Word of Mouth: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Reliable spots from Cape Cod’s historic queer oasis
At the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts—an arm that curls into the Atlantic—Provincetown does more than invite visitors to bask in the beauty of sand dunes or drink and dine at celebratory establishments; P-Town, as it is lovingly referred to, acts as a queer oasis and artist retreat and has since the 1920s. Between beachside lobster rolls and a surplus of souvenir shops, guests will find drag shows and LGBTQ+ dance parties make the destination inclusive and so much more exciting.
As the tiny community once again welcomed tourists in a considered manner, we collected a 2020 Honda Passport and drove in comfort from NYC (for more than five hours). Once there, wearing masks and remaining respectful of quarantine regulations, we explored the beloved outpost’s offerings. Provincetown is one of the rare destinations that caters to the LGBTQ+ community in ways both nurturing and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to venture out in the near future or make plans for the fall (an exquisite season in P-Town) or next year, our selections range from a sweeping beach to must-visit watering holes on the main strip, Commercial Street.
Room 68
Although superb candy stores dot dozens of corners, and souvenir shops sell hundreds of Cape Cod and P-Town branded items and apparel, it’s Room 68 that makes for the most exciting shopping destination. The contemporary art and design gallery stocks furniture and decor from both emerging and established artists, as well as home accents—all of which are fit for a cottage in Massachusetts or an apartment back home.
Cafe Heaven
For those who love breakfast all day, Cafe Heaven‘s menu will surely please. That said, the charming spot excels at heartier brunches, dinners and cocktail hour drinks. They also serve up vegan and gluten-free options. There’s a cozy atmosphere inside and out—though it does get busy.
Atlantic House
Truly a bar of many splendors, Atlantic House has purportedly been in operation for two centuries—and been welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community for nearly half of that. Though the outside looks like a traditional pub, inside one finds several sub-sections: the original tavern, Little Bar, an upstairs spot called Macho Bar (for the leather community), and the nightclub A-House, among them.
Hero image by David Graver
COOL HUNTING always gets permission to use the images we publish; however, as an independent publication, we cannot afford to continue fighting unfair claims of copyright infringement, so the images have been removed from this post.
