The Black Cat in Silver Lake stands as California’s first recognized LGBTQ+ landmark, preserving the site of one of the country’s earliest documented, organized demonstrations for gay rights. Operating in the same location for nearly 60 years, the tavern holds a unique place in local civil rights history.
According to co-owner Lindsay Kennedy, only about five photographs exist of the original protests outside the building. Because same-sex relations were illegal at the time, participants documenting the demonstration faced significant risks.
During the era of the early civil rights demonstrations, Silverlake was home to a handful of LGBTQ+ bars. Kennedy noted that “any bar that had both a color and an animal in it was an indication to the community that that was a safe space for them to be”. Today, the bar’s original sign — a rectangle topped with the cat face inside a circle — still hangs over Sunset Boulevard.
The Black Cat’s Protected Historic Status
In 2008, the site was officially designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 939) for its vital role in history. In 2022, the State of California further cemented its status by naming it a California Historical Landmark. Currently, it is the only state landmark in California dedicated specifically to recognizing LGBTQ+ history, and also the site of the first LGBTQ+ civil rights demonstration in the nation. Thanks to these protections, the building’s exterior remains preserved, ensuring that the site continues to serve as a beacon for the neighborhood.
The Black Cat remains an active part of the neighborhood: the establishment hosts its own Pride event annually on June 28 and regularly partners with other organizations for local community gatherings.
So, the next time you grab a drink at The Black Cat, know you’re stepping into a defining chapter of L.A. history.
📍3909 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
🕖Monday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM. Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
