Rhea Litre is a national drag queen who has lived in Weho (what locals call West Hollywood) for almost 20 years.
GayCities sat down with her to ask her questions about the area, such as eating, partying, bars, etc. Because when you want to know the scoop on a neighborhood, you should always ask a longtime resident, right?
Where do you bar hop when you go out with your friends, and in what order?
I like to start at Horseshoe, a corner, laid-back bar. Next, I want to mingle at Revolver, which occasionally has live entertainment. Next is Hi Tops, a sports bar where friends can watch their favorite sports (yes, gay men do watch sports) and visit with each other.
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Then Micky's has drag shows and themed nights such as "Hot Rod," a Latin night, and sometimes even an Asian-themed night. Next up is Roccos, which has shows and great food. The final stop is Schmitty's (a replacement for the late Fubar), a chill and relaxed neighborhood bar.
Which one is your favorite if you had to choose?
To hang with friends? It would either be Mickys or the Abbey/Chapel. The best place to drink (heavily) is the Abbey.
Who is the best drag queen in the city?
You will usually find Scarlett at the second booth being naughty. She has incredible energy. If you are in the mood for drag brunch, you can find one on Saturdays, usually hosted by Miss Cake Moss, another local favorite.
If you want to travel to DTLA (downtown LA), I suggest Over Easy brunch at the Precinct, which Andy Santiago presents. He is a promoter for all of Southern California and has been around for about as long as me, if not longer.
Which hotel do you suggest for out-of-town friends?
The obvious choice is the Ramada Inn, centrally located on the Santa Monica strip at the east end near La Cienega. It is a mid-level chain with reasonable prices for the area. If you are willing to spend a little more, there is a new boutique hotel called Hotel Ziggy. It is very chic, has fashion shows, and is very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.
What is your favorite food and where do you get it in West Hollywood?
Greenwich Village Pizza is where I like to get yummy pizza. I suggest they rename their margarita pizza to Marga-Rhea, lol. If you prefer something fancy, there now is a Bottega Louie at the Robertson end of the strip. It has all of your Italian favorites, and considering everything, it is not as pricey as one would think. Personally, I prefer comfort food, but if you have money, I will gladly go on a date with you at Botegga, lol.
Where do you like to go shopping in West Hollywood?
The only thing I buy in Weho these days is cannabis at the Green Queen, the only LGBTQ+-owned dispensary in the country. For my drag clothing needs, I, of course, go to DTLA to Santee Alley. It is in the area known as the Fashion District. There are blocks and blocks of garment stores, shoe stores, and women's clothing stores. There are also many specialty stores, such as ones that sell costume jewelry.
What is the best part about the nightlife in West Hollywood?
No matter which bar, restaurant, or business you visit in Weho, it always feels very inclusive for cis males, transgenders, straights, questioning or not sure, drag queens, and of course, all colors of the rainbow. It is a very safe area that everyone feels at home in. You will find traveling folks from all over the globe. Tonight I had friends come in from NYC and you will usually find several Europeans vacationing in what is known as one of the premiere gay travel cities.