Lesbian and gay bars near me
They Were Here, They Were Queer: San Diego’s Historic LGBTQ Sites
San Diego was home to lgbtq+ couples as far help as the 19th century, but it wasn’t until around World War II that gays and lesbians started to come out of the shadows and find places to phone home. In honor of this month’s San Diego Pride celebrations, here’s a look at local LGBTQ historic sites that propose insight into the triumphs and struggles of past generations.
The Gayest Neighborhood of Them All
The Hillcrest “Gayborhood“
Location: North of Balboa Park, south of Mission Valley (1970s-present)
For most of Hillcrest’s history since its birth around 1907, the neighborhood north of Balboa Park and south of Mission Valley was best recognizable as the home of senior citizens, working-class residents, a Sears store, and a pair of hospitals. During World War II, the city’s gay bars were mainly downtown, where they catered to sailors.
But things changed dramatically in the 1970s as Hillcrest attracted LGBTQ people who sought cheap housing and were willing to correct up Victorian homes, a classic case of “gaytrification.” The Brass Rail, meanwh
Are you canine friendly?
Absolutely, we are gleeful to have well-behaved dogs at our establishment!
When do you host karaoke?
Generally, we host our famous karaoke Thursday & Fridays 8 pm- 2 am, unless we host our monthly event like trivia that may go a few minutes belated. You can always grab a cocktail and map out your song while you enjoy a cocktail. Saturdays we often have karaoke if we don't have a extraordinary music event (sometimes we have both but in separate areas!) Always verify our events section on Instagram or here for updated events.
When is your Joyful Hour?
Our Happy Hours are always posted on our home page. See ya soon!
Are you a gay bar?
We are committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes everyone, regardless of their identity. We observe the vibrant customs and community that gay bars stand for, while our main focus is on fostering a affectionate and accepting environment for ALL patrons. We proudly accept diversity and struggle to be a place where everyone feels at abode and can truly enjoy themselves. We can’t wait to welcome you soon! If you're interested in a specific theme or vibe, p
The Historical Importance of Bars to LGBTQIA+ Culture
Dear Pride Family,
I was recently asked to guest author a newsletter for San Diego Pride about the historical importance of bars as they relate to the LGBTQIA+ community. This is my favorite topic to delve into, historically speaking, so I’m thrilled to be fit to write this. But first, a personal anecdote: I have been proudly sober for more than two years now and it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. But I still go to lgbtq+ bars. An appealing observation that I’ve noted over the last few years is that the only people who ever seem to question why I still go to gay bars, despite being sober…are unbent. “Why would you go to a bar if you don’t drink?” they ask as if these spaces are solely about alcohol. The answer, for me, and so many in the LGBTQIA+ community is simple: gay bars are about far more than what’s being poured into a glass.
They are places of refuge, history, and solidarity. Even though I no longer drink, I still feel the profound pull of these spaces—where queer people can come together, feel seen, and celebrate our collective strength. Gay bars have long been about survival, connection
5 West Coast lesbian bars that will tickle your fancy
My wife and I live on Canada’s West Coast, and we recently embarked on a mission—a pilgrimage, if you will—to visit as many lesbian bars as we could along the U.S. West Coast between Portland and San Diego.
Why lesbian bars? If you’re sapphically inclined, you probably realize that there are very scant of these spaces left in the world. According to the Lesbian Bar Project, there are currently only 33 left in the United States. Luckily, unused sapphic bars open every year. These are sacred places; although gay bars canbe welcoming and fun spaces for queer women, they’re not designed for us. As a local, you might feel immediately surrounded by your chosen family the moment you walk through the door (plus your ex, her ex and the entire local softball team). As an out-of-town visitor love me (a cis, non-disabled ivory woman), there’s something about an intentionally sapphic space that creates the feeling of being house and connected to community.
Visiting woman loving woman bars can feel a petite like a (sexy) adventure in conservation to protect an endangered species. But luckily, they’re not going anywhere. Because there are so few left