Popular gay bars
Every June, the United States celebrates Pride Month, commemorating the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn that inspired a global movement toward LGBTQ+ equality. The rich history of lgbtq+ bars leading up to and since the Stonewall Riots is thoroughly explored in The Bars Are Ours: Histories and Cultures of Gay Bars in America, 1960 and After, written by Lucas Hilderbrand, UC Irvine professor and chair of film and media studies.
The combination of a dearth of books investigating the history of gay bars and the closure of many male lover bars around the nation catalyzed Hilderbrand’s motivation to tackle what he calls an “ambitious project” to “look at the role of gay bars in shaping community politics, subcultures and the ways in which we imagine what queer public life could be in the Together States.”
In this episode of The UCI Podcast, Hilderbrand shares how bars are powerful community cornerstones; what he learned on his extensive research journey examining archival accounts in all corners of the U.S.; and why he chose to inform this singular history with anecdotes, stories and even musical references. Playlists to accompany the book can be establish on both YouTube and Spotify.
The musi
The Best Gay Nightlife in Palm Springs
Day or late hours, Palm Springs has an incredibly buzzy variety of gay bars and clubs. And while you’ll uncover that most places in town are gay kind, these are the cocktail bars and clubs that specifically cater to our community. Read on, and don’t hesitate to seek the front desk for advice. We’re always occupied of opinions!
Bars and Clubs in the Arenas District
If you like to be in the heart of the action, take a quick Lyft ride leader to the stretch of Arenas Road between Indian Canyon and Calle Encilia. From leather to showtunes (and lots in between), you’re bound to uncover a gay bar or club where you’ll perceive at home. Or appetite the rainbow and attempt them all!
Dick’s On Arenas
301 E Arenas Road
This small men’s watering hole with a “light” Levi/Leather vibe is a wonderful place to grab a cold drink and chat with locals and tourists alike. No matter the time of day, the outdoor patio space is prime real estate for people watching and socializing on Arenas. Check their website for daily consume specials, theme nights and special events. (Formerly The Eagle 501.)
Weekly highlights:
Sundays - Church Lady’s Sunday Service starting at 6am
Chil
Santa Ana Welcomes All
Santa Ana has become an increasingly popular destination for members of the LGBTQ+ group in recent years. The city is known for its vibrant arts and tradition scene, as well as its diverse population.
One of the main draws of Santa Ana for Homosexual visitors is the city's thriving nightlife. There are numerous gay-friendly bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the city, many of which are located in the downtown area.
The LGBTQ Center Orange County, a community center dedicated to advocating for the rights of and pursuing equality and recognition for the LGBTQ+ society, offers year-round programs, events, resources, and services, including the Brad Brafford LGBTQ+ Center on 4th.
Overall, Santa Ana's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, lively downtown scene, and cultural offerings make it a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Santa Ana has plenty to propose if you're looking for a night out with friends or a weekend getaway.
Nightlife
When the sun goes down, the Santa Ana nightlife scene lights up. This vibrant city is home to…
Restaurants
The community's affluent Hispanic cultu
When it comes to gay nightlife options in Los Angeles, there’s lots to choose from—and not just in rainbow-dipped West Hollywood, home to countless male lover bars. To help you pick the best spots for dancing, boozing, flirting and cruising in Hollywood, Silver Lake and beyond, inspect out this list of our favorite queer bars and clubs in L.A.—there are even Pasadena, Venice and Valley options, for those sick of the party-hearty WeHo scene. Now get out there, tiger.
May 2025: Just in period for WeHo Pride, I’ve updated our guide to the city’s best same-sex attracted bars. This list removes St. Felix, Stache and Redline, all of which have unfortunately closed, as well as the Ruby Fruit (which has recently been revamped to a neighborhood grill) and Revolver Video Bar. The newest addition is Kiso, a welcome entrant to Downtown’s queer nightlife scene.Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. All food and drink venues included in guides now have luminary ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are struc .