White Horse Inn
Bar · Oakland
About White Horse Inn
As a beloved institution on Telegraph Avenue since 1933, we're thrilled to share our story with you. We've been serving the LGBT community for generations, creating a space where friends and neighbors can gather, connect, and celebrate life's joys. Our nights are filled with karaoke, DJ dance partie...
As a beloved institution on Telegraph Avenue since 1933, we're thrilled to share our story with you. We've been serving the LGBT community for generations, creating a space where friends and neighbors can gather, connect, and celebrate life's joys. Our nights are filled with karaoke, DJ dance parties, and drag shows that showcase the best of Oakland's vibrant spirit. Join us for an unforgettable experience, where delicious bar fare meets infectious energy. From our signature cocktails to our mouth-watering pub grub, every bite is a taste of community and camaraderie.
What Customers Say About White Horse Inn
White Horse Inn is a popular, historic queer bar known for its friendly atmosphere, good drinks, and lively events like drag shows and DJ nights. Recent renovations are liked by some, disliked by others. Some negative reviews mention ID policies and alleged overcharging.
Best For
Tip: This is a great spot for a fun night out, especially if you're looking for a welcoming queer space with dancing and events. Be sure to bring an American ID.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around White Horse Inn
White Horse Inn is located in Oakland, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Historical Heritage
- South Berkeley Community Church (A 956m) — church building in California, United States of America Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
Religious Buildings
- St. John the Baptist (A 774m) — Russian Orthodox Church in Berkeley, CA
Parks & Gardens
- Colby Park (A 516m) — park in Alameda County, California, United States of America
- Bushrod Park (A 717m) — park in Alameda County, California, United States of America
- Bushrod Park (A 724m) — human settlement in Oakland, California, United States of America
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about White Horse Inn
White Horse Inn Oakland Reviews
My friend has been trying to drag me here for weeks so I finally caved and we went. Not a big fan of this location but once inside, its a perfect little haven with good drinks and great staff. There's a big space inside and it looks like there's potentially for a lot of cool things to go down in here. If dark and divey is your jam, head on over!
First time back since the renovation / new mgmt. Looks great! DJ kept the dance floor energy hyped. Good mix in the crowd as always. Friendly place, welcoming 🌈✨️grateful to have spaces like these in East Bay.
Updated: new metal horse is so weird, i feel like I’m at a Ford dealership. Super sad the smoking room is gone now too. I liked the old set up better. Otherwise, an iconic and historic queer bar. I love to sing 🌈🕺🏻great times, plastic cups, perfect environment.
This was a reunion of two gay bars that no longer exist in Oakland cables and bench and bar, oh yes Bella Napoli. Live show and good friends enjoyed myself so much, thank you Lana
We Love this venue! Awsome DJ set-up and event space! They host private events here too! Thx for the tour…can’t wait for the next gig here!
Great local bar with a DJ both, dance floor, Photo Booth, and pool table
It's actually a very nice place bartenders are very friendly I brought my friend here for his birthday so we had a little party
My friend has been trying to drag me here for weeks so I finally caved and we went. Not a big fan of this location but once inside, its a perfect little haven with good drinks and great staff. There's a big space inside and it looks like there's potentially for a lot of cool things to go down in here. If dark and divey is your jam, head on over!
First time back since the renovation / new mgmt. Looks great! DJ kept the dance floor energy hyped. Good mix in the crowd as always. Friendly place, welcoming 🌈✨️grateful to have spaces like these in East Bay.
Updated: new metal horse is so weird, i feel like I’m at a Ford dealership. Super sad the smoking room is gone now too. I liked the old set up better. Otherwise, an iconic and historic queer bar. I love to sing 🌈🕺🏻great times, plastic cups, perfect environment.
Great local bar with a DJ both, dance floor, Photo Booth, and pool table
This was a reunion of two gay bars that no longer exist in Oakland cables and bench and bar, oh yes Bella Napoli. Live show and good friends enjoyed myself so much, thank you Lana
We Love this venue! Awsome DJ set-up and event space! They host private events here too! Thx for the tour…can’t wait for the next gig here!
It's actually a very nice place bartenders are very friendly I brought my friend here for his birthday so we had a little party
I went to watch Drag Race last night and it was so much fun! The hosts were in drag and they were hilarious. The bar also has an entire menu of mocktails which were really good! So even if you’re sober, this is still a really fun place to go. I’ll def go back!
quintessential historic neighborhood bar for every type of queer! lots of cool events and great dance floor, could have more consistent dance nights with better dj’s in the back room
Went on a Sunday. Solid queer bar, decent bar service, pool tournament was happening and very friendly patrons. Highly recommend, especially if you’re new in town.
quintessential historic neighborhood bar for every type of queer! lots of cool events and great dance floor, could have more consistent dance nights with better dj’s in the back room
This place knows you, and always serves the best! Perfect community atmosphere~
I went to watch Drag Race last night and it was so much fun! The hosts were in drag and they were hilarious. The bar also has an entire menu of mocktails which were really good! So even if you’re sober, this is still a really fun place to go. I’ll def go back!
Went on a Sunday. Solid queer bar, decent bar service, pool tournament was happening and very friendly patrons. Highly recommend, especially if you’re new in town.
My wife and I finally made it to this spot. The drinks were great, the music was okay... but dance worthy. The crowd was okay too. However, it is located in Berkeley, so it is understandable for the crowd type. We sat at the bar major of the night, but danced around our seating area. People were friendly and welcoming. Had a slight issue whey the bartender and what I noticed he was doing for some, but not others. However, he and I spoke and he rectified the issue. Hopefully, we won't have any issues moving forward in the area of the issue that I brought forth. Other than that, we will go back again. Maybe on a Saturday to see if it is a diffrent vibe,
Didn't realize how much more larger it is on the inside. 2 bars, 1 in the spacious dance room area & 1 in the main entrance. The bar in the dance room has bleacher seats along the walls & the DJ booth and small stage. There is also a see through pool table room when you walk in to your immediate left which I thought was different. By the bath rooms there is another spacious mingle area what looks like another pool table & fire place is located. Smoking area looks like an outdoor patio medium size area which is located by the entrance. Parking may or may not be free on certain days. DO NOT PARK BEHIND BUILDING ! Apparently it's for the residents next door. Parking is scarce around here hard to find better off ubering it here.
My wife and I finally made it to this spot. The drinks were great, the music was okay... but dance worthy. The crowd was okay too. However, it is located in Berkeley, so it is understandable for the crowd type. We sat at the bar major of the night, but danced around our seating area. People were friendly and welcoming. Had a slight issue whey the bartender and what I noticed he was doing for some, but not others. However, he and I spoke and he rectified the issue. Hopefully, we won't have any issues moving forward in the area of the issue that I brought forth. Other than that, we will go back again. Maybe on a Saturday to see if it is a diffrent vibe,
Didn't realize how much more larger it is on the inside. 2 bars, 1 in the spacious dance room area & 1 in the main entrance. The bar in the dance room has bleacher seats along the walls & the DJ booth and small stage. There is also a see through pool table room when you walk in to your immediate left which I thought was different. By the bath rooms there is another spacious mingle area what looks like another pool table & fire place is located. Smoking area looks like an outdoor patio medium size area which is located by the entrance. Parking may or may not be free on certain days. DO NOT PARK BEHIND BUILDING ! Apparently it's for the residents next door. Parking is scarce around here hard to find better off ubering it here.
Love this historic Gay bar. But lately it feels like a Lesbian Sports bar every time I come in. Which is fine, just not the vibe I'm looking for from my Gay bars. Do they always have to have Sports playing? How about something Gay? With some Gay music?... I dunno, just not the friendliest atmosphere to be honest, starting with the staff. Try Club 1200 if you're looking for a good Gay dive bar with a Community vibe. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
This is a cool place to socialize with different people.And to get a drink, they have a pretty cool environment.And a pretty chill staff
Did not try any food. Went to a event it was on Friday night. Not crowded as I thought. Overall the music was good. A lot of throwback from 2008 to 2015 just a range of different throw backs and also new songs. Just wish the music was a little better add more newer songs have the crowd dancing more. It was ok maybe need to try going on a Saturday will try again or add a mixture of music Spanish and English will bring in more crowded
Did not try any food. Went to a event it was on Friday night. Not crowded as I thought. Overall the music was good. A lot of throwback from 2008 to 2015 just a range of different throw backs and also new songs. Just wish the music was a little better add more newer songs have the crowd dancing more. It was ok maybe need to try going on a Saturday will try again or add a mixture of music Spanish and English will bring in more crowded
Tried to visit a few weeks ago only to be turned away at the door because THEY ONLY ACCEPT AMERICAN IDs. This was shocking to me because they claim to be an anti ICE establishment. I commented about the experience on their Instagram shown below.
Tried to visit a few weeks ago only to be turned away at the door because THEY ONLY ACCEPT AMERICAN IDs. This was shocking to me because they claim to be an anti ICE establishment. I commented about the experience on their Instagram shown below.
Opened a tab. Accidentally forgot my card at the bar. They charged a 60% tip. Card was stolen from behind the bar and used for a $160 lunch the next day. Shady place and manager. Couldn't even find the transaction when I came to find the card and asked me to leave.
It is a place where they discriminate against Latin people because of their skin color and for not having an identification of the country if you have another identification they do not let you enter the place because of their laws of discrimination against Latino people although we came to support a friend of the Latino community we feel very discriminated against on this day for everything that happened
$50 for a preauthorization fee??? On one modello??? With no clear signs at the bar and no phone number to call??? And if that wasn't bad enough, once I got my Lyft to come all the way back out there from fruitvale to ask why there was suddenly $50 being taken out of my account, the bartender who I spoke to about the situation was EXTREMELY condescending to me. Most bars I go to do *not* have this fee and the ones that do it's NOWHERE near that high. I was excited to see this bar under new management, but this bougie, unfriendly vibe isn't it.
DOESN'T ALLOW FOREGINERS. We are Canadian in town visiting the city as we do during the holidays to visit our parents. The bouncer told us they only take American IDs... I asked so you only let in Americans and she says "I didn't say that" but if you only take American IDs you only take Americans. Then she lied and said that that's legally what she has to do but I live here half a year per year and never had this issue. To top it off the had a sign saying they're against ICE at the front... Very strange
DOESN'T ALLOW FOREGINERS. We are Canadian in town visiting the city as we do during the holidays to visit our parents. The bouncer told us they only take American IDs... I asked so you only let in Americans and she says "I didn't say that" but if you only take American IDs you only take Americans. Then she lied and said that that's legally what she has to do but I live here half a year per year and never had this issue. To top it off the had a sign saying they're against ICE at the front... Very strange
This place is an ok vibe but it'd be way cooler if everything wasn't on camera. So uncool
It is a place where they discriminate against Latin people because of their skin color and for not having an identification of the country if you have another identification they do not let you enter the place because of their laws of discrimination against Latino people although we came to support a friend of the Latino community we feel very discriminated against on this day for everything that happened
$50 for a preauthorization fee??? On one modello??? With no clear signs at the bar and no phone number to call??? And if that wasn't bad enough, once I got my Lyft to come all the way back out there from fruitvale to ask why there was suddenly $50 being taken out of my account, the bartender who I spoke to about the situation was EXTREMELY condescending to me. Most bars I go to do *not* have this fee and the ones that do it's NOWHERE near that high. I was excited to see this bar under new management, but this bougie, unfriendly vibe isn't it.
Opened a tab. Accidentally forgot my card at the bar. They charged a 60% tip. Card was stolen from behind the bar and used for a $160 lunch the next day. Shady place and manager. Couldn't even find the transaction when I came to find the card and asked me to leave.
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About White Horse Inn
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6551 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
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6551 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
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