The Portal Bookshop & Over The Rainbow Café
Queer Bookshop and Café in the heart of York
York's LGBTQ+ specialist bookshop and Café...
When Portal opened in 2019 it was only the third LGBTQ+ Specialist bookshop in the UK, after Gay's The Word in London and Category is Books in Glasgow. As well as selling all sorts of LGBTQ+ books and merchandise, including flags, Portal showcases art, crafts and jewellery from local creators who are part of the queer community. A 2022 addition, Over The Rainbow Café is located upstairs, above Portal, with a downstairs table available for anyone who struggles with steps. Over The Rainbow serves hot and cold drinks, including shakes, and savoury and sweet food options, which include sandwiches, pastries and our legendary flag cakes which are modelled after the different LGBTQ+ flags!
Although the café is up a flight of stairs, Portal is equipped with a ramp for wheeled access and all efforts will be made to accommodate any other accessibility needs.
The space is also available to hire for events and parties.
“We're working hard to make an inclusive and welcoming space in the heart of York - we hope you love it too!”