Your guide to the best San Diego gay bars, LGBT venues and events

From the iconic rainbow flag waving proudly in Hillcrest to the buzzing nightlife, trendy eateries, and inclusive events, San Diego effortlessly blends coastal charm with LGBTQ+ pride.

LGBTQ+ Neighborhoods in San Diego

San Diego is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities on the West Coast (and some say even in the United States!). The staple areas for the LGBTQ+ community are Hillcrest and North Park.

Hillcrest

• It’s the most popular and prominent gayborhood in San Diego.
• Located in the Hillcrest neighborhood along University Avenue between 1st Avenue and Park Blvd.
• This is where you will find the majority of San Diego’s gay bars, queer events, tasty restaurants, and other LGBTQ+ happenings. 

North Park

• Adjacent and to the east of Hillcrest, where you will find another hub and scattering of gay and queer bars.
• Offers some alternative San Diego shops for more…let’s say, adult and unique interests. 
• More alternative vibe and hosts more of the pop-up events. 

Other LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods include most of Downtown (particularly the XYZ area), South Park, Bankers Hill, and Balboa Park. 

Our Recommended San Diego LGBTQ+ Spots

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Trendy / Happy Hour / Specialty Cocktails

Start your night off with a delicious dinner and specialty cocktails. Their menu is delicious, seasonally crafted to reflect a creative approach to California and Mediterranean-inspired fare. We love Ahi Poke and Oven Roasted Chicken. Don’t forget their libations, each with a special flare, plus they have a wide range of wines and beers. The Empress 75 (gin-based) and the Saucy Little Tart (vodka-based) are our two top picks! They also have amazing mock-tails like Blackberry Faux-Jito, if you aren’t an alcohol lover. 

Urban MO's Bar & Grill

Pre-drinking Spot / Popular Patio / Friendly Atmosphere

One of the most established gay bars and clubs in Hillcrest (it transitioned from a Hamburger Mary’s), where you can have a nice bloody mary to kick start your day after a night out, have a yummy lunch and cocktail, or come late and do some pre-drinking before heading out to other queer spots around town. The staff is super friendly and a great draw. The bar offers a great brunch with bottomless mimosas on the weekends and features other weekly events like trivia and karaoke if you love to sing. The crowd is usually gay men with a mix of the alphabet fam, ranging from 20s to late 50s. 

Number One Fifth Avenue

Dive Bar / Local Hangout / Weekly Events

Not far from Urban Mo’s, located on Fifth Avenue, and is a fun, divey bar. When you walk inside, there is a long wooden bar located in the front of the space with lots of seating and a smaller bar with tables in the back which becomes a small dance floor on the weekend. The atmosphere is relaxed and a great spot to kick back some drinks while chatting with friends. Events include social events such as Pictionary games and karaoke to Sunday funday, and Latin nights to dance it up on the weekends. So if you are looking for some fun, but want more laid-back nights during the week, this is a great place to start. 

Rich's

Dancing / After Hours (on special events) / Very Energetic

This is the place to dance! It is the largest LGBTQ+ nightclub in San Diego and usually gets packed on the weekends. The gay club is set out over two separate dance floors, a VIP area with 4 private VIP booths - call or text Rich’s at 619-578-9349 for VIP bookings. There is a separate hidden private party room upstairs (we have personally had some fun times here!) that overlooks the main dance floor, plus two outdoor smoking patios. Rich’s throws fab-themed events that go to 4 am for special parties (while the rest of San Diego bars close at 2 am - last call is still 1:45 am!) and hosts celeb drag performances (performers from RuPaul’s Drag Race are frequent guests) and international DJs. The crowd is usually on the younger side here, 20s to 30s, a mix of gay guys, straight, and lesbian women. A quick note - it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

EQ

Dancing / Weekly Events / EDM & Electronica Music

The other popular gay dance club in Hillcrest to visit, which usually brings in people who love to dance to electronica and EDM music without the the long lines and VIP atmosphere. EQ features a state-of-the-art sound system and fun light shows, and it focuses on creating a community for music lovers. Events here include bear events, electronica and EDM parties, and goth nights like SABBAT, which spins industrial music and darker beats. If you want to try something a little different from the mainstream spots, make sure to pop in here!

Gossip Grill

Lesbian / Fun Atmosphere / Happy Hour Specials

Gossip is calling all the fun-loving people and women who love women! The decor is adorned with feminine-inspired art, fun chandeliers, and an evergreen patio bar with two inviting fire pits. Inside is a smaller bar and a cozy dance floor, perfect for shaking your booty (if you really want to get down) and dancing the night away or until 2 am when the lights come on. The crowd here is a mix of colorful people, ranging from their early 20s to 40s on average. Gossip features weekly events from drag shows, burlesque brunches, and even bingo nights for you bingo lovers. Lastly, they feature some tasty food options in case you need something to soak up those happy-hour cocktails. 

SRO Lounge

Trans / Queer / Lounge

SRO caters to the transgender community, cross-dressers, and those who want to explore. Located north of downtown San Diego at the bottom of the Banker’s Hill neighborhood, this trans and queer haven is not just your typical bar; it's a place where you can be yourself no matter who you are. Line with red decor and chandeliers, this transgender queer space is a mix of glam with a laid-back experience. Weekends are busiest here and usually a friendly crowd of 30s to early 50s, who are looking to make new friends and experiences.

Popular San Diego LGBTQ+ Events

Our top recommended event in San Diego is the San Diego Pride in July, which is one of the largest Pride events in the United States. All of Hillcrest goes all weekend long, with one of the best Pride parades you will see. Plus, the headliners here are top notch and the special pride parties will have you going until late in the night (if you want). 

Other San Diego Events

Then San Diego Comic-Con International, which is also in July, brings in a massive influx of comic book and anime fans from around the world. While this isn’t a specifically focused LGBTQ+ event, the gayborhood gets packed with amazing theme parties, so pick your favorite Marvel or cosplay character and head out for an all-nighter!

Safety Around San Diego for LGBTQ+ Folx

Hillcrest is very safe during the day and mostly at night too, where you can usually feel free to hold hands or be affectionate with your friend (or friends). There are some unhoused people around town but are usually non-violent or threatening. If you go out around town at night, just make sure to keep your wits about you, text or share your location with your friends, and stay in groups. San Diego is overall pretty safe, but always practice being aware of your surroundings to keep you and your peeps safe!

Great Touristy Spots to Visit While in Town

The city is a siren during the day, calling to those who seek the embrace of nature and the thrill of adventure.

First up, Downtown San Diego has a plethora of activities to keep you entertained day and night. Stop by Seaport Village, the waterfront shopping (70+ shops) and dining complex, Litte Italy for you Italian food lovers, waterfront parks, or the Intrepid Museum along with other smaller museums to check out. Plus, Gaslamp has a ton of nightlife options if you want to experience the hetero route or enjoy the top-notch restaurants.

Next up, La Jolla is a short journey from Hillcrest, home to the tourist-surrounded seals and sea lions, high-end shopping, and the world-famous Black’s Beach, one of the largest nude beaches in the country. If you’re ready to put it all out there, just turn right once you get to the bottom of the beach area and keep going until you feel all the wandering eyes. Or, for a more family-friendly vibe, bask in the golden sands of Coronado Beach, where the iconic Hotel del Coronado stands as a grand sentinel over the shores.

Don't forget beautiful Balboa Park, a sprawling urban oasis, is a symbol of the city's love for arts and culture. Home to an array of museums, gardens, and wander through the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture here, and you'll feel like you've stepped into a storybook! If you are an animal lover, make sure to visit the world-class San Diego Zoo, which is also in Balboa Park, housing over 4,000 animals and more than 650 species and subspecies on 100 acres. It is one of the most renowned zoos in the world!

Food enthusiasts get ready because the culinary journey that awaits you in San Diego is epic! From Michelin-star restaurants like Tadokoro, Juniper & Ivy, Fort Oak, and Serẽa Coastal Cuisine just to name a few, plus sumptuous seafood of waterfront eateries to the authentic Mexican flavors that dance on your tongue in the historic Old Town, San Diego's food scene is a delicious blend of tastes and traditions. So, get ready to feed those tummies!

Bottom Line of San Diego

​With its sun-kissed beaches, amazing LGBTQ+ nightlife, and a culinary scene that will blow your taste buds away, San Diego is a city where every visitor can explore its treasures! The fun, the friendliness, the ridiculously fit people— and maybe just a little help from all the great gay bars in Hillcrest, this SoCal beauty rarely leaves anyone disappointed. Whether you're basking in the glow of a beach sunset, losing yourself in the green embrace of Balboa Park, or dancing the night away, San Diego welcomes you with open arms and a promise: here, you'll find a piece of your heart that you never knew was missing.