The Best of Long Beach—

Plan a Bar Crawl Through Long Beach’s ‘Gayborhood’

With a bar scene that dates back to the 1970s and beyond, Long Beach’s “Gayborhood” on Broadway between Alamitos and Junipero avenues is a haven for the LGBTQ+ community and just about anyone looking for a great bit of fun.

This stretch of divine divey neighborhood bars offers the perfect place for a bar crawl, where you can pass through spots that have served as gathering places, safe spaces, and organizing hubs and meet friendly locals that make up Long Beach’s thriving LGBTQ+ community.

BROADWAY COCKTAIL LOUNGE

Start your Broadway bar crawl at Long Beach’s longest-running family-owned bar in the Gayborhood. Established in 1974, Broadway Cocktail Lounge (1100 E Broadway) is affectionately known as The Broadway Bar and offers daily happy hour from 12 to 8 PM, with great deals on beer and well drinks. This spot also hosts trivia nights every other Monday, popular karaoke nights on Thursdays and Saturdays, and DJ sets on Friday nights. Be sure to bring your wallet—Broadway Bar is cash only.

SWEETWATER SALOON

Established in 1978, the Sweetwater Saloon (1201 E Broadway) has been known as a space for queer women, but is welcoming to all. The building retains some of its 1940s design features, such as the solid Mexican tile floor, brick walls, and heavy wooden beams over the bar, and today the bar features free pool at two tables, a jukebox, and seasonal beers on tap. Like many spots on Broadway, Sweetwater is cash only.

THE FALCON

Next stop is The Falcon (1435 E Broadway), a cozy neighborhood bar in a corner brick building in Alamitos Beach with more than 25 years of history. In the summer, the bar is the site of an annual outdoor garden party during Long Beach Pride, it’s also a great place for RuPaul’s Drag Race watch parties. The Falcon also hosts Gaymer Tuesdays, featuring nostalgic board games, multiplayer card games, and video games with drink specials. Love a party with a theme? Follow The Falcon on Instagram to find out about upcoming toga parties, luaus, and more, and be prepared to dance the night away every weekend.

THE MINE SHAFT

With a look reminiscent of Old West storefronts, the design details inside The Mine Shaft lean into the mining theme. But don’t let the rough exterior and scuffed floors turn you off. The Mine Shaft has been a standout gathering place for the community since 1977, and inside you’ll find friendly staff, welcoming locals, pool tables, and a photo booth. On the weekends, a dance floor opens up with DJs spinning late into the night. Bring your bills for this cash-only establishment.

THE MEN’S ROOM BAR

Next door to The Mine Shaft, this bar was formerly known as The Brit and reopened in 2025 as The Men’s Room Bar (1744 E Broadway). This place is all about fun, witness some of the spicy decor choices as well as the fun and friendly locals that makes this a perfect spot to call it night. The redesigned interior features sleek surfaces, modern lounge space, and plenty of room for dancing. Want to check out shirtless bartenders in hot pants? This is the place for you.

Author

Claire Atkinson
Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.

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