Celebrate LGBT Pride In Los Angeles

| © anokarina/Flickr
Mary Pettas

While the official Gay Pride Parade and Festival is in June, the entire month is celebrated as a commemoration of gay rights and issues. While concentrated in West Hollywood, the LGBT community abounds throughout LA, along with so many happening bars, restaurants, and shops. Discover the city through a different lens and explore while proudly pledging allegiance to the beloved gay citizens who belong here.

1. Party at the Abbey

Gay Bar, American, Pub Grub

The Abbey, West Hollywood
© Ed and Eddie/Flickr
One of the best gay bars in the world lies in WeHo. It’s so popular that it made a name for itself and now equally draws both gay and straight crowds alike. There is no better place to end a night than this energetic, sprawling bar where anyplace is made into a dance floor where exotic performers and top DJs pump the night away.

2. Indulge at Justin Vineyards and Winery

Winery

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles
© Ruth Lozano/Flickr
The restaurant at Justin is hosting their very own gay pride weekend to celebrate their LGBT community and take a stance for their benefit. They’re calling it ‘Just an Evening of Cabaret and Dinner,’ and the vineyard in Paso Robles will offer their best wines as well as a three-course dinner plus entertainment for the ticket price. Also, there will be a celebratory brunch the following day, June 17th and 18th.

3. Join the Circus of Books in WeHo

Bookstore

Circus of Books, West Hollywood
© bcgrote/Flickr
This bookstore has been serving the community of WeHo for over 40 years. In addition to selling contemporary used fiction, vintage magazines, and newspapers, they also cater to the gay population by providing adult DVDs and magazines of a certain variety. And it’s also a smoke shop – this iconic store is truly the jack of all trades.

4. Mustache Mondays

Bar, Pub Grub

DJ Josh Peace has made La Cita into a gay hot spot on unexpected Monday nights. The scene is reportedly less shallow than the typical gay nights in other areas and has an air of true authenticity and release that has made it so acclaimed over the last ten years. For these reasons, it also attracts top music celebrities such as Diplo and Azalea Banks, who have been known to drop into this super hot weeknight party in downtown LA.

5. Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Nuart Theater

Theater

Nuart Theater, Los Angeles
© SebastianDooris/Flickr
When looking for something to do on the Westside, look no further than the classic Nuart Theater in Sawtelle. This historic gem is one of the only theaters in town that regularly plays Rocky Horror Picture Show. There’s often a line down the street to participate in the interactive audience reacting to one of the most influential movies for gender and sexual expression ever. What better way to celebrate than by getting dressed up and joining them?

6. Visit A Brief History of Drag

Library

westhollywoodlibrary
Courtesy David Davis © West Hollywood Library
As part of the One City, One Pride Arts Festival, WeHo Arts presents an exhibit that explores the blossoming of drag culture in Los Angeles and West Hollywood through a collection of photographs dating back to the 1800s. The exhibition will be held all month long at the West Hollywood Library. Featured photographs of current drag kings and queens from the community will also be on display.

7. Eat at Hamburger Mary’s

Restaurant, Bar, American, Fast Food

Hamburger Marys flaunts its drag theme
Courtesy of Ryland Lu
Not only is this one of the best burgers around, but it’s also a throwback to retro diners with a twist – every dinner comes with a show performed entirely by waiters in drag. The drag brunch is particularly popular, with quirky entertainment and singing by ‘The Brunchettes,’ and happens every weekend from 12-2 pm. It’s sure to be a meal unlike any other.

8. Celebration Theater

Theater

This lauded theater on Theatre Row in WeHo was established in 1982 specifically for the purpose of featuring stories about LGBT characters. The collective of artists, actors, and directors have won multiple awards for their depictions. It’s even more impressive that it is entirely non-profit and raises money only to put on their future seasons of shows. Currently, The Boy from Oz is running until July 2nd.

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