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Best Gay Bars In Sacramento

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While there may not be as many choices for gay bars as other cities, Sacramento's Lavender District is a diverse place for most people to find a place they like. All packed into a couple blocks, it is easy to float from one bar to the next. Each of these bars has a different atmosphere. It doesn't matter if you're gay straight or otherwise, you're sure to have a great time at these bars.
Mercantile Saloon
1928 L St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 447-0792
Mercantile on Facebook

This place is always a great spot to just chill whether you're gay or straight. You can play pool, watch a game, play some tunes on the jukebox or just hang out on the patio. On Sunday it is absolutely packed with patrons regaling tales of Saturday night with some still dressed in last nights duds. It is a great place to start the night out before going to one of the clubs to dance the night away. The Bloody Mary is strong, like all the drinks, which are all served in pint glasses.Mercantile Saloon is a cash only bar.

Badlands Dance Club
2003 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 448-8790
www.sacbadlands.com

Badlands is a enormous 4500 square foot club with an awesome balcony overlooking K Street. It is a great place for dancing fun. Usually the cover is only $5. Sunday Funday features $2 well drinks and $3 microbrews.  Wednesday night is Latin night, complete with gogo boys. Go to their Facebook page for specials where you can get in free on select nights. They have great DJs on Saturday nights. Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. buy one cocktail get the second for $1 with high-energy dance and top 40 videos all night.

Faces
2000 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 448-7798
www.faces.net

This bar has Latin night every Tuesday, with $5 sex on the beach drinks. Faces also has a great happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with $5 domestic pitchers and $2 well cocktails. Sequin Saturday drag review starts at 9 p.m. with no cover before 8 p.m. There are 15 bar stations, three dance floors in two levels and even a VIP lounge. There will be an amazing event in August to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

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The Depot
2001 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 441-6823
www.thedepot.net

The Depot has been around since 1997, back when it was just them and Faces. Free pool Monday night and buy one cocktail and get the second for a dollar all night. $3 Long Islands on thirsty Thursdays. Sunday nights are industry Sundays with bingo at 4 p.m. Tuesday nights are two for Tuesdays to you, its for only $10. Every first Friday, ladies get in with no cover charge.

Sidetrax
2007 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 441-6823
www.sidetraxsac.com

Right next door to Badlands and The Depot  is Sidetrax. They have a talent competition going on Midtown's Got Talent which is a six week open mic contest on Thursday nights. Weekly winners are crowned, with a huge grand finale on April 30th, which will be an amazing event. Piano bar at 5:30 p.m. on Friday with $2 well drinks. After the piano bar, starting at 9 p.m. they start karaoke with no cover and $3 wells. The Sunday showcase drag show  is every Sunday at 8 p.m.

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As a hospitality professional Andy Soto has worked every facet of the industry. He currently leads the team at Spectrum Restaurant Consulting. He started writing a hospitality blog in 2009 and restaurant writing for Sacramento Press in 2010. In 2011 Andy became a Sacramento Restaurant Examiner for Examiner.com. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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