Rainbow Loft: Dundee’s new LQBTQIA+ friendly nightclub that is bringing inclusive nightlife back to the city

Rainbow Loft is one of Dundee’s newest clubs (Picture: Supplied)

Dundee’s nightlife has a brand new star with the arrival of Rainbow Loft – and it’s already being hailed as an exciting new space for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

The club, based on the top floor of Fat Sams on South Ward Road, has transformed what was once Club Tropicana into a lively new venue with inclusivity at its heart.

Since opening, Rainbow Loft has been buzzing with energy. Its first nights have welcomed big crowds who have packed the dance floor under neon lights.

Local drag queen Miss Peaches, who made a social appearance to host guest at the weekend, captured the spirit of the venue perfectly – bold, vibrant, and unapologetically fun.

The music is led by resident DJs including Ross McGillivray, who keeps the room moving with massive anthems and party favourites, ensuring the atmosphere is nothing short of electric.

The club opened last week in Dundee (Pictures: Supplied)

But Rainbow Loft is more than just a new addition to Dundee’s nightlife – it’s a statement. It has been designed as a safe space where LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies can come together and celebrate who they are; It’s clubbing, just bolder, bigger, better, with added sparkle.

With inclusive vibes, welcoming staff and a party that runs every Saturday, the club is already carving out a central place in Dundee’s cultural calendar.

Its arrival also brings back memories of an earlier era in the city’s queer history.

Back in the 1980s, Dundee was home to Beez Neez, the city’s first gay nightclub. Tucked away above an antiques shop on the Seagate, Beez Neez became a legendary space where people could gather, dance, and feel part of a community at a time when safe places were rare.

Beez Neez was Dundee’s first gay nightclub (Picture: Supplied)

Old adverts from the time, boasting of disco nights and holiday sessions, remind us of how groundbreaking it was for its time.

For many, Rainbow Loft feels like the natural heir to Beez Neez. Just as Beez Neez gave Dundee’s LGBTQ+ community a place to belong in the 1980s, Rainbow Loft is stepping into that role today – updating the spirit of inclusivity for a new generation.

Bronski Beat performing at Beez Neez (Picture: Supplied)

The parallels between the two venues highlight Dundee’s long tradition of providing spaces where people can come together to celebrate their identities and friendships.

The opening of Rainbow Loft is more than just a change of name above the door.

It’s a continuation of a legacy, linking the city’s present to its past while looking forward to a future where everyone has a place to dance, laugh and belong.

Much like Beez Neez became a cultural staple of its day, Rainbow Loft looks set to become a cornerstone of Dundee’s nightlife for years to come.