Lex's Guide to Queer Los Angeles Nightlife | LGBTQ+ Bars

Welcome to our city guide series! Los Angeles is a city brimming with culture, creativity, and a vibrant gay, lesbian, and queer nightlife scene. Whether you're looking to dance til dawn, sip on cocktails with friends, catch a drag show, or just enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by LGBTQ+ community, LA has something for everyone. From West Hollywood to Silver Lake to DTLA, whether you're a local or just visiting, here is a handpicked list of must-visit queer nightlife spots in LA.

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1. Honey’s at Star Love

East Hollywood - 1532 N. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Described as a sexy, gay speakeasy with a DJ booth, Honey’s is the go-to watering hole for lesbian and queer nightlife in LA. Go for the dancing or come for one of the karaoke or comedy nights. Honey's has an impeccable queer vibe that is inclusive to the entire LGBTQ+ community - whether your queer, lesbian, or trans. Enjoy music from rotating queer DJs, sip on the best selection of orange wine, or have a bartender shake you up a mocktail, there's something here for everyone. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, come meet new queer friends or bring someone along that you met on Lex.

2. The Ruby Fruit (now closed)

Silver Lake - 3510 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026

Sip on natural wine and mingle with queer cuties at The Ruby Fruit, LA's premier strip mall wine bar and safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community, welcoming lesbians, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, and trans folks. Enjoy a unique dining experience, courtesy of their women-run kitchen, where you can chat and unwind over delicious snacks any time of day.

3. Stud Country at Club Bahia

Echo Park - 1130 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles

Get your queer line dancing fix at Stud Country, a twice-a-week party hosted at Club Bahia in LA. Born of the legacy of queer dance and honoring the rich history of queer cowboy culture, the organizers are determined to make line dancing fun, accessible, and modern! Hit up your Lex group chat and enjoy a fun gay night out dancing. Not quite ready to dance in a sea of lesbians and queer folks, Stud Country has line dancing classes and two-step workshops where you can learn and practice before showing off your skills on the big gay stage. 

Every Monday & Thursday, 8pm-midnight

4. The Abbey

West Hollywood – 692 N Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

Let’s talk about iconic! The Abbey is practically an institution in WeHo, and a two time winner of MTV's "Best Gay Bar in the World" award. If you've ever wanted to experience the heart of LA's gay scene, this is the bar. The Abbey’s combination of top-notch drag shows, dance floors, and high-end lounges makes it a true all-in-one experience. The crowd is diverse and fun, with a lot of beautiful people (and not just on the outside). The food is unexpectedly amazing, too - seriously, don’t skip the avocado toast. And if you're looking for a full-on party, head to their dance floor after a few drinks; it’s packed most nights and weekends.

5. The Women’s Bar at The Abbey

West Hollywood – 692 N Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

Yes, I know we just mentioned The Abbey earlier, but this spot is dedicated to lesbians and queer women! The Women’s Bar within The Abbey is an intimate area that's welcoming to lesbians, the trans community and queer women, often hosting a range of events from karaoke nights to open mics. It’s the kind of venue where you can have a quiet drink with friends or can dance the night away with the best DJ beats. On weekends, it becomes a hot spot for lesbian and queer women who want to mingle and dance without the usual male-heavy crowd you might find in other parts WeHo. The drinks are strong, and the vibe is always laid-back, making it a perfect entry point into the larger Abbey experience if you’re looking for something a bit more femme-centric.

6. Akbar

Silver Lake - 4356 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029

If you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back but still with plenty of energy, Akbar is your place. Situated in Silver Lake, this bar has earned a reputation for its dark, quirky vibe and killer cocktails. Think dive bar meets gay oasis. The crowd is eclectic, the cocktails are delicious, and you'll probably leave with a new queer friend or two. Whether you're into karaoke, trivia, drag shows or dancing to indie tunes, Akbar has something for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. I love that it’s a bar where you can be yourself, no frills, no pretensions. Just a good time. It's open from 4pm-2am daily, and even offers free sodas if you're the designated driver. 

7. Damn Good Dyke Nights

While this isn’t a bar, if you’re looking for some fun lesbian nights in LA, Damn Good Dyke Nights is the page to keep an eye on! With a packed events calendar, you’ll find fun, sexy monthly queer parties to take dates or meet new queer friends, including parties for 30+ if that’s your scene.

8. Cherry Bombe

With a long-term goal to establish a brick-and-mortar home in LA’s West Hollywood, the team at Cherry Bombe has been curating events for the lesbian, queer, trans, non-binary community for the last few years. Check out their event calendar for drag king nights, pool parties, burlesque brunches, sold-out dance parties, LGBTQ+ speed dating, and more.

9. The Black Cat Tavern

Silver Lake - 3909 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029

The Black Cat Tavern has a rich history in Los Angeles as one of the city's longest-standing queer spaces. It opened in 1967 becoming an iconic spot for LGBTQ+ folks in the heart of Silver Lake, even before the community had widespread recognition. Its name and reputation are rooted in resistance and celebration, drawing inspiration from the original Black Cat Café in New York, a legendary site of LGBTQ+ activism. Over the years, it has evolved into a beloved venue known for its artsy, inclusive atmosphere. Today, The Black Cat Tavern is a go-to hangout for queer locals and visitors alike, with drag bingo, live DJ sets, and a fantastic cocktail menu in a cozy, laid-back setting. Whether you're here for the history or the great vibes, it's a must-visit for any queer Angeleno.

10. The Bullet

North Hollywood - 10522 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Bullet is a classic LGBTQ+ venue for anyone looking for a fun, laid-back vibe with a touch of local charm. Situated in North Hollywood, this cozy bar has a bit of everything: weekday happy hours from 3pm-7pm, drag shows on Saturday's, and karaoke on Sunday's. Whether you’re here for a casual evening out or to let loose on a busy weekend, The Bullet delivers. The bartenders are friendly, the jukebox is always on point, and the crowd is a cool mix of regulars and newcomers.

‍11. Trunks

West Hollywood – 8851 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood CA 90069

Trunks is a little slice of old-school West Hollywood, and that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s a casual, no-nonsense gay bar in the heart of WeHo that’s perfect for a low-key night out with friends or a first stop before hitting the bigger dance clubs. Happy hour runs from 1pm-8pm Monday thru Friday, they have free pool on Monday's, and the crowd is always friendly. If you’re in the mood for karaoke, Trunks has a legendary karaoke nights that will make you wonder why every queer person isn't a professional singer. Whether you’re belting out your favorite diva anthem or just enjoying a drink on the patio, there’s something comforting about this cozy WeHo venue. Plus, the jukebox is always on point. 

12. The Eagle LA (Lesbian and Queer Women Nights)

East Hollywood – 4219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

For queer women who love leather, motorcycles, or just a bit of edge, The Eagle LA is a bar in LA that celebrates the rugged, rough-around-the-edges side of queer culture. While this bar is primarily known for its bear and leather/BDSM gay community, it hosts LGBTQ+ nights specifically for lesbians and queer women, where you can expect a great crowd, cheap drinks, and a welcoming environment. The Eagle LA's dark, cozy atmosphere gives it a "queer watering hole meets dive bar" feel, but that’s part of its charm. The music is always great - whether it’s rock, disco, pop, or throwback jams - and there’s always something happening, from RuPaul Drag Race viewing parties on Friday's to Disco Nights. Be sure to check their calendar of events to find out what's happening any night of the week. 

Find your perfect plans on Lex

There’s always something queer happening on Lex. Download Lex and filter your feed by Events to see everything happening in your area. Nothing speaking to you? Take charge and make your own! Create an Event and get friends (read some tips on finding new queer friends here) together to check out a queer bar in your city. Queer cuties in your neighborhood are right at your fingertips - go meet them!

Looking for something a little less nightlife-related? We’ve got tips for sober activities, too. And check out our other city guides here.

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