Best gay bars in orange county
It was bingo night at Main Street Bar & Cabaret, Laguna Beach’s last gay club. Techno song chugged; strobe lights blinked. The game’s caller – a red-headed drag queen named Endora – fussed softly over the prizes like an ikebana master arranging her flowers.
But half an hour past the scheduled start time, patrons had yet to land. Endora sat at the bar and ordered a cocktail.
In walked Craig Cooley, the bar manager for more than a year. “Where is everybody?” he asked, collapsing on a stool next to Endora.
As usual, he seemed out of breath. Little wonder.
Gay bars around the nation have been disappearing, a trend attributed to greater social acceptance of gays, changing economic forces and evolving technology.
Laguna Beach, in particular, has had many obituaries written for its once-thriving gay scene. Iconic establishments have closed. Skyrocketing real estate prices possess kept young gays out of the city and have led established gay residents to cash out and move to other cities, such as Palm Springs.
Against such odds, Cooley has made
In California’s conservative Orange County, a vibrant Queer community thrives.
Palm trees. Golden Coast. The anchor of the Blue Wall of the West. Southern California has one of the most iconic reputations in the travel industry and is widely considered a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ travelers. But then there’s Orange County, a.k.a. the place President Ronald Reagan said, “Good Republicans go to die.” It’s a land of Trump luncheons, decades of John Birch Society influence, and the Orange Curtain–a Cold War nickname for the border between L.A. County and Orange County. To quote the fictional Luke Ward of Newport Beach, “Welcome to The O.C., bitch!”
It’s not all communist conspiracy theories and alt-right evangelicals. This is the county of America’s first major theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, and America’s most renowned theme park, Disneyland. And in 2016, Orange County voted for Hillary Clinton–the first time the county had voted blue in nearly a century. Then, in 2018, all county congressional seats were flipped by Democrats. However, some of those seats are now back to red, and a
Santa Ana Welcomes All
Santa Ana has become an increasingly popular destination for members of the LGBTQ+ community in recent years. The city is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, as well as its diverse population.
One of the main draws of Santa Ana for LGBTQ+ visitors is the city's thriving nightlife. There are numerous gay-friendly bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the city, many of which are located in the downtown area.
The LGBTQ Center Orange County, a community center dedicated to advocating for the rights of and pursuing equality and recognition for the LGBTQ+ community, offers year-round programs, events, resources, and services, including the Brad Brafford LGBTQ+ Center on 4th.
Overall, Santa Ana's welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, lively downtown scene, and cultural offerings make it a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Santa Ana has plenty to propose if you're looking for a night out with friends or a weekend getaway.
Nightlife
When the sun goes down, the Santa Ana nightlife scene light
LGBTQ Nightlife Guide
There was a time when Laguna Beach had its staple gay bars, which were a much needed presence during their reign of the beach city, and its very possible that in the future, more will make their way back to Laguna Beach, but until then, the town is filled with options galore.
The Seahorse
In 1926, a liquor store and a hardware store opened on the corner of Pearl Street and Pacific Coast Highway, and in 1946 it became its current namesake The Seahorse, which was actually Laguna Beach’s first gay bar. For many years, it operated as a secret watering hole for the local gay community until it was eventually turned back to retail as Laguna Auto Parts…and now it’s back to its original roots. The bar celebrates diversity and inclusion and is a bar for everyone, with a really exceptional history for the LGBTQ community. It’s a amazing place to start the evening with happy hour or even daytime drinks.
Rooftops Made For Sunsets
Surf & Sand Resort in South Laguna has two option; Splashes Bar and 15FiftyFive to enjoy the sunsets with the latter having couc