Que sera long beach gay bar

Post a Comment. Friday, June 8, Que Sera. Ward used to own the lesbian bar and live-entertainment venue, known as the place where Melissa Etheridge got her start. However, she turned it over to Benz, her former manager, in the mids. Opened: Closed: Sold in or both dates are reported.

When it ceased to be a lesbian bar is not clear, though it was still open as of According to the Historical Society of Long BeachQue Sera was founded by Ellen Ward, a lesbian who moved to Long Beach for college, and eventually ended up working in local government and the city recreational departments:. Que Sera is still standing, though Ward sold the bar in to her longtime bartender and friend Benz.

The lack of windows is a signal for those that were historic gay bars. Windows meant people could see what was going on from the outside, and patrons of gay bars were often afraid of their anonymity being broached. While many people placed the Gay Ghetto neighborhood on a map that marked Fourth Street as the north border of the neighborhood, a few pushed that boundary to Seventh Street simply because of Que Sera.

She wanted to make Que Sera a nice bar for lesbians, something she felt was lacking in Long Beach in the s. It had couches and a fireplace and attracted a lot of professional women. Melissa Etheridge credits the bar with helping to launch her career, something Ward remembers fondly.

Down at the bar. And I promise not to take you down too far.

As restrictions thaw, Long Beach’s gay bars are coming back after a dark year

Que Sera also got a mention in the Los Angeles Times back in Que Sera as the sign out front abbreviates it can lay claim to the title of "grandmama" of the Long Beach alternative music scene, having outlasted Bogart's, Fender's Ballroom and a myriad of smaller venues. Ever since a then-unknown Melissa Etheridge trod the small stage more than a decade ago Que Sera is one of the longest-running predominately lesbian bars in the Southlandthe club has booked live music two to three nights a week.

But as Club Planet documents, while the music lasted, the lesbians did not:. Que Sera - Melissa Etheridge got her start at Que Sera, playing acoustic sets to enthusiastic fans back in the '80s. Times have changed for this joint as this bar no longer specifically caters to the lesbian crowd--all people are welcome.

DJ's spin techno, house, and even '80s tracks on the wheels of steel, and rock bands sometimes take the stage. The legend of Melissa still lives on here. Ellen Ward passed away in August at the age of From her obituary :. Labels: Californialesbian barLong Beach. No comments:.