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The city also has a strong taproom and winery tasting room scene, making it easy to plan your entire visit around eating, drinking, or some combination of the two.”

It would take volumes to highlight all of our favorite Oakland restaurants and other destinations within this East Bay city, so, to narrow down the list, the San Francisco Bay Times received guidance from the following:

•Peter Gamez, President and CEO of Visit Oakland;
•DJ Lady Ryan, the official DJ of the Valkyries and the Co-Owner of newly opened Golden Ratio in Oakland;
•Emily Winston, the CEO and Founder of Boichik Bagels;
•Joy Baucom of Oakland-based Diligence Security Group;
•and Jeffrey Myers, Committee Chair of the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District.

Here are just some of the businesses they mentioned:

Nightlife

The Athletic Club Oakland – roomy sports bar with an energetic vibe
https://www.theacoakland.com/

Fluid510 – one of the top LGBTQ destinations in the city
https://fluid510.com/

The Fox Theater – an architectural masterpiece that, like The Castro, was converted for concerts https://thefoxoakland.com/

Golden Ratio – a new must-visit venue owned and operated by powerhouse duo DJ Lady Ryan and Dennise Acio https://bit.ly/4q6KCBc

Lucy Blue – a sexy new bar & lounge across from the Fox Theatre; the latest project from Chef Michele McQueen https://lucybluebar.com/

Next Level Nightclub – run by talented Valentino Carrillo of ultra-popular Que Rico and Valentino Presents https://www.nextleveloakland.com/

Night Heron – swanky modern bar that could become, as the owners say, “your new roosting place”; also near the Fox Theatre
https://www.nightheronoakland.com/

Paramount Theatre – another architectural masterpiece that is the home of the Oakland Ballet and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
https://www.paramountoakland.org/

Que Rico Nightclub – often called “the Bay Area’s most diverse nightclub,” it is an iconic spot for the LGBTQ+ Latin community and more
https://www.quericonightclub.com/

Summer Bar & Lounge – a gay destination in the heart of Old Town Oakland
https://www.thebarsummer.com/

Town Bar & Lounge – a QPOC-owned Art Deco bar & lounge with great cocktails and dancing https://www.goingtotownoakland.com/

White Horse Bar – Known as “the mother of all queer bars,” featuring Page
https://bit.ly/48UvtMH

Restaurants

Asmara Restaurant – Eritrean/Ethiopian
https://asmararestaurantoakland.com/

Bardo Lounge & Supper Club – American staples
https://www.bardooakland.com/

Brenda’s Oakland – Creole, French/Soul
https://brendasoakland.com/

Café Gabriela – Filipina-inspired comfort food
https://www.cafegabriela.com/

The Fat Lady Bar & Restaurant – American fare in a Victorian-style setting
https://thefatladyrestaurant.com/

FOB Kitchen – Contemporary Filipina
https://www.fobkitchen.com/

Forge Rockridge – Neapolitan pizzas and American comfort food
https://forgerockridge.com/

Grand Lake Kitchen – European/American with iconic brunches
https://www.grandlakekitchen.com/

Home of Chicken and Waffles – the name says it!
https://homeofchickenandwaffles.com/

Jaji – Contemporary Afghan
https://www.jajioak.com/

Mua – eclectic small plates
https://muaoakland.com/

Nick’s Pizza – sourdough crust “Oakland-style” pizza
http://oaklandstylepizza.com/

Parche – Contemporary Colombian
https://www.parcheoak.com/

Sobre Mesa – Afro-Latino small plates
https://sobremesaoak.com/

Tay Ho Oakland – Vietnamese
https://tayhooakland.com/

Bakeries

Bake Sum – Asian-American baked goods often creatively inspired by dim sum and other food favorites
https://www.bakesum.com/

Crumble & Whisk – delish cheesecakes and much more
https://www.crumbleandwhisk.com/

Coffee/Tea

Ain’t Normal Café
https://www.aintnormalcafe.com/

Charlie May Coffee & Tea House
https://www.charliemaycoffee.com/

Mother Tongue Coffee
https://mothertongue.coffee/

Red Bay Coffee
https://www.redbaycoffee.com/

Food Halls

Prescott Market
https://www.prescottmarket.com/

Rockridge Market Hall
https://rockridgemarkethall.com/

Swan’s Market
https://swansmarket.com/

Clothing and Gifts

Oakland Don’t Play
https://www.oaklanddontplay.com/

Oaklandish
https://www.oaklandish.com/

Out of the Closet – thrift shop benefiting the AIDS Healthcare Foundation
https://outofthecloset.org/

Movie Theatres

Grand Lake Theatre
https://www.renaissancerialto.com/

The New Parkway Theater
https://www.thenewparkway.com/

Gyms

The Queer Gym
https://www.thequeergym.com/

Pinpoint Training
https://www.pinpointtraining.co/

Radically Fit
https://www.radicallyfitoakland.com/

Martial Arts

Hand to Hand Kajukenbo https://handtohandkajukenbo.com/

Finally, once you have enriched your hopefully long and healthy life with decades of enjoyment in Oakland, you will need to consider your last chapter.

Friends & Family is your cocktail stop, with smart drinks and snacky bites. It may literally be the most soulful place in this perpetual underdog of a city that is, like the LGBTQ+ community, stronger and more beautiful and resilient than most could ever imagine.

East Bay’s Emerging Queer Mecca
Published on December 18, 2025

Whether you're seeking a quiet neighborhood to settle down in or a bustling area full of art and nightlife, Oakland offers something for everyone.

  • Downtown Oakland: The city’s central district is home to a number of LGBTQ+ businesses, art spaces, and bars.

    Here are some of the most important LGBTQ+ resources in Oakland:

    LGBTQ+ Centers and Advocacy Groups

    • The LGBT Community Center of Oakland
      Located in the heart of the city, this center offers a wide variety of services, including support groups, educational programs, and community events.

      While there has been a trend of big tech moving out of California, Oakland still draws influential mid-sized and smaller firms attracted by talent, affordability, and the city’s unique environment as one of the most diverse and sunniest parts of the central Bay Area.

      For three years in a row, Oakland has earned the number one spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious “Best Food Cities in the U.S.” readers’ choice awards list.

      Oakland works well for LGBTQ+ travelers who want big-city culture without the San Francisco price tag. From healthcare to mental health support and community engagement, the city has a rich array of organizations that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ community. Their programs are designed to empower young people by providing them with the tools to embrace their identities in a safe and supportive environment.

    • Oakland Unified School District LGBTQ+ Resources
      Oakland’s public schools have strong policies in place to support LGBTQ+ students, including safe spaces, counseling services, and active involvement in fostering an inclusive environment for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

    Legal Support and Advocacy

    • Transgender Law Center (TLC)
      Though based in Oakland, TLC serves all of California and beyond.

      The city's welcoming nature and commitment to inclusivity make it a place where LGBTQ+ individuals can truly feel at home.

      With an abundance of community centers, healthcare services, legal advocacy, and social groups, Oakland is a place where LGBTQ+ people can live with pride, confidence, and support. Their services can help connect you to a range of healthcare providers and ensure that your health needs are met without discrimination.

    Support for LGBTQ+ Youth

    • LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center)
      Although LYRIC is based in San Francisco, it serves the entire Bay Area, including Oakland.

      More members of the queer community are living and working in Oakland. Morgan and her family are actually buried in this 226-acre rural oasis that is open to the public for recreational visits on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. In Temescal, located in the north of the city, you’ll find buzzy soul food spot Burdell, as well as out-of-the-box pizzas (think toppings like Monterey Bay squid and chanterelles) at fan-favorite Pizzaiolo; Fruitvale, named after the fruit orchards that dominated this part of town in the mid-19th century, is packed with taco trucks that serve some of the best birria in the country.

      So whether you're planning a visit or considering making Oakland your new home, know that you'll be joining a city that celebrates diversity and fosters a strong sense of community.

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POWERHOUSE BAR San Francisco

Thursday:

 

 

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Powerhouse Bar
1347 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94103

 

Visit the Powerhouse facebook page at this link

LGBTQ+ Nightlife and More in Oakland

n Bay Area meetings about emerging opportunities, businesses, and events, one city continues to be mentioned as 2025 draws to a close: Oakland.

Oakland’s large LGBTQ+ community is hardly new. Whether you're considering moving to the city, planning a visit, or looking to connect with local LGBTQ+ resources, this guide will take you through the key highlights of Oakland and the valuable resources available to the LGBTQ+ community.

City Highlights: Why Oakland is an LGBTQ+ Friendly Destination

Oakland is one of California’s most exciting and diverse cities, offering a wide range of cultural, artistic, and social experiences that make it an ideal place to live, work, and thrive for the LGBTQ+ community.

You’ll also find drag nights, queer dance parties, and pop-up events that shift venues week to week, plus plenty of East Bay tie-ins to SF’s Pride season and trans and queer arts programming. (The other two often mentioned are San Francisco—also no surprise there—and Seattle.)

There is renewed energy, though, concerning the number of LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses in Oakland, and their latest efforts to successfully organize.

Oakland was one of the first cities to pass comprehensive domestic partner legislation, and the community continues to push forward on issues such as housing rights, healthcare access, and gender equality.

Oakland’s commitment to inclusivity and civil rights has made it a natural home for LGBTQ+ individuals who are seeking a city that embraces social progress and equality.

LYRIC provides mentorship, educational programs, and social spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive. This nonprofit organization provides legal resources and advocacy for transgender individuals and works to ensure that LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, have access to equal protection under the law.

  • The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
    While headquartered in San Francisco, NCLR’s offices are easily accessible to Oakland residents.

    The surrounding area is home to many LGBTQ+ residents who take advantage of the lake’s beauty and tranquility.

  • Oakland Parks: Oakland’s public parks, like Mosswood Park and Joaquin Miller Park, are welcoming spaces where people of all identities can come together, whether for community events, picnics, or enjoying nature.

    • LGBTQ+ Resources in Oakland

    Oakland is committed to providing the resources and services necessary to support and empower its LGBTQ+ residents.

    The LGBTQ+ community enjoys these areas for their inclusivity and mix of urban and residential spaces.

    LGBTQ+ Friendly Businesses and Nightlife

    Oakland has no shortage of LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and venues, offering a variety of spaces where you can meet like-minded people, enjoy a night out, or find LGBTQ+ specific services.

    • The White Horse Bar: A legendary LGBTQ+ bar in Oakland, The White Horse is known for its welcoming environment, drag shows, and karaoke nights.

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