Queer for Coffee: Queer-Owned Coffee Shops in New York and Los Angeles

Located just north of Downtown LA, Bloom & Plume is a Black and LGBTQ-owned cafe beautifully designed by co-owner Maurice Harris. This unique space not only serves delicious coffee and food but also fosters artistic freedom, creating an inclusive environment. Offering creative coffee options like Pistachio Cardamom Rose Latte, they source beans from Black & White Roasters, a black-owned coffee company from North Carolina.

A Women and LGBTQ-owned coffee company founded in 1995, Equator is committed to improving lives through coffee. Known for sustainability, they source specialty coffees globally, support community programs, and are California's first Certified B Corporation coffee roaster. The Culver City location features a minimalistic design inspired by Southern California's topography, showcasing their signature red hue and offering unique, chef-inspired offerings like the must-try cafe de olla latte.

Liberation Coffee House, located in Hollywood, not only offers excellent coffee and food but also actively contributes to the local LGBTQ community. Operated by graduates from the Center’s Culinary Arts program, the café supports LGBTQ youth and seniors in entering the restaurant and hospitality industries. The bright and spacious café, with easy parking, partners with the reputable roaster Verve to provide a diverse coffee menu. Notably, the café's revenue is reinvested into the Center’s programs and services, making each visit a meaningful contribution to the LGBTQ community.

In Poughkeepsie's Arlington District, Crafted Kup, owned by Tanner Townsend, is a thriving coffee house. With its popularity leading to recent expansions, including two satellite stores, this Hudson Valley favorite near Vassar College serves classic coffee drinks, cold brews, and breakfast and lunch options, attracting both students and locals.

Bluestockings Cooperative, the renowned feminist bookshop in New York City, extends its offerings beyond literature with a unique coffee shop. As the only queer, trans, and sex-worker-run bookstore in the city, Bluestockings hosts events like the “Queer History Walking Tour of the Lower East Side” and regular book launches. The café, entirely nut-free, features vegan and gluten-free options alongside specialty drinks such as the White Peach latte and the signature “Bluestocking” latte, providing a diverse and inclusive space for book enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike.

Coffee Project New York, situated in the LGBT Community Center in NYC, is a unique coffee business that combines quality coffee with community engagement. Operating within the LGBT Center, the coffee shop serves as more than just a place for excellent coffee; it fosters a sense of community and inclusivity. With a commitment to both exceptional coffee and supporting the LGBT community, Coffee Project New York offers a distinctive experience in the heart of NYC.