LA history located in a Silver Lake strip mall along Sunset Boulevard.
“People who have literally grabbed me by the shoulders and with tears in their eyes, thanked me,” said The Ruby Fruit co-owner Emily Bielagus. “They never imagined having this space.”
The Ruby Fruit, a wine-focused restaurant and bar, hosts lesbian and trans events for lunch and supper. Bielagus and Eszett’s then-general manager Mara Herbkersman regularly discussed developing a venue like this.
Opportunity arrived early. Eszett closed January. Taking over its lease required keeping workers and introducing a fresh idea in a familiar kitchen. Herbkersman and Bielagus expedited. West Hollywood’s homosexual clubs caters mostly to males.
The documentary short and campaign The Lesbian Bar Project found just 27 gay and trans women-only clubs countrywide.
LA had none from 2015 to 2023.
Lesbians are grouchy, don’t go out, don’t spend money, and aren’t sexy. We’re disproving that.” and Herbkersman nodded.
Herbkersman and Bielagus have created a space that feels pleasant and does well, with every table full most afternoons and nights.
They’re together.
Hollywood’s Honey’s at Star Love opened the same week as The Ruby Fruit. It’s the Ruby Fruit’s nightcap.
Honey’s took over a refurbished pub used for parties 2.5 miles west.
Kate Greenberg found it while considering launching an LGBT bar. She phoned Charlotte Gordon, co-owner with Mo Faulk, immediately.
Kate seemed sure, so I said, ‘Ok let’s see.’ “You nailed it,” Gordon remarked.
With one-off collaborations, live DJs, and karaoke, Greenberg, Gordon, and Faulk have used their events and hospitality experience.
“Now we do it every other week,” Gordon added. “I think it’s nice we have that piece of programming that really come back for and rally around.”
They belong. A venue to congregate and operate a tab.
Greenberg felt a change. “People have said a queer renaissance… it’s really timely that these bars are opening.”