The 80s, which begat the HiV and AIDS epidemic, was a Renaissance for the city. In 1974, 200 LGBTQ people and their allies marched through the streets of downtown for the first time to protest San Diego’s refusal of a parade permit, and in 1975, the first city-permitted Gay Pride Parade was held.
During the 1970s, gays and lesbians began to establish residences, businesses, and organizations in this location. The birth of the modern gay rights movement in 1969 resulted in a new era in Hillcrest history. Since World War II, over 135 gay bars have opened and operated in San Diego, offering not only a place that has built lasting friendships and fostered activism, but a safe haven for LBGTQ people who have been on the receiving end of bigotry and hate, even in the historically-tolerant state of California. Avoiding physical clashes with those outside of the gay community was important to the fledgling gay movement.” This reduced street activity meant less opportunity for anti-gay confrontations. “One of the main reasons for the scarcity of pedestrian and street traffic in Hillcrest as compared to downtown, was the fact that such a high percentage of the population was so elderly. Being “out of the way” of other popular San Diego neighborhoods, allowed for affordable rent-space, and very unique social scene.Īccording to SOMEONE Michael Dillinger, there’s a surprisingly simple reason why gays and lesbians first colonized Hillcrest.
With events like Puppy Play, Uniform Night, and Jackhammer, the bar has a clear dress code that encourages leather, jeans, and other fetish wear.In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hillcrest transformed from a postwar, near-wasteland of single family homes, to a safe haven for gay and lesbian San Diegans escaping hostility in other neighborhoods. Pecs is a great afternoon stop to sit down, have a beer, and watch the game.Īlso in North Park is the San Diego Eagle which is easily San Diego’s cruisiest bar. PECS is a popular bar in the North Park neighborhood and draws a more diverse crowd with bear nights and hilarious wig parties. More San Diego gay bars and clubs: North Park A friendly wait staff prepares an assortment of delicious Margaritas while hilarious queens entertain you with comedy, cabaret, and dance. Some of the best drag shoes can be found at Baja Betty’s. With some of the cheapest drinks in Hillcrest, locals love to begin their nights at Flicks while checking out the newest music videos in town. Like its name suggests, Flicks plays sports games as well as music videos alongside local DJs’ beats. For special celebrations, treat yourself to their exclusive bottle service and guarantee ample space to party when the club fills. The Rail has been open since the 1960s and remains a popular place for a night of dancing. A slew of gogo boys dance in briefs and drinks are reasonable.
The space is decked out with massive LED light displays that pulse to pop, tribal house, and reggaeton of the rotating DJs every Wednesday-Sunday night. Rich’s is one of San Diego’s biggest gay clubs. Hillcrest: home to the best gays bars in San Diego For the best gay nightlife in San Diego stick to Hillcrest, diving into the Gaslamp District if you prefer more of an alternative, mixed scene. It revs up in the gay bars and clubs of Hillcrest and surrounding neighborhoods but refuses to quit when the bars close, with a small but lively number of after-hour options. Nightlife in the gay bars in San Diego usually starts with happy hours looking west, watching the sun disappear behind the shimmering horizon. For the best gay nightlife in San Diego stick to Hillcrest, diving into the Gaslamp District if you prefer.