• Lesbian-friendly establishments in North Carolina are not hard to find.homosexualit?? f??minine image by Ploum1 from Fotolia.com
  
  Though many Southern states have reputations for being unfriendly to homosexuals, North Carolina has proved welcoming to the gay community. An annual gay pride festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009; Durham hosts an annual gay and lesbian film festival, and numerous drag-king and -queen pageants. The state is home to a wealth of lesbian and gay establishments, such as national pride hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.
  Note that, due to North Carolina's liquor laws, you can expect to pay a membership fee to enter clubs or bars, unless more than 30% of their revenue comes from food and non-alcoholic drinks (which would categorize the establishment as a restaurant). According to the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, a private club is "an establishment that is organized and operated solely for a social, recreational, patriotic, or fraternal purpose and that is not open to the general public, but is open only to the members of the organization and their bona fide guests." Visitors can normally obtain membership at the door, but double check the club's website before going.
  
  

Club Hairspray

• Inspired by John Waters' 1988 film, Club Hairspray is a 1960s-style, membership-only club in the western city of Asheville that, according to its website, "attracts eclectic people to an unusual and unique nightlife," and whose "ongoing symbol of pride continues to show even outside the nightlife." The club, open from 8 p.m. daily, hosts a variety of shows and events, including drag-king and -queen shows, a talent search, live silent auctions, and the Miss Hairspray Pageant. Drink specials, as of 2010, include a cocktail called a Cool Aid for $3 daily, and Cuba Libres for $4 on Thursdays. According to Frommer's, there is a $5 cover charge for non-members, or you can apply for membership on Club Hairspray's website and pick up your membership card at their door.
  
  Club Hairspray
  38 N. French Broad Ave.
  Asheville, NC 28801
  828-258-2027
  clubhairspray.com
  
  

Hartigan's Irish Pub

• Hartigan's Irish Pub re-opened under new ownership in Charlotte in 2008, and has maintained its popularity with the lesbian community. There is no membership fee since it is classified as a restaurant. Food is served until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and St. Patrick's Day features live Celtic music, green beer, and traditional Irish food. Various drag shows, including a drag brunch, cater to the gay and lesbian crowd. Hartigan's also offers live music, karaoke nights, pudding and sumo wrestling, pool, darts, Latin night, and free Wii.
  
  Hartigan's Irish Pub
  601 S. Cedar St.
  Charlotte, NC 28202
  704-347-1841
  hartigans.com
  
  

Ibiza Nightclub

• Located two blocks from the river in the center of Wilmington's downtown, Ibiza Nightclub plays a variety of music, including house, hip-hop and top-40. Members pay $25 per year (as of 2010), and receive a discount on cover charges. Please review the website for further information on membership. Ibiza is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the crowd is 18 and over, except on Thursdays, when patrons must be 21 and up. Nightly events range from karaoke to drag-king and -queen shows, from dance parties to amateur strip contests. Check Ibiza's website for daily drink specials and guest disc jockeys.
  
  Ibiza Nightclub
  118 Market St.
  Wilmington, NC 28401
  910-251-1301
  ibizawilmington.com