Best Bars In Los Angeles To Celebrate Pride Month
The LA Pride Festival in West Hollywood is monumental in scope, with attendance exceeding over 400,000 participants. West Hollywood is a long celebrated gay community that has become the LGBT hub of Los Angeles. The festival is packed with outlandish vendors, flamboyant decorations, revealing costumes and unrestrained exuberance that meanders through the WEHO streets for blocks. Traveling West on Santa Monica Boulevard from Crescent Heights to San Vincente Bouldevard, live music concerts and celebrations continue into the wee hours of the night. Keep the excitement sizzling by visiting the many bars along the parade route; here are just a few of the best.
LA Pride Festival WEHO continues all weekend: Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14, 2015
LA Gay Parade: Sunday, June 14, 2015 from 11am to 2pm.
PUMP Restaurant & Lounge
8948 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-7867
www.pumprestaurant.com
Situated on one of the busiest corners of West Hollywood's Santa Monica Blvd. scene, PUMP Lounge is one of the newer additions to the area. Brought to you by reality tv queen and bar entrepreneur Lisa Vanderpump and husband Ken Todd, the bar attracts an attractive gay crowd looking to sip on delicious concoctions from a special cocktail menu and mingle in a magical garden next hundred year old olive trees which will make you feel as if you've stepped into a beautiful garden in France. The cocktail list is extensive and surprisingly reasonably priced, offering options such as sangria, and signature cocktails like the 'Pump-Tini' or the Peach Kiss, complete with peach schnapps, Finlandia vodka, triple sec and cranberry.
Micky's
8857 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-1176
www.mickys.com
Nightlife at Micky's is an absolute blast. The bar, which has become a staple for those looking to have a good time in West Hollywood, is the place to visit for drag queens and outrageous costumes, which are expected at this fun and exciting venue. Open until 4am over the weekend, Micky's allows its guests to party all night, so this is a "must see" stop on the parade route. The downstairs dance floor is a steaming, undulating mass, so make sure you have your dancing shoes on because you'll never be noticed otherwise.
Rage
8911 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 652-7055
www.facebook.com/rageweho
Looking for young, handsome, gay men making a uproarious clatter? This is definitely your place. Eccentric patrons with big hair who are famous for rough dancing will make your visit to this bar a true experience. A naughty alternative with a risqué vibe makes this a perfect stop along the parade route. Bring earplugs though because the music can be pretty loud, and don't be surprised if someone lights up because smoking in this bar is permitted.
Related: Gay Bars in Los Angeles
Here Lounge
696 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 360-8455
www.HereLounge.com
"Here" is where the party is all throughout gay pride month and during other months too. Heart throbbing hunks and rowdy truck stop girls keep life interesting here, and if you're in the mood for a show, well the "G-Spot" follies put on a graphic variety show that will have your eyes wide open. A Stripper Circus is also on the event list, letting your imagination go wild. Several other sorted events are available as well to add to a weekend of fun and impropriety. With the brand new "Glow Bar" room, laser light shows bounce around for added decadence. Here Lounge offers a modern, carnival environment packed with revelers.
The Abbey
692 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 289-8410
www.TheAbbey.com
West Hollywood's The Abbey is practically an institution and is another great bar along the parade route that attracts a crowd of entertainment personalities and name celeb guests. Come early because guests are often left waiting out in front just to get in. Extremely popular with local residents, The Abbey was named "Best Gay Bar in the World" in 2013. If you can snap up a table in the cabana room, make sure you request a 10 oz. martini and some fine finger food for an afternoon lift.
Related: Best Gay Bars In Los Angeles
