Tom Schwartz

First of all, I love West Hollywood. That's where I first found the Pink Pony Club. In West Hollywood, it didn't start out as gay. I mean, not to single them out, I remember reading about when I first got there, certain bars like the lovely and very progressive and gay-friendly... Barney's Beanery used to have a sign behind the bar that said no F-words.

First of all, I love West Hollywood. That's where I first found the Pink Pony Club. In West Hollywood, it didn't start out as gay. I mean, not to single them out, I remember reading about when I first got there, certain bars like the lovely and very progressive and gay-friendly... Barney's Beanery used to have a sign behind the bar that said no F-words.

I can't say that and I won't say that, but obviously it's come a long way, just like the community as a whole in West Hollywood. So let's go back to the 60s and the 70s. Okay, LGBTQ plus Angelenos were being pushed out of their neighborhoods by police harassment, zoning crackdowns.

I can't say that and I won't say that, but obviously it's come a long way, just like the community as a whole in West Hollywood. So let's go back to the 60s and the 70s. Okay, LGBTQ plus Angelenos were being pushed out of their neighborhoods by police harassment, zoning crackdowns.

And they began migrating to this little unincorporated pocket of Los Angeles County where law enforcement was a little more chill and landlords a little more lenient. And pretty soon, gay bars became the beating heart, the pulse of this growing community. One of the first ones I think that opened was Gold Coast back in 1981. It became the first openly gay watering hole in West Hollywood.

And they began migrating to this little unincorporated pocket of Los Angeles County where law enforcement was a little more chill and landlords a little more lenient. And pretty soon, gay bars became the beating heart, the pulse of this growing community. One of the first ones I think that opened was Gold Coast back in 1981. It became the first openly gay watering hole in West Hollywood.

They welcome leather daddies, silver foxes, pretty much anyone looking for a cold beer and a wink, a safe place. Then, Studio One. I think this was before my time, too. Part nightclub, part pageant, part revolution. Yeah, I like that. Where disco reigned and unity pulsed beneath the mirrored ball. It sounds groovy. And, of course, the Abbey, which I know well and love.

They welcome leather daddies, silver foxes, pretty much anyone looking for a cold beer and a wink, a safe place. Then, Studio One. I think this was before my time, too. Part nightclub, part pageant, part revolution. Yeah, I like that. Where disco reigned and unity pulsed beneath the mirrored ball. It sounds groovy. And, of course, the Abbey, which I know well and love.

One of my favorite spots still to this day. It originally was a little coffee shop back in 1991, and then it sort of grew into this holy grail, this cathedral of cocktails, a place where you could mingle with the guy next door, politicians and drag queens all hanging out, mingling over martinis. I still love it to this day.

One of my favorite spots still to this day. It originally was a little coffee shop back in 1991, and then it sort of grew into this holy grail, this cathedral of cocktails, a place where you could mingle with the guy next door, politicians and drag queens all hanging out, mingling over martinis. I still love it to this day.

Motherlode, our neighbor, Tom Tom's neighbor, just a little bit west of us on Santa Monica Boulevard, was one of the first and longest running gay bars in West Hollywood. I think they opened in 1970, if I remember correctly, but if you haven't been there, think strong, very strong, affordable drinks and fabulous dive vibes everywhere. Like one of my favorite little old school OG G-bars.

Motherlode, our neighbor, Tom Tom's neighbor, just a little bit west of us on Santa Monica Boulevard, was one of the first and longest running gay bars in West Hollywood. I think they opened in 1970, if I remember correctly, but if you haven't been there, think strong, very strong, affordable drinks and fabulous dive vibes everywhere. Like one of my favorite little old school OG G-bars.

My personal favorite, the Bayou. Love the Bayou. Also the last remaining place on the planet I'll take a jello shot. And it's only because they're really fun out of a syringe. By the way, hi Marcos. But yeah, I love gay bars. I love West Hollywood. I feel home there as I do in any watering hole. Why do they matter? Well... You guys, they weren't just like clubs. They weren't just nightlife.

My personal favorite, the Bayou. Love the Bayou. Also the last remaining place on the planet I'll take a jello shot. And it's only because they're really fun out of a syringe. By the way, hi Marcos. But yeah, I love gay bars. I love West Hollywood. I feel home there as I do in any watering hole. Why do they matter? Well... You guys, they weren't just like clubs. They weren't just nightlife.

They were lifelines. They were places where you could come hook up, feel safe to just be yourself, heal. Yeah. Back in the darkest days of AIDS crisis, you know, they organized events, lifted each other up and just supported a persecuted community. West Hollywood officially became a city in 1984. I did not know that. And it was one of the first in the country with a majority openly gay council.

They were lifelines. They were places where you could come hook up, feel safe to just be yourself, heal. Yeah. Back in the darkest days of AIDS crisis, you know, they organized events, lifted each other up and just supported a persecuted community. West Hollywood officially became a city in 1984. I did not know that. And it was one of the first in the country with a majority openly gay council.

A direct result of the organizing powers that started these bars. So it's a very special place. Very near and dear to me and so many others. It's the Pink Pony Club. I love it. We're going to go. We're going to celebrate Pride. Before I go meet up with Zach...

A direct result of the organizing powers that started these bars. So it's a very special place. Very near and dear to me and so many others. It's the Pink Pony Club. I love it. We're going to go. We're going to celebrate Pride. Before I go meet up with Zach...

guys a little message how about more kisses more hugs more love love wins maybe not every time but in the end at least i hope love conquers all be an ally you guys choose love be a champion for those who need it remember what gandhi said Where there is love, there is life. And according to Jax, he was also the guy who can predict the future. All right. All right.

guys a little message how about more kisses more hugs more love love wins maybe not every time but in the end at least i hope love conquers all be an ally you guys choose love be a champion for those who need it remember what gandhi said Where there is love, there is life. And according to Jax, he was also the guy who can predict the future. All right. All right.