Best of Gay L.A Nightlife: Gay Bar, Lifetime Achievement

Simply put, the Abbey is the Abbey. It is world-famous, a gay L.A. institution. It was even the site of a major political fund-raiser where presidential candidate Hillary Clinton actually showed up. Gay bars have come and gone, but the Abbey has only grown in the past 15 years. It may be fashionable in certain gay circles to dismiss the Abbey, but owner David Cooley has always been front and center for gay causes, hosting special political events. And it's still a great place to catch up with friends. The Abbey, in fact, reflects the postgay times we seem increasingly to live in — during the day, mothers often stroll their kids into the bar/restaurant for a quick bite to eat, and other straight folk drop by for a drink or sandwich — but the gay heart of the establishment remains, with big gay and lesbian crowds at night and on the weekends.—Patrick Range McDonald