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    Mother Lode

    3.5 (164 reviews)
    ModerateGay Bars
    Open 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Mother Lode Photos

    Business Info

    MOTHER LODE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Very loud
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Alex K.

    Classic West Hollywood dive bar that's well known. This place has been here for years. Without the pretentious scene and vibe. The drinks are cheap and the crowds are more laid back versus all the clubs and bars surrounding. It's perfect for an afternoon of cocktails with friends and people watching. In the evenings, it is pretty crowded as drinks are price very well. It's not big place. Theres no dance floor but people tend to just make their own. There's outdoor patio with seating. There's obviously the main bar and a second floor which is just a couple steps from the ground level. Overall great place for just a quick drink as your walking down the street. Or late night bar hopping with friends. Drinks are reasonable, crowds are fun. Very casual vibe.

    Drinking allowed outside the bar? I don't think so, but the security guard allowed them to.

    Went to this bar @motherlodewesthollywood this evening and witnessed a very concerning situation. Bar security allowing women and her group to drink outside the drinking area of the bar. Just because they are giving him hugs and kisses. Others were not allowed. He even provided seats outside for her group. He mentioned that it was just water that they are drinking. When asked if he served them himself to validate the comment, he became very defensive and wanted to kick me out. Others were kicked out for just a simple nudge of his arm due to busy entry way; but he allowed this group to drink outside the bar perimeter. This latino security guard should be fired.

    Lazy Saturday late afternoon at the Mother Lode.
    Gary I.

    Mother Lode is a DIVE BAR so get over it. I remember first going there in the late 1970's when liquor bottles, the brass fixtures & the tall mirrors there shined. But that was eons ago in the concept of Gay 'time' which may be similar to dog years where every human year is closer to 7 dog years. In this case, it may be closer to a 1:10 ratio. Now the mirrors are fogged through the patina of time & bottles may be a bit dusty. I love dive bars since they are full of human character that is unadorned, direct, without pretention. What you see is what you get, and that may not be such a bad thing. Other long gone dive bars such as Cuffs, River Club, The Pits, Sling, Mugi, Der Knast in Berlin, The Web in Amsterdam come to mind...all filled w/ a slew of idiosyncratic personalities that were fascinating in their own quirky way. Being in Weho, not so much. For some reason being caught between overly conspicuous, hyper consumer/affluent Beverly Hills & what was the legend of Hollywood, many of the denizens frequenting West Hollywood get too caught up in their own pretentions & hype sandwiched between the two cities. So unfortunately Mother Lode is a dive bar, but w/ a generally insipid, vapid clientele. Where is Charles Bukowsky when you need him? Our lady bartender was hospitable & considerate in a low key, almost earthy, countrified manner which was appreciated. When I lingered on my Tom Collins & the ice had melted down, she noticed & offered to refill the glass w/ fresh ice...a kind gesture. The music on a late Saturday afternoon was kept to a decent volume & not an earsplitting roar. There is a pool table for those who want to be entertained by hitting balls onto balls against soft furry felt. Good place to take a break at the end when doing a walking touring of West Hollywood via RT @PeacockFaerie: Come see the documentary of our fabulous Stuart Timmons WeHo LGBTQ History Mobile Tour! https://t.co/W4fHGCuHCH https://t.co/HMRln1XbtP 3+ Yelp stars.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great spot Jeremy is a LEGEND and a beast and the coolest guy drinks are affordable AF just a great spot

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    3 years ago

    Same old school gay bar-last one left. Reasonable prices, strong pours. Cute guys. Nice outdoor option.

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    3 years ago

    Good bar for those who don't live the "clubby" atmosphere. The staff is friendly, the drinks are good and less expensive. Whats not to love?

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Mother Lode

    Review Highlights - Mother Lode

    Besides Gold Coast this is in the only bar in weho I ever feel somewhat comfortable.

    Mentioned in 27 reviews

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    The Abbey Food & Bar - Fried Zucchini

    The Abbey Food & Bar

    3.5(2.6k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    The Abbey is iconic gay bar of West Hollywood. This is a spot that defines Weho. It is overpriced,…read morebig and loud. It's the kind of place that exists for so many gays to come and gather and feel comfortable. I was never a big club goer. In fact, I'm now a parent, and appreciate how they welcome families like mine on the weekends during the day. It's a whole other vibe. During the day, it's more like a restaurant and cafe. My kids loved their charcuterie board and sandwiches. Late a night, things can get wild. I've had several friend targeted here getting their iPhones and wallets stolen. Just be smart. For some reason, the Abbey seems like a hot spot for crime. Either leave the wallets at home or keep your valuables hidden away. I've never had an issue but it's a real problem if you're not careful.

    The Abbey is a historic staple in WeHo. My brothers and I were regulars here before it became cool…read more& hip with the straight crowd. We still laugh about our crazy antics in the cabanas that used to be in the back. We don't come as often anymore because the vibe is a bit different. I miss the frozen Apple Martinis but I am glad the Berry Martini is still on the menu. (Two of those and you won't remember your name.) It's a beautiful venue with gothic accents and a lovely patio that is perfect for chilling on a sunny day. The food here is good, especially the drool worthy desserts, and you're guaranteed to have fun at Drag Brunch. They also have great DJ's that spin some delectable tunes that will make you wanna shake that groove thang. The Abbey is still a happening place. There's something going on every night like Ru-Paul's Drag Race viewing parties and late night Drag shows. I still have love for The Abbey, I just miss the old days

    Photos
    The Abbey Food & Bar - The Abbey needs a bartender at this bar that has some personality. Empty!!!!!! 5/29/25

    The Abbey needs a bartender at this bar that has some personality. Empty!!!!!! 5/29/25

    The Abbey Food & Bar - Nachos and Mozzarella Sticks

    Nachos and Mozzarella Sticks

    The Abbey Food & Bar - Charcutería board

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    Charcutería board

    Schmitty's WeHo

    Schmitty's WeHo

    4.2(42 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Walked here after brunch at the butchers. One of the friends randomly chose this spot. Great…read moreselection of liquors but drinks were just average. Great service though.

    I don't ever rate WEHO bars 5/5. I actually never rate any bars 5/5--Schmitty's does everything and…read moremore to warrant this rating. Friendly and skilled bartenders? Check (Eric is great at his job and so fun to chat with). Fun ambiance? Check. Fantastic decor? Check. Tasty and strong cocktails? Check. Check. Check! Here is a list of the specialty cocktails: The Head Hunter: Malibu Rum, Plantation Rum, Kraken Rum, pineapple juice, orgeat, and lime. The strongest drink on the menu and you'll be making your confessions to friends and strangers alike in no-time. The sweetness masks the potency of this drink. Lightweights, beware! La Pina Grande: Mezcal, grenadine, pineapple juice, lime juice, and bitters. Not the strongest drink on the menu, but a fruity, tasty cocktail nonetheless. Slip and Fall: I love passion fruit beverages, alcoholic or not--this one hits the spot. Tequila, passion fruit juice, lime, and a tajin rim. Fruity and surprisingly strong, the name is perhaps a little on-the-nose after having two-in-a-row. Aye Muchaco: Aye muchaco, indeed--tequila, watermelon, lime, agave, and a tajin rim...this fruity drink is refreshing yet gives you the liquid courage of the most seasoned barfly. The Schmitty's Margarita: bars either nail or miss margarita recipes; Margarita lovers, gather around, Schmitty's masters their art form with this drink. There you have it, my review of Schmitty's; one of the newer additions to our beloved WEHO strip. Stop by for a few cocktails, but make sure to have a designated driver in your friend's group--these delicious cocktails will sneak up on you!

    Photos
    Schmitty's WeHo
    Schmitty's WeHo
    Schmitty's WeHo - Whimsical outdoor patio.

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    Whimsical outdoor patio.

    Hamburger Mary's - West Hollywood

    Hamburger Mary's - West Hollywood

    3.6(2.2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    A friend told me to meet them here, and I showed up only to discover it was a drag show brunch,…read morebest surprise ever. Our table had a party of 17, and the servers absolutely crushed it. They took everyone's orders without a hitch, and the food came out fast, which is impressive with a group that big. The performers were fabulous!! amazing energy, stunning outfits, and so much sparkle. Since I had no idea what I was walking into, I came totally unprepared. My one regret was not bringing a stack of dollar bills. Definitely bring cash if you're coming for the drag brunch, tip the queens!! They did have their Venmo info up so I tipped through there but it just wasn't as fun as having cash out when they danced by. I ordered the skinny bitch margarita and the coconut shrimp. The margarita was solid, but I wouldn't recommend the coconut shrimp. It was soggy, greasy, and honestly not great. Thankfully, everything else about the experience more than made up for it. Some tips: - Bring cash to tip the drag performers - If you get a cocktail in the high-heel shoe cup, you can bring it to Mickys afterward for discounted refills which we did, and it was an absolute blast - they charged us $13.50 admission per person at the end Overall, such a fun experience. Would definitely go back (with cash next time).

    There's residential street parking, but might need to walk a few blocks. Make sure to check the…read moreparking signs. Came for a fundraiser during their Legendary Bingo night. It was packed. The host and waiter Jerry were nice. He checked on us a few times. Recommended the Mary's Seedy Paloma, which we order. It was $21, plus $6 for an extra shot of Tequila. It tasted pretty good. Also got the Gin and Tonic for $20, plus $6 for an extra shot of Gin. Tasted like any other Gin and Tonic. Was disappointed our drinks were mostly ice. We shared a Kobe Burger with French Fries for $27.50. Decided to not add cheese for $2 or do any of the upgrades for the sides. There is an upcharge of $1.99 do split plate, but it includes an extra side dish. They gave us the option to have the patty Medium or Well Done. We opted for Medium. Felt the Kobe Burger was alright, nothing special. The French Fries were too salty. Jerry said it wasn't salty at all, but we disagreed. We saw one Drag Queen the entire time. He was calling out the Bingo numbers. It was fun to throw the Bingo paper at the winners. Overall, it was a fun event. Would return for the cause, not the food.

    Photos
    Hamburger Mary's - West Hollywood
    Hamburger Mary's - West Hollywood
    Hamburger Mary's - West Hollywood - Entrance

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    Entrance

    Eagle LA - Full bar.

    Eagle LA

    3.8(174 reviews)
    5.8 miSilver Lake
    $$

    The Eagle is a classic dive bar through & through. It's dark inside with movies on TV that are…read moreNSFW. It's also a LBGTQ+ friendly leather bar and happens to be one of the favorite spots of beloved Yelp SFV AMB Quintin. I stopped here on a whim with some friends on our way home from a night out. We didn't want the fun to end, so one last night cap was in order. Parking is a bit difficult, but we managed to snag a spot. There is a big bar in the center if the room and a smaller bar out on the patio. There are also two pool tables and a stage for various events. My friends ordered beer and I kept it simple with a vodka soda. They don't serve food but the bartender said outside eats are welcomed. The DJ was bouncing and the staff & patrons were friendly and welcoming. I like the vibe here and would come back. They host nightly events such as: RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Party on Fridays. $5 Domestic drafts on Sundays, drink specials and free pool on Mondays, $6 Wells on Wednesday and various contests monthly. Check the website for details. *Cash only. ATM on premises.

    After dinner early nightcap lead us here. And by the way Silverlake was happening last night. All…read moregood, that's what a nice warm night does. It brings everyone out. Parking situation is a bit of a hassle. Not their fault as it's in a residential area so parking can be a challenge. It was just after 7 when we arrived and the crowd was completely different from the last visit. More mellow as it was still early. Makes it easier to get a drink at the bar. Pool table was already utilized which seemed to always be the case. There were a couple of people inside along the bar area but majority was on the outdoor patio. It was somewhat busy but nothing compared to how this place can be. Especially when there's an event. Drinks are always a good price. We got a pitcher of beer which had a cooling pack inside. The question of the night was, will this thing take up the amount of glasses we could get out of the pitcher...lol... I've been a good amount of time but honestly don't know if they have a dance floor or not. We always spend time on the patio. There's 2 restroom, one with the toilet which the line can get crazy. The other is a communal one where it tends to be more easily accessible. It's cash only for drinks. Service has always been good and the crowds always fun.

    Photos
    Eagle LA - Beer is popular here.

    Beer is popular here.

    Eagle LA
    Eagle LA

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    The Wild - Really great vibe with a great lemon drop. Really enjoyed the chips and salsa too! Very fresh.

    The Wild

    4.6(14 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Stumbled upon this newer bar on a night out in WeHo and was intrigued by the aesthetic and music…read more They were doing a free "shot" with each drink order that was more of a strong mixed drink but delicious nonetheless. They don't take orders from their cocktail menu at night so I got a whiskey sour which was good and reasonably priced. We sat at the tables outside and had a great time! It's a nice place to get a breath of air when you're looking for something less crowded or slightly more femme friendly in WeHo.

    I guess it must be a trend for pop stars of a certain professional maturity and shall we say, a…read morecertain proclivity, to invest their royalties into opening new WeHo bars. Lance Bass did it with the abysmal Heart WeHo (review: https://yelp.to/722ZHRybDC), and now Adam Lambert and Roger Taylor of Queen have opened this spot between Bayou and Salt & Straw. Jamie W and I made it in here during its soft opening at WeHo PRIDE. Although we saw the beginning of a tropical theme, it was still a work in progress, but the attitude from the staff was enthusiastically positive and the cocktails were just fine, which was a lot more than what I can say about Heart WeHo. I had the $14 Conciere Tequila Gold over ice (photo: https://yelp.to/mZec-o-Mgw), while Jamie had a $16 Margarita (photo: https://yelp.to/mcIj4imt5v). A tad pricey but forgivable. We'll be back, I'm sure. DRINKS - 4 stars...pricey but potent AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...a work in progress SERVICE - 4.5 stars...genuine enthusiasm here TOTAL - 4 stars...definite promise here...good luck, Adam and Roger RELATED - Exploring WeHo? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3TBgdOP

    Photos
    The Wild - Interior

    Interior

    The Wild - The DJ and one of two GoGo dancers that night

    The DJ and one of two GoGo dancers that night

    The Wild - Inside

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    Inside

    Mother Lode - gaybars - Updated May 2026

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