LGBTQ+DanceDrag

The Bonham Exchange

Downtown, San Antonio

San Antonio's legendary LGBTQ+ institution since 1981, a multi-level dance club and drag performance venue housed in a magnificent 1892 German Renaissance building.

Founded

1981

Capacity

900

Hours

Wednesday–Sunday 9

Area

Downtown

About The Bonham Exchange

The Bonham Exchange has been the cornerstone of San Antonio's LGBTQ+ community since 1981, operating from one of the city's most magnificent historic buildings — a Victorian-era structure dating to 1892 with dramatic German Renaissance architectural details that make it visually unlike any other club in Texas. The 900-capacity multi-level venue houses multiple dance floors, bar areas, and a stage for the drag performances and variety shows that have made it a cultural institution across four decades. The Bonham has provided a safe, celebratory space for San Antonio's queer community through decades of social change, and its longevity and consistency have made it a point of genuine civic pride. It welcomes all and remains the beating heart of the city's nightlife for anyone seeking joyful, inclusive celebration.

History

The Bonham Exchange opened in 1981 in a building that had served various commercial purposes since its construction in 1892. It became central to San Antonio's LGBTQ+ community during the 1980s and 1990s, providing a safe gathering space during a difficult period for queer culture nationally, and has maintained its community role through every subsequent generation while also welcoming straight allies and curious visitors from across the country.