Los Angeles bars and restaurants have a long history as an integral part of the city’s gay culture and community. On New Year’s Eve in 1967, the Black Cat Tavern in Silver Lake was the site of a police raid targeting gay patrons. In February of that year, activist group Individual Rights in Defense and Education worked with members of the LGBTQ community to organize a demonstration outside the bar. The protest took place two years before the Stonewall Riots. Today, the Black Cat is designated a historic landmark by the state of California.
Since then, the hospitality industry has continued to provide spaces for queer Los Angeles residents: places to work, places to escape, and gathering places to find community. While LA Pride and West Hollywood Pride remain as popular as ever, pop-ups and events at local restaurants and bars offer more intimate options to meet and connect with people of similar identities, especially queer and trans people of color who are often underrepresented in larger celebrations. Below are some of the best ways to celebrate Pride 2024 at LA bars and restaurants. Listed in chronological order:
Queer Soup Night
Queer Soup Night is coming to Los Angeles for the first time in partnership with the Queer Food Foundation. On June 6, chef Nia Lee of Stormé Supper Club and chef Jurni Rayne of Gritz N Wafflez will host a dinner at Shared Coffee from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are free to reserve, but donations are appreciated. Tickets are available from the Queer Food Foundation. 4960 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029.
Honey’s Hideout
Legendary New York gay bar Cubbyhole will celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 6th at Honey’s at Star Love. The event is in partnership with Lesbian Herstory Archives, a project that collects photos and memorabilia from the LGBTQ community to preserve history. As part of the event at Honey’s, guests will be provided with a keepsake box to bring and share their own memories of Cubbyhole. Queer classifieds app Lex will also cover the first 50 drinks of the night. RSVP through Partiful. 1532 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Four Seasons Drag Brunch
The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills will host its first-ever drag brunch at Culina on June 9, featuring a performance by drag queen Borgia Bloom Façade. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The brunch costs $150 per person and reservations can be made through OpenTable. Address: 300 S. Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Dana’s Night at Semi-Tropic
Dana’s Night returns to Semi-Tropic in Echo Park on June 9. This laid-back party is the perfect place to meet new friends or loved ones inside the bar or on the cozy patio. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. 1412 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Benny Boy Brewing’s Pride Pie
Relationship Her, an organization that supports women in the hospitality industry, is inviting LGBTQ chefs to host a pie competition at Benny Boy Brewing on June 9. Tickets are available from Benny Boy Brewing, 1821 Daly Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031.
Akbar’s Pride
Silver Lake gay bar Akbar has a packed Pride program for June. Highlights include the Dyke Day LA after party on June 8, a gay drag show on June 10 and a disco night on June 22. Most events are free to attend, but some have admission fees of $10 or less. 4356 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029.
Rose Soiree at Pendry
The Pendry in West Hollywood will be hosting a poolside Pride party on June 10. Tickets are $95 per person and include two glasses of wine and a performance by Aqualilies. A portion of proceeds will benefit Better Brothers Los Angeles, an organization focused on supporting the Black LGBTQ community. Tickets are available from Tock, 8430 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069.
Big Gay Potluck
All Day Baby will host The Big Gay Potluck on June 12, a four-course dinner with chefs Katie Randazzo of All Day Baby, Amanda Rios of Playa Baby, and Miles Shorely of Pija Palace. The dinner will feature products from queer-owned businesses including Diaspora Company and 18.21 Bitters. Reservations can be made here. Tickets are $125 per person. A portion of proceeds will benefit Leola Davis of Pansy Aesthetics, a studio focused on caring for queer and transgender people of color within the LGBTQ community. Address: 3200 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Queer Cookout at High Tide
Cuties Los Angeles will host its annual Queer Cookout at High Tide on June 15. The event will feature local trans and queer food vendors, including Birdies, Perhaps Japanese, Mixed by Mahealani, Aunties LA and Dear Mama LA. Vegan and gluten-free options will also be available. Tickets are $5.55 and can be purchased through Eventbrite. 605 E. 4th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
AHG Presents: Los Angeles Queer Industry Night
Hi Tops in Los Angeles is hosting a queer bar industry night on June 18th with cocktails by queer bartenders from across Los Angeles, including Kayla Dowell (Thunderbolt), Adriana Ramos (Employees Only) and Jairo Decano (LA Cha Cha Cha). General admission is $20 per person, and you can sponsor a queer attendee who can’t afford the admission fee. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. 1714 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Stud Country
Stud Country is a queer line dance party every Monday and Thursday in June at Club Bahia. Put on your cowboy boots and get dancing. 1130 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Love Hour Hot Pot
Hot Pot, a party for queer and trans people of color, celebrates its one-year anniversary on June 29 at Love Hour in Koreatown. Tickets are available on a sliding scale at the door, 1145 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006.
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