July Nightlife: Orange County and Long Beach, CA

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where gay.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Kim's July picks for Orange County and Long Beach, CA

by Kim

Best Bar

MetroQ

This bar aims to please with two pool tables, a spacious environment with excellent ambience, an amazing happy hour, a full menu with delicious entrees, and a friendly environment. You won't be disappointed here whether you are going to watch sports, dine, party, play pool, karaoke, or meet someone new. This is the best bar in Orange County since the Boom Boom Room!

http://www.themetroq.com/

Best Restaurant in Orange County

Las Brisas

Laguna Beach is by far the most gay-friendly city in Orange County. Laguna Beach is also home to some of the most amazing seafood restaurants in the country. One of them, which happens to be my favorite, is Las Brisas. This ocean front Mexican restaurant serves delicious seafood dishes that will not disappoint. Take a date to the happy hour that happens Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Sit on the patio and watch the sparks between both of you happen from enjoying this sexy dining experience together. Afterwards, cruise over to a great little gay bar called Main Street for drinks and dancing.

http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com/index.htm

Best Event

Alaska Cruise Drawing at MetroQ

Thanks to RSVP Vacations (the original gay and lesbian cruise company) Shanti OC will be raffling off an Alaskan Adventure Cruise to benefit the HIV/AIDS organization. The drawing will take place at MetroQ in Huntington Beach on July 26th from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and additional prizes while you're there. You may purchase tickets for the drawing early at shantioc.org. Engage in philanthropy and party all in one evening while getting a chance to win a cruise!

http://www.themetroq.com/files/cruise.pdf

Best Restaurant in Long Beach

Christy's Ristorante

Looking to romance your girlfriend or impress a date? Enjoy award winning food and wine at this lesbian friendly upscale Northern Italian restaurant. They serve large delicious portions and have a stellar wine list. End the night by taking a stroll down to Club Broadway for well priced drinks and pool.

http://www.christysristorante.com/1049957.html

Best Club

Heat at Hamburger Mary's

Summer nights mean nightlife is heating up! The creators of Truck Stop (the hot girls' night featured on "Gimme Sugar") are taking over Saturday nights in Long Beach. If you are in Orange County or the Long Beach area you must check out Heat at Hamburger Mary's Long Beach every 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. Heat is without a doubt the most excitement you will find in Long Beach.

http://www.hamburgermaryslb.com/specialevents.html

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