Quite a unique dive, western inspired gay bar. It been here for ages and I passed by it for countless since college yrs. Parking is horrible but if you can find one, you're a very lucky, but careful since neighborhood is not quite on the nice part. The bar is divy so fun decor throughout with 2 pool tables, great drinks, great vibe and cash only so bring cash if you decided to come here. Bartenders are nice, friendly and cute too. We had good time but just couple drinks since we didn't know the cash only part. But definitely come back whenever fo more great time. read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

This is classified as a gay bar and as a dive bar, and as a Western inspired bar. I say the last item because it is a makeshift saloon adorned with swinging doors like cowboys of yesteryears passed through, both while coming and going. There is no way to identify the true identity of this bar, and I rather not try to define it. I recognize that people are no longer one chief identity, they are intersectional beings whose personhood is a sum of varied identities and thus there is no one size fits all label that any one person can adopt. I would like to think that this bar's value is that it is a sum of its many identities and when I tally these in sum I recognize this bar is mostly a great hangout place. In short, it is an awesome place! When i was in college, I used to go to the campus library. And there were these fellow students who piled on empty coffee cups on top of each other. This is to communicate to others how much time they have spent in the library. Strange to flex study time, but, people flex different things--- I can imagine a person flexing a perfect scarf, just red enough to complete their Snowman (or Snowperson?). And in this place, I saw shot glasses piled four tall. What were they flexing? Their right to party hard and correctly? Probably, or probably not. Again, I only celebrate the different peacock tail wings that others proudly fan. Parking was scarce. My friend Conrad and I had to turn on several streets to get lucky. This might indicate that this bar is for locals, but also Long Beach is known for its lack of parking. I am glad we looked for parking and found it. But also the turns we took to get lucky were not many, the whole experience lasted less than 15 minutes that is average parking space finding time. Conrad and I went to SweetWater Saloon to play pool. They have two tables and both were free. I met the first bartender who explain these facts. Yet still he asked me to buy a drink. I got a pineapple and vodka, it was on special, or more precisely, the well drinks were. What kind of irked me a little, was that Conrad also needed to buy drinks and he does not enjoy alcohol, so we needed to get him a soda. Bars by design are free to enter. Not everyone who enters has the capacity to pay for a drink (as we all know times can be hard) or wants to drink that night or may be abstaining, etc. So the policy to buy a drink in order to play pool for free is problematic, but I can see their side, but I do not think it holds water. I did meet a couple-- a guy and a girl. We started to take shots together. The shots were White Gummy Bear shots, and they were delicious. I highly recommend. The three of us started to play pool while we enjoyed shots (we did not stack the empties). And eventually, fun and engaging conversation ensued. Conrad waited on the side, I and the other two chatted. We forgot about the game. We were not taking pool shots. We just gabbed. Finally a patron came, and asked if we were still playing. Of course we are, I explained. It was not my turn, but I took a pool shot. I immediately sank the eight ball. The universe helped me with the joke. I am a bad shot, but the eight ball was aligned to a pocket, I made the shot easily. Good laughs were hard. I tell this story to highlight that this bar has people to chat and play with, and has pool, and it has regulars. If you are looking to meet friends for the night or for a lifetime this bar offers the opportunity, as long as you try, not all people do. The bar further has games to enjoy like Yahtzee and Uno. It also has tvs and jukeboxes. Meaning it has ample goods for all those looking for merry. It also accepts cash, which can be a drag. The bar also has strings of pride flags but not much else decoration. A second bartender and I got into a spirited debate. I wondered if this was a gay bar? And he pointed to the flags hanging on the walls. And I thought, I recently went to a bar with Halloween decorations, this does not make it a spooky bar it only makes it Halloween friendly. The fact that the bar has flags hanging, and almost nothing else, does not make it a gay bar. The bartender explained that it was in an area of Long Beach with great Pride, and next to an intersection with a paved walkway colored rainbow. I did not want to get annoyed. Just because a tailor is in Chinatown does not mean that he celebrates Lunar New Year. Meaning, that a space can certainly define a spot within its territory be but not always. I did not say this to the bartender. I share this to clear up any believe that this is a queered space. It is queer welcoming, but it is not a rainbow laced environment where queer people dominate. I really believe it is bar for all that are looking for a good time. I will go here again, looking for the same and there is enough here to help me find it. read more

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This is my favorite bar! I felt safe as a woman. Drinks are strong and the bartenders would keep it coming as soon as my drink got low. Bathrooms were not as bad as I expected. There's water if you need it. Good vibes read more

I love this small local queer bar. I think the bartenders are all really friendly. I enjoy the music and the vibes. The only downside to this place is the parking, which I know they can't control. Always bad parking in that area in Long Beach. read more

bar tenders have been inattentive and rude it's been recurring issue for me i've been here with different friends and they've experienced it as well i had one decent experience my first time but it hasn't been the same bartenders will acknowledged us but won't serve or take our drink order (it has been different bartender each time) last time we waited 20 mins were even told they'll help us soon but never did read more

I've been to Sweetwater a handful of times now, and it's quickly become one of my favorite dive bars. It's a great spot to grab a drink, play some pool, and strike up a conversation with whoever you happen to sit next to. It has that casual, welcoming vibe that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy yourself. If you're hoping to play pool, I recommend getting there on the earlier side--there are only two tables, and they fill up fast. One of my favorite things about Sweetwater, though, is the classic photo booth. I love capturing fun nights out with friends or my girlfriend, and the photos always come out great. The drinks are solid and very reasonably priced, and the bartenders are consistently kind and attentive--which I really appreciate. Also, for a dive bar, it's impressively clean. I never feel like I'm sticking to the floor or the furniture, which is a huge plus. So glad this place exists. I'll definitely keep coming back! read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Cider - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Bar 5/5, bartender 5/5, court 10/10, drinks amazing, ambiance 5/5, patrons- hot, great bar

Love stoping here when I'm in the area! Great place to chill have a drink and meet up with some friends. The service from all bartenders are on point! Thanks for many years of great memories read more

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Our DD went to the bar for coins to play poolsideand the dude bartender told him he couldn't play pool if he wasn't drinking??? All of us but him bought drinks so wtf?? He had a mean attitude all night! Boof local bar be nice to ur patrons you weirdo???????? read more

Don't buy from Dustin, guy with a beard. I'm a local and I come to this bar regularly. I don't drink liquor and I just play pool. This asshole said, " I have to buy a drink to play pool!" Mind you I pay for the pool. Terry or Mel would never read more

Divey but owns it and makes it a nicer experience. Two pool tables. Pay by quarters. Dog friendly. Chill vibe. Decent beer selection on tap. Specials. Music. Owners are really nice and again super chill. Definitely the kind of spot that is great for locals and catching up with friends. Or making new ones! Pool vibe can get a bit weird sometimes depending on who's playing but otherwise nothing to call out. read more

Sweetwater Saloon - The sign - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

I'm so obsessed with this place. A cutie little bar for the local gays! I love the Wednesday drink deal and the free pool. The Photo Booth is my freaking favorite and it can take all my money. I love that I can pick songs. I adore all the staff. Including the bouncer - she's both the sweetest and the most intense baddie ever. Also- the taco truck outside?! Soooooo fire. Starts at 7! A few things you need to know before going to this bar for the first time, since I read of these reviews and few of yall don't seem to get it... - It's a GAY bar. An LGBTQ safe place!!! That doesn't mean straight people are not welcome. That just means you better not disturb the peace and safety of one of the only few gay bars we have. - it's a freaking dive bar, people. Some times it's so packed that you have to throw an elbow or two to get a drink and that's FINE! That's part of the dive bar experience. - the bathrooms are weird, get over it. At least they have two. - it's cash only, again - get over it. - there will be lots of gays, not all of us are nice. But chances are you will meet some of the coolest people ever there. read more

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Love the pool tables but the shared bathroom experience was a bit too much for me, no door for privacy? And only one toilet? ....yeah no, sorry. read more

Very Vert rude place. The bartender was especially rude. (Terry). I went to meet a friend and idk if it was because I was not gay, they wanted to make it as uncomfortable as possible for me. This is an all cash and the bartender Terry kept telling my I was disrupting his job. As I there alone just drinking a beer. Not a friendly environment AT ALL. As I was leaving in tears. The people outside were even rude and making hurtful comments. read more

Sweetwater Saloon - The extremely unfriendly bartender. - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

I've been here a few times on a Sunday night and had a great time. Drinks were strong and the bartender was nice. There's two pool tables for all you pool sharks out there. As with a lot of bars here in Long Beach, it's cash only. Fun Fact: they definitely have the saloon style doors that swing open. Fun! read more

Sweetwater Saloon - 2 pool tables - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I'm so glad this bar is here in Long Beach! It's always the go to spot. Staff is great and friendly. Pool table is pretty much always available. But don't forget to bring cash. It's a cash only spot. I love how I feel so welcome here and always strike a conversation with anyone. They have jukebox too and whoever "DJs" plays pretty good music. If not, you can always jump right in and change it lol. I start Laughing when the music switches back from one genre to another lol. Parking can be somewhat hard but I usually bike or scooter. The locals will tell you their secret spots where they won't get tickets lol. read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Pool Time!! - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

This place is great. Bartenders are super cool. Best beer in town. Music - you get the aux It's dope. read more

Cool place with a pool table & cheap drinks! Although, it is cash only so bring cash orrr they have an ATM. Umm bathroom situation is kind of silly but if you have a friend to keep an eye out, there's enough privacy. So overall cute buuuut photobooth is kind of confusing, they charged my friend and I twice so anyway,, cute place. read more

I really enjoyed the vibe of this spot last time I was there! It was full but not overwhelming and the crowd was a good one. A lot of the other gay bars on this street are very much gay-MEN's bars, primarily, and this one definitely seemed more catered to sapphics, which was particularly reassuring and exciting for my friend. I'd already had a few when we arrived, so just ordered a Roy Rogers, and when I tried to pay for it the bartender would not let me. It was fantastic and I will definitely be returning. read more

Place is so small and it's very boring. There wasn't a huge crowd in there when we got there at 11pm. Beer was $8. The bartenders were nice and friendly. Won't be coming back here. Nothing special about it. The restroom doesn't have a door. It made me feel very uncomfortable. read more

The atmosphere was okay, but I did not feel safe there as a gay woman. The bartender that was there tonight did not give a shit that a man was staring at me and my tits for a solid hour, even after I asked him to stop multiple times. I even had to yell at him. Bartender said that 'he's a really nice patron' and that was that. A couple of STRANGERS who I was playing a pool game against had to confront the creep and shield me from his gaze. I cannot express how disappointed, frustrated, and violated I felt. A gay bar is the last place that I would expect this to happen. To the bartender, if you read this: do better. This is your community too and you should protect it. Don't throw other sapphic women under the bus just because you want to cover your arse. read more

It was my first time going with my girlfriend and a couple of friends, honestly everything was great in my experience. Pool table was good, cute photo booths, friendly people, there's a modern jukebox/music player where u can input whichever songs for a fee, and drinks were pretty good as well. Lady bartender was chill but the guy "Terry", tall white man w a beard was rude asf. It's a Friday night, everything was so good up until he took some drinks orders from me, I'm a very friendly nice person. I know it can be a lot for people especially on busy days and making a lot of drinks, so I ordered 2 drinks from him, amosphere a little busy, but not packed. He did not say anything to me at all. A simple "Hi what can I get you?", "what are you having?" Anything!! Just a hello or any type of acknowledgment. He said absolutely nothing to me, just looked at me waiting, with such a rude expression, attitude, just not okay. He seemed annoyed to be making me drinks. Like that's your job?? Not surprised I see multiple bad reviews about him, definitely did not tip him when I noticed his rude ass attitude towards me. I asked him after my last drink "are you having day or something?" He said no & I said oh okay and grabbed my drinks and walked away. Somebody definitely needs to train him again behind the bar with his customer service. 7/10 overall experience. Not cute at all to be acting like that lol read more

This was the 2nd time my wife and I had come to this saloon . IT IS CASH ONLY , much like the rest of the bars in the area . We were greeted by a sweet bartender I didn't get her name but I wish I did she had red lipstick on with blonde hair ? Honestly it's dark in there hard to tell , she was kind and took our order even gave me a couple of recommendations as I don't normally go to bars . As I mentioned earlier it was dark but it's "bar lit" some colorful string lights , some lights over the pool table's calming almost if your into that (which I am) great music was playing on the juke box , music videos playin on the tv . The drinks were STRONG honey , I had maybe 3 drinks and called it a day . I will be back it's a cute little bar read more

Terry was very rude to me from the beginning. Wouldn't let me buy a drink for my friend. Then he wouldn't let my friend buy me a drink either. When I was talking to another patron about Covid he cut me off mid sentence and said I obviously didn't know anyone affected by Covid and asked me to leave. I didn't even get to play a single game of pool. I've been there many times and have never been treated this way by any other bar tender. 0 stars tonight! read more

The bartender Terry has ruined this bar for me. I used to love coming here for years and the last time I went there...Terry treated me so poorly, that I will never return. Watch our for his service and write a review if you experience bad service from him. He is known for ignoring people to serve men he is attracted to instead. He discriminates agains women and trans men. This is a lesbian bar...he has NO business working there with the way he acts towards us. The last time I came to this bar, I had invited new friends to meet me there, telling them this is my favorite bar in the area. Terry was normal taking my first drink order. I tipped him generously and was my normal sweet self towards him. Then, the next time I went to order a drink, I made eye contact with him and said his name. He had just made his way down the bar and gotten to me...then skipped me and help the entire bar again for the next 25 minutes. He finally got back over to me and I said, Hey terry can I order another Truly? He said fine...and then took the guys order next to me...and served him first...THe guy had ordered a shot and Terry took his time chatting with him. THen he quickly ran over and grabbed a truly and gave it to me. I asked him, why he had helped all those other people before me, included the guy that had JUST walked up next to me. He looked surprised that I was call him out on it and he said "its a busy bar". I promise I am telling this story verbatim and not exaggerating. I replied...ok well if it wasnt intentional..I understand..but I just wanted to let you know. He then leans back to stand up straight and says in a much louder voice "DO you understand??" From there it was us talking loudly back and forth (I never swore or yelled I just explained what was going on right in front of me). YOu can guess what he did next. He immediately says ok you can go and tries to take my drink. I deny him at first and reiterated that I simply stated that he helped all those others before me when clearly I was next and he had seen and acknowldeged me. Even down to the guy that JUST walked up. THats not fair! And just because I say something about it..asking him why...he abuses his position as a manager and simply kicks me out. I wasnt drunk ( I had ONE truly) and I wasnt yelling until HE yelled. THis guy needs to be fired and please make a review if he has done anything like this to you. read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Terry the bartender who ruined Sweetwater for me. - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Service was horrible! The bartender "terry" or however you spell their name was a complete mess! Súper agro and racist! And by the way we're in 2024 "cash only is old news" this place sucks! read more

Love this place when I am in the "gay"borhood of Long Beach. I love to shoot pool so this is a great place to chill and shoot. They are dog friendly which is also very nice. People are usually playing good music on the jukebox. Good mix of men and women... some of the gay bars on the street will have no women. read more

Such a fun place! Love the decor, the ambience, the music, the people who come to drink here & Terry the bartender! Mmmm! I gotta come here again! This was my first time here and I love the exposed brick walls! Just gotta remember to bring cash! I had maker's mark on the rocks. Soooo good! The balls on the ceiling are so pretty too! This weekend is the Pride parade...so it's all decked out! Oh! And thank you, Johnny, for buying me a drink from across the bar...you're cute! I wasn't sure if you were checking me out or looking at someone else...JK! Who the f*** am I kidding? I saw you looking at me...I was playing hard to get. I'm not easy. I'll see you again soon, though! Peace! xoxo read more

Terry was a fantastic bartender! Prompt and friendly service, coming from two women in a bar full of men. Don't let the bad reviews sway your judgement: wonderful bar with good pours and good bartenders read more

Hadn't been here in a looong time & stopped by on a whim on my day off. Wow, was it great to be back! Dustin, the bartender, and Kelly, a barfly, made my visit a hysterically enjoyable one. Such a great place. Thanks gents. Jav read more

I have NEVER been treated so poorly ANYWHERE as I was just treated by Terry, the manager of the SweetWater! I don't go into this bar often, and now I will NEVER DARKEN their door again! I ordered a Rose Kennedy from Terry, and when he brought it to me, it was MOSTLY cranberry juice. I asked, "I am sorry, but is this a Rose Kennedy?" I am type 2 diabetic and can't have all that sugar. The drink is supposed to be mostly vodka and seltzer. His response to me was SHOCKING to say the least! And ESPECIALLY FROM THE MANAGER! He took my drink and THEW IT!! ...then slammed it down, and yelling "YOU'RE JUST BEING RIDICULOUS!!" With soooo much attitude! ...I said "ya know what, just give me back my money, and I'll leave!" I hope someone reads this and doesn't have to suffer the same horrid treatment as I did! And I hope the owners read this and the MANY complaints I imagine that Terry has received and does the right thing to GET RID of this disgrace to customer service! "Terry, you don't belong in customer service!! You should be ashamed of yourself!" I am a nice person who expects to be treated with a basic level of respect back. I don't think I have EVER been treated so poorly! read more

Nice place overall! My friends & I had some soda water & played pool! I'll probably be back soon for another drink & some more pool time read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Soda water - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I love this bar! They allowed me to host a couple nights last year during my run for Miss Gay Pride 2019! I have celebrated many birthdays here with friends and family and for myself! Drinks are on point and i can not express my gratitude for the staff here! read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

Nice local dive bar. Friendly barmaid. I'm not gay or pride or lbgt they did not discriminate against me

Very LGBTQ friendly and friendly people as well. Transgenders & drag queens are welcomed. read more

Sweetwater Saloon - Gay Bars Near Me - Long Beach, California

100% great atmosphere and CLEAN! The bartenders were cool, the drinks were on point and the crowd was great. This bar beat the guys bars all around there! read more

Y'all, if you want a low-key-grab-a-drink-after-work during THE DAY, this bar is it! If you're looking for a high-key-lesbian-fun-time-social bar AT NIGHT, this bar is it! Basically, this little staple bar in Long Beach is truly for everyone. It is cash only, yet drinks are totally affordable considering it's location. If you go in when Josh is there, he is truly awesome sauce and can whip you up anything you'd like! Perfect pour every time. I'm a woman in my twenties and I usually go alone but I have never been harassed or felt unsafe. This bar is truly a gem. Shout out to one of the best bartenders in town, Josh!! Please visit this place, you won't regret it. read more

First time here and genuinely felt welcome not just by the people but the bartender Anthony!! Great guy, 2 pool tables! In addition to this the restrooms were very clean, bar top not sticky and best of all the prices were very reasonable!! Cleanliness goes a long way. Thank you for a good time!! read more

Always a good time, chill vibes, awesome bartenders, and heavy pours. Security is amazing and no bs is allowed.

This review is for Josh!!! Best bartender in town! Super friendly and funny! He loves to talk to all the customers really he does! You'll never be ignored or wait for a drink when he's serving. To the haters: The bar itself is exactly what you would expect for your local hole in the wall so if that's not your taste there's 45 other bars just like it or worse right down the street for you to complain about. Move on. Love you Josh!!!! read more