• Guide to LA
• Rodeo Drive
• Santa Monica Pier
• Venice Beach
• Los Angeles Hotels
• Studio Tours
• LA Itineraries
• LA Culture
• LA Neighborhoods

• Los Angeles in Images
• Getting to Los Angeles
• Maps of Los Angeles
• Hollywood Hotels

 

 

 

 

 

West Hollywood is without a doubt the gay mecca of Los Angeles, and perhaps up there along with Chelsea in New York and the Castro in San Francisco for North America. The LGBT area of West Hollywood is centrally located in the heart of all the sights of LA. The LGBT district begins right at the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood border on Santa Monica Blvd and Doheny Drive and extends about 3 miles to the crossing of Fairfax and Santa Monica Blvd. All along the strip are bars, night clubs, restaurants, bookstores, and clothing retailers specifically targeting the gay and lesbian crowd. A median that runs the length of Santa Monica Blvd through the gay area reflects the neighborhoods diversity with rainbow flags always flying at full attention.

 

Perhaps the heart of West Hollywood can be found at the intersection of Roberston and Santa Monica Blvds. It is here that you will find an extensive concentration of the biggest nightclubs and bars.

 

The Abbey

Located just south of the Robertson Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd intersection is The Abbey. One of the first LGBT Bars in the Weho Scene, The Abbey over the years has grown to be one of the biggest LGBT venues in the country. Every weekend thousands of men and women flock to this site to see the architecture that is modeled after mid evil times and the Westminister Abbey in London. With over 4 bars across 5 distinct lounge areas, the Abbey is a venue that the visitor can stay all night. There are 2 different outdoor patios, a line of cabanas, cozy couch areas, an ice fireplace that is a glow with flame and spectacular glass antique looking chandeliers that hang from the indoor lounge ceilings. Over the years many celebrities have been seen here and recently a small shrine to Elizabeth Taylor was built in the main lounge area. Drink prices are moderate and on Friday and Saturday nights the crowd is always thick. In recent years the crowds at the Abbey have given away from the local Weho scene to more visitors from San Diego, Palm Springs and the area known as the Inland Empire just east of the city. Often there is a long line extending down Robertson Blvd to enter this venue but the doormen here are pros and with a large number of people entering just to "check things out" and then proceed to the next club in the area, the line moves relatively quickly.

 

The Factory

Across the street from The Abbey is the Factory. Around since World War II and once the hangout of Frank Sinatra, this gay and lesbian night club is always going off on the weekends. Depending on the night of the week and the promoter, the Factory offers a variety of themes. The club is divided into 2 halves. The east half is known as Ultra Suede and the west half is known as the Factory. On Friday nights Ultra Suede hosts Pop Starz where mainly a male crowd comes to dance the night away to a mix of all the latest pop singles. Depending on the week, Friday night is also home to Girl Bar as well where the women come from all over to have a drink and enjoy the beats by the hottest DJs. Saturday nights is known as Cherry Pop at Ultra Suede, hosted by Tom Whitman, this event is one of the biggest gay nights in Weho and usually attracts well over 500 men, all clustered in to a tight dance floor where DJs blast the latest hits and a sprinkling of go go dancers add to the fun. Its best to get to Cherry Pop early as sometimes the lines can be long.

 

Here Lounge

Located right next door to the Abbey and at the intersection of Robertson and Santa Monica Blvds is Here Lounge. Popular on Thurs, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, Here Lounge is a mix of both an out door patio and indoor lounge where a circular bar gives way to a corner dance floor, plush red booths and cabanas. Thursday and Friday evenings are primarily big with the women crowd with such events as Fuse and Truck Stop being hosted on those nights. Saturday nights is more the male crowd with Jeffrey Sanker presenting themed evenings that quickly have the venue packed. Sunday Nights are presented by Tom Whitman, the same promoter who does Cherry Pop and Factory/Ultra Suede on Saturday evenings. Sunday is more laid back with the more local Weho crowd coming out in flip flops, t shirts and shorts to enjoy one last drink before heading into the work week. Both Saturday and Sunday evenings often host several go go dancers on top of the one man stages to keep the crowd entertained and grooving. All four evenings at Here Lounge tend to get packed and often run lines around around the side of the property.

 

Mickeys

Situated on the main north section of Santa Monica Blvd is Mickeys. Recently burned down in a massive fire, Mickeys has recently reopened after a massive multi million dollar rebuild. Spread across two stories, patrons can chose to have a drink and watch the crowds pass on Santa Monica Blvd below. On the main level is a central bar with blue fluorescent lighting and a dance floor that goes until late in the evening. Go Go Dancers can be found on the perimeters of the main floor and are often friendly and engage with the crowd. In addition there is an outdoor patio that also has a bar connected to keep the drinks going and entertain the patrons looking for fresh air. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are the big evenings for Mickeys and usually draw crowds from all over LA and beyond.

 

Eleven

One of West Hollywood's newest clubs, Eleven is located on the heart of Santa Monica Blvd just east of the San Vicente/Santa Monica Blvd intersection. A two story club, upon entering you'll notice the hardwood floors and the brown colors of the bar to match. The first level is full of booths and standing areas. For those wishing to go upstairs there is a staircase that takes visitors to the top where there is a dance floor, booths and a lounge area. From the bar visitors can get a drink and then observe the patrons below. Friday nights is the main night of this venue with mostly a local, trendy LA crowd crowding into dance to the music and socialize. Often times Eleven holds a special performance where in the area between the 2nd level and the 1st they hold trapeze shows with various gymnastic performers wooing the crowd and pulling off jaw dropping maneuvers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUBAR

While most of the clubs and venues of LBGT interest are on Santa Monica Blvd near Robertson, Fubar is a little bit of a stray near the further east edge of the LGBT area near Fairfax. Located on the south side of Santa Monica Blvd, Fubar is a little bit of a hole in a wall. WIth a red door entrance, the bar is solid brick on the inside and has a traditional, New York narrow feel. Saturday nights are the most popular nights as they play edgy pump rock, combined with go go dancers, reasonably priced drinks and a definite more chill vibe than the more glam high energy sister gay bars further west.