Image of Pride Donuts Courtesy of Trejo Donuts
LA Pride Weekend 2019 is almost upon us — the Pride Festival kicks off Friday night with an opening-night ceremony including a vogue ball, a drag show and performances by Todrick Hall and Paula Abdul, as well as the Dyke March at Sal Guarriello Veterans’ Memorial beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday’s festivities at West Hollywood Park will go from noon to 1:00 am on Saturday, June 8 and 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Sunday, June 9, while Sunday’s LA Pride Parade begins at 11:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm.
Are you pondering where to eat and drink during this vibrant, inclusive celebration? Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, see below for a few places you may want to visit for sustenance and liquid cheer — along with a few suggestions for enjoying Pride-related drinks and comestibles throughout the month of June.
Beloved seafood restaurant Connie & Ted’s, located on Santa Monica Blvd near Crescent Heights, excels at New England-style fruit du mer and conviviality. Try to nab a spot on the patio for dishes like lobster poutine, buffalo skate wings, lobster roll, Old Bay shrimp, or remarkable oysters. Now is a great time to go: they’re offering a special menu for their 6th anniversary throughout June — savor three courses at lunch for $25 or at dinner for $40.
Enjoy some much-needed replenishment and watch the world go by as you sip a cocktail on the patio at WeHo Bistro. Open till midnight on both days of the Pride Festival, this is the place for Gallic dishes such as Croque Madame, croissant French toast, or a foursome of pâtés. WeHo Bistro is on La Cienega just north of Santa Monica Blvd.
The luxurious La Peer Kimpton Hotel is celebrating Pride in a big way with a Pride tea party and runway show on Saturday, June 8. Enjoy spiked teas, light bites and a fabulous fashion show in the courtyard and near the pool. Tickets can be bought here. The following day, the La Peer will host Sunday Art and Wine, a post-parade event featuring an art show, wine tasting, live painting, canapes, and live music. You can buy your ticket here.
Partly owned by NSYNC’s Lance Bass, the newly opened Rocco’s WeHo offers a menu for canines, an extensive beer list, basics like burgers, wraps and salads, and some vegan options in a sports bar environment. Pride weekend promises DJs and live entertainment.
Owned by Pride icon/Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump, the glamorous eatery Pump is, at press time, still offering reservations for fireside tables in the garden for Sunday, June 9.
For an elevated view of the festival and parade goings-on, try your best to get a balcony seat at Fiesta Cantina or Micky’s.
A post-parade party at the Leica Gallery, just a few blocks from the parade on Beverly near Robertson, runs from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and will feature free scoops of Humphry Slocombe ice cream. In addition, all five Humphry Slocombe locations are offering Pride flavors all month. Try the Queer Eye Cookies and Graham, the Juanita MORE! or the Who’s Your Daddy.
Visit Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts to buy boldly striped Pride Donuts all month long. In addition, Trejo’s new chicharron donut debuts June 7. Topped with maple glaze, tajin and Maldonado salt, it sounds like a must-try.
Raise a glass to Pride at the W Hollywood, which is featuring a Pride Punch cocktail (Malibu Coconut Rum, Goslings Black Seal Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine) through June 30. Speaking of the W, if you love champagne, the Hollywood hotel’s new Champagne Garden sounds hard to resist. Launching on June 8, this is the place to sip unlimited Veuve Clicquot pours as you lounge or play games in the garden.
Turn it up at Granville WeHo with the PRIDE-apple margarita, a celebratory composition of luna azul reposado, smoked jalapeño, and pineapple. 10% of proceeds will go to the LA LGBT Center.
Visit Golden Road Brewing in Atwater Village for its well-named Slay All Day beer, offered on the premises all of June in honor of Pride.
Two noteworthy Pride celebrations will happen after this weekend. On Wednesday, June 12, the Original Farmers Market and The Grove will host their 3rd annual Pride Celebration. This free evening features an outdoor screening and singalong of John Waters’ 2007 camp classic Hairspray, along with a live ‘50s and ‘60s tribute concert on Farmers Market Plaza from acclaimed songstress Jennifer Keith, who will be joined by the Constellations. You can RSVP here.
In addition, Melrose restaurant Kali (which was, incidentally, just awarded a Michelin star) will celebrate Pride during a special dinner on June 18. This five-course tasting menu, a collaboration between Chef Teresa Montano of Otono Restaurant and Chef Shannon Swindle of The Lucques Group, is $105, with a wine option for an additional $40. Proceeds will go to the Los Angeles LGBT Community Center. You can call 323-871-4160 to book a table.
