly has its own charm for the trans community.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Hamilton
Hamilton might not have the flashiest LGBT nightlife, but the city’s event scene is where it’s at.
From what I’ve seen, these events draw in a diverse crowd, including lots of trans folks.
Just stay tuned to their schedules on social media, and you’re golden.
But even if you miss out on events, there are still plenty of other ways, as I’ve covered in this guide.
So go ahead, explore different options, and see what clicks for you.
That’s all from me, hope you enjoy meeting trans men and women in Hamilton!
