The Ruby Fruit
Los Angeles’ nightlife pulse is largely in credit to its gay community. From West Hollywood to the Eastside, the city hosts havens of revelry and community whether you’re looking to dance the night away or gather around bottomless mimosas with your best friends. Gay bars are aplenty in Los Angeles, so we’ve rounded up our favorites to narrow down where you should head for your next night out.
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Website/ 1716 Whitley Ave 90028
So not all the best gay bars in L.A. are tehcnically bars, but we think a regularly occuring LGBTQIA+ dance party more than makes the cut. The inclsuive club promises queer energy, community and astrology (and, of course, great tunes) and can typically be found at The Whitley Hollywood.
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Website/ 8939 Santa Monica Blvd 90069
Sure, themed nights are fun, but The Bayou fully commits as a New Orleans-inspired bar complete with Mardi Gras decor and Cajun-influenced pub fare. Hedonistic nights are warranted, but we also suggest stopping in for bottomless mimosas or Bloody Mary’s on weekend afternoons.
See also: Where to Enjoy the Best Alfresco Happy Hours in L.A.
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Website/ 4356 Sunset Blvd 90029
The self-titled “Neighborhood Oasis” might be right for you if you’re not looking for WeHo-level debauchery. Come for strong drinks, good vibes and the infamous jukebox.
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"It doesn't feel like the same crowd that gathers at any other single event. We take great pride in that," Rhonda co-founder Gregory Alexander told Paper in 2021. Since launching in 2008, the traveling party has established itself as a Los Angeles nightlife legend for producing a space of no inhibitions. Be sure to follow on Twitter and Instagram for new parties.
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Website/ 8945 Santa Monica Blvd 90069
A newer outpost along Santa Monica Boulevard, Tulum lushness coalesces with Los Angeles sensibilities at The Wild in West Hollywood. It attracts crowds looking to dance the night away and sip top-notch handcraft cocktails, but you’ll also be equally impressed by its weekend brunch.
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Website/ 3510 Sunset Blvd 90026
Southern California’s best gems are found in strip malls, and one of many great examples is The Ruby Fruit. The wine bar opened in February 2023 and serves up biodynamic, small-production wines, craft beers, housemade non-alcoholic spritzes and hyper-local, seasonally-inspired plates. Opened by Mara Herbkersman and Emily Bielagus, the Silver Lake establishment serves as a space for lesbians, non-binary, gender-nonconforming and trans people.
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Website/ 1302 Abbot Kinney Blvd 90291
It’s hard to be a longtime restaurant or bar in Los Angeles, especially in an innovation hub like Venice Beach that finds balance from its Silicon Beach, beach and art communities. But Roosterfish has stood the test of time since 1979. The Abbott Kinney bar is a welcome gathering zone for beachside locals looking for a solid happy hour or fun night out with its jukebox tunes, pool tables, live DJs and dog-friendly patio.
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Website/ 1532 N Western Ave 90027
Alongside The Ruby Fruit, Honey’s at Star Love kicked up the number of lesbian bars in the United States to 27. The queer watering hole operates as a live music venue, community space and bar and it has the lush tropical aesthetic of your dreams. From Wednesday to Saturday, you’ll want to set your sights here for nights out. It opens at 7 p.m. until late. What’s more, the calendar lineup includes the likes of speed dating, comedy shows, DJs, dance parties, themed nights, wellness pop-ups and more.
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2218 1st St 90033
It’s a dive bar, but better! Redz Angelz is celebrated for its friendly vibe and even friendlier crowd. The Boyle Heights bar is the kind of place you’ll want to kick back with a beer, but also you’ll also get to watch drag shows, bingo, karaoke and more.
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8944 Santa Monica Blvd 90069
The Mother Lode takes the cake as one of the oldest bars in the Rainbow District. First opened in 1979, it recently underwent a renovation that makes its polished dance floor the ultimate space for dancing with a stiff drink in hand and music blasting from the upgraded sound system.
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Website/ 8941 Santa Monica Blvd 90069
On bar-hopping nights along Santa Monica Boulevard (Or days— we know weekend brunch can take a turn!), be sure to add Stache to the lineup. The space is inspired by the underground spaces once needed for the LGBTQ community to gather, but is enlivened by clean and modern elements and the famous L.A. sun. Operating as a nightclub, bar and restaurant, it has a varied lineup of events each night, including trivia, Drag Race viewing parties, drinking and drawing and more.
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Website/ 1201 E Broadway 90802
The outskirts of Los Angeles County are well worth the trek for experiencing another great gay community in Southern California. In Long Beach, you’ll find a solid number of gay bars that you’ll likely have a good time anywhere, but a standout is Sweetwater Saloon. The welcoming, no-frills joint promises one of the coldest taps on Broadway and a daily happy hour until 8 p.m.
Photography by: Jesse Saler
