The Abbey
Abbey · Lawndale ·
Iconic gay bar with multi-room metropolis & drag brunch
Information
16111 Prairie Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 Get directions
Iconic gay bar with multi-room metropolis & drag brunch
16111 Prairie Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260 Get directions
"The Abbey is one of the most recognizable gay bars in America. This West Hollywood institution is a multi-room metropolis where you could spend an entire night just wandering around making sure you’ve seen every part of it. Weekends tend to get ambushed with college kids and gaggles of straight girls, so we recommend going on a weeknight when it’s just as fun, but the crowd is much more local and you’ll actually be able to find space on the dance floor. Don’t ignore the Sunday brunch either - it gets weird." - brant cox, brett keating
"The Abbey needs little introduction. It’s one of the most recognizable bars in Los Angeles and no matter where you fall on the Kinsey Scale, you can’t really leave this town without stopping in for at least one $15 vodka soda. The place turns into a total madhouse on the weekends, largely dominated by horny Real Housewives looking for gay validation and Inland Empire kids whose parents think they’re at a bonfire. But on weekdays, it’s just as busy and full of people who actually live in and around West Hollywood. Come here then instead." - brant cox
"Greetings from one of the most iconic gay bars in the entire country, and probably the world. The Abbey is big and chaotic and full of people who don’t live in Los Angeles, but if you’re looking for the epicenter of gay LA nightlife, The Abbey is still where you go. The crowd is flirty, the music is good, and it’s guaranteed to be a party. That said, The Abbey is at its best midweek, when the carpooling teenagers and Brentwood moms have all gone home, leaving a crowd that’s more local, but just as fun. Sunday brunch is equally as wonderful." - brant cox
"No introduction is necessary here, but we’ll give one anyway: The Abbey is the most recognizable gay bar in LA and probably the country (maybe the world?) and ground zero for all things Weho nightlife. And with four separate bars, a gigantic front patio, and a multi-tiered dance floor, it’s not being dethroned anytime soon. Just avoid the weekend nights, when Brentwood divorcees and carpooling teenagers from Rancho Cucamonga pack the room. And somehow, surprisingly, their food is quite good. Come on a Sunday afternoon for brunch and walk away thrilled. And tipsy." - brant cox
"If you instinctively write off going to The Abbey for brunch, it’s your own loss. The most famous gay bar in LA serves good food, and the patio situation is surprisingly laid-back with a crowd mostly of locals. Just about every bar in Weho does a weekend drag brunch on the weekends, but The Abbey’s continue to be the most fun and well put together in the neighborhood." - brant cox, sylvio martins
