Gay bars oakland
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Nationally-known Mayor Barbara Lee has brought her Congress-savvy to the city.
Visitors and business leaders are taking note.
With karaoke to bring out your diva, go-go boys working the crowd, and live performances that’ll keep you dancing, Qué Rico promises a week packed with fiery fun.
Oakland hosts major players like Kaiser Permanente, PG&E, Pandora, and Blue Shield. Sharon Kuganesan and Oset Babür-Winter of Condé Nast explain: “There’s no wrong neighborhood from which to start exploring Oakland’s staggeringly diverse food scene. The owners host many musically-inclined events on their small stage, and the sparkly yet casual atmosphere suits a relaxed mood.
Summer Bar is located at 526 8th Street.
Oakland’s queer identity is defined by far more than its nightlife, but the recent concentration of queer bars downtown has made it easy to sample this famously diverse city’s varied queer scenes.
Over in the Dimond District, it’s all about the laid-back vibes and lush greenery, perfect for those seeking a little respite from the city buzz. They've got you covered. You’ll also find drag nights, queer dance parties, and pop-up events that shift venues week to week, plus plenty of East Bay tie-ins to SF’s Pride season and trans and queer arts programming.
With deep roots in queer history, White Horse remains a beloved space for connection, celebration, and community in The Town.
Que Rico
For the last stop of the night, choose between two divergent experiences. Leaning into the glamor of its Art Deco home, this dark and shiny cocktail bar has dedicated areas for dancing, performances and DJs, as well as tables for enjoying delightfully-garnished beverages.
Town Bar is located at 2001 Broadway, entrance on 20th Street.
Continue down Broadway and cross the street to walk past streetwear-inspired marijuana retailer and streetwear boutique Dope Era.
As in any big city, keep your wits about you, especially when out late. Morgan and her family are actually buried in this 226-acre rural oasis that is open to the public for recreational visits on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
For venues, start at White Horse Inn, the historic East Bay queer bar with karaoke, DJs, and drag; bring cash and expect a cover.
Many of the bars listed here collect donations and stage fundraising events for the Oakland LGBTQ+ Center.
Find more queer bars and places to go in our Guide to Queer-Owned Businesses in Oakland.
See all that The Town has to offer!
But what about nature, you ask?
The city also has a strong taproom and winery tasting room scene, making it easy to plan your entire visit around eating, drinking, or some combination of the two.”
It would take volumes to highlight all of our favorite Oakland restaurants and other destinations within this East Bay city, so, to narrow down the list, the San Francisco Bay Times received guidance from the following:
•Peter Gamez, President and CEO of Visit Oakland;
•DJ Lady Ryan, the official DJ of the Valkyries and the Co-Owner of newly opened Golden Ratio in Oakland;
•Emily Winston, the CEO and Founder of Boichik Bagels;
•Joy Baucom of Oakland-based Diligence Security Group;
•and Jeffrey Myers, Committee Chair of the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District.
Here are just some of the businesses they mentioned:
Nightlife
The Athletic Club Oakland – roomy sports bar with an energetic vibe
https://www.theacoakland.com/
Fluid510 – one of the top LGBTQ destinations in the city
https://fluid510.com/
The Fox Theater – an architectural masterpiece that, like The Castro, was converted for concerts https://thefoxoakland.com/
Golden Ratio – a new must-visit venue owned and operated by powerhouse duo DJ Lady Ryan and Dennise Acio https://bit.ly/4q6KCBc
Lucy Blue – a sexy new bar & lounge across from the Fox Theatre; the latest project from Chef Michele McQueen https://lucybluebar.com/
Next Level Nightclub – run by talented Valentino Carrillo of ultra-popular Que Rico and Valentino Presents https://www.nextleveloakland.com/
Night Heron – swanky modern bar that could become, as the owners say, “your new roosting place”; also near the Fox Theatre
https://www.nightheronoakland.com/
Paramount Theatre – another architectural masterpiece that is the home of the Oakland Ballet and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
https://www.paramountoakland.org/
Que Rico Nightclub – often called “the Bay Area’s most diverse nightclub,” it is an iconic spot for the LGBTQ+ Latin community and more
https://www.quericonightclub.com/
Summer Bar & Lounge – a gay destination in the heart of Old Town Oakland
https://www.thebarsummer.com/
Town Bar & Lounge – a QPOC-owned Art Deco bar & lounge with great cocktails and dancing https://www.goingtotownoakland.com/
White Horse Bar – Known as “the mother of all queer bars,” featuring Page
https://bit.ly/48UvtMH
Restaurants
Asmara Restaurant – Eritrean/Ethiopian
https://asmararestaurantoakland.com/
Bardo Lounge & Supper Club – American staples
https://www.bardooakland.com/
Brenda’s Oakland – Creole, French/Soul
https://brendasoakland.com/
Café Gabriela – Filipina-inspired comfort food
https://www.cafegabriela.com/
The Fat Lady Bar & Restaurant – American fare in a Victorian-style setting
https://thefatladyrestaurant.com/
FOB Kitchen – Contemporary Filipina
https://www.fobkitchen.com/
Forge Rockridge – Neapolitan pizzas and American comfort food
https://forgerockridge.com/
Grand Lake Kitchen – European/American with iconic brunches
https://www.grandlakekitchen.com/
Home of Chicken and Waffles – the name says it!
https://homeofchickenandwaffles.com/
Jaji – Contemporary Afghan
https://www.jajioak.com/
Mua – eclectic small plates
https://muaoakland.com/
Nick’s Pizza – sourdough crust “Oakland-style” pizza
http://oaklandstylepizza.com/
Parche – Contemporary Colombian
https://www.parcheoak.com/
Sobre Mesa – Afro-Latino small plates
https://sobremesaoak.com/
Tay Ho Oakland – Vietnamese
https://tayhooakland.com/
Bakeries
Bake Sum – Asian-American baked goods often creatively inspired by dim sum and other food favorites
https://www.bakesum.com/
Crumble & Whisk – delish cheesecakes and much more
https://www.crumbleandwhisk.com/
Coffee/Tea
Ain’t Normal Café
https://www.aintnormalcafe.com/
Charlie May Coffee & Tea House
https://www.charliemaycoffee.com/
Mother Tongue Coffee
https://mothertongue.coffee/
Red Bay Coffee
https://www.redbaycoffee.com/
Food Halls
Prescott Market
https://www.prescottmarket.com/
Rockridge Market Hall
https://rockridgemarkethall.com/
Swan’s Market
https://swansmarket.com/
Clothing and Gifts
Oakland Don’t Play
https://www.oaklanddontplay.com/
Oaklandish
https://www.oaklandish.com/
Out of the Closet – thrift shop benefiting the AIDS Healthcare Foundation
https://outofthecloset.org/
Movie Theatres
Grand Lake Theatre
https://www.renaissancerialto.com/
The New Parkway Theater
https://www.thenewparkway.com/
Gyms
The Queer Gym
https://www.thequeergym.com/
Pinpoint Training
https://www.pinpointtraining.co/
Radically Fit
https://www.radicallyfitoakland.com/
Martial Arts
Hand to Hand Kajukenbo https://handtohandkajukenbo.com/
Finally, once you have enriched your hopefully long and healthy life with decades of enjoyment in Oakland, you will need to consider your last chapter.
Broadway and its surroundings, a block east of the Fox Theater, has Oakland’s biggest concentration of lively LGBTQ+ watering holes. With its thriving LGBTQ+ community, and breathtaking natural beauty, Oakland invites you to come and make some memories (just be safe!). Well, for a real escape, head up to the Redwood Regional Park.
Pick and choose from what the city’s got. Whether you're vibing to live music, cheering on queens as they snatch the spotlight, or braving an open mic session to share your fabulousness with the world, Summer Bar will keep you entertained all night long.
Over at The RIC, it's like stepping into a time machine straight to 1910, but with way better cocktails and zero prohibition nonsense.
With drag shows that’ll make you clutch your pearls, karaoke nights for your inner pop diva, and pool tables for the more chill (or competitive) types, this spot is the heartbeat of Oakland’s queer nightlife.
On the cozier side of things, Summer Bar & Lounge is the go-to spot for the East Bay’s LGBTQ+ scene to unwind and recharge with some killer dance beats.
Friends & Family is your cocktail stop, with smart drinks and snacky bites.