Akbar — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Hi:) I came in here Saturday, December 9th 2017.

First of all, I recently came out and I was just looking for a good “gay friendly” place to feel more comfortable. (I’ve been to San Francisco a few months ago and I loved it, thought I’d give it a try in LA)

So, I walk in hoping to meet some new nice people. First thing I notice as I survey the room is that it’s mainly an older male crowd.

It didn’t bother me. I figured I would get 2 drinks and I would go. (My friend was waiting outside for me)

So, I sit down, as I am sitting I see that the Blond hair heavy set bartender notices me and I just ask for a water (I am not sure if I want to spend my money at this place because I am already a little uneasy also I was kind of nervous because this is new to me)

So I’m just sitting there drinking my water and I see the same heavy set bartender notice that I’m just observing the room. She see’s me in her peripherals and it feels like I’m making her a little uncomfortable? Even though I am just keeping to myself? and I’m just trying not to come off as awkward.

I guess I looked like a loner and I looked a little down (I had a rough day) but the older men seemed not to mind me. I mostly kept to myself.

Finally a few women walk in and I make my decision to order one shot mixed with a fruity taste (My first drink of the day, I ordered whiskey but she made me something with Vodka for some reason)

I go to put some songs on the jukebox. And I come back to order my second drink so I could get ready to go because my friend was still waiting outside (20-30 mintutes had passed) I wait there and no one seems to want to help me. I ask this thin gay guy if I could please get a whiskey and coke. He said he’s not the “bar back” that the heavy set blond haired women would help me. And she’s off to the side of the bar, I keep trying to catch her attention but it feels like she’s avoiding me (I don’t see how she doesn’t see me when I am making direct and obvious eye contact). Finally some guy tells me that if I’m not ordering a drink I need to move out of the way.

I tell him, I’ve been waiting here for a drink for a few minutes and no one has served me.

He told me she had just got off and that she would not be serving me and then he said that HE will also not be serving me. When I asked why, he said he doesn’t have to give me a reason. & he told me to move out of the way.

I tried to explain to him that if I seemed a little off that I smoked a little earlier, that if my eyes looked a little red that’s the reason why.

(Although I feel like that shouldn’t have been a factor because that’s my private personal information and I have a medical marijuana prescription for recreational use. And I’ve been smoking since I was 17. I am 26. Which = Very High Tolerance)

So this leaves me to believe that this guy just doesn’t like me.

I couldn’t understand why because the facts are that I only had 1 shot that whole day. I wasn’t acting disruptive, I wasn’t bothering the other patrons, I wasn’t all over the place, I wasn’t cussing or being rude to anyone, including the bartenders even after being discriminated against, I wasn’t acting erratic or slurring my speech or falling over.

I only had one shot of vodka (when I asked for whiskey)

I understand it’s rules, I get that. But the fact that all of the above was very apparent and this man still refused to acknowledge that is a little disturbing and questionable.

I found out he was the owner and after I tried to explain everything to him he still blew me off. If I could have done a sobriety test, I would have and he would have been 100% wrong for what he did.

He didn’t want the truth. He saw a loner “loser” who didn’t talk much and that sat there with a glass of water minding her own business. And that’s not right.

It's not okay, that a grown women should be on guard and fear possible discrimination when going out alone just because no one is there to stand up for them.

I came to this “gay friendly bar” looking to feel comfortable and accepted.

That is not at all what...

Akbar is lgbtq+ owned bar lounge that's open to all. They have incredible friendly bartenders, staff and an awesome owner (David). Akbar puts on a wide variety of events including trivia nights, drag shows, gamer parties, film showcases, disco nights, awesome summer events and are all about support the local Los Angeles community including other small businesses with their vendor pop ups and non-profits like the LA LGBT center.

I don't pop in as often as I could but love attending things like Bear Happy Hour, Bears in Space and Gaymer Night. They have a vintage jukebox, comfy tables, booths and various places to enjoy. It can fill up fast especially at night, but they do open up their dance floor/ nightclub-esque side later in the week as well as for certain events.

The magic starts at 4pm everyday and goes until close (typically by 1:30/2am). There's parking in the area but the metro is easy (10-12 minute walk from Vermont/Sunset or a quick transfer to the LA Metro city bus #2). Ride share is also a great option.

There's lots of great places to eat before or after the bar across the street and sometimes there's even a vendor here out front or in back for those warmer weather events with great options to choose from when the parking lot becomes and patio.

Restrooms on both sides for everyone - single use.

Amazing headshot photo wall of lots of infamous locals and legends of the past as well as present. It's always an easy going time with lounge bar jive.

Note: They do check IDs so be prepared to show it to the...

This place is a great neighborhood bar and treasure. The night we went Jennifer, the beautiful, sweet and friendly blonde bartender, was behind the bar and kept the place humming. The drinks were great, the atmosphere really a throwback to a different, friendlier time, and the jukebox was pounding out really fantastic selections. The music was thankfully at a level that you could still have conversations with the other bar patrons. The clientele seem to be mostly people from the neighborhood, people stopping off for a drink after work before heading home, and many 'regulars' from the surround communities. I stayed most of the night and discovered that after 10 pm the place expanded to include a dance floor hosted by a really amazing local dj. What a great surprise!! This is definitely a place to check out if you want a chill place to have a drink, dance, and perhaps even meet some...