5 places to hang out as an LGBTQ+ young person

As the weather starts to change and we get into cosy season, finding somewhere to hang out with friends or even get some me-time in at a low cost can be tough! Here’s some of the places our Youth Advisory Panel recommend for LGBTQ+ young people around the country.

LINQ Ireland’s Community Space

Right in the heart of Cork city, LINQ Ireland has a stunning LBT community space open for drop ins including a comfy living area, a library, a kitchen and a lovely garden space! You can call in for a cup of tea and a chat, join in on one of their many events or simply have a moment to yourself with a good book.

The National Gallery

If you’re looking for a quiet space in Dublin to connect with art and culture, look no further than the National Gallery of Ireland. Most of their exhibits are free to visit, with new collections coming in all time. They offer an online self-guided tour of the gallery through an LGBTQ+ lens, and have a cosy cafe and gift shop for you to browse!

Your local library

Free to visit, quiet, fast internet and full of books – what’s not to love! Libraries aren’t just a place to sit in for study or homework – they’re a community resource for all ages. Lots of libraries now have an LGBTQ+ literature section for you to borrow from, or will be happy to get a book in for you if you ask. So find your local library and lets hit that reading goal diva!

Outhouse Café

The Outhouse Café is a part of Dublin’s oldest LGBTQ+ community space. Open Tuesday – Friday from 11am-9pm and Saturday 11am-6pm, its a perfect spot to chill out with friends, grab some food or a hot drink and feel connected to your LGBTQ+ community. Outhouse also has its own Queer library and an ever-changing gallery space for you to explore too!

An LGBTQ+ youth group

All over the country there are amazing youth services offering LGBTQ+ youth groups as a space for you to make friends, find community, have fun or get some support. There’s something available in almost every county, they’re free to join and are waiting for you with open arms! You can find a list of LGBTQ+ youth groups here or you can check out Belong To’s own Dublin-based groups here.