Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
West Hollywood is undoubtedly one of the gayest places in all of California, perhaps even in America! This is made exceptionally correct by the fact that here you can find forty percent of the population being queer or over ten different gay bars and many more exceptionally queer clubs and other attractions, which makes it a popular gay tourist destination or place to settle down.
Being close to the rest of Hollywood and the sandy shores of Santa Monica, you are in for a brilliant place to stay, no matter the reason for coming to West Hollywood.
With the gay scene in West Hollywood being so unique, you can bet to find a host of not just gay things to do or see but countless many gay-friendly options as well. She has a rich history as being, for thousands of years, the tribal lands of the Tongva tribe, until 1770 when Spanish missionaries from Mexico led to the area spouting up as a significant settlement by 1780.
She became known as the Sunset Strip, a name still lovingly used today. You can explore the rich history of this city, digging into the rise of colonial powers, the gold rush era, or the more recent show business that has made Hollywood world famous.
You can take bus tours to see the celebs that rule the streets of West Hollywood today, and you can make straightforward strides to the warm beaches or take a rewarding trek up to see the Hollywood sign and get exceptional city views. All this and more will await you on a gay trip to West Hollywood.
In this article we will cover...
Attractions in Gay West Hollywood, USA
As a new visitor to Gay West Hollywood, there are plenty of things to see and do, regardless of your sexual orientation. One of the best ways to experience any new city is to visit some of its most iconic landmarks and attractions, including historical monuments, museums, and art galleries.
We also love gazing at architecture up close, exploring parks and gardens, sampling the local cuisine, visiting local markets, and attending cultural events such as festivals, concerts and shows.
Even as the out-and-proud queer we are, we still love to explore the city and its culture in the same way as everyone else. Doing so allows us to learn more about the city and its people and gain a deeper understanding of the local culture. As such, these are our favorite must-see attractions in West Hollywood.
For those exploring WeHo, the LGBTQ+ Ride app provides not just cheaper rides and zero surge pricing, but also a safe and inclusive environment with its queer-friendly drivers. The company’s commitment to better pay for their drivers is commendable, and its services will soon extend across Southern California and nationwide
Los Angeles Hollywood Celebrity Homes Open Air Bus Tour
Begin your visit to West Hollywood with an open-air bus tour around the city, checking out the weird, wonderful and wondrous celeb homes. See how those incredibly talented actors or famous names live in the heart of American show business.
Of course, you won’t get to see inside the homes and will unlikely meet anyone famous, but you may see someone from afar! This is a beautiful way to see much of the city while relaxing in an easily accessible bus service.
Hollywood has a profound and intriguing history, and not just from the last one hundred years with the rise of cinema! You can get the best experience with a Hollywood History Tour down the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
You will see many iconic historical attractions with a knowledgeable guide, making the experience more entertaining and informative.
The Comedy Store
See one of the most famous names in American comedy, The Comedy Store, founded in 1972 by Sammy Shore, Rudy DeLuca, and Mitzi Shore. In the last forty years, this club has been the starting place for many great comedians, from Robin Williams to Jim Carrey. You can experience some incredible shows today or stop by the shop to pay homage to the birth of modern American comedy.
Founded in 1957, Troubadour is a coffee house found on La Cienega Boulevard and has been an old fellow at the exact location since that time. They are famous for hosting incredible live entertainment like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, just as much as being a popular place for musicians to meet and mingle.
Today record artists are still finding unknown singers at Troubadour, so you never know whom you might encounter while having a coffee.
Hollywood is home to many famous movie companies, and Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the biggest and oldest names in the industry. Opened in 1912, they were making silent movies well before the rise of talkies in the 1930s! This is necessary on any visit to Hollywood, as you can tour the studio and learn about the behind-the-scenes of making movies.
The Roxy Theatre
Established in 1973, The Roxy Theatre has become an essential part of West Hollywood nightlife, playing host to live acts and a nightclub. They have held headline acts over the decades, from Rob Dillan to comedy acts and even films like the first showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Under the main theatre, you can find their low-key rock bar, Under the Roxx, which adds to the whole experience.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Adding to the arty experience of Hollywood, one of the best in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which hosts a wide range of artworks and exhibitions to touch all artistic tastes. Outside, you can appreciate their light forest and other sculptures, and heading inside, you can find modern art with rotating and visiting artists and some old classics.
You can’t get more iconic of an attraction in this city than the Hollywood Sign. The best thing about this is that you can get up close with this sign that has been a staple of the Mount Lee landscape since 1923.
So many enjoy the delightful hike up the mountain through Griffith Park, taking in the backcountry of the city and knowing they have a great reward when they reach the peak. When you reach the top, you can get great photos by the sign and take in the exceptional city views going out to the ocean.
The MAK Centre for Art and Architecture
For a great taste of the artsy side of West Hollywood, the MAK Centre of Art and Architecture is a beautiful place to start as you celebrate the works of architect R.M. Schindler. Here you are treated to various exceptional artworks, exhibition spaces and places to nurse fresh artists. You can also expect regular talks and other fun events here.
Located in Griffith Park, the observatory of the same name is a popular tourist destination for those venturing through the park. Opened in 1935, the Griffith Observatory was named after the astronomer Griffith J. Griffith, who donated the land to the public so that all could view the universe.
True to their word, the observatory is open to the public, and you can have a chance to experience the beauty of the universe come evening from her lens.
In West Hollywood, you can experience delicious and famous L.A. food, and just as well, they have a brilliant food tour to help you taste the best places to dine while avoiding the tourist traps!
Make sure your stomach is empty for this three-hour tour around the city’s markets, restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, and bakeries. But you will leave it feeling full with an understanding of why their cuisine is so loved!
During the height of summer, one of the most popular places to be in Hollywood is Santa Monica Pier. Stretched across Santa Monica’s sandy beach and out into the Pacific Ocean, this pier is an entertainment hotspot for Carnaval rides, market stalls, shops, busking, shows, and a sandy place where it is expected most are either shirtless or wearing a bikini.
However, if the crowds get too much, you can go to the shoreline for a refreshing ocean dip or stroll along the endless straight beach.
Gay-Friendly & Gay Hotels in West Hollywood, USA
Being gay-friendly accommodation means that the establishment is welcoming and inclusive to guests who identify as LGBTQ+. This can include, but is not limited to, having policies and practices that demonstrate a commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ guests, such as non-discrimination policies and providing support and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Some gay-friendly accommodations may also provide amenities specifically catering to the LGBTQ+ community, such as rainbow flags or literature about local LGBTQ+ events or resources. Furthermore, gay-friendly accommodations may be located in an area known for being LGBTQ+ friendly.
While West Hollywood does not have any specifically gay hotels or resorts, these are the most fabulous and pro-actively gay-friendly hotels in West Hollywood. Needless to say, there are also hundreds more hotel and hostel options in West Hollywood if none of these suit your desired budget, facilities or area – but these are the best hotels according to other gay travelers and us.
Whatever your needs are, West Hollywood has you covered.
A brilliant five-star hotel in West Hollywood is 1 Hotel West Hollywood found close to Hollywood Hills and other top city attractions. To begin your royal experience in West Hollywood hospitality, you can start your day at 1 Hotel with brilliant breakfast options and later lunch and dinner options from their three on-site restaurants.
These range from 1 Kitchen by Chris Carry (offering organic and locally sourced Southern-California cuisine), Juniper’s Cocktail Bar (delicious fresh food with exceptional drinks), and Harriet’s Rooftop (an old-fashioned cocktail bar with a rooftop terrace).
Putting food aside, you can work off those pounds from the delicious food with their fitness center, aerobics classes or lengths of the pool. But your stay at 1 Hotel won’t just be about these things!
She is fantastic for relaxing with their lounging areas, terrace, garden and pool loungers, and that is not all. Your room is designed to cater to the height of comfort with the best facilities a modern hotel can provide.
The highlight of your private quarters is the expansive space and exceptional city views, with the most extensive packages like a mini apartment in the heart of Hollywood. As you can see, the 1 Hotel West Hotel is a brilliant way to stay in Hollywood in style, with many hidden gems to make your holiday memorable.
Mondrian Los Angeles is a brilliant four and a half stars hotel for those wanting a slice of class during their holiday. You can find this hotel near Hollywood Hills and just a seven-minute walk from the Sunset Strip, making it a wonderful place to stay with easy access to top city attractions. However, even if you don’t want to go out, they still earn their class through numerous services offered to guests.
Worrying about what to have on a holiday will be outdated with breakfast options and two on-site restaurants. They host Casa Madera, where you are offered a classy Mexican dining experience, and Sky Bar, the open-air bar and dining experience above the outdoor pool.
They also commit to entertainment options from their art gallery and collection to their special extras with the business services and fitness center. Here you will be impressed by it all, and then your private quarters are just as exceptional and relaxing, with a highlight being the views and some rooms with terraces.
Are you looking for a hotel with a little character? You can’t ignore the groovy 70s-style Hotel Ziggy, a four-star hotel just waiting for you to party along with. So, enjoy a musical time away in Hollywood, celebrating the entertainment spaces of the city, and stay at a hotel inspired by these same characters.
First, admire the surrounding sights of the Hollywood Hills to the north and the Sunset Strip to the south as you have the city at your fingertips. Then, dive into the 24-hour gym and pool and taste the delicious food at their on-site restaurants.
These options include B-Side Pizza, serving pizza and burgers with cocktails, and Backbeat, a music venue with great food and drinks! Not only are the shared spades brilliant, but the rooms are just as so, with soft beds and quiet space to relax after a busy tour of West Hollywood. So, you can be gathered to get a great taste of the music scene and a relaxing class at Hotel Ziggy.
Le Parc at Melrose is a three-star hotel in the heart of West Hollywood and is favored by many for its modern artsy style and attention to supplying excellent service for guests. Take, for instance, the host of outdoor entertainment options such as their tennis court, yoga classes and free bike hire, which is only found in a few other hotels in this area.
They also have an outdoor pool, garden and gym to keep you fit with some variety! Then for the guests that want basic facilities, they have the delicious Knoll Le Parc Restaurant, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for guests and visitors alike.
However, that isn’t all as private guests lodgings with an apartment with a mini kitchenette, lounging area, terrace, bedroom and ensuite included. So, you don’t need to spend too much on quality while staying in West Hollywood.
Gay Nightlife in West Hollywood, USA
West Hollywood is gay nightlife heaven for an excellent reason, with some of the greatest concentration of queer locals and gay bars not found anywhere else in the state. So if you want a gay leather bar, you can find it here; with all manner of gay nightlife to be seen with plenty of venues to pick from, it will never be a dull night.
Exploring the gay and gay-friendly nightlife in a new city can be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences while traveling – and Gay West Hollywood is no exception. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends, but you’ll also get a taste of the local culture and learn more about the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Going out and experiencing the queer and queer-friendly nightlife in a new city can also be a great way to break out of your comfort zone and try new things. Whether dancing the night away at a gay club or mingling with locals at a gay-friendly bar, you’ll have the chance to make memories and create lasting connections.
So, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore the gay and gay-friendly nightlife in West Hollywood. You’ll be glad you did!
Gay Bars in West Hollywood
For an exceptional burger with a slice of gay nightlife in West Hollywood, Hamburger Mary’s is the place to be. They don’t have fantastic food but drag shows and a cheque aesthetic, so you can bet to meet a famous name on occasion!
The Abbey is a world-famous gay bar and restaurant found in the heart of gay nightlife in West Hollywood. Here you can expect an award-winning experience, having won the MTV award for being the number one gay bar in the world.
What makes it so great is the cocktails and nibbles, serviced in their relaxing lounge or outdoor terrace. However, it isn’t just that; they have weekly events every night, bringing something unique to the experience.
For a gay sports bar with some muscle, you need to check out GYM Sportsbar when you visit West Hollywood because you rarely find such a place just like it. Here is the place to be if you want to meet fellow sports fanatics or support a bar with great programs to help gay sports flourish in the region.
So you will be treated to happy hours and significant sports-related events, and this is a laidback drinking zone perfect for a night out.
The Trunks is a gay bar for those who love to be shirtless and make the most of the warm summer coastline, just a short stop from West Hollywood. Not only is this place a great one to stop by for a dance and drink, but they also vary the music and entertainment, so every visit is different.
One of the highlights is the alfresco dining options and their old-school laidback bar if you want a break from the house music.
Beaches WEHO is a relaxing gay dining experience specializing in top-notch Californian Cuban cuisine. They are all about creating a fun and warm beachside lounge for meeting fellow members so the queer community can get a drink and perhaps throw in some fun-themed parties on a regular occasion. They even have taco Tuesdays and happy hour bingos!
Those after an indie gay bar that goes against the trend while still supplying a fun experience can’t pass up on Bayou Who. Described as a dirty dive bar, this is an easy-going meet-up spot for the queer community.
You have fallen in love with the Mardi Gras decor serving better and cocktails as ‘cheap as your ex’. In addition, they regularly host dance and pride events, serving not just as a place to dine but as a party.
Located just east of West Hollywood is the famed gay bar AKBAR, a cocktail and nightclub in East Hollywood. They host drag race-watching nights and other fun events outside their discos and top drinking experiences.
After a gay Mexican experience in the heart of Boys Town West Hollywood, you will be happy to learn about Fiesta Cantina.
Here you will be treated to delicious food and a relaxing queer dining experience, an outside terrace with shade and an open door all day and all night! They take pride in their ability to host a party as much as feed the hungry visitors to their city!
For over thirty years, Revolver has been a gay video bar and an essential part of the complete queer West Hollywood nightlife experience.
Open five days a week, you will be served by friendly staff in their spacious venue, with a host of events run out of their halls, from happy hour, drag, karaoke, Gogo dancers and DJs. The weeknights are relaxed and a good place to socialize, and the weekends are a rowdy party!
Gay Parties & Gay Clubs in West Hollywood, USA
West Hollywood is the gay capital for a reason, and they, of course, host one of the biggest pride parties every year. You can expect a festival you won’t ever forget, from late-night parties to daytime markets and social events. The best way to see this city in its queer element is to time your visit to West Hollywood when their pride event is on.
Cruising & Gay Saunas in West Hollywood, USA
West Hollywood is a beautiful place to find a place to cruise, whether at a bar or sauna; you will even have remarkable success finding a host of different people from the community from the many gay bars!
When traveling to a new city, it can be exciting to head out for more than just a stiff drink. One aspect of the Gay West Hollywood scene that many queer men enjoy is visiting gay saunas and cruising clubs.
Sure, the sauna culture in West Hollywood is not as hedonistic as in Amsterdam, Barcelona or Berlin, but these venues still offer a chance to meet new people, socialize, and engage in sexual activity – without resorting to gay hookup apps.
However, it’s important to remember that these venues can vary greatly in terms of atmosphere, clientele, and rules, so it’s a good idea to prepare yourself before visiting. If you are apprehensive, we advise studying our guide to visiting a gay bathhouse for the first time, which should help set your mind at ease and always practice safe sex.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware of and respect local laws and customs regarding gay venues and sexual activity. With a little bit of planning and an open mind, visiting gay saunas and cruising clubs can be a fun and exciting part of your gay West Hollywood travel itinerary.
Gay Cruising Bars in West Hollywood
Fantasy Fridays at Robertson Nightclub
For the Lesbian after a unique experience, Robertson Nightclub hosts Fantasy Fridays for Lesbians to explore their sexual desires and meet fellow ladies! So, for once, it isn’t just the men that get all the fun!
Slammer Club is the perfect place for gay men to explore the late-night fun of cruising West Hollywood. You will be treated to a bar and socializing area or to venture into the back rooms and go for a soak in the hot tub, dark room, and so much more!
Gay Saunas in West Hollywood
In East Hollywood, FLEX Spas is a men-only spa and sauna, which could be the place to find the perfect space to relax and enjoy your holiday to the fullest. You can lounge in her hot tubs or swim in their pool, with much more on offer.
Gay Map Of Los Angeles
Finding it hard to envisage where everything is in Los Angeles? Hopefully, this queer-centric map helps where we have marked all the bars, clubs, parties, hotels, saunas, massages, and more will help you stay in the spot best suited to you!