Akbar’s retro-style lounge has become Silver Lake’s ultimate gay alternative hipster hangout. As such, the crowd tends to be toward the younger side, drawing from L.A.’s burgeoning pockets of cool like Echo Park, Downtown and Elysian Fields. Drink and dance in the front room, or head to the back for comedy, queer history nights, open mics, benefit parties and more.
When it comes to gay bar and club options in Los Angeles, there’s lots to choose from—and not just in rainbow-dipped West Hollywood. To help you pick the best spots for dancing, boozing, flirting and cruising in Hollywood, Silver Lake and beyond, check out this list of our favorite gay bars and clubs in L.A.—there are even Pasadena, Venice and Valley options, for those sick of the WeHo scene. Now get out there, tiger.