I’m alone, but surrounded by faces smiling to me across the decades. I’m hunched over a smoky glass table covered with a treasure trove of photographs, shivering from the chilly air conditioning as much as from the excitement of discovering photographic gold nuggets. You’re bound to have a good time wherever you go, even if it isn’t one of the gay bars mentioned above.7:45 p.m., Lambda Archives, June 17, 2017 I’m often surprised how relaxed and accepting even the military guys from the South are when I’m at bars downtown. Most everyone’s friendly and accepting, so you shouldn’t have any worries about going to ANY bar and being yourself while in the area.
San Diego is a pretty casual, chill place. The trivia night and karaoke are popular there too. They have a more casual, beer-drinking crowd generally. If you find yourself in North Park, then head over to Redwing Bar and Grill. The Hole in Point Loma is one of San Diego’s oldest gay bars, owing to its convenient location near a pre-World War II military base across the street! It’s literally a hole you descend into, so be sure to come prepared for the subterranean attitude you’re bound to experience-their summer Sunday wet underwear contests are infamous. North of Hillcrest, in University Heights, you’ll find Cheers-“a friendly neighborhood bar.” A bit of a dive with karaoke and a jukebox, Cheers has some of the cheapest drinks around with $1 mimosas and $2 bloody marys on Sundays. If you happen to find yourself away from the hustle and bustle of Hillcrest though, there are a handful of other gay bars in San Diego that you can have just as much fun at. It’s also conveniently located right across the street from everyone’s favorite hangout, Urban Mo’s. With a cheeky, airbrushed beach scene painted on the walls, charmingly hunky servers, and 2-for-1 drinks during happy hour Fiesta Cantina is definitely the place to kick-start your night on the town. However, one of the perennial favorite gay bars in San Diego is certainly Fiesta Cantina. It is THE place to be at on Wednesday night, and they have some awesome drink specials. Flick’s has been San Diego’s #1 video bar since opening in 1983. This Hillcrest establishment is the perfect destination for drunken “taco Tuesdays” with friends-margaritas, anyone? Continuing west, you’ll pass Rich’s, the local favorite gay dance club, and come upon the next bar which is Flick’s. Betty’s is a Mexican-themed restaurant with a welcoming, spunky attitude. Head west for a bit of a hike and you’ll come upon Baja Betty’s. The bar can be pretty dark and the patio in the back is usually pretty smoky, but you know what to expect when you go there.
Unofficially the eastern anchor of University Avenue’s gay bars, Pecs is notoriously known as being a friendly dive bar with an older, more bearish, clientele.
San Diego - University Avenue: Gay Bar Central The main hub of it all centers on University Avenue though, and thankfully it’s easily navigable by walking. The majority of gay bars and clubs in San Diego are to be found in this and the immediately-surrounding neighborhoods. Bordering beautiful Balboa Park and mere minutes away from Downtown, Hillcrest has plenty of nightlife options for its many LGBT patrons. If you’re gay and planning on bar hopping in San Diego, there’s only one neighborhood you need to know about: Hillcrest.