Downtown gay bars

By Stuie Wood

What happened to all the gay bars? Those heady days of flirting across the dancefloor, stepping in time to Kylie? Dating apps are the new norm and the gays were there first (of course), but many American and European cultural capitals are losing their LGBTQ venues. Such is the concern that London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has set up a task force! Traditionally, the gay scene is an indicator of a buzzing nightlife, good song and style, so this is a loss for all of us. But not in Downtown Los Angeles. Cue music….

 

Here in DTLA, we’re bucking the trend with four new venues opening in the past two years. Pershing Square, at the very heart of DTLA, hosted its first Pride festival last year and a recent Queer Block Party at the annual Bring Back Broadway festival, is placing DTLA as the gay destination point of LA LA Land, stealing the tiara from West Hollywood’s rather tired Queens.

 

Here’s my list of the 5 most fabulous gay spots in Downtown Los Angeles, all within walking distance of each other. Depart to one, move to all five!

 

 

 

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LA’s newest gay bar inherits Downtown’s queer legacy

Reggie Chrishon says after his favorite gay bar closed 20 years ago, he prayed — literally prayed — to one date walk back into that familiar welcoming place at West 4th Street in Downtown LA. 

The Alabama native moved to Southern California more than 30 years ago. Back then, Chrishon was closeted, and happened upon the watering hole by accident. 

“I was wrestling with my desire in men,” Chrishon explains. “Because [of] my Christian upbringing, I was told it was not the right thing to undertake, but I was doing it anyway on the side.” 

Score was the first gay bar Chrishon ever stepped foot into: “I used to pass by this area across the street, and you’d call Score a gentleman's club. So I thought it was a strip club. I did not believe it was a gay bar.” 

He continues, “The place would be packed, but as soon as I walked in and heard the Latin music and the crowd, I felt like I was at home.”

This winter, Crishon’s prayers for that homey place on this familiar street were answered.

Kiso, Downtown LA’s newest gay bar, opened in December

Missie B's opened it's doors in April as a piano/karaoke bar with distinct entertainment and drag shows. With the support of the community since we opened, we include been able to expand from a very small neighborhood bar to the most popular nightclub in Kansas Noun. We are unclosed from noon until a.m. days a year serving our clientele 21 years of age and over. We give the most affordable drinks in town from noon until p.m. daily, and offer nightly cocktail specials Sunday through Thursday. We own the friendliest staff in Kansas Town and you are guaranteed to contain a good occasion any time you visit. We hold 3 separate bar areas including a smoking patio, and 3 to 7 bartenders nightly to ensure the top service possible. After all, we are the home of Good Times and Good Friends!

Through the years, we own done our optimal to give back to our community that has supported us. With the support of our sister bars and community our most recent fundraiser was for the victims of Pulse which raised over $53, We have pot luck dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas for those people who have no place to depart.

Explore One of Austin's Walkable LGBTQ-Friendly Neighborhoods

We like to state that the whole city of Austin feels like a gayborhood, but if you're looking for a walkable neighborhood with the largest number of LGBTQ+ nightclubs, patio bars and basement lounges then Downtown Austin's Warehouse District is the place to go. There&#x;s something happening all day and all night in this city center.


DuMont's Down Low. Credit Mario Andrade Photography.

Fourth Street

Coconut Club
This tropical-themed bar is also known as one of the twirl parties in town. The rooftop nightclub hosts local DJs six nights a week and tunes range from disco funk to Afro to electric and everything in between.

Cuatro Gato
Sister bar to Coconut Club, Cuatro Gato serves up Latin sounds along with a bevvy of beer, mezcal, wine and cocktails from South of the border. "Coffee shop by day, perreo by night," keep an eye on their Instagram for themed nights, drag shows and other exceptional events.

Dumont's Down Low
For a calmer scene, check out DuMont&ap