The Abbey
Gay bar & restaurant · West Hollywood
Gothic touches, a Mediterranean courtyard, go-gos and drag: since 1991 The Abbey has been West Hollywood’s best-known flagship, and anyone visiting WeHo for the first time almost inevitably ends up here.
- ★ 4.3 on Google (1,013)
- Since 1991
- Brunch and kitchen
- Go-gos and drag
- Address
- 692 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069 - Opening hours
- Mon–Fri 11 am–2 am
Sat/Sun 10 am–2 am - Crowd
- mixed, mostly gay men, mostly 25–45, lots of travellers in the evening
- Flirt factor
- medium
- Getting there
- Corner of Santa Monica Blvd, in the middle of the Rainbow District
What makes The Abbey special
David Cooley opened The Abbey in 1991 as a small café on Robertson Boulevard, right by Santa Monica Boulevard. Over the years it became the best-known gay bar on the West Coast. At the end of 2023 Cooley sold to entrepreneur Tristan Schukraft. Its sister club The Chapel is right next door.
The ambience mixes gothic touches with a Mediterranean courtyard, spread across several areas with a terrace, dance floor and restaurant kitchen. By day people meet for breakfast, lunch or brunch, and in the evening it gets loud, packed and danceable, with go-go dancers and drag.
Atmosphere and crowd
The crowd is very mixed and noticeably more touristy at night than in the smaller bars on the boulevard, plus groups of girlfriends and bachelorette parties. Guests praise the brunch, atmosphere and go-gos. At the weekend it’s really full from about 10 pm.
A good fit if you …
- are experiencing WeHo for the first time
- want food and partying in one place
- want to brunch at the weekend
Not ideal if you …
- are looking for a small local bar
- are under 21
Contact
Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Sources: the bar’s website, Out x Out, Time Out, Google reviews (4.3 stars, 1,013 reviews). Opening hours, prices and programme may change, please check before visiting.