Thanksgiving Weekend Nightlife Guide
Picks by Ramie_Becker
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Its lush Moorish patio, breezy cabanas and deliciously strong drinks are what make The Abbey the grand dame of gay bars. But while the scene may skew gay, straights also frequently inhabit the bar’s various distinct areas. The outdoor bar and patio are usually the busiest and best if you want to order from The Abbey’s menu of comfort food. The bar lounge is great for drinks, which range from their extensive fruit flavored martini selection to their generously made mojitos. House music often permeates every inch of this place, so for quieter conversations, curtained cabanas are available in the back. It’s a relatively easy warm-up to a night of glamour at next-door Here Lounge or the dive-bar pleasures of Mother Lode around the corner. Nearby Bossa Nova and Hedley’s Restaurant may offer more interesting fare, but when Elizabeth Taylor visits the neighborhood (which is not infrequently), she chooses to grace The Abbey.
TIPS: If you’re not lucky enough to snag a metered street spot, try the lots at the Pacific Design Center, 627 N Robertson, and 8727 Santa Monica Blvd.
This is a great spot for groups to meet. There are several rooms, nice decor, lots of tables, and nice outdoor seating. The drinks are good and food is good for bar food. There's even a decent coffee bar.
Well, I was totally thrown by my most recent experience at the Abbey while visiting from the very diverse Bay Area! We are in 2008 and I thought being gay was hard enough, but I guess being gay and African American is a problem for the management at the Abbey…..I...
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