San Antonio’s trans community shines bright and the city is packed with inclusive spaces.
But navigating all of these places can be time-consuming, so that’s why I’m here to help.
In this guide, I’ll share the most effective ways to meet trans men and women in San Antonio.
From LGBT nightspots to community centers, and even the best online dating sites – we’ll cover it all.
And towards the end I’ll also share the perspective of the locals towards trans people, so make sure to stick around!
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in San Antonio
1. Bars and Clubs
There are so many LGBTQ+ nightspots in the city that honestly, it’s difficult to list them all.
But the good news is that the majority of them are located near Main Avenue in downtown, which is considered to be the city’s gay strip.
So here are some bars and clubs where you can potentially meet trans individuals.
Pegasus – Located at 1402 N Main Ave, the most popular and the most controversial club in the city.
My experience was nice as it had a lot of transgender people and the drag queens were also incredible.
The downside? They just had one women’s bathroom which had a long queue and the place was unsanitary.
2015 Place – Located at 2015 San Pedro Ave, cool spot to hang out with pride flags all over the place, so it has a lot of LGBT folks.
It even has an outdoor patio where you can enjoy drinks, have a smoke, and meet new people.
Heat – Located at 1500 N Main Ave, you can often meet trans individuals here but chances are higher after 1 am since it’s the only after-hours bar on the strip. But you can still visit earlier to enjoy drag shows.
Paramour At The Phipps – Located at 102 9th St Floor 4, this rooftop bar easily has the best drag shows in San Antonio. You can meet all sorts of people including TGs.
But, fair warning, it can get pricey with drinks and food and the service is super slow. The queens and performers totally make it worth it.
Sparky’s Pub – Located at 1416 N Main Ave, this pub is a hit or miss. Packed on some nights while dead on others. But it’s LGBT-friendly so you can meet some queer folks.
Bonham Exchange – Located at 411 Bonham, bills itself as a gay club with go-go dancers but the crowd is a bit more mixed. Visit on Saturday or Sunday and you’re likely to encounter trans individuals.
2. Community Centers and Organizations
If you’re looking for non-bar ways to meet TGs then try visiting The Pride Center.
It’s a key part of San Antonio’s LGBT+ community and their programming offers something for everyone.
They host a support group for trans masculine folks. They meet every fourth Friday of the month. While the virtual group for trans women meets on second Thursdays.
Another organization that hosts support groups is TransAllies. They also meet every third Monday at The Pride Center.
You should also check out the support meetings of PFLAG as they’re great for networking with trans men and women.
And wait…there’s more – San Antonio Gender Association is very active in the local community.
They meet twice a month and have a nice mix of trans-men-women and non-binary folks in every meeting.
3. Trans Dating Sites
San Antonio has a large trans community so if you’re not an outdoor person then you can even meet them online.
Dating platforms like OkCupid have a lot of trans users looking for partners and friends.
Whether you’re a trans person yourself or an ally, just create an attractive profile and you’ll meet some friendly trans people in no time!
Another app that I sometimes use is Grindr – It’s known for having many trans users, but it’s also frequented by cis men looking for hookups.
If casual encounters are more your style, it could be a good option to explore.
4. Online Groups and Events
Another way to meet TGs online is by joining online communities. You should check out S.A LGBT.
It’s a Facebook group that provides info about queer and trans friendly events. It has over 2,500 members so it’s a great place to socialize.
Another option is Trans Masc Folks. It’s the Facebook community for the support group that meets at the Pride Center.
There’s also an LGBT+ community on Meetup called Down2Gayme. They do weekly game nights at the Black Potion bar.
If you’re into such stuff then try catching up as you might meet trans people there.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in San Antonio
San Antonio might not be as liberal as NYC, but it’s a major city with a more progressive vibe compared to the suburban and rural parts of Texas.
But the real issue is the availability of resources and medical care.
Some trans folks manage to access care, but our state laws make it a bit tougher than in other parts of the country.
But socially, I’ve found that most college-age folks here are pretty accepting.
Walking around, you probably won’t face a ton of discrimination either, though there might be a few jerks here and there.
Interestingly, for every transphobic remark I hear, I see at least a dozen strangers openly showing support for the LGBTQ+ community.
In fact, to get a real feel of the community spirit, here’s a glimpse of San Antonio’s Pride Festival and how inclusive it can be…
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in San Antonio
As I end this guide, remember that San Antonio is a city bustling with opportunities to meet trans individuals.
You’ve got lively LGBT+ nightspots for those who love a good time out.
If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of support groups where you can connect in a more chilled-out setting.
Don’t forget about the online dating scene either – it’s a real bonus.
My advice? Give a few different things a try and see what suits you best.
Well, that’s all from me. Hope you have an amazing time meeting trans individuals in San Antonio!
