WhiteHorse Bar

Image: Foursquare/Szonic A.
MONDAY - THURSDAY: 3 P.M. - 2 A.M. | FRIDAY - SUNDAY: 1 P.M. - 2 A.M.
510.652.3820 | WEBSITE

For all the queers fleeing San Francisco for the more affordable East Bay, Oakland remains surprisingly bereft of a gay scene. In business since at least 1933—Prohibition-era records being imperfect—the WhiteHorse Bar is a notable exception, and a Rockridge institution where karaoke nights and dance parties rule. The crowd is racially diverse and the bar is as dark as a 1950s closet case could desire. Where else are you going to find a second-drink-for-$1 special on a Friday night? Not in San Francisco, that’s for sure.

Known For
  • dancing
  • singles scene
  • gay scene
What to drink
The WhiteHorse is all over the map. Cheap gin Martinis during happy hour will be consumed cheek-by-jowl with tons of PBR.
Neighborhood
Oakland
ProTip
While it’s technically in Oakland, the WhiteHorse is on the Berkeley border. As such, its proximity to the university draws a collegiate crowd on weekends.