7 Queer-Owned Businesses To Visit In Tucson, Arizona

May 31

Hi! Charlie (he/they) here, founder of the Everywhere Is Queer App which is a worldwide map of 14,000+ queer-owned businesses + job board! Make sure to download our free app (available on iOS and Android) so you can support queer-owned businesses wherever you are globally!

I am excited to share these 7 incredible queer-owned businesses with you from when I visited Tucson, Arizona! Wow, was this food incredible!

1. Transit Cycles / Tucson, Arizona

Jenna (she/her), founder of Transit Cycles welcomed us in like we had been friends for a lifetime. Transit Cycles is your one-stop shop for all of your bike repair and bike adventure needs! Jenna has been in the industry for over 20 years and I can tell has worked very hard to build a space for our community to feel seen. While we were there for a little under an hour, Jenna had several friends bike by to say hi!

Make sure to stop in and say hi to Jenna + get all your adventure bike gear while in Tucson, Arizona next!

Transit Cycles Instagram: @transitcycles

Images taken by @coryallenhall + @everywhereisqueer

2. Dirty T Tamarindo / Tucson, Arizona

This one is for all the Chamoy candy fans! Alana (she/her) gave us an incredible experience trying SO many different types of chamoy candy she makes in house. Her recipes date back to the 1980s! My partner and I walked away with 10+ bags of candy, we couldn’t resist. It was all SO good!

Dirty T Tamarindo sells wholesale and ships worldwide, so go place your order right now via her store - here! You won’t regret it!

Dirty T Tamarindo Instagram: @dirty_t_tamarindo

3. BOCA / Tucson, Arizona

You may recognize or have heard of this spot before! Chef Maria was on Season 18 Top Chef! Chef Maria has built such a cute restaurant in the heart of Tucson, ready to welcome you with A/C and a refreshing margarita. Their Boca Balls are MUST get, I ate them so quickly and didn’t share, oops!

Their Elote was is also a must! This is also when I found out my partner and I eat corn differently. I go around and around, anyone else? Boca was an all around delicious lunch!

BOCA Instagram: @bocatucson

4. Suncliffe Gin / Tucson, Arizona

Launched in 2021, Suncliffe Gin is an Arizona-based botanical gin company founded by partners (in life and business) Ryan Lawrence and Thomas Giddings, in partnership with Brooklyn-based friend, Clare Byrne.

The three of them have crafted a gin that utilizes three local junipers— one seed, shaggy, and alligator— alongside native botanicals (ponderosa pine bark, manzanita, and western elderflower).

My partner and I were able to find a gin only bar in Tucson that had a whole page dedicated to Suncliffe Gin (the drink they made with Suncliffe was delicious!). I asked the bartender “of the 100s of gins that y’all have here, which is your favorite?” and they said Suncliffe Gin! You can find their bottle of Gin in the SW United States and NE United States. You can keep an eye on all the locations of where their gin is sold via their map - here!

Suncliffe Gin Instagram: @suncliffegin

5. Galeria Mitotera & Gifts / Tucson, Arizona

Having moved from Los Angeles, California to Tucson, Mel had a vision, a dream to open something. Mel is an INCREDIBLE artist, whose work you can see when you visit Galeria Mitotera! Mel and Melissa were truly two of the kindest souls. Their space is filled with art created by local artists. They were able to tell us the full story of each artist which tells you how dedicated they are to their space and community.

I am so excited to wear my new “Queer Magic” t-shirt that I purchased there (shown on Melissa below)! Even if you are just passing through Tucson, there are endless gift opportunities for you to pick up for your community. Make sure to say hi to Mel and Melissa for me!

Galeria Mitotera Instagram: @galeriamitotera

6. Arizona Poppy / Tucson, Arizona

Self proclaimed deserty handmade goods, vintage & plants! Arizona Poppy is one of the cutest stores I have ever been in. We walked away with gifts for 5+ of our friends! Arizona Poppy is a space filled with extremely talented artists from all over the world.

Rosie (she/they), the founder of Arizona Poppy is also the founder behind Sonoran Rosie Herbal, which you can shop in store at Arizona Poppy! I have chatted with Rosie quite a bit over Instagram so it was really great to meet them in person. Located in downtown Tucson, this is a spot that you’ll walk by and definitely need to stop in! Enjoy the incredible mural found outside (shown below).

Arizona Poppy Instagram: @arizonapoppyshop

7. Ensenada Street Food / Tucson, Arizona

These were by far the best taco’s I have ever had! It is also the cutest team because it is Magdalena, her partner Catalina + their daughter Sharon.

Magdalena is originally from Ensenada, Mexico a west coast town in Mexico, 9 hours from Tucson. Magdalena goes home often to visit her family! She shared with me several stories learning how to cook from her mom. My partner and I couldn’t stop talking about how good these tacos were!

You HAVE to stop at their queer-owned restaurant when in Tucson!

Ensenada Street Food: @ensenadastreetfood