Two new gay bars opening Downtown this summer are poised to fill a major void in the Eastside’s LGBT entertainment offerings. Both boast high design, thousands of square feet and prime locations in the hippest of DTLA enclaves. Old standards like the New Jalisco Bar have been catering to LGBT locals for years, but newcomers Precinct and REDLINE may provide the additional space and entertainment necessary to turn Downtown into a new center for gay nightlife in LA (a title long held by West Hollywood and its world famous Abbey flagship). While it may be a long while before DTLA can compete with WeHo’s bar and club scene, Downtown’s speedy resurgence makes one thing clear: when one hip bar pops up, many more are guaranteed to follow.
The details:
Precinct (357 S Broadway) opened on May 30 and is owned by seasoned party professionals Brian McIntire and Thor Stephens. Precinct is a self-described "Rock N Roll Gay Bar" in a massive space formerly occupied by a Department of Corrections office—hence the tongue-in-cheek name. Precinct offers an array of entertainment, from happy hour specials and an outdoor patio to promoter’s nights and featured local talent.
REDLINE (131 E 6th St) is a bar and lounge situated in Downtown’s Historic Core, helmed by Oliver Alpuche and Zachary Beus. With a prime location and nearly 2,000 square feet for patrons to flock to for brunch, drinks and dancing, REDLINE is set to be a game changer not just for DTLA’s gay scene, but also for Downtown nightlife as a whole. An official launch is planned for peak party season this summer, sometime in August.
Looking for a dependably great time? Here are the best gay bars in Los Angeles.