White Horse Inn

“Hi Gil !!!”

Gil is the manager at the White Horse, so I have to be nice or he might not let me in anymore. The Horse can be a really fun club if you'd show up! There are cute bartenders at night, friendly service, two pool tables, an outdoor patio, a big dance floor, and often great music. It's the neighborhood gay bar for local folks. I walk there from my place. It's a great alternative if you need a break from the Castro scene and want something more real. Happy hour is every evening, and the regular old-timers are there pickling their livers along with some newcomers. Different crowds hang out here, so don't let one person's experience discourage you because it probably depends on the day and time. Tuesday nights are a blast if you like karaoke. They have it on Monday too, but the Monday host is lacking. Wednesday nights have a Drag King show that I hear is fun, though I've never been interested. Thursday is College Night but with a 21+ restriction, which kind of defeats the purpose near a large university. Friday and Saturday nights are usually fun with great music. The crowd varies; sometimes it's packed, sometimes not. Check it out and enjoy.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“The Old White Horse, she ain't what she used to be...”

Alright, I admit I used to be a patron 20 years ago, when it was a dive where you were more likely to get harsh stares from tough dykes than to get a decent drink or a good-looking guy chatting you up. The inside was dingy, the pool tables were ancient, and it had the kind of low-key obnoxious crowd that only Berkeley can produce. But that was its appeal! It was the politically correct dive gay bar. And its customers liked it that way, even though we always bad-mouthed it. However, returning for the first time in ten years, I was shocked to see it had been remodeled several years before. OK, it looks nicer and is nicer. OK, most of the clientele is the same (and I mean that literally: I think I saw some people I recognized from the 80s!) and the same surly, desperate attitude remains. But in losing its total lack of charm, the White Horse has lost all its charm. It's as if people there are still acting in a play that closed years ago. Sad. Giddyup...

A guest · Over a year ago

“If your parents were gay...”

They would probably go to the White Horse. It's a pretty down-to-earth place with a homey decor, friendly people, and decent music. The crowd is a bit older and less focused on the gym, but there are also some younger guys and UC Berkeley students.

A recent visitor · Over a year ago

“Local pub”

Yes, I've lived near the Horse forever and have been going there for over twenty years. It's a bar where you can hang your hat and have a drink. I always feel comfortable there even if I've been gone for a couple of years... it's friendly. Some would call it a dive, but if you go at the right time, usually early on a Saturday around eight or later on a Sunday, you might run into the whole gang from the Gay Men's Health Collective. Great cute guys who are into fun and being friendly. If I go out, it's one of three bars in this area I'd go to. Now, if you want to hunt for some action, maybe you should go to the Bench and Bar... it's steamy... but then again, if you want steam, why not skip the booze and go straight to Steamworks, Berkeley's bathhouse?

A local visitor · Over a year ago

“A lil' MidWest in The Bay”

OK, so the carpet is probably the best thing about this place, which is good to know when you're staring at your shoes because that cute boy or girl is looking your way. But the second best thing is that this bar is not for scenesters; it's a great place to chat, play pool, and find family. It has a really chill atmosphere, and no one judges you for being a dork. A great place for when you want a drink but not the madness of cruising.

A visitor · Over a year ago