San luis obispo gay bar

Although the Central California Coast obispo of San Luis Obispo hasn't had a specific gay bar for some time, this attractive city of about 45, with aboutin the entire county that's home to Cal Poly State University, a bustling downtown, and a burgeoning wine country does have a good-size LGBT population.

You will find the crowd at many bars and cafes here is quite diverse and mixed. If you're looking for particularly gay-welcoming places that are popular for dancing, or that have notable settings or food and drink, you'll find a handful of excellent options right in the heart of downtown SLO.

Other communities in the area worth checking out for dining and mostly early-evening bar fun include Paso Robles, Pismo Beac h, and Cambra. Here's a look, in alphabetical order, of some San Luis Obispo bars, restaurants, and cafes we're especially fond of. One of the county's most intimate and romantic spots for lunch or dinner, Black Cat Bistro Main St.

The setting is refined crystal stemware, white napery but unpretentious, and the food creative and based on what's in season and farm-fresh, from Paso Robles pork belly with a date-apple-mustard glaze to braised rabbit with olives, prunes, kale, and chevre polenta.

This is one of the top spots in the county for seafood - try the ahi tuna tataki tostadas and locally famed cioppino. But you'll also find an extensive array of steaks, salads, and other grills, and during the day Custom House is a terrific option for breakfast and lunch. SLO County isn't just about wine these days, either, as Firestone Walker is but one excellent beer-maker around here.

The San 13th St. The high-ceilinged storefront space is fun for gathering among friends, and the food is mostly geared toward sharing. The menu changes gay and bar includes a few Southern-inspired treats, such luis pimento cheese chicken-fat toast with gaunciale and house pickles and fried green tomatoes with Creole mustard.

But also consider the half-rotisserie chicken, hearty ramen with collard-greens kimchi and boudin sausage, and grilled Cayucos-harvested abalone. Operated by the same extremely talented owners Chris Kobayashi and Michael Kobayashi behind the fantastic restaurant Artisan in Paso Robles, homey and seemingly always buzzing Kitchenette S.

Main St. The dapper little gourmet shop with both plenty of to-go and dine-in items and cafe specializes in dreamily delicious homemade pastries and desserts butterscotch pudding, churros y chocolate. Until noon you can order breakfast, perhaps beer-braised corn-beef hash or pork posole verde with linguica, sliced jalapenos, and a crispy soft-boiled egg.

Lunch faves range from turkey banh mi with country pate to a modern take on a classic sandwich: slow-roasted-lamb dip with pimiento goat cheese and caramelized onions. Though only open early in the day, serving superb coffee, Kitchenette does have a nice little selection of wine still and sparkling and beer on tap.

There's plenty of comfy seating for eating, lounging, or working on your laptop, both inside and out, at both locations.

San Luis Obispo Gay Nightlife Guide

The team behind gay-popular Novo Restaurant see below also operate the terrific nearby restaurant Luna Red Chorro St. Serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch and with a decidedly diverse crowd, this chatter-filled, convivial restaurant offers a globally inspired modern menu that includes a long list of small plates along with more substantial platters, including local wild-seafood paella and dry-fried beef curry with ginger and lemongrass.

The cocktail list is one of the more impressive in town, and the bar also serves a few refreshing punches and a Malbec sangria. It's a full-service restaurant, to be sure, but later in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays there's dancing to DJs, and the crowd is very mixed, drawing plenty of LGBT folks.

For dining, this lively and sophisticated spot serves brunch, lunch, and dinner and specializes in well-crafted regional cuisine with international influences. An inviting option in bustling downtown Cambria for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, casually sophisticated Robin's Burton Dr. Try the grilled naan pizettes, artisan cheese plates, crawfish mac-and-cheese, Singapore chicken satay, chile rellenos, or half-roasted Jidori Tandoori chicken.