An alternative to glammed-up West Hollywood [1] gay bars, Akbar (4356 Sunset Blvd., 323/665-6810, www.akbarsilverlake.com [2], Mon.–Sun. 7 p.m.–2 a.m.) pulls in a gay-friendly crowd with its cozy, Moroccan-themed decor, neighborhood vibe, and friendly, unpretentious bartenders.
Sleek, glamorous, and candlelit, the Abbey Food and Bar (692 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310/289-8410, daily 8 a.m.–2 a.m.) is a popular gay bar with a great outdoor patio and pillow-strewn private cabanas—all of which are usually jam-packed. Savvy bartenders mix 40 different specialty martinis.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/sights/beverly-hills-and-west-hollywood
[2] http://www.akbarsilverlake.com