Canal District Wines , located in the Worcester Public Market, boasts thoughtfully curated wines from around the world, as well as fun tastings and educational events in an approachable atmosphere. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find your new favorite. One of the newest spots to the block—opened in March — Femme Bar is the only lesbian bar open in New England. This safe, inclusive space for queer women and allies to gather and socialize offers great drinks, food, and events throughout the week, like karaoke and drag.
Plus, be sure to head down to this longtime queer-friendly spot for trivia and karaoke nights with Mal E. A popular casual queer hangout, their taproom has been home to popular Drag Queen Story Time, for queer families and allies alike. Although a gorgeous gem to visit year-round, Pride at Tower Hill is an annual sell-out event that truly amps up the enthusiasm of Pride Week in Worcester, leading up to a weekend full of events. An Instagram selfie must?
Still, you can find a few gay bars here, as well as some others that aren't exactly gay-specific but have earned a favorable reputation among the queer community. Worcester is a college town, home to a whopping 11 higher education institutions, including Clark University, Worcester State University, and University of Massachusetts' Medical School. Needless to say, the after-dark crowd is young, for the most part, especially on "Worcester Mondays," when students get drink discounts at the bars and clubs. Even with the high concentration of early somethings, though, Worcester's nightlife scene is pretty tame when you compare it to bigger places.
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