There’s something electric happening in LGBTQ+ travel and hospitality—and it’s not just a trend. It’s the intentional work of people like Tristan Schukraft, a gay entrepreneur who’s made it his mission to protect and reimagine the spaces that matter to our community. From legendary nightlife venues to boutique hotels that put queerness front and center, Tristan isn’t just serving up cocktails and canopy beds—he’s restoring gay culture, one property at a time. With his hospitality brand, Tryst Hospitality, he’s injecting new energy into iconic destinations across the United States and Mexico, making them places where we can gather, celebrate, and feel safe. And it’s exactly what our community needs right now.

The LGBTQ+ community has always needed more than just travel options—we’ve needed safe spaces. From bathhouses to back rooms, and later to gay bars and Pride parties, our social lives have historically depended on spaces where we can exist without explanation. But with growing threats to queer rights and closures of LGBTQ+ venues over the last decade, those safe spaces have been fading. Tristan saw that loss—and decided to do something about it. His goal? Not just to preserve our culture, but to elevate it with stylish, queer-centric destinations that put the gay traveler first.

That’s why what Tristan is doing is so exciting. He’s not building hotels for straight people with rainbow pillows during Pride Month. He’s designing experiences built from the ground up for us. This is hospitality for the gays, by the gays—with no apologies and no compromises. From Fire Island to Puerto Vallarta, San Juan to West Hollywood, Tryst Hospitality is revitalizing LGBTQ+ institutions and giving the next generation of queers a place to call home, whether they’re sipping mimosas at drag brunch or dancing under the stars. If you care about the future of queer spaces, you need to know his name.

A Passion Project Turned Powerhouse Brand

Tristan Schukraft’s journey into hospitality wasn’t born from textbooks or hotel chains—it came from passion, purpose, and a bit of entrepreneurial flair. After launching ID90.COM, a successful tech platform for airline employee travel, and co-founding MISTR—the nation’s largest telemedicine platform for HIV prevention and care—he shifted gears and started building something deeply personal. What began as a boutique hotel acquisition in Puerto Rico has since grown into a thriving gay-owned hospitality brand with a mission that’s as bold as it is necessary.

Tryst Hospitality isn’t trying to appeal to everyone. It’s unapologetically queer. “We’re not gay-friendly. We’re gay,” Tristan says. That difference shows up in the details: from sugar-free Red Bull in your room to gender-neutral restrooms with the space and setup for a proper pool party crowd. These aren’t just gimmicks—they’re thoughtful touches that show an understanding of what gay travelers actually want.

And that’s just the start. Tryst hotels are designed to be small, intimate, and full of personality. You won’t find soulless towers here. You’ll find charm, community, and camp. Whether you’re sipping cocktails at The Abbey in West Hollywood, dancing at Circo in San Juan, or checking into The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta, you’re entering a space created for you, by someone who understands you.

Preserving LGBTQ+ Institutions Before They’re Gone

Across North America, LGBTQ+ bars and venues have been vanishing at a rapid rate. Gentrification, aging ownership, and the rise of dating apps have shifted how queer people connect. But physical spaces still matter—maybe more than ever. And Tristan knows it.

He’s not just acquiring these spaces—he’s preserving them. When he took over The Abbey, West Hollywood’s legendary gay bar, he wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. He wanted to make sure the community’s most iconic gathering place stayed in queer hands. Same goes for his properties on Fire Island, including The Blue Whale and The Pavilion Nightclub—two staples of East Coast gay summer culture that were in serious need of investment and TLC.

His approach is hands-on and heartfelt. He restores, renovates, and then reintroduces these spaces with new life while honoring their legacy. Whether it’s repairing pool decks, upgrading outdated plumbing, or completely rebuilding condemned structures while preserving original floors, Tristan is putting the care back into queer spaces. These aren’t pet projects—they’re investments in our culture.

Bringing Fire Island into the Future

Fire Island is practically sacred ground in gay history. But in recent years, it’s been caught in a time warp, with outdated infrastructure and a lack of modern hospitality. That’s changing—fast—thanks to Tristan’s vision.

Tryst Hospitality is not only preserving key venues in The Pines, but improving them. From redoing the community center’s heating systems to replacing fried food menus with fresh, elevated dishes, Tristan is bringing Fire Island into the future—without erasing its past. He’s even planning to demolish and rebuild The Blue Whale with care, keeping historic elements like the original floor, while making the entire waterfront more functional and beautiful.

And it’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about accessibility. With new boutique hotel options, more people can enjoy Fire Island without needing a share house invite or insider connection. That opens the door to first-timers, solo travelers, and queer folks who’ve long dreamed of experiencing the iconic gay summer destination. It’s no longer a “who you know” kind of place. Thanks to Tristan, it’s becoming more open, more inclusive, and more fabulous than ever.

Creating Truly Gay Spaces—Not Just Gay-Friendly Ones

One of Tristan’s biggest points of pride is that his properties are actually gay—owned, operated, and curated for queer travelers. That may sound obvious, but in today’s rainbow capitalism landscape, it’s a rare thing. Big hotel chains may slap up a Pride flag during June, but behind the scenes, they’re often serving a mainstream crowd and sidelining queer culture.

Not Tryst Hospitality.

From drag brunches every Sunday at The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta to themed parties at Circo in San Juan, the vibe is immersive, intentional, and unmistakably LGBTQ+. And these aren’t watered-down, safe-for-corporate-space events. These are for the community—by the community. The experience starts at check-in and lasts well into the night.

Tristan’s not chasing the algorithm or booking out rooms on Expedia. He’d rather keep a few empty beds than sell out the culture. That’s a bold move in hospitality, but it’s also a beautiful one. Because keeping these places authentically queer means they’ll feel like home.

Building Community Through Hospitality

Tristan’s projects go beyond nightlife and travel. They build community. And at a time when LGBTQ+ people are facing legislative rollbacks, targeted hate, and increasing isolation, having spaces where we can gather is essential.

Each Tryst property supports the local community—from eliminating plastic bottled water to building staff housing on Fire Island. Employees get two days off a week and work in a positive environment where they’re respected and supported. There’s even talk of using crushed glass to help rebuild local beaches and backing animal shelters. It’s clear that Tristan isn’t just interested in running hotels—he’s building systems that uplift everyone involved.

That attention to sustainability, equity, and local impact matters. It proves that hospitality can be more than just profit-driven. It can be people-centered. It can bring joy, purpose, and pride—all in the same space.

Why Supporting Gay-Owned Businesses Matters

Every time you book a stay at a Tryst property, have a drink at The Abbey, or catch a drag show at Circo, you’re doing more than spending money—you’re investing in our culture. Supporting gay-owned businesses means helping to ensure that these spaces survive, thrive, and stay in queer hands.

Tristan’s vision only works if we, as a community, back it. That’s why it’s more important than ever to choose where we spend our dollars. There’s no substitute for real, in-person LGBTQ+ connection. Apps can’t replace it. Pride flags on storefronts can’t fake it. What Tristan is building is real, and it’s rare. And we should rally behind it.

What’s Next for Tryst Hospitality?

With properties in Puerto Vallarta, San Juan, West Hollywood, Chicago, and Fire Island—and a fourth hotel announcement coming soon—Tryst Hospitality is just getting started. Tristan’s goal is to eventually open six boutique hotels, all gay-owned and operated. Each one will bring something unique to its city, but all will share the same heart: creating unforgettable, unapologetically queer spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and safe.

And don’t count him out in the cruise world, either. Tristan sees opportunity where others might see limits. With only a few gay-owned cruise options today, there’s room for someone to elevate that experience too. Knowing his track record, if he takes on the high seas next, you can bet it’ll be first-class gay excellence.

You can follow what’s next, check availability, and explore each destination by visiting the official Tryst Hospitality website at https://trysthospitality.com. Whether you’re planning your next getaway or just want to see what a truly gay-owned hotel experience looks like, this is the place to start.

Keep the Queer Experience Alive

Tristan Schukraft isn’t just building hotels—he’s creating space for us to thrive. In a world that too often pushes LGBTQ+ culture to the margins, he’s bringing it back to center stage with love, intention, and style. These aren’t vanity projects. They’re lifelines for connection, joy, and community. If you’ve ever danced all night at The Pavilion, sipped a margarita at DS Tequila, or booked a stay where you felt truly at home, you know exactly why this work matters. Share your favorite gay spaces, experiences, or thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear where you feel most at home.