The Abbey Food & Bar

“This one time at The Abbey…” is a phrase commonly heard after a night out at West Hollywood’s hottest bar. Following a few appetizers and drinks at SUR Lounge, walk a couple blocks down to find yourself waiting in a no-cover line for The Abbey Food & Bar. Although located in the center of Los Angeles’ gay scene, this once coffee house-turned-bar is a crowd favorite for all ages and genders. Inspired by Mediterranean design, The Abbey offers a vast outdoor patio leveled with an indoor dance floor and bar, which loops around to two more indoor sections of bars and seating. The cozy, ornate couches and gothic-style decoration throughout the bar give off a chic European vibe for anyone who enters. Whether you want to lounge sipping on your drink, let loose on the dance floor, or meet and greet on the patio, every corner of the bar always has something inviting to offer for its guests. Be warned. Weekends are the most popular time of the week to go, but also the most crowded. You can find yourself amongst gay singles, straight guys and girls, or even married couples who want to get a little wild on the dance floor. Who can blame them? The DJ booth is spinning the latest tunes every night near the VIP tables. Speaking of the VIP tables, you might want to reserve one to be closer to the striptease action of the very attractive and very entertaining male and female dancers. Without the go-go dancers, it’s a no-go at The Abbey. If you want a more chilled out night, The Abbey offers a good selection of food for lunch, dinner, and “Sunday Funday” until 8 pm. Weeknights are a good time to catch up with old friends, mingle with sociable bartenders and experience the driving energy of the always-happening bar. Come dressed in your comfortable but trendy clothing for a night of drama-free, vibrant fun.

It's nearly impossible to enter the city of West Hollywood and not find yourself being pulled toward the Spanish-styled villa on N. Robertson Boulevard where The Abbey Food + Bar is housed. To blatantly state that The Abbey is merely a "fun hot-spot" does not give this iconic restaurant and club the due justice that it deserves. For any first timers who walk through those wrought-iron gates, it is completely normal to feel, at times, overwhelmed with all of the eye-candy lounging about on the outdoor patio sipping on one of the ten types of mojitos available, but once you hear those familiar top 40 tunes humming through those walls, that nervousness will be non-existent. The Abbey is obviously known as one of the go-to places in the bubble of West Hollywood; and it is because of their decently priced cocktails, gorgeous and personable staff, talented dancers and aerialists mixing and mingling with the crowd, that partying alongside these guys gone wild is one guilty pleasure that you can take pride in.

If you're at a loss for a place to go on a night out in Hollywood, or even if you've already picked a place, you should probably stop by the Abbey. It's always a riotously good time, between an eclectically hot staff and unrivaled people watching. It could be crazy crowded, or daringly intimate, but there's always something to do. You can stay inside and take over the dance floor, perhaps peek a Hollywood celeb or two, or you can wander outside to cool off in the SoCal air, where the twinkly lights create the ideal atmosphere for flirty laughter. Stop by, have a drink, you'll have a good time. Try a ladies' night on Wednesday-- it's GirlBar. So, when you say screw guys tonight!, you can really mean it.

You cannot say you've experienced West Hollywood until you've visited The Abbey Food + Bar. Whether you enjoy a casual brunch or the pulsating bass emitting from the speakers at night, The Abbey has something for everyone. Although it is a well known refugee for the LGBTQ community, The Abbey also houses a superb bakery and restaurant that is a constant meeting place for locals as well as business executives of Beverly Hills and Century City. Located within walking distance to clubs and various other local bars, The Abbey stands alone in its ability to attract a melting pot of demographics and while providing the perfect atmosphere for business by day and play by night. No matter if you're enjoying a Sunday Funday or having a meeting at 2 p.m. on a Wednesday, The Abbey is sure to not disappoint.

The Abbey Food + Bar is a defining fixture of West Hollywood nightlife. Offering a layout and atmosphere that is impressive enough, it is accompanied by a scene of great music, dancing and drinks. There are plenty of bars, cute bartenders, and places to sit or stand! Don't forget the dance area that is often filled with plenty of partiers and a display of male dancers! In addition, it is a fun spot that is welcoming of both straight and gay. I would recommend that you do NOT miss out on the experience that is The Abbey Food + Bar. This is the place to go if you're looking for a good time with good vibes!

The Abbey is legendary for a reason. Go on a Saturday night and each of your senses will be overwhelmed. Atmosphere: Wild. Think fog machine, go go dancers, house music, drag queens. It's like something Stefon from SNL would describe. But it is a blast. I went with a large group with straight men and women, and everyone had fun. Dress: If you show up covered in glitter and wearing a speedo, no one will blink twice. Wear as much or as little as you want. Anything goes. During the day, the crowd is more dressy casual. Food and drink: Varies depending on when you go. During brunch I had some amazing and well-crafted cocktails. On a Saturday night I had a gin and tonic that was so bad I ended up giving it away. The biggest con of the Abbey is the crowd size. Last time I went was a Saturday night and the place was clearly over capacity, but they just kept letting people in. It got to the point where it took me 15 minutes to get out of the dance floor so I could step outside and breathe. The bartenders and waiters are nice, but the security people not so much. When you let in way too many people, don't yell at them for standing near a door. Overall, the Abbey is a unique experience every visitor and Angeleno must have at least once.

I went to Los Angeles for my birthday in January, and one of the first spots I decided to visit was The Abbey. When you first walk in, you'll be glad to see that the place is ridiculously HUGE, which allows you to walk around and dance around comfortably. What almost messed up the experience for my friends and I was when it came to the food service. It took awhile for us to get our food after ordering from one of the waiters, but luckily enough he was switched out by this server named Skylar who was very kind and knew what he was doing, and the manager (a very humble and gorgeous woman at that) gave us two complimentary appetizers, a complimentary drink, and the largest piece of cake I've ever laid eyes on. That alone made the night ten times better. When it came to the crowd, everyone was highly friendly and social, and the go go dancers were swinging off the bars from the ceiling which proved to be entertaining. Even though the night that we went wasn't the busiest of evenings, The Abbey proved to be an awesome time.

The Abbey is a pretty popular fixture in West Hollywood. It's a bar/restaurant probably more known for its wild night life than its food. In the day, the abbey is a bustling restaurant serving classic American food, deserts, drinks, and of course cocktails. At night, it turns into a strip club/dance party/bar. You can find the dance floor packed on any given weekend with hard-bodied dancers shakin' what their momma gave them on a walk way that surrounds the dance floor. So if you're not busy dancing to the electro-pop-dance mixes, you can stand by the bar and watch with amazement as the dancers flex, grind, and shake with the precision of an olympic gymnast combined with Beyonce. It definitely gets a little dirty at times especially when they have some Boys Gone WIld-esc videos on the TV screens but it's all in harmless fun. There is an abundance of outdoor space where you can talk, smoke, and chat it up with some eye-candy, friends, or a date. But you definitely have to get your hype on before heading here. If it's a quiet night you're looking for, head elsewhere. If you want to bring out your inner gay, this is the place.

The Abbey is one of these staples that everyone in West Hollywood knows and frequents whether they like it or not. Like a black hole, the Abbey will suck you in eventually if you hail from greater L.A. The Abbey is well plugged into the guide book circuit and has achieved international fame, so expect a wildly diverse crowd of Weho locals, tourists, straights, gays, young, old and the absurd. How to navigate the Abbey: Order a drink you can travel with. They place is big enough that you can embarrass yourself in one area and then flee into another to start the process over again. Avoid the go go dancers pushing shots and spend your money at the bar. What to expect: The nights with go go dancers are really popular with gay singles and groups. The Sunday brunch days are famous, though no one ever really orders food, they just hang out. How much fun you have will be proportionate to how long you stay. Straight couples and groups are well received and will feel welcome. It's an awesome place to dance. Boys: turn on your grindr accounts.

This place is popular. A little too popular. However, it's a must-go for the gays and the straights. It's a safe place for a gay man to bring his straight girl/guy friends who may not be as comfortable in places like Mickey's or Trunks. The dance floor is way too small. However, you can't say no to no cover! Went on a night during the Holidays and there was fake snow + Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas." So.... I pretty much fell in love. The end.

Sprung from it's modest roots as a coffee bar, The Abbey has swelled to the staple that it is, for gays and straights. Ranked as the number one gay bar in the world by LOGO TV, The Abbey is known for it's lively patio that is detailed with Baroque-style stone statues and overall cathedral design. If you're in West Hollywood and want a chic but relaxed Sunday Funday, stop in for booming diva house and top 40 remixes. They offer a wide variety of signature drinks and a gorgeous staff of servers, bartenders and go-go dancers--mostly men. It's not uncommon to stumble into the gaylebrities, celesbians and overall gay icons (Liz Taylor had her own both for her frequent visits). While it is known for being a gay bar, it's atmosphere has attracted a large straight following and everyone mingles seamlessly. Prepare yourself for long lines and a packed dance floor on warm nights. Also, the drinks are generally $12 or more and you'd do well to wear your trendier clothes as you will be surrounded by plenty of rich and famous patrons and their posers. Overall, it's a great place to let loose with a group of friends; reserve a table and try the food (the tacos are legendary). No matter what, while in The Abbey you can't help but feel a tinge of glamor as power gays float about, often with their celebrity fruit flies on their arms.

Everyone has a story about their first time...at The Abbey. I first visited the landmark WeHo bar when it was about a quarter of the size it is now. Back then, I had my first sip of the Wild Berry Martini (on the rocks) and was instantly hooked. It had all the right ingredients for a great cocktail: sweet, tart, and STRONG. I've been back numerous times to The Abbey and watched it grow into its current massive and ever-popular state. It is impossible not to find a line snaking alongside West Hollywood Park on any given night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. I've also spent several lazy Sunday afternoons at The Abbey, enjoying (you guessed it) a Wild Berry Martini while enjoying the parade of beautiful people walking in and out of the bar's ironed gates. There is a mix of old world charm and modern luxury in The Abbey's design. The open air layout also maximizes the view of the crowd, from the guests dining in one of the outdoor tables, to the sweaty go-go boys/girls commanding the dance floor. A word to the wise: dress comfortably if you plan on dancing. The dance area is not that large and quickly gets jam-packed, making it almost impossible to walk from one end to the other. The same goes for the restroom - expect a long line. If you've come for the food, The Abbey has tasty appetizers like the Short Rib Quesadilla, a sinful Mac & Cheese dish, as well as a and a nice dessert selection. It's best to reserve a VIP table for any size party, but not mandatory. For most people, like myself, The Abbey is one of many stops throughout a night in WeHo, but it's one not to be missed.

Some say that in West Hollywood all roads lead to The Abbey, and I certainly agree. Open every day from 9am to 2am, and always free to get in, The Abbey has something for everyone from breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Also, it’s a popular nightlife spot that attracts a very mixed crowd – what’s not to love? Voted “Best Bar of Los Angeles” and “Best Gay Bar” in both Zagat Guide and AOL CityGuide since 2005, winner of the TripOut Gay Travel’s Best Gay Bar in the World award in 2010, and voted Best Gay Bar in the World also by MTV’s Logo, it’s definitely the place to be in West Hollywood. Parking in this area is not easy: street parking is available, but if you’re out of luck you can always opt for one of the many public lots, one of which is right across the street from The Abbey. Be ready to pay up to $10 as prices go up all over WeHo as the weekend approaches. If you don’t like big crowds, avoid Friday and Saturday night or Sunday (Funday) afternoon as it gets really packed. You can opt for any weeknight instead, when the atmosphere is more mellow and less overwhelming or earlier during the weekend to enjoy a rich brunch in the patio while taking in the never disappointing people watching. Go-go dancers are a regular feature here as well as hot, sexy, and mostly shirtless servers who are also very friendly and offer an impeccable service. The Abbey has a full food menu and also serves as a regular cafeteria during the day. Its full selection of drinks is not to be missed: I especially love their fruit mojitos, anything from coconut, pineapple, raspberry, and mango, just to name a few. Mimosas are a tasty choice too as well as their many popular martinis, especially the many berry flavored choices and the chocolate one which is excellent. A little warning: their cocktails are huge and pretty strong too. Classic “Abbey-nesia” is a common side effect! As far as the food is concerned, I love love love their big nacho plate, and their Breakfast-All-Day selection. The mini tacos are just the perfect size for a little snack and their pastrami sandwich is a must-try too. I never had their cakes, but they sure look to die for. If you are in the area during the week from 4 to 7pm, don’t miss their happy hour, with a selection of drinks and foods for only $5. I have heard a few people complaining that cocktail prices sometimes “vary” depending on the bar you’re getting your drink from – you can choose among 4 different bars at The Abbey – but it never happened to me, so I cannot confirm nor deny this rumor. I love The Abbey because it can be so many different places at once: a crowded, lively and loud club at night, the perfect spot for a quiet brunch on a lazy sunny LA day, and the place where the gay community gathers on special occasions. I was there on the Election Night, last November, when big flat-screen TVs replaced the go-go dancers for once and the WeHo community just gathered to anxiously watch first and then celebrate a historic moment for the whole country. Become a regular, and soon you too will have your own favorite version of The Abbey.

I had a lot of fun when I went! High energy and no cover charge are a plus. Decent music and it's an eclectic mix of people so make sure you go there with an open mind! The area is fun too, its nice to wander around the bars there or the nearby restaurants if you get bored or want a change of scenery. The patio element is good too if you need a break from the dance floor which can get crowded and sweaty quickly. Agree with it hard to get drinks though so make sure you drink before to avoid the hassle. Not sure how soon I would go back, but I had an overall positive experience!

Located in the heart of West Hollywood, The Abbey is a must see if you are in the area. Weather you are Straight, gay, Bi, Lesbian, trans, students, professionals, young, or old, the Abbey is the place to be. Having its humble beginnings as a coffee house, it has expanded to become one of the top bars in LA with wide recognition around the world. It’s 16,000 square feet of pure entertainment will definitely make you visit worthwhile. During the day you can find the a friendly atmosphere with delicious food and a generous happy hour menu. By night, you will find yourself in one of the most upbeat, diverse, and enthusiastic crowds in the area. Varying in different atmospheres throughout the venue, you will find a spacious patio, VIP sections, a dance floor , four bars, and plenty of professional go go dancers. The patio is filled with people talking to their friends, while the inside is overtaken by the beat of the music and energy of the dancers. The VIP section located conveniently next to the dance floor gives you the perfect view of all the shenanigans the Abbey has to offer. People dancing, go go dancers showing off, and the crowed that continues to pour in are all part of the Abbey experience. Drinks are always in high demand so make sure to get the bartenders attention. Bar tip 101, if you give them a big tip on your first drink they’ll tend to remember you and serve you first throughout the night. Whether you want a Mojito or a Mai Tie the bartender will give you one of the best drinks in the area. You and your friends will defiantly enjoy the upbeat, high energy, trendy atmosphere the abbey has to offer. Close friends in the area have said “the Abbey is the best place to take your straight friends” and “ I had a blast, I can’t believe this is my first time here.” If you’re looking for that perfect place to get a well made mojito, chat with your colleagues, meet new friends, and dance the night away, the abbey is the place for you.

I love the Abbey, mostly for the fact that its free so if a friend gets kicked out of a club or we just don't feel like paying the Abbey is always there. The music is good, the DJ always does electro mixes of popular pop songs- no rap here! The crowd varies, I mean you get your bad and good people no matter where you go. This is more of a lounge place (the dance floor is extremely small) so everyone is already in there groups and just having drinks. I've also been during the day for their fantastic food its just a little on expensive side, but who can resist good food? Overall, its a good place to go when you're bar hopping, but I've never stayed the whole night due to it being over crowded plus they have ladies night on Wednesdays!

Despite how pack The Abbey can get in a Friday or Saturday night, you can never be disappointed with the music and the go-go dancers. I feel the atmosphere is always filled with a lot of people that simple want to have a good night and dance the night away. This is the place I always tend to end up after bar hopping around around west hollywood. The food service is pretty quick and if you need to grab a couple of cocktails the bartenders are really attentive and quick with their service. I am pretty sure that you will enjoy yourself. Go!

U a girl & u don't wanna get hit on?!?! Go to The Abbey. It's where Christina Aguilera, Sandy Bullock, Pink (& to lesser extent - yikes! - Janice Dickinson) go hang out with their "boys". Expect lots of Gaga, Ke$ha & Kelly Clarkson pounding on the loudspeakers. Also expect long bathroom lines (at least thur - sunday). The food is supposedly good but I only go to drink. Booze is expensive but strong. And so is the eye-candy!!!

I have lived in West LA for the last 3 years and rarely am willing to go East of the 405 (snotty, I know) but when the opportunity to head in West Hollywood arises and the destination is The Abbey I go every single time without hesitation. Good drinks, great crowd and fun music make this a must go in LA. Don't be put off by the fact it is in "Boys Town" and is a well-known gay bar. I am a straight male and it is one of my favorite places to drink, try to dance and meet good people.

If you are looking for high level of class to Dine and well served Drinks. The Abbey Food & Bar is the place to go in the city of West Hollywood. Times when i feel like mingling and meeting new people a long with friend's i always choose to go to The Abbey, 3 beautiful well decorated rooms with music to dance too and music to even relax and have a drink. i enjoy the fact that the people there are all friendly, Drama free and are all aware that everyone there is basically there for the same reason. the only thing i dislike at times is how over crowded it can get at times, but that's the least of my worries. i even think that private events are awesome at The Abbey as i have attended quite a few. they really know how to entertain you to the fullest. just writing about it makes me want to leave work early and go have me a drink for happy hour. i absolutely love The Abbey and i strongly recommend it.

So help me God - this is the funniest place in town with killer cocktails and dancing! There are so many different bars in The Abbey that you can choose based on the mood you're in. I've never had a bad experience here, BUT don't leave your car in the parking lot across the street. If you can just take a cab and then hang out and relish in the fabulousness and extravagance that is The Abbey. This is the Gay Bar that right wing conservatives preach "fire and brimstone" about while frequenting weekly! GO TO HERE!

SBE took over this place a couple years ago and we're not happy about it (wtf happened to the warm chicken salad?!). But other than that this is a WeHo institution. Straight/Gay/Whatever, it's a fun bar so who cares? It's an eclectic crowd and everything I love about WeHo. Be prepared for mass chaos on the weekends but if that's what you're looking for, great. If you'd rather just hang out and have a drink, recommend the "off nights" during the week. It'll still get crowded at night but not as bad as the weekends. Sunday afternoons are also really fun for a drink. Street parking is brutal but there's a big public parking lot ($$) on San Vicente or valet ($$$) at the clubs across the street.

I went to The Abbey for the first time two weeks ago for my birthday. I’m fairly new to Los Angeles and didn’t know where I wanted to go. My friend suggested The Abbey and we hopped in a cab. No questions asked. Now, as a straight guy, I was a little bit thrown at first when I walked in and found myself surrounded by oiled-up men wearing bikinis or less. But I grabbed a drink and sat down directly under one of the semi-nude men, and the place started to grow on me. The bikini-wearing dancing men take all of the tension out of the room and they seem to put everyone in a great mood. The Abbey is filled with people that aren’t just looking to have fun, but that are succeeding at it. Everyone I talked to was extremely friendly. If you’re a straight guy, men might flirt with you. My advice is to let them. It’s quite flattering, really. They have waitresses that walk around and will get on your lap and pour a shot in your mouth, which can come in handy. The dance floor gets packed, perhaps with people inspired by the bikini squad to show off their own moves, but there is plenty of space for sitting and lounging, and there is a sizeable patio if you need some fresh air or smoke. The Abbey is definitely a bar to check out, regardless of your sexual orientation. At the very least, it’s an experience to be in that atmosphere, but you’ll probably end up agreeing that this gay bar knows how to throw a party.

Located in West Hollywood, The Abbey is a hot spot congregated by gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and a whole lot of straights. Although West Hollywood is home to many gay bars, dives and clubs, The Abbey separates itself from the competition by catering to both sides of the sexual spectrum without picking favorites. No matter a person’s sexuality, The Abbey is the one bar you can expect to have a memorable time. From the outside, The Abbey’s Spanish Colonial design gives off a warm and inviting feel that is similar to a frequently visited family friend’s home. Although a gated a community, it’s not hard to see the massive patio spread throughout the entire front of the house where customers are hard at work on drinks. Once you step inside the actual bar, you are hit with this energized atmosphere that overwhelms you with happiness. There are bar stations everywhere making ordering a drink not as frustrating as other places, plus, the bartenders are half naked. Most importantly, Go Go Dancers (men and women) enticingly hang from poles around the establishment and are pro-lap dances. If you just want to dance in a club like setting, the main room’s sound system and stretch of dance floor is the area for you. If you’re looking for a spot to people watch or have a conversation with someone and hear what they are saying then the room across the courtyard is your destination. No matter what setting you are in the mood for, The Abbey has the options. The Abbey is known for tolerating all types and forms which makes it that more attractive. It is the one bar that strives in the middle of a bar debate between a gay and straight friend because it is the one place their needs will be met. Having such a strong hold on the gay and straight community is one reason why The Abbey is such a comfortable bar to venture to. Yes, it’s located in gay town and labeled as a gay bar, but The Abbey is the gay party temple for the straight folk.

Come one, come all- gays, straights, young, old, rich, broke-as-a-joke college kids. The Abbey has something for virtually everyone. The Abbey holds a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first WeHo bars I visited after turning 21. It's a great way to ease yourself into the West Hollywood bar scene. While there is plenty of dancing and loud, intense Lady Gaga remixes, there is also a spacious patio where you can take a breather if need be. The wait to get in is either short or nonexistent, and I have never seen a cover charge. It's a great place to go with girlfriends on nights where you don't want to be hassled by the tussles of straight bars. Keep in mind that West Hollywood bars come with West Hollywood prices. But fear not, because what The Abbey lacks in sensitivity to the economic state of most of its patrons, it makes up for with cute bartenders and stiff, alcohol-centric drinks.