Honestly the bouncer ruined the ENTIRE mood for our group. We came to celebrate a friends birthday and he was not accommodating to our requests at all. We would've had a much better experience without him being so rude! The performers were great and our server was great. But it's hard to overcome how rude the bouncer was. read more

I think rainbow cactus is doing it right compared to any other club that is in the same category in the area . Their success isn't just because they are the only place to go , the drinks are amazing (pricey) but amazing. The stage setup is pretty cool for the shows they have although if you want a table by the stage I'm guessing show up early !! I've never had a table I've always just walked up to the stage when a performance is happening, no matter what the nights theme is there are drag shows , male dancers and so on . There is food here but I have yett to try it . The bathrooms are SMALL but gets the job done .. they have a back closed off smoke room which is cool and all if you are a smoker .. that room stays packed actually . I personally don't smoke so for me I CANT BREATH IN THERE. There's pool tables , the stage opens up to everyone between performances so you can dance , the tables around stay clean . I think this place is doing great with what they have !! read more

Came here for the first time and it was awesome The atmosphere is great The show was extremely entertaining read more

-The Rainbow Cactus is a fun place to go and dance the night away. -I know it is considered a Gay Bar, but I am a heterosexual woman and honestly, I have more fun here than I do at other clubs. -The atmosphere is relaxed and non-judgmental. Everyone is there to have fun and be themselves, and I feel really comfortable there. -Also they sometimes have drag shows which are very entertaining! -This is a great place for a group of friends to go to and have a great time. read more

The security guards are rude and ridiculous. We had a group of 7 people who came out. We got there early and claimed the two tables that are beside the dance floor. We felt like two tables had us too spread out to enjoy each other's company and so we tried to gather up around a single one instead. This included us turning two of the chairs from the table we were abandoning toward our table. After we had been there about 30-45 minutes, apparently some people who came in after us went and complained to a security guard about us using some of their chairs. The guard came over to our group, told us that we were only allowed to have two chairs at our table and demanded that we get up so she could take the chairs away from us to give to the girls at the other table. I understand you need to have rules in place to keep things under control. I understand not wanting chairs out in the middle of the floor. I understand not wanting chairs to be taken away and moved across the room. I DON'T understand the security guard being this uptight about chairs that were still right there where they belong, and I DON'T understand the guard making us get up from our chairs so she could give them to someone else who came in after we did. We purposely came very early to make sure we would be able to have seats. We have been coming to your bar quite regularly for over 15 years. We have several friends who work there. We have brought many customers over the years. Our group spends a lot of money with you everytime we come. We are from NC and therefore travel a 3 hour round-trip everytime we go - so it's a big deal when we take the time to make the trip. We are very loyal customers and are always treated well when we go there - like our presence there is appreciated. Tonight we weren't. It was a slap in the face for this security guard to take our seats away from us like she did, and a little embarrassing for this to happen in front of the new people that we brought with us tonight. Incidentally, after this happened, we closed out our tabs and didn't spend another dime with the bar. We probably would have left had we not driven so far to see the drag show, and had we not arranged to have people meet us there. Over all the years we've been patronizing this club, we have never been treated so poorly before, and this experience has made us not want to ever come back. This is not the way you treat your customers - and especially not loyal ones. read more

The security guard harassed my gf while I we were dancing. It was absolutely disrespectful. I asked politely who the general manger was they did not comply. Stating they didn't have to answer. I would like to give this place a 0 if I could read more

Had a great time here Friday night. Drinks were stiff and inexpensive. Great atmosphere and energy. I really enjoyed the drag show although I wish there were more than three performers and I'd love to see female performers as well. I had a great time and will definitely be back read more

Cute local queer club. Was delighted by the turnout on a Friday night, and was impressed with the diversity of the clientele. In DC it's rare to find a queer space with a mix of queer and trans folks from all sorts of ethnicities, races, sexes, and genders, making Rainbow feel especially special. read more

What a FUN time we had at Rainbow Cactus! Everyone was just there to have a good time. It was such a blast to be surrounded by people of all walks of life who all accepted each other. What stood out the most were the cheap strong drinks (those hot french fries were also amazing around drink #5), classy drag ladies, and friendly security who were nicer than I deserved as I needed a moment outside on the sidewalk after closing time. They were so kind and patient with me :) Thanks, guys! read more

I was visiting family in VA beach and dragged them to this local gay bar. I want to say the bar it's self is not bad! It's kind of divey, and dirty but all in all it's pretty fun. The bar tenders are so friendly and pour with a stiff hand. The music is okay, the queens can put on a show and the dance floor is a blast. This place even serves food, and I think all night! There is an ATM and a smoking room( which is weird coming from NY). I even met a few nice people there with whom I was able to share conversation. We came here 2 nights, and we all had a pretty decent time. There is a 5 dollar cover, so have some cash to get in, or pay the ATM fees. My issue here is not with the bar it's self but with the security. They are the biggest group of pompous jerks I have ever seen. The first we were they acted more childish then the drunk patrons. They close at 2:00 and not a second later. I'm sure there are laws that differ from New York but they will literally grab the drink out of your hand at 1:58 AM. Ok fine. As they were closing, mind you the bar is still full of people we were standing by the door waiting for our Uber that is until I was forcefully removed. I was not drunk, nor did I even have any communication with this lady bouncer until she grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and shoved me backward out of the door. Even the male bouncer standing by the door looked at her and said "woah". There is no reason for her to lay her hands on me. If we were arguing or if I wouldn't leave or if I was being disorderly I would totally understand, but I was not I was literally standing waiting for my ride. All she had to say is "can you please stand outside?". I would have gladly obliged. I found this to be totally unprofessional and illegal( at least in NY). We then stood outside the bar and watched the security tackle and beat a customer. In their defense I'm not sure what ensued before hand, but once they had him on the ground, there is no need to continue to hit him. I held a NYS Security license for 6 years and found these folks be be totally out of line. They act like they want to cause trouble by treating people so badly. The second day returning here we made sure to leave 30 mins early to avoid danger. It's really a shame because this place is actually fun. Also, don't take your drink on the dance floor because they will threaten to kick you out. I have never heard of such an outrageous rule. They have glass cups. Switch to plastic. I'm sorry I just don't feel comfortable leaving my drink unattended in a gay dive bar. Needles to say if I do come back to VA I will probably not return, but unfortunately there are not many gay bars in the area... read more

Of all of the "gay" bars in the area, this one is the largest and least trashy. There's two separate sections. One side is the smoking, line dancing side. The main floor being the non-smoking area (although to be honest, you will still come out of here smelling like smoke). They have special stuff going on depending on which day you happen to stop by. Perhaps the best night would have to be Fridays Drag show night! Grab your friends and watch as a handful of different Queens lip-sync for their dolla' bills. They also do a wheelchair drag race with the participation of the audience. Basically they pull two drunken suckers on to the stage where they must put on a dress, stripper shoes, a wig, a purse, (all on top of their clothes) then wheel themselves all the way across the stage. First one to the other end wins a WHOPPING $5 bill y'all! Amazing what drunk people will do for that extra booze money. Don't get me wrong, I actually think all that is pretty amazing! It's way fun! I just wouldn't be able to do that myself. Later in the evening they open the floor for some thugged out dancing where everyone seem to just be grinding on someones genitals. Its a hoot! $5 cover charge at the door. Leave your jacket in the car, but arrive early, they can get packed and would more than likely leave you stranded outside in the cold. Plus parking can be tricky when the lot is full. read more

This was my first time at a gay bar. I will admit I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. My friend encouraged me to go and I was like sure what the hell life is too short lol. So in we went to the rainbow cactus. We watched the drag shows. It was really fun and neat. The atmosphere was very pleasant and fun. There was no drama and everyone I encountered was very friendly. The drinks were great although a little expensive for what I expected to pay on a Saturday night. Whatever. The bartender was fun and was dancing while she poured the drinks. The fried shrimp and fries were pretty good. I have to eat while I drink or it won't be a good ending. All in all, check this place out. Don't be nervous if you are not LGBT. This was an inviting atmosphere for all! read more

So if you want to come here and be disappointed this is the place.... shake your ass for maybe 10 min and then just watch some guy perform his heart out for nothing, come here. They need a new DJ. All the DJ plays is line dance after line dance that nobody knows... we want music. read more

Wonderfully diverse welcoming and normal atmosphere. This was my first time here and it was a blast. The staff Logan and Avery were a delight. The crowd was awesome, no drama just good times, with an array of good people. Met new friends and enjoyed a fun and fulfilling night out. Definitely won't hesitate to return. read more

Love love love the drag shows! My review is purely based on the drag shows which I have been to plenty of times taking my new friends to feast their eyes on all the fierceness. The location is in a cookie cutter strip mall...surprise surprise! Right next to a daycare with rainbow words! Ha! But there is plenty of parking and it does fill up quickly so I get there at least an hour or more before the show starts to get decent seats and parking. I've never been mugged walking to my car but you never know so go with a group friends and don't be that creeper. On Fridays bring some cash for tips, the ladies in Drag work hard to entertain so don't be a cheap butt. And the bartenders too :) Inside the establishment is kinda dingy but it works. The place smells like smoke, sweat, glitter and alcohol but guess what you are in a gay bar. Which although it is a gay bar the staff and customers do not discriminate from what I've seen. The drinks can be pricey but dependent on your bartender they can be are strong! The food is blah cheap greasy bar food and definitely not a place I go for to eat, I usually eat beforehand. The bathrooms for the ladies is...um, escort needed. Not out of fear of being assaulted or lost but the stall doors are loose and do not lock right and I have seen drunken chicks trample down a door only to pee on themselves. Oh, and ladies please hoover over those seats!!! The entertainment and the drag shows is where it is at. If you follow the drag scene any then every now and then some RP Queens show up, like Tyra :D! (She is awesome, btw!) However! The local queens are beautiful, funny and talented. Especially Mercedes! Also,I have been here Thursday nights a couple of times which is karaoke night and in comparison to Fridays and Saturdays it is quite dead but again Drag is what keeps people coming back. However, Thursday is a great day to come socialize with good friends and act a fool singing or be a wall flower and play some pool :) Overall, Rainbow Cactus is the best gay bar in comparison to venues out there in terms of entertainment, drinks, and acceptance of diversity...oh and safety, they have security constantly roaming about! Go to Rainbow Cactus, skip the Wave, Ambush and HerShe if you want the better options. read more

I have to agree, the Cactus is one of the best gay bars I've been to! The shows are awesome/hilarious/amazing! If you're an attractive male, prepare to be accosted by the Drag Show Host(ess). It's all in good fun, though, and well worth the drive from the Penninsula. I spent my 21st there, and am glad I did! I've since moved far away but I miss the Cactus! read more

So much fun! This place is so diverse and we had just a great time with the drag show! Jazmine was WONDERFUL! The music is great to dance to, it is just non-stop fun! read more

I'm visiting from Baltimore, and decided to go out with my boyfriend. Since he's from the area he knew all the bars and clubs, so he picked this one. I have to say, I didn't expect the place to be so big since it was located in a strip mall. But we came in and it was clean, and spacious. Good music, and an indoor smoking area,(which in Baltimore and DC no one has). The drinks were well made, the bartenders were sociable but not to the point where they held up a line. The drag performances were okay. And the crowd was nice, I wish the dance floor was bigger. That's really my only complaint. read more

Let me start by saying I have been to this bar many times with friends and family. What has kept me coming back in the past has been the great atmosphere, lovely queens and the amazing shows, bar staff and drinks and music. What I encountered last night was unprofessional behavior by the owner himself. This was a Wednesday night and the male dancers finished their performances and the dance floor opened up to all patrons at the club. A handful of people were dancing. One particular gentleman continued to gain popularity and patrons began throwing money on him. (All $1 bills from what I could see) He really didn't pay it too much attention and kept on dancing. A friend of his would eventually pick up the money. After about 3-4 songs, a guy (Who I later discovered is the owner) rushes across the stage and over to the gentleman and aggressively begins to argue with him and tells him to leave. The both argued back and forth for about 30 seconds before the owner tells the gentleman he is permanently banned from the club. The owner also began arguing with a patron who claims to be a lawyer and states " He (the gentleman) did nothing wrong." The owner then exits the club, steps out in front and proceeds to call the police. Five minutes later the guy at the door says everyone has to leave the club. There was no real explanation given as to why everyone had to leave. When asked, I was told that it is at the owner's discretion to close whenever he chooses to do so. We arrived at the club about 8:55pm and our girls night out abruptly ended by 10:30 'ish. Mind you we spent good money on alcohol (which we consumed) and food (we were unable to consume) before we left. Law enforcement arrived in the midst of everyone getting into their vehicles. Thankfully no one was hurt or arrested however, I do not plan to visit this establishment again as long as this guy owns the place. I wish he had handled the situation in a more professional manner. Had he asked the patrons not to throw money on the gentleman maybe everyone could have continued to enjoy the rest of the evening. read more

This establishment is in dire need of an update, great staff/service/entertainers but it's essentially a glittery toilet seat.

We had a blast, it was a slightly different drag show than we were used to (we're from George Mason University, we have a GIGANTIC show every year for pride week). This show was very professional and the girls looked amazing! It definitely had us laughing our butts off. The dance breaks were fantastic, but if you want a table after dancing, just don't get up because it's going to be gone. Drinks were good, I had a tequila sunrise, the whiskey sour was good. The fries were tasty. The servers and bartenders were super nice, super quick and had some flair with their bottles. Get there early, skip the cover on Fridays, get a good seat. Don't think you're going to be able to see just because you sit at the tall tables near the stage, people will stand in front of you there, some will try to make sure you can still see, but only some. read more

Meant to post a while ago, so this is a late review. Fun place, but when I went to pay the bartender she was pretty rude. Before I could hand her her tip, she snapped at me "A tip would've been nice". Like tf? I definitely didn't tip her after that. read more

The Rainbow Cactus is a very fun bar! There are always very interesting shows like the drags and the wet contests. It is packed with mostly great looking men. There are a small sparkles of hot women, too. It has a couple pool tables and it has a plenty of seats. The drinks are good and at the reasonable prices. If you want to meet a hot person or to have a hot time, visit there. read more

My friends and I always have a fun time when we come to Rainbow Cactus! The entertainment is always good- the drag queens and the man candy never fail to put on a good show! The bar tenders keep the drinks STRONG and prices are reasonable. Good service when we decide to get food - I recommend the fries or the mozzarella sticks as something to nibble on. Very diverse and welcoming environment. Attire is generally cute/casual/comfortable. read more

I like this bar a lot :D even though it's my first time coming here. I came here to watch the drag show last Saturday with my friend and they were stunningly beautiful. I rarely go out to nightclubs/bars and I'm glad I came here. Me and my friend had so much fun! read more

There's no reviews for 2012 so I figured I will do one. I'm from out of town but have a friend who lives here and said this was a good bar. We got there early, played pool, and then ordered some munchies. Nothing special typical bar food, fried crap from a box..... BUT the chicken tenders were raw in the middle.... Totally disgusting .... The place is divided in two rooms.... A country section which is the smallest and it's the smoking section.... No ventilation in there what so ever.... The main room is where most people hangout.... House music with pop remix stuff. The crowd varied although it was mainly young 20's... I went on a Friday but didn't stick around for the show... It was getting crowded.... Wish I would have stayed cause we went to Hershees next and that was a HUGE disappointment!! Three stars for undercooked chicken, packed, the non ventilation in the other room..... I would go again though to see the shows it's a decent hangout.... read more

Is it just me, or does it smell like estrogen up in here? Like you can physically smell it. But for real drinks are a bit weak for my alcoholic taste. But matt the bartender is pretty dope. Then there's toilets dudes and stuff. Don't take this as an invitation to take your shirt off however. It gets real. read more

In comparison to the other hole-in-the-wall gay/lesbian, etc. hangouts in Va. Beach, Rainbow Cactus pleasantly surpassed my expectations. My vice with this place and many other points of interests in Virginia is the fact that there is no segregation of cigarette smoke-ridden space and non smoker's space. So, non-smoker's beware! I didn't know if I wanted to pass out from carbon-monoxide poisoning or the alcohol. Overall, I had a good time. The crowd was well diversified (gay, lesbian, bi, black, white, young, mature, etc.) and possessed a fun, pleasant vibe. Depending on the night you attend, women may experience an extensive wait to get in the bathroom. Drinks prices shouldn't hurt the pocket, and were found to satisfy the alcoholic pallet. Just keep an eye out on your tab; my damage for one night was 75.00, but my bank statement showed that I was actually charged 100.00. Also, I went with my girlfriend a previous night and had a different bartender and was charged less that night than the more recent evening, despite the fact that I had more to drink... The Cactus seems to have a feature night for all interests. I went on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and was never let down on my aspirations to have a good time. I would definitely recommend Rainbow Cactus to all looking to encounter the alternative lifestyle within the confines of Virginia Beach. read more

Visiting Virginia beach from Ohio for the weekend and we stopped here because it's a popular gay nightclub in va. We went on a Friday night and I was so much fun. I would definitely go back. read more

Was in there at like 8pm on a saturday with a buddy, just a few people in there. Cool atmosphere even if youre not a gay. Id have no problem coming back here. read more

Four of us were visiting the area from MD to celebrate our friends bday. This venue was not on our list of to-do's, but I am glad word of mouth reached us and we decided to visit on Saturday 7/23/16. The venue is a nice size, the drinks we ordered were just ok, the crowd there was very diverse (mixed gender and race), and I loved that. The music catered to all and was super fun and made you dance (or at least sing along). I do wish there were a little more seating, but I believe they have a reserved section, so if a seat is important to you, you may want to take that option. Also, they have a "no large purse" rule, which is fine by me, but somehow I wish I would have known before getting out of my car only to have to walk back and let someone see me put my purse back inside. I would suggest adding that to the website for first timers visiting, like myself. It could help save the patrons some time, headache and hassle. read more

My friends dad loves this place. I have been twice and had a good time. I will say they treated me and my friends great even though we are not family. read more

Nice staff, great drink specials, loveliest drag queens! Who could ask for more out of your local LBGT bar! Straight friendly as well ;)

Cosmetically speaking, this bar is much better than the competition but the crowd and the service was so bad it turned what could be a very fun night into an experience i never wish to repeat. This bar is an example of a great bar thinking its much greater than it really is. Very sad considering its potential. The show was very nice though and the music was perfect to dance to. read more

Came in from DC for work, and stayed for the weekend, its a decent club, very laid back, drag show was entertaining, and the bar staff was awsome, i left well inebriated, security is visibly present and seems to do a good job of stopping issues. I think my biggest issue was we got there and waited in line for a really long time, they seemed to have a really low capacity or something, but when we got in it was hopping, but certainly still had room. This club is not exactly like what you would see in a larger city, but Overall it was a good experience, i'd recommend it to anyone gay or straight. read more

hi my name is paul, i just wanted to say that my experience at rainbow cactus has been brighter than a rainbow. i met my partner, gerald, and let me tell you, gerald has the biggest shling shong that i have ever experienced in my gay wonderful life. being born in the 70's i wasn't expected for who i was even though i loved the man genitalia i was ashamed that i loved the male meat. but rainbow cactus and gerald let me except who i was. also note Gerald pounds me like paint can mixer ps. i'm a bottom pps. it's big ppps. it's dark pppps. like a badger read more

The only thing good here was Avery our server. Friendly, personable. The manager was rude. Almost like people bothered her. I asked her a question and she ignored me. Asked it again and she answered me but was very angry and bothered that I interrupted her life. Horrible woman. As a manager you want people to come to your place and leave satisfied, not her. She could care less. Bathrooms were gross. They had a smoke room but no ventilation. Had to cut through the smoke to see anybody. Drag show was not great. Mostly dancing. Had mail dancers. Lmao. Enough said. read more

I've always heard about the Rainbow Cactus and finally had the chance to check it out while I was back in town for the holidays. I went on a Friday night and the place was packed. Definitely a lot of diversity and a good mixed crowd of both gays and lesbians. It was nice to see both hanging out at the same bars, unlike in Atlanta. The drink prices are reasonable and I laughed when I noticed that my Vodka Tonic was blue due to the light on the bottom of my glass. The dance floor reminded me of the old Hoedowns in Atlanta and everyone seemed to be having a good time. After a few dance sets, they would clear the stage for a drag performance. I am not a huge fan of drag queens but was impressed that they were really beautiful and performed well! This is definitely a good place to hang out with friends and go for a drink. I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the unpretentious that I grew accustomed to in Atlanta. Oh and if you are wondering...yeah the guys are pretty cute here too! :) read more

As a frequent flyer of this establishment I'd have to default say this the best club for anyone looking to enjoy themselves on a range of levels. They have active contests with cash prizes every week, a very nice interactive drag show, and even male dancers on Wednesdays! the cover charge is reasonably priced, and the dance floor often fills up after the shows. The staff is courteous and attentive. I'd recommend this establishment to anyone who wants to have a good time. read more

The Cactus is Virginia Beach's best gay bar (at the moment). It has a country decor theme, but is a drag bar with top-40 music following the show. The crowd is cute but somewhat to themselves. The drag show is usually very good, but lasts far too long. Some nights it continues until about 30-45 minutes before they turn the music off and empty the bar. The security staff is downright rude. RUDE. They make you feel like they are doing you a favor by allowing you in. If you take a picture, they will threaten to steal your camera from you. Seriously. Kathy at the bar is awesome. The smoking section in the back does not have separate ventilation and REAKS. You might smell like smoke when leaving even if you don't go back there. It's pretty good for Virginia Beach. It does not compare to the bigger city clubs, though. Oh, and in true VA fashion, no one shows up before 11 and it closes at about 1:45. :-/ read more