Gay bars silver lake los angeles

The vast majority of gay nightspots in metro Los Angeles - there are more than 40 of them - are in the city's gay epicenter, West Hollywood. In LA proper, there are smatterings of gay bars downtown and in Hollywoodand a few more spots north in the San Fernando Valley, but the city's best overall destination for gay bar-hopping, cafe culture, and resto-lounging is Silver Lake and - to a lesser extent - neighboring Los Feliz.

A los, eclectic, and historic neighborhood north of downtown, east of Hollywood, and south of Griffith ParkSilver Lake has bar been at the core of LA's gay rights movement. Through the '90s, most of the gay bars in the neighborhood catered strongly either to the leather-bear community or the Latino scene, and although Silver Lake's scene remains decidedly less stand-and-model and more racially diverse than West Hollywood's, it's also more mixed gay-straight and hipster-artsy than it was a decade ago.

There are fewer explicitly gay bars, but around Silver Lake's two main commercial hubs - Sunset Boulevard from Vermont to Silver Lake Boulevard, and Hyperion Boulevard from Glendale to Fountain lakes - you'll find a colorful mix of lounges, live-music clubs, dance bars, bistros, java joints, and ethnic eateries that pull in patrons of all persuasions, from gay revelers to hetero hipsters.

Note that you won't find a ton of lodging options silver in Silver Lake, but the neighborhood is a relatively easy drive from West Hollywood, with its many gay-friendly hotels, including some good budget-minded options. Strictly by the numbers, Akbar W. Sunset Blvd.

And, for that matter, this laid-back, darkly inviting bar near the junction of Sunset and San Monica boulevards has plenty of straight fans, too. It's the mix - women and guys of all ages and inclinations unified by a shared appreciation of indie music angeles darkly lighted, cozy lounges. As is typical of sprawling family-style diners.

20 Years Of Akbar, Silver Lake's Gay Bar For Everyone

Astro has a sprawling menu - omelets and waffles, Cobb bars, chili burgers, fish-and-chips, creampies, plus a few Italian and Mexican specialties. Service ranges from brusque to indifferent, but the late-night people-watching makes up for it. A fantastic venue for its well-chosen and ginormous wine selection and well-crafted small-plates-driven menu, Barbrix Hyperion Ave.

There's also a nifty selection of interesting beers, and the atmosphere - a cozy '40s bungalow with a relaxing patio - is wonderfully inviting and unpretentious. The eating is focused on shareable nibbles, some quite substantial - the menu changes quite frequently so be sure to check in on what new delicious things are available.

Barbrix would work nicely as a first-date venue or a festive dinner with a longtime friend or partner, and it's easy to carry on a conversation in here. Weekend brunch is popular, too. Set in a s lake that was the site of a angeles bar from untilThe Black Cat W. While it's not a gay bar per se, this casually swanky dining spot with a long and attractive bar in front still caters strongly to LGBT folks, and the walls are lined with some fascinatingly wonderful photo displays of the establishment's pivotal role in the city's - and nation's gay silver civil rights movement.

Back on New Year's night inthe original Black Cat gay bar was raided los undercover cops, its patrons beaten up and arrested by them. The event spawned riots and demonstrations that were a notable precursor to the more famous Stonewall Riots of It's certainly worth dropping by the new Black Cat to check out the historic exhibits and order a drink from the extensive craft-cocktails, wine, and beer lists.

But hey, if you're hungry, grab dinner - food is served late till midnightand lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends are also quite popular. The cooking tends toward regional and contemporary American with some global flourishes: braised pork sopes with green chile and tomatillo salsa, kale salad, Brussels sprouts with bacon, shrimp and grits, Moroccan shepherds pie and steak frites.

It's as fancy or comfy as you want it to be - both the food and the vibe. Among the several very good Mexican restaurants in this part of town with a sizable Hispanic populationBright-pink Casita del Campo Hyperion Ave. This colorful space opened inand as pretty and inviting as the art-filled dining room is, try enjoying your meal on the gracious tiled patio.