Orange County - 8

COUNTY

OF

LGBTQ+ Orange County

Orange County is a diverse area with a wide variety of suburban cities. Laguna Beach is the most “gay friendly” community with a gay beach and a number of bars and restaurants.

Just one hour south of LA, this quaint and artistic beach town is nestled in the heart of otherwise conservative Orange County (“The OC”). For years, Laguna has attracted all types with its sandy beaches, high end lodging, numerous art galleries, and its well-known Laguna Playhouse.

Daytime means hitting the popular West Street gay beach just south of town. Climb down the stairway at the end of West Street and down another stairway at the Coast Royale condo complex, then walk a bit down the beach.

The friendly and good looking crowd is well worth the walk. Newport Beach/ Irvine has a new Hamburger Mary’s bar and restaurant that is drawing a nice gay crowd at night and on the weekends.

EVENTS SCHEDULE

NOV 17-20

ELTON JOHN:

FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD

An electrifying 30-date stadium tour in North America and Europe. Final North American shows are set for three nights 17 & 19-20 at Dodger stadium. For more info visit: atmlb.com/3gTAGNa

DECEMBER

DEC 4

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS

For the 8th consecutive year, Murray & Peter present, “A Drag Queen Christmas”. Get ready for your favorite queens performing live on stage. We’ve got Winners, Fan Favorites and Miss Congeniality. VIP Meet & Greet tickets are also available. The M&G starts at 6pm. All ages welcome. The show starts at 8pm. There will be a 20-minute intermission. Check DragFans.com for the cast performing in your city. Hosted

Mariachi Los Camperos in a concert filled with festive music and dance. This celebration of Mexican holiday traditions is a joyous annual tradition at Segerstrom Center, perfect for the whole family.

For more info visit: bit.ly/3WagOFV

JANUARY

JAN 28-29

RIVERSIDE LUNAR FESTIVAL

Experience the opening ceremony on 1/28 at 12pm, with the annual Lion Dance celebration, Taiko Drums, and Shaolin Kung Fu performances. Reserve your free ticket on Eventbrite to receive the full performer line-up and event map.

For more info visit: bit.ly/3SMQJJS

JAN 28-29

MANATEE FESTIVAL

The Festival is a Fund Raiser for the Orange City Community. The proceeds will benefit “Friends of Blue Spring

EVENTS SCHEDULE

FEB 25

THE MUSIC OF ABBA

Timeless hit songs like Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, SOS, Waterloo, Fernando, and many more performed by the biggest ABBA show in the world. Dance to the hit songs from the movie and musical MAMMA MIA!

For more info visit: bit.ly/3SLwb4A

MARCH

MAR 7-19

MEAN GIRLS

Direct from Broadway, MEAN GIRLS is the hilarious hit musical from an awardwinning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). For more info visit: bit.ly/3gT5sWq

APR 18-30

HAIRSPRAY

You Can’t Stop the Beat! Hairspray, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? For more info visit: bit.ly/3WcfBxO

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Anepalco Mexican Restaurant

Inventive, French-inspired Mexican dishes. 3737 Chapman Ave, Orange, CA

Arc Food & Libations

Rustic-chic hangout pairing locally sourced American fare with handmade craft cocktails. 3321 Hyland Ave suite f, Costa Mesa, CA

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

Specialized in cocktails & burgers, plus steak & chicken dishes. 118 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA

Felix Continental Cafe

Serving hearty portions of Cuban & Spanish classics like paella & roast chicken in a basic setting. 36 Plaza Square, Orange, CA

Francoli Gourmet

Classic trattoria with a Northern Italian menu features an adjoining specialtyfoods shop. 100 S Glassell St, Orange, CA

Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen

Carefully presented entrees & desserts star at this unmarked establishment with upscale cuisine. 141 S Glassell St, Orange, CA

Moreno’s Festive Mexican eatery in a leafy, historic space features gardens & fountains, mariachi & more. 4328 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA

NOVA Kitchen & Bar

Fashionable locale serving Asian-fusion cuisine, sushi & weekend brunch, plus sake & cocktails. 12361 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA

Orange County Mining Co

Traditional steakhouse & Sunday brunch spot with rustic decor & panoramic views of Orange County. 10000 S Crawford Canyon Rd Santa Ana, CA

Orange Hill Restaurant

Upscale hilltop venue dotted with koi ponds & waterfalls, with a New American menu & long wine list. 6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA

Prime Cut Café

A relaxed setting & extensive wine list keep locals coming back to this traditional chophouse. 1547 W Katella Ave, Orange, CA

Rutabegorz

Regulars dig the relaxed hippie vibe at this casual eatery devoted to healthinspired eclectic fare. 264 N Glassell St, Orange, CA

The Filling Station Cafe

Laid-back coffeehouse in a converted gas station with cafe classics & breakfast. 201 N Glassell St, Orange, CA

The Hobbit

Multicourse French-inspired meals begin in a wine cellar then move up into a refined, homey space. 2932 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA

TusCA

Bright & modern eatery in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency serves Italian-inspired Californian fare.

11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA

Bravo Night Club

Bi-level dance club with mostly Latin acts & theme nights ranging from goth to gay and salsa. 1490 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA

Donkey D’s

Queer Neighborhood Video Bar 820 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA

Executive Suite

Gay, lesbian & transgender nightclub with a chic lounge area, karaoke, pool & weekly drag shows. 3428 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA

Flux

Happening gay hangout offering a pool table, TVs & daily drink specials, plus an outdoor patio. 17817 Lakewood Blvd, Bellflower, CA

Frat House

Gay bar with a mostly male crowd for dance beats, cocktails, pool table nights & weekend drag shows. 8112 W Garden Grove Blvd Garden Grove, CA

Mineshaft

A popular Long Beach gay bar, catering to the jeans/leather crowd. 1720 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA

Palmz Hookah Lounge

Great atmosphere, hookah, music, and service.

17823 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA

San Clemente Vape Lounge

Premium products in an atmosphere unlike any other. 401 S El Camino Real, Unit G San Clemente, CA

Surf City Hookah Lounge

Hookah lounge with great vibes. 18822 Beach Blvd UNIT 112 Huntington Beach, CA

The Circle OC

Spacious, lively nightclub venue for drinks, DJs, live music & dancing inside neon-lit digs. 8901 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach, CA

The Falcon

Happening gay bar featuring house music, a dance floor & themed events in small, festive surrounds. 1435 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA

The Hook-Up

Established neighborhood gay haunt offering drink specials & theme nights, plus a pool table & a TV. 1047 E 2nd St, Pomona, CA

Tin Lizzie Saloon

Victorian-style gay & lesbian bar draws guys & gals for themed nights, happy hours & pool tables. 752 St Clair St, Costa Mesa, CA

The Silver Fox

Gay nightclub known for its large library of music & comedy videos, plus karaoke nights. 411 Redondo Ave, Long Beach, CA

The Wayfarer

Awesome music venue with an intimate atmosphere. 843 W 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA

LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS

Equality California

The nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. eqca.org 3701 Wilshire Blvd #725 Los Angeles, CA

LGBTQ Center Orange County Advocating on behalf of the Orange County LGBTQ+ community and providing services that ensure its wellbeing and positive identity. 1605 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA lgbtqcenteroc.org

OC Pride

Orange County LGBT Pride’s Mission is to strengthen the identity of the LGBTQ+ community within Orange County. prideoc.com 2321 E. 4th Street C619, Santa Ana CA

PFLAG Orange County Support meeting the 1st Wednesday of each month 7:30-9pm (or later). Orientation for newcomers begins at 7:15pm. lbpflag.org/orange-county.html 161 S Orange St, Orange, CA

Radiant Health Center

Orange County’s Largest Provider of LGBTQ+ Health and Social Services. radianthealthcenters.org 17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite J, Irvine, CA

Trevor Project

Providing 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat, or call anytime to reach a trained counselor. thetrevorproject.org Trevor Line (866) 488-7386

DIRECTORY