inglute.pages.dev

Gay bars ontario ca

Home / gay topics / Gay bars ontario ca

LGBT pride events, parades, festivals, GLBT community celebrations.

California vacation? But Madeline was undeterred.

gay bars ontario ca

Today, it remains the longest-running bar in historic downtown Riverside—a lasting tribute to Madeline Lee’s vision and to the generations of people who continue to make it their home.

We invite you to visit, raise a glass, and become part of The Menagerie’s story.

Cheers,

 

Map your best California gay and lesbian night out.

Soon after, she leased a small retail space on University Avenue and tried again.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1983, The Menagerie opened its doors. These updates gave the club a fresh energy and helped it thrive into the new millennium.

The Menagerie became one of the first venues in the region to host ‘80s nights, combining music videos with cheap draft beers that made Wednesdays legendary.

The city is known for its progressive policies.

  • Los Angeles: As one of the most diverse and populous cities in the United States, Los Angeles has a thriving LGBTQ+ community. Single, dating, married? Within a few years, the restaurant gave way to a pulsing dance club, home to karaoke nights and signature events like Prom Night and the Easter Bonnet Contest.

    It has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene with numerous bars, clubs, and LGBTQ+ events. It's one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ cities globally and hosts events like the San Francisco Pride Parade.

  • West Hollywood: Known as WeHo, West Hollywood is a city within Los Angeles County. Raven would go on to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race (Season 2) and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars (Season 1) and is now an Emmy Award–winning makeup artist as RuPaul’s personal MUA.

    Since opening its doors in 1983, The Menagerie has proudly served the LGBTQ+ community of Riverside, the Inland Empire, and beyond.

    Through the ‘90s, it became one of downtown Riverside’s most beloved nightlife destinations.

    The club’s most famous feature—the neon “FABULAUS” sign—was a happy accident. The LGBTQ+ scene is spread throughout the city, with a concentration in areas like West Hollywood and Silver Lake.

  • Palm Springs: This desert city has become a popular LGBTQ+ destination with LGBTQ+ resorts, events, and a welcoming atmosphere.

  • Long Beach: Long Beach has a growing LGBTQ+ community and hosts the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade, one of the region's largest LGBTQ+ events.

  • Oakland: Oakland is known for its inclusivity, and its LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of the city's diverse culture.

  • Sacramento: California's capital city has a thriving LGBTQ+ community and hosts events like the Sacramento Pride Parade.

  • San Diego: San Diego offers beautiful beaches and a welcoming LGBTQ+ community.

    After two failed attempts to get the sign made correctly, the third arrived with a glaring misspelling. Madeline, martini in hand, shrugged and declared, “F*ck it, we’re keeping it!” That bold decision turned the sign into an iconic piece of Menagerie history, perfectly capturing its playful, resilient spirit.

    In June 1999, Madeline passed the torch to longtime patron and friend David St.

    Pierre. It was a place to grieve, to heal, to celebrate, and to remind each other that love, friendship, and authenticity mattered. At the height of the AIDS crisis, The Menagerie was more than just a bar—it was a sanctuary. It was exactly what Madeline envisioned: a place where everyone could belong without fear of judgment.

    By the late 1980s, The Menagerie had expanded to include a full liquor license and a restaurant.

    With little more than mismatched sofas, a pool table, and a small beer-and-wine bar, it quickly became a cornerstone of Riverside’s LGBTQ+ community. Hillcrest is the heart of San Diego's LGBTQ+ scene.

  • Santa Monica: Santa Monica is known for its LGBTQ+ pride and hosts events like the Santa Monica Pride Festival.

  • Guerneville: A small town in Sonoma County, Guerneville is a popular LGBTQ+ vacation spot with LGBTQ+-friendly resorts and activities.

    • About The Menagerie

    In the early 1980s, Madeline Lee lived at the Mission Inn in Riverside, surrounded by a close-knit group of gay and lesbian neighbors.

    Cassi eventually handed the spotlight to Raven, whose award-winning show Snatch! made The Menagerie a must-see destination.