Happy Pride Month!

Here at RQV, we're aiming to celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ paddlers and community members all year long. To start, here are five LGBTQ+ owned businesses to support in Nashville this June and beyond. For a more extensive list of businesses, head over to the Nashville LGBT Chamber website.

1. D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe

   D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe offers the best of New York cooking with traditional Nashville sensibility. If you’re too busy to make it to their downtown Nashville location, you can order a delicious selection of sandwiches, pastries, and more for pickup or for delivery via Ubereats. Brb, I’m getting hungry…

2. The Turnip Truck

   Something about summertime makes us all yearn for fresh produce: watermelon, pineapple, juicy tomatoes…mmm! Luckily, the Turnip Truck has us covered. With locations in West Nashville, East Nashville and the Gulch, it’s easy to find Nashville’s only full service, locally owned natural foods grocer.

3. Tonda McKay Photography

   Is it just us, or has it been a while since you’ve taken a new headshot?! This summer is the perfect time to refresh your family photos or solo shots, and Tonda McKay Photography is right here in Nashville for all of your photography needs. She’s even a certified drone pilot—how cool is that?

4. Play Dance Bar

   RQV’s summer intern, Julia, simply can’t WAIT to return to Play Dance Bar now that she is #fullyvaxxed. You’ve watched enough Netflix over the past 14 months! With multiple 18+ drag shows from Wednesday to Sunday every week, rotating DJs, and a world-class dance floor, Play Dance Bar should be your next weekend stop.

5. The Lipstick Lounge

   Did you know there are only 21 Lesbian bars remaining in the United States? Lucky for us, one of those—the Lipstick Lounge—is located right in our very own East Nashville. Plus, the Lipstick Lounge offers a delicious Tex-Mex food menu alongside karaoke fun—what more could you ask for?! To learn more or contribute to the Lesbian Bar Project, visit their website or Instagram.