Queer-Owned Businesses in and around Seattle
Seattle is booming with incredible LGBTQ-owned businesses that add flavor, creativity, and heart to our neighborhoods. As a company co-founded by a queer entrepreneur, we at Pao know firsthand how meaningful it is to uplift queer voices and spaces. This guide is our way of celebrating the vibrant, diverse businesses that make Seattle shine. We keep this list fresh and updated, so whether you're a longtime local or just visiting, there's always something new and fabulous to discover.
Tea shop in Fremont
Known as “the west coast’s gayest tea shop”, this small business sells loose leaf tea, custom blends, tea wares and accessories, and educational tastings. Owner Friday Elliott's unique take on blending stems from a neurological cross-wiring known as Lexical-Gustatory Synesthesia. In short, she literally tastes words and ideas.
Chocolate shop and live music space in Crown Hill
This queer-owned bean-to-bar chocolate café harmoniously blends ethically sourced vegan chocolate with Seattle's vibrant music scene. Founded by musician and chocolatier Aaron Lindstrom, Cocoa Legato offers chocolate bars paired with local indie tracks via QR codes.
Plant Shop in Fremont
A queer-owned botanical haven in Fremont, this spot offers a curated selection of rare and exotic houseplants, crystals, and artisanal gifts. There are two locations, including a sprawling 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse.
Donuts in multiple neighborhoods
This donut shop serves up over 20 vegan flavors daily, from glittery Pride donuts to cereal milk-topped creations. It was founded by partners Sean Willis and Christopher Ballard and began as a food truck in 2021. Since then they’ve expanded to three Seattle locations, all committed to inclusivity and community support.
Bookstore in Fremont
Founded by Charlie Hunts, a transgender man, the shop began as a disco-tiled book cart before evolving into a much-needed third place for Seattle's queer community. You’ll find a curated selection of books, unique gifts, and community events like author talks and drag performances.
Wine bar in Capitol Hill
This is Seattle’s first and only sustainable keg wine-on-tap bar which was founded by Ken Dillon, the first Black and queer winemaker in Washington State. This eco-conscious, community-driven space offers biodynamic Pacific Northwest wines, house-made small plates, and a warm ambiance featuring live piano and inclusive events.
Pottery classes in Wallingford
This gallery offers handmade pottery, inclusive classes, and community events. Founded in 2015, the studio emphasizes accessibility by providing discounted classes to queer, BIPOC, and low-income artists. Their mission is to make everyday objects beautiful while fostering a welcoming creative space for all.
Bagel shop in Georgetown
Nestled in a historic Georgetown building, this spot is known for its hand-rolled bagels and inventive schmears. Founded by Marisa Figueroa and her wife Miranda, the bistro offers a rotating menu of breakfast and lunch items, alongside locally sourced groceries, all served with a side of ska music and inclusive vibes.
Cafe and bar in Capitol Hill
Founded by husbands Daniel and Ismael Calderón and inspired by their popular Aquí Mercado pop-ups, Bonito offers Latin American–inspired drinks like horchata chai and café de olla, alongside pastries from local panadería Selva Central Goods. The space fosters community with communal seating, a retro photo booth, and a mercadito featuring goods from local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artisans.
Vegetarian restaurant in Madison Valley
A beloved vegetarian institution in Madison Valley, this spot offers plant-based dishes in a serene, greenhouse-inspired setting. It’s owned by transgender restaurateur Nat Stratton-Clarke who has championed inclusivity and sustainability for over 30 years, supporting LGBTQ+ causes through initiatives like Pride-themed pastries benefiting local organizations.
Wine bar in multiple neighborhoods
This is a queer- and Asian-owned urban winery founded by partners Alex Oh and Samuel Hilbert, Aluel is a combo of their first names! They offer elegant, old-world-style wines crafted from Washington grapes and have three tasting rooms. Aluel fosters inclusivity and community engagement notably through their "Scholar" red blend, which supports LGBTQ+ scholarships via the GSBA.
Southern restaurant in Madrona
This is a Black- and LGBTQ-owned soul food restaurant co-owned by Erika White, a Central District native and longtime community advocate. Known for its signature honey butter chicken biscuit, Fat’s honors the neighborhood’s roots with New Orleans–inspired comfort food and a restored mural of Martin Luther King Jr. on its exterior.
Plant store in Capitol Hill
Founded by Miles Jonard, this plant shop offers affordable houseplants, pay-what-you-can options, and free weekend roses to promote mental health. With workshops and a mission to support BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities, it's a nurturing space where plant love meets social justice.
Cookies at Pike Place
This is a woman- and LGBTQ+-owned gift basket company redefining gourmet gifting with bold flavors and tattoo-inspired packaging. Founded by former caterers Lendy Hensley, Katy Carroll, and Shana Hicks during the pandemic, they craft small-batch cookies, snacks, and condiments in-house, offering curated baskets like the "Gay Pride Cookie Tin" and "Bite of Seattle." Their products are available online and at their Pike Place Market booth.
Florist in Lake City
Blooms and Twine Floral Design is a queer-owned floral studio led by Katie, specializing in sustainable, garden-style arrangements for weddings and events. Committed to inclusivity and environmental responsibility, the studio uses locally grown flowers and foam-free mechanics. Beyond floral services, they offer monthly design classes and sell tons of local queer artists’ goods.
Coffee shop in Roosevelt
Distant Worlds Coffeehouse is a queer woman-owned, sci-fi-themed café that serves as a welcoming hub for geeks of all kinds. With a fully vegetarian menu featuring vegan pastries and house-made drinks, including exclusive tea blends from local queer-owned Friday Afternoon Tea, it offers a cozy space for community gatherings. Regular events like board game nights, silent book clubs, and fandom meetups foster an inclusive environment where everyone can feel at home.
Comic store in Freemont
Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique is a queer- and trans-owned comic shop that offers a curated selection of indie comics, zines, and graphic novels, with a focus on LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creators. Beyond comics, the boutique features geeky apparel, gifts, and hosts community events, creating an inclusive space for fans of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to the world of comics, Outsider provides a welcoming environment to explore and connect.
Wine shop in Downtown
Pass the Matches is a woman-powered wine club, bottle shop, and pop-up wine bar in Seattle, curating natural wines crafted by women, BIPOC, queer, trans, and small independent winemakers. Emphasizing low-intervention and sustainable practices, they offer thoughtfully selected wines that support communities challenging white supremacy and patriarchy. Their events and offerings provide an inclusive space for wine enthusiasts to explore and enjoy meaningful, ethically produced selections.
Wine bar in Freemont
U Wine Bar is a queer-owned board game wine bar that opened in January 2025 on Stone Way. Combining a curated wine selection with a library of tabletop games, it offers a cozy, modern space perfect for a relaxed evening with friends. Owner Elijah is passionate about offering a spacious, inviting atmosphere where everyone feels valued.
Urban Earth Nursery and Design Service
Plant nursery in Freemont
Urban Earth Nursery & Garden Service is a queer- and women-owned plant haven, offering a curated selection of indoor and outdoor plants, sustainable gardening services, and community-focused events. With a commitment to inclusivity and environmental stewardship, they provide expert advice, workshops, and a welcoming space for plant enthusiasts of all levels.
Mexican food and Brewery in Freemont & Bellingham
Frelard Tamales and El Sueñito Brewing Company are queer- and Mexican-owned establishments founded by spouses Osbaldo Hernandez and Dennis Ramey. What began in 2015 as a tamale pop-up evolved into a Fremont restaurant known for its handmade tamales crafted from family recipes. In 2023, they expanded by opening El Sueñito Brewing Company, Washington's first Mexican and gay-owned brewery, offering Mexican-inspired craft beers. Together, they create an inclusive space that celebrates culture, community, and authentic flavors.
Are you a queer-owned business owner in Seattle and want to be included in this list? Visit our Work With Us page and send us a message!
