Your guide to the best Los Angeles gay bars, LGBT venues and events
California, United States
It’s glitzy, it’s glam, and it’s got its share of divas, with some of the best gay bars in Los Angeles, The City of Angels has earned its place as a top US destination for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Explore the progress of LGBTQ+ rights across the world all in an easy to read charts, graphs, and tables. From public sentiment to protections find it all here so you know when holding hands gets you a look or a sentence.
Visit EqualdexLos Angeles is a sun-soaked canvas of creativity and inclusivity, extending its warm embrace to all, embodying the quintessence of a LGBTQ+ haven. As you peel back the layers of this sprawling city, each neighborhood reveals its own charm. This is where dreams are both made and pursued and there is a little bit of everything, plus some of the best queer clubs in LA.
West Hollywood, or WeHo, as the locals affectionately dub it, stands as the pulsating heart of LA's LGBTQ+ community. This gayborhood, brimming with queer culture, entertainment, and unabashed joy, serves as a beacon for those seeking both sanctuary and celebration. West Hollywood's rainbow-striped crosswalks aren't just a bold urban feature; they symbolize the area's unwavering commitment to diversity and acceptance.
Begin your journey at the iconic Santa Monica Boulevard, the main artery of LGBTQ+ culture and some of the best Los Angeles gay bars. Here, you'll find The Abbey, known around the world for its renowned Weho, with its Gothic-inspired architecture and welcoming atmosphere. A full 40% of the nabe’s (slang for neighborhood) population openly identifies as LGBTQ+, making it the gayest place in the nation—and an amazing spot to find all the top LA gay bars, queer spots, lounges, and restaurants.
For a more neighborhood feel (with some bisexual and gay leather bars), make your way to Silver Lake. Finally, up-and-comer Los Feliz is home to a number of trending venues worth a try.
By day, explore Universal Studios Hollywood to experience what it would be like if you were in the movies! Griffith Park and Observatory, perched atop the Hollywood Hills is a celestial gateway, which offers not only breathtaking views of the city but also a journey through the cosmos within its famed planetarium. The surrounding Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America, invites you to explore its myriad hiking trails, the enchanting Greek Theatre, and the serene beauty of the Hollywood Sign. Check out La Brea Tar Pits, one of the world's most famous fossil localities, where more than 100 excavations have been made! LACMA, beckons with its expansive collections that span geographical borders and historical epochs. Not far away, the Getty Center, sitting like a modern acropolis, offers an unparalleled art collection amidst stunning architecture and gardens that offer a tranquil retreat from the city's hustle.
No visit to Los Angeles is complete without basking in the golden glow of its famed beaches. For some of that famous LA sun, Santa Monica Beach offers the quintessential beach experience, with its iconic pier and Ferris wheel painting a postcard-perfect scene, or visit the popular Venice Beach. Most places you’re headed, have Uber or Lyft (another rideshare app) at the ready—it’s true what they say about the headaches of driving here or stay green by hopping on Metro (LA's subway).
For those looking to experience Pride like no other, LA Pride and Weho Pride in June transform West Hollywood into a riot of color, music, and queers galore! This exuberant celebration, one of the largest LGBTQ+ pride events in the world, is a vivid reminder of the strides taken toward equality and the ongoing journey ahead. And make sure to hydrate after hitting all the best gay bars in Los Angeles, because they pour heavy!
All hail the deliciousness of LA restaurants! Los Angeles has a plethora of amazing restaurants, cafes, lounges, and almost every single type of food you could ever want. You just have to decide what your stomach is in the mood for. Nom. Nom.
Fashion lovers will find the boutiques along Melrose Avenue offer a wide variety of fashion, vintage finds, and bespoke creations. This fashionista's paradise, where the worlds of art, culture, and commerce intersect, encapsulates the eclectic spirit of West Hollywood. Or for that taste of luxury, Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive provides an opulent shopping experience, its thoroughfare lined with haute couture and sparkling jewels. Nearby, the historic Greystone Mansion offers a peek into the city's opulent past, set within lush, sprawling gardens.
The City of Angels has always been a heartbreaker, but you can at least count on some crazy sights, late nights, and at least one or two celebs in the wild on your journey to make it all worth it. So come, immerse yourself in the warmth, wonder, and whimsy of LA, and let your spirit soar.
View the index of more than just the best LGBTQ events + gay bars in Los Angeles, California, United States
Join our list and get more!
We'll send you upcoming events, free city guides, offers from partners, first access to new features and more.
Sign up now