The Black Cat
American restaurant · Silver Lake
3909 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
-(1).jpg "The Black Cat by Courtesy Black Cat")
-(1).jpg "The Black Cat by Courtesy Black Cat")
Highlights
Historic landmark & restaurant serving American bistro fare
Historic landmark & restaurant serving American bistro fare
"When the Black Cat Tavern opened in 1966 in Los Angeles, it quickly became popular among the gay community. A year later, it was the site of an undercover police sting targeting patrons. In February 1967 (two years before Stonewall), community activists led a demonstration outside the bar to protest the targeting and persecution by the police for being gay. Though the current Black Cat isn’t the same as the historic bar, it continues to keep its history alive and was designated a historical landmark by the State of California in 2022." - Rebecca Roland
"The famed Silver Lake bar has opened a big outdoor area for both eating and drinking. Expect picnic tables, string lighting, and two big white tents to block out the sun." - brett keating
"The Black Cat may be better known as a bar, but it also serves outstanding bistro-style food. Start with a cocktail and a cat snack with olives, pickles, and spiced nuts, before ordering something heartier like the beef cheek ragu. Don’t miss out on the burger — its easily one of the best in town with its thick bistro patty and plush bun. The kitchen is open until 11 p.m. for late-night bites." - Rebecca Roland
"The Black Cat in Silver Lake is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure date spot. If you want something a little more serious, grab one of the green booths in the back and order a full meal, with dishes like chopped kale salad, shishito peppers, and an excellent burger covered with melted onion and raclette cheese. But if your date is showing some red flags, like going on and on about how Die Hard is their favorite Christmas movie, it’s just as easy to hang out at the bar or front patio for a single drink, slip out quietly, and bury that memory forever." - nikko duren, sylvio martins
"LA is generally lacking in low-key bar burgers, but this version is a standout. Black Cat certainly didn’t invent raclette cheese, but whoever decided to put it on top of their juicy burger deserves a medal of recognition. When combined with the sauteed onions and tangy pickles on top, the result is gooey, salty, and sweet—and an ideal accompaniment to whatever you’re drinking. The casual Silver Lake drinking spot—and historic queer space—has a solid menu filled with things not often associated with neighborhood bars like crab tartine and braised rock cod. But your focus needs to be on the burger. " - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren, garrett snyder
