11 San Diego Gay Bars for a Fantastic Night Out

San Diego has long been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community, even if the reputation doesn’t scream out from the sidelines about it. There’s a long and storied history of San Diego gay bars and its community that stretches back to World War II, when San Diego stationed a lot of the military.

Some of those bars still exist, including some that were even here before that in the early 1900s. Most of the San Diego gay bars center around Hillcrest, often known as the “gayborhood,” and provide a welcoming space for people on any end of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. If you are looking for more places to celebrate, check out our guide on the best bars in Hillcrest as well.

Here are 11 LGBTQ+ bars you can find in San Diego. Note that none of these bars serve food, save for one that has a drag brunch on Sundays. Many of the bars are near food trucks or stands if you need a little snack while you drink, but other than that, they’re alcohol only. 

Whether you’re looking for a smooth night in with the locals or a wild night out with your friends, here are the gay bars you won’t want to miss. 

Rich’s

Address: 1051 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

If you’re on the lookout for nightclubs, Rich’s is the place to go. One look at the line wrapped around the corner on any given night when it’s open will tell you that. Even the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stopped in and filmed there, and for good reason.

The club has two separate rooms. The bigger room in the back has more house music, whereas the smaller room in the front focuses more on hip-hop and contemporary jams. There’s also a large outdoor area to enjoy when you need some fresh air. This section also opens up on weekend days during the summer and for Pride as well.

If you’re able to book ahead for nights when there’s a cover, you’ll be able to skip. You can also subscribe to text notifications through them for special discounts and offers.

Flicks

Address: 1017 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

A hop, a skip, and a jump down the street from Rich’s is Flicks, which is another go-to bar everyone has to experience at least once. This one caters a little more to the younger crowd, especially on Wednesdays when the bar celebrates Welfare Wednesday. Although this place packs in the people, it’s worth it for the $5 well drinks.

Outside of Welfare Wednesday, you can also come here during the week and enjoy karaoke. Keep an eye out for some drag performers and specialty dance nights, too, since some of the hottest go-go dancers frequent here. I saw my first ever drag show here with some of the main stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race at the time, so the talent they book isn’t anything to balk at.

Pecs

Address: 2046 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Website

If you want to get out of the heart of Hillcrest but still be near it, head down University Avenue and stop at Pecs. Located halfway between Hillcrest and North Park, Pecs is the bar where the bears frequent — otherwise known as the big, hairy men. Anyone in the gay community knows bears are some of the nicest and most welcoming people, which you can easily see on display at Pecs.

If you’re into the idea of Welfare Wednesday without the screaming college kids around, Pecs also offers $5 well drinks on Wednesdays from 7 pm until close. They also have “Furriday Bear Happy Hour” on Fridays from 5 pm to 9 pm on the Garden Patio. 

Baja Betty’s

Baja Betty’s is one joint in Hillcrest you most certainly do not want to miss. They’ll have you feeling “home sweet homo” in a safe and inclusive space with one of the most fabulous experiences in the area. Known for one of the best Happy Hours in San Diego, delicious Taco Tuesday offers, heavy pours, and always a fun atmosphere, Baja Betty’s has to be on your list of best gay bars to check out in San Diego!

Check out our full review here>>

Number One Fifth Avenue

Address: 3845 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

Number One Fifth Avenue is a great place to hang out and let loose, and it’s one of my personal favorites in town. They’re one of the oldest gay bars in the area, having stood tall for the last 40 years. During that time, they received numerous “Best Gay Bar” and “Best Neighborhood Bar” awards, and they’ve deserved every one. This is one of the key places for dive bar fans to pay a visit.

Among their various events include the Game Nights held on Mondays, as well as the After Show Dance Parties on Fridays. They’ve got something going on almost every night, whether it be Karaoke or Pictionary, and recently expanded to include a separate room for more dancing.

The Loft

Address: 3610 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

I have a bit of a confession here: I don’t ever remember leaving The Loft. I remember arriving, sure, but two drinks here is enough to get you to the same level as what you’d find with six drinks Downtown. The Loft is the ultimate dive bar and one of the best places for regulars and people in the community to gather.

They have a pool table here, but due to how busy they are, it’s rare to be able to get yourself a slot on it. They also have daily specials ranging from Industry Mondays to Tequila Tuesdays. Regardless of whenever you visit, this is the location where you’ll have to take the “drink responsibly” advice to heart.

The Eagle

Address: 3040 N Park Way, San Diego, CA 92104
Website

I’ll kick this one off by saying The Eagle is not the bar for everyone, but it is the bar for people who like to get kinky. It’s San Diego’s only leather bar, and the whole place has a sexually charged vibe that you most likely won’t find anywhere else.

They have Happy Hour daily until 7 pm, where they charge $5.50 for small well drinks and even let you buy a pitcher of any well drink for $13.50. If you like to wear a pup mask, a harness, or anything leather-related, The Eagle should be the first stop on your list. 

SRO Lounge

Address: 1807 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Website

The SRO Lounge is another great dive bar that has a more dark and old-school vibe. Although it’s open to everyone, the SRO Lounge is one of the top spaces for transgender individuals to come and enjoy safely. In fact, most people regard it as the only transgender bar in San Diego, but that’s not a requirement to get in.

Those in search of a good cabaret show should also put their sights on the SRO Lounge, which has an extremely welcoming staff and friendly atmosphere. During the weekdays, they open at 2 pm and open earlier at 10 am on the weekends. Their Happy Hour runs daily from 2 pm to 7 pm. 

The Rail

Address: 3796 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

The Rail, formerly known as The Brass Rail, is among the oldest gay bars in San Diego. It’s been through quite a few changes since it originally opened in the 1930s, but is now under gay ownership for the first time through Urbano Pelicon and Isaac Vargus.

The bar hosts a number of circuit parties, from Trick to Revolution, but also has a great drag brunch on Sundays (which is the only time they serve food.) For parties like Trick, Revolution, and similarly-themed circuits, they offer a clothes check if you want to walk around in jockstraps or underwear. 

The Hole in the Wall

Address: 2820 Lytton St, San Diego, CA 92110
Website

The Hole in the Wall, also known simply as “The Hole,” is a staple for San Diego gay bars. 2024 marks their hundred-year anniversary, so, like The Rail, they’ve been through a lot and seen many changes throughout the years. It became known as an LGBTQ+ establishment during the 40s, then known as “The 19^th Hole” due to its proximity to the Sail Ho Golf Club. In the 60s, under new ownership, it became one of the few openly gay bars at the time, which is when the nickname “The Hole” started.

Nowadays, they host the Out and Abt event every Thursday, have Karaoke throughout the week, and have a monthly Slutter Camp that features a wet underwear contest.

AWOL

Address: 1469, 1475 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

AWOL is one of the newer kids on the block, having only opened in 2021. This military-themed bar has great drink prices and is in close proximity to food trucks for those who want a snack while they drink. It’s also a great place to come for a RuPaul viewing party that still draws a crowd without the overcrowded feeling you may find elsewhere.

They have a nice outdoor patio area, as well as some live DJs every so often to pump the music. While they’re another location that offers karaoke, it’s more fun to join every third Thursday for Big Bear Bingo with Tim, which is free to play.

Urban MO’s

Address: 308 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

Urban MO’s is an absolute staple in the San Diego community. The location originally started as Hamburger Mary’s, a chain known for their drag shows. When things fizzled out, the building rebranded to Ubran MO’s — short for “homo” — and has gone on to be one of the largest hospitality companies in the area as MO’s Universe.

This is a great place for both drinks and food, and the bar stays open later than the restaurant. If you’ve got food on your mind when you come here, stop in on a Tuesday night. While everyone else celebrates Taco Tuesday, MO’s has Showtunes night with unlimited spaghetti. They play iconic scenes from the best musicals and keep the pasta coming. You can even order a serving to go. 

EQ/The Merrow

Address: 1271 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

EQ operated as The Merrow for years until it underwent a rebrand and new ownership in 2023. Although people were nervous at first that the straight owners would take away the gay-focused events, that hasn’t yet been the case. EQ is most known for the Bear Night party, which happens the first Saturday of every month and frequently sells out.

Besides that, they’re open from noon until 2 am daily and every so often hosts other events, as well. If you’re looking to host something privately, they’re also available to book your own event.

Gossip Grill

Address: 1220 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

As Gossip Grill is one of the few lesbian bars in the entire nation, it’s well worth paying them a visit. Like MO’s, Gossip Grill is both a restaurant and a bar, but the nightlife continues well after they stop serving food. On the food side of things, however, they have a twice-monthly drag cabaret show that’s always worth checking out.

Their “Welcome Home Beautiful” sign is also an homage to the queer community as a whole, acting as a beacon to remind anyone that they’re welcome in those doors to be whoever they want.

& Bar

Address: 1023 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

& Bar, like Gossip Grill, is owned by Moe Girton and is a branch-off of the charcuterie bar and restaurant, Barrel & Board. The bar along the street is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it venture, but you won’t be sorry if you stop in for a drink. Inside, there’s an additional speakeasy known as The Boardroom hidden in the back that connects & Bar to Barrel & Board.

You can book a private event if you’d like, but Fridays are the best day to pay this bar a visit. It’s their Frigay Fridays, which comes with a $5 Happy Hour from 8-10 p.m. and $10 Call Cocktails for the rest of the night. 

Uptown Tavern

Address: 1236 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

Although Uptown Tavern is more of a restaurant than a bar, it’s still a great place to hang out on a weekend evening after they’ve shut the restaurant down. The weekends include plenty of dancing and DJs, but there’s also a more intimate Arrow Lounge that’s a private bar toward the back. The front patio is a great place to sit and people watch while you drink.

On the second Saturday of every month, you can also join in for the Silent Disco. Each participant wears a wireless Sound Off headphone that lets you control your own volume and choose between three channels with a live DJ and genre-specific playlists. With no cover charge, it’s easily one of the most fun and affordable things you can do on a Saturday night. 

Alibi

Address: 1403 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

The Alibi has three different locations between Hillcrest, Mission Gorge, and La Mesa, so it’s not necessarily an exclusively “gay” bar. That said, the Hillcrest location sits smack dab in the middle of all the other nightlife and between Rich’s and AWOL, so it still gets a lot of good gay foot traffic. Like the Chee Chee Club, this dive bar offers pool and only allows cash.

Hillcrest Brewing Company

Address: 1458 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website

When in Hillcrest, why would you ever skip out on the world’s first gay brewery? The Hillcrest Brewing Company is the proud owner of that title, and beer drinkers should flock to this location for some of the best brews in town.

San Diego doesn’t have a shortage of breweries in the area, but the Hillcrest Brewing Company’s rich taste and spectacular pizza choices easily make this one of the best choices in the county. Plus, they have a daily “Hoppy Hour” that’s $2 off any of their draught beers, especially the ones they brew in-house. Despite this being a brewery, it’s also the only location on this list that always serves food and alcohol at all open hours, so you’ll never be limited to just a drink here.

Chee Chee Club

Address: 929 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Website

If you want to get out of the “gayborhood” but still want to enjoy a good gay bar, check out the Chee Chee Club downtown. Originally established in 1941, this is a landmark gay/dive bar that doesn’t always get the shine it deserves.

Part of that is due to its location outside of Hillcrest, but the other part is due to the fact it has more of a gay history than a gay present. It’s still worth checking out for the jukebox, the pool table, the darts, and the history. If you do come here, please note it’s cash only. They do have an ATM on site if you need it, so don’t let that be a deterrent if it’s on your list.

There’s always something going on in San Diego, even during the winter when business slows down. Whether you’re a local or paying us a visit, these San Diego gay bars will fit the bill for anything you’ve got on your agenda. As long as you know what you want, what you’re looking for, and where to go, these bars are sure to be a hit. Remember to drink responsibly at all of them — Hillcrest has a reputation for the affectionately known “Hillcrest pour,” which usually indicates around two drinks per one.

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