Utterly breathtaking, this iconic establishment was crowned LOGO's "Best Gay Bar in the World," making it a must-see in L.A.’s gay nightlife scene. Once a busy coffeehouse, this jazzy joint has attracted a crowd that loves the limelight. You'll come across luxuriously chic fireplaces and cabanas, as well as a list of delicious martinis and mojitos. Get ready to pose, strut and smile — and check out why The Abbey has gotten so much press.

This is one of L.A.’s favorite places to chill out for cocktails and music. The mixed crowd at Akbar is trendy but not snobby, which comes as a relief to those who love its Moroccan-themed interior, cushy couches and laid-back vibe. There’s a definite neighborhood atmosphere for those who need reminders of their watering holes back home. You’ll meet everyone from business consultants to drag queens, and a sure-fire topic of conversation is always Akbar’s ever-popular jukebox selections. Weekends boast a small but raucously raging dance floor.

Named for the pioneering gay rights organization, Bar Mattachine is the brainchild of Garrett MacKechnie, a veteran bartender from Cole's and 1886 who features classic and signature cocktails in the former Silo space. There's plenty of fun to go with the serious drinks, from campy movie matinees on Sundays to Trivia Nights and pumping DJ sets at BUFU Thursdays ("Cocktails + Sweatymen").

Los Angeles' premier leather bar, The Eagle doesn't play around when it comes to uninhibited, sexy fun. A popular hangout in L.A.'s Silver Lake neighborhood, any day of the week one can find cheap drinks, a friendly crowd and an even friendlier staff. While weeknights can be pretty low-key (customers make use of the pool tables, pinball machines and video poker), the weekends are raucous and raunchy. A must for those in the fetish and leather communities.

Los Angeles' other well-known leather bar, Faultline is known for its constantly changing roster of promoters and parties. Every day of the week — besides Mondays and Tuesdays, when the bar is closed — features a different, quirky party. On any given night, though, you're sure to find sexy go-go dancers (generally of the hairy variety), upbeat music and ridiculously cheap drink specials. Depending on the night, the crowd may run older — or pants-less.

Fun is the name of the game at Fubar. No matter which day of the week you walk into the bar — whether it's the exotic dancers of NYC-import Adonis Lounge on Wednesday, more raunchy fun on Thursday or non-stop dancing on Friday and Saturday nights — you're in for a treat. Fubar has long prided itself on its fun mix of friendly Angelenos. The bar's dark, intimate setting has been known to result in a loss of inhibitions by its patrons, making Fubar the most 'East Coast' of its WeHo sister bars.

Micky's has long been a WeHo institution — even after a destructive fire that saw the bar out of commission for a couple years — partly because it has something for everyone. The soundtrack is mostly Top 40 tracks and fun, danceable pop jams, but for those who may not be looking to tear up the dance floor, there's always the expansive outdoor patio and the swanky upstairs lounge. We recommend a trip to the dance floor though — a good time is guaranteed.


If you're in the Valley, your first stop for LGBT nightlife should be Oil Can Harry's, possibly one of the most talked-about country/western bars in Los Angeles. It's all about the two-step here, and the down-to-earth crowd keeps the dance floor friendly and fun. For first-time shufflers, take advantage of free lessons three times a week, or swap out the cowboy boots for platform shoes on Saturdays, when the music shifts gears to '70s disco.

Opened at 4th and Broadway in May 2015, Precinct describes itself as a "rock n roll gay bar" in Downtown L.A. Spanning 10,000 square feet on the second floor of a historic 1902 building, Precinct hosts numerous themed nights like Queen Kong on Fridays, Drag Race viewing parties, and Bonkerz! with the legendary Jackie Beat.

Located on 6th Street in the Historic Core of Downtown L.A., Redline is a lively 2,000 square-foot venue with double height ceilings, full bar and a gastropub menu. PoundCake Thursdays features guest DJs and a rotating roster of gorgeous go-go boys. Get the party started at Eggplant Fridays with 2-for-1 drink specials from 10-11pm, then dance the night away with resident DJ Cazwell.

When it opened in 1972, Jewel’s Catch One was the nation’s first black gay and lesbian disco. Since then, it has maintained a pioneering attitude in its new incarnation as UNION, a massive nightclub that attracts promoters like the mighty A Club Called Rhonda and a diverse crowd that loves to dance.