Posts Tagged ‘lgbtq events’

June is here, the sun is out, and our rainbows are in full technicolor. Swing by City Hall in Costa Mesa and watch our Pride flag wave. From Harvey Milk Day on May 22^nd and all the way to June 30^th, the City of Costa Mesa raises the rainbow flag to show their commitment to equality and in recognition of the ongoing impact LGBTQ+ folks make not just in Costa Mesa, but all over the world. 

Costa Mesa City Council recognizes June as Pride Month, and Costa Mesa stands out among our Orange County neighbors as a welcoming, accepting, and inclusive place. We offer space for the LGBTQ+ community to gather, to work, to celebrate, and to thrive. We are small business owners, chefs, artists, teachers, and neighbors.

In Costa Mesa, Pride doesn’t end on June 30^th. It continues throughout the year, as does our commitment to advance support and advocacy, to fight discrimination, and to remember and honor those that came before us in the pursuit of equality. 

Now, let’s hit play on all our favorite places to celebrate Pride in Costa Mesa, all year long.

Tin Lizzie Saloon

Coming here is being part of LGBTQ+ history. Tin Lizzie Saloon is not just the longest-standing gay & lesbian bar in Costa Mesa, but in all of Orange County. The saloon dates back to the 1950s, and as you step inside, the rest of the world falls away. Tin Lizzie sets its own tempo, moving at a pace that has marched and endured proudly for almost a century. 

The moody red lights and Victorian atmosphere offer a memorable night for locals and visitors alike.

Shop Local, Shop Small

Change starts at the community level, and local businesses in Costa Mesa are making it happen. Eschewing everything quick, corporate, and mass-produced, these places instead choose community and creators. The soul of a city is in its small businesses and its local dining, and there’s no better place to experience the DNA of Costa Mesa. 

The LAB Anti-Mall: A stomping ground for local creators and crave-worthy food. It’s the home of LGBTQ+ shops like House of Intuition, offering alternate spirituality, Stella Jean’s Ice Cream for delicious small-batch scoops and treats, and Ruin Bar for late night hangs with a cool-kid vibe. 

The CAMP: Situated right across the street, The CAMP is a green and eco-friendly campus that balances modern needs with environmental consciousness. Visit LGBTQ-owned businesses like AhbA for crave-worthy Americana food and the most aesthetic rooftop bar in Costa Mesa, Mesa for a swanky lounge perfect for martinis, or Cowboys and Poodles for a Western-inspired speakeasy that Ms. Dolly Parton herself would love.

Pride Parade at IKEA Costa Mesa

Known as a longtime LGBTQ+ ally, Ikea is showing off their local pride here in Costa Mesa! Join their 2nd annual Ikea Costa Mesa Flat Cart Pride Parade at the end of June, because it’s just as quirky and fun as it sounds. Pride-themed floats parade through the store, and you’re welcome to join in! Walk the parade route or just watch the rainbows fly. 

Speaking of rainbows, from June 1 to July 31, Ikea is also donating 100% of Rainbow cake sales to Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQ+ folks find emergency relocation and crisis assistance. You don’t have to talk us into having an extra slice of cake–it’s for a good cause!

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Segerstrom Center for the Arts brings Orange County together through celebrating art, performance, and music. Visit Segerstrom for their world-class entertainment, from shows straight out of Broadway, to symphony performances, and movie screenings on the lawn. Sing along with the Von Trapp family during The Sound of Music or practice your best Bollywood grooves at Argyros Plaza’s weekly Tuesday Night Dance session. Whether you want to dance, sing, or just be part of something, Segerstrom Center is the place to be.

One-of-a-Kind Dining

In Costa Mesa, everyone’s welcome—and we mean everyone. The restaurants, bars, and local spots are spaces where you can show up exactly as you are, whether you’re dressed for brunch or full-on Pride parade.One of those feel-good places is Collage Culinary Experience a two-story dining collective inside the iconic South Coast Plaza. There’s not a label that fits the experience, and we’re okay with that.

Collage offers local and global-inspired fare in a colorful, stylish space that celebrates authenticity and joy. Swing by Paradise Dynasty and try their rainbow Xiao Long Bao to fuel up before a night full of fun.

Stay the Night

Settle in and book a stay at one of Costa Mesa’s top hotels to give yourself time to see all the city has to offer. Every location on this guide is inclusive and welcoming. We want you to feel at home right away so you can focus instead on the comfy rooms, comprehensive amenities, and world-class service. 

If it’s your first visit to Costa Mesa, welcome! Thanks for being a friend.

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