That’s the conception—but of course, the city has always had a vibrant gay nightlife scene

PHOTO by RUSS ROCA
We’re standing in the Crest, outwardly a nondescript little cinderblock of a bear bar on an industrial stretch of Cherry Avenue near Long Beach’s border with Paramount. Inside, there’s a fireplace, and out back a waterfall.
What’s a [...]

1917
Cleopatra, starring the silent era’s original sex siren, Theda Bara, is filmed in Dominguez Slough. The film is a sensation but, by the 1930s, is banned because of its overt sexuality. It will eventually spawn other films that challenge sexual mores, groundbreaking films such as Porky’s, Porky’s 2 and Porky’s 16: Mystery on Gonorrhea Ridge.
1950ish [...]

THE GASLAMP
$2.75
WELL DRINKS
Mon-Sat 5-7pm | 6251 E Pacific Coast Hwy | Long Beach 90803
GEORGE’S GREEK CAFE
1/2 OFF
WINE BOTTLES
Mon | 5316 E Second St | Long Beach 90803
RIPPLES
$1 SCHNAPPS SHOTS
Fri | 5101 E Ocean Blvd | Long Beach 90803

ALEX’S BAR
$2.50 Bitch Slap Shots | Sat 2-7pm
2913 E Anaheim St | Long Beach 90804
RIPPLES
$2 Long Island Iced Teas | Sun
5101 E Ocean Blvd | Long Beach 90803
SACHI BAR
$3 Domestic Beers | Tues & Thurs
6400 E Pacific Coast Hwy | Long Beach 90803