DIVE BAR in the middle of much better options. It feels like MJ's in Silverlake. I find myself in here every so often, enjoying what seems like a bucket of whatever they've mixed up for me, and wondering how they stay in business. On the plus side, their drinks are quite strong. On the downside, the drinks are also expensive and you're not getting anything top shelf unless you're really willing to shell it out. I waited a long time for service. I didn't like the crowd they attract (although I was also there, so what does that say?). The crowd is usually older and boys who are into older, and those are the only people to whom I'd recommend Mother Lode. read more

Nice place to go early in the eve before it gets overly crowded. Like all bars in weho...there is attitutde every where...but a bit less here than other places. the drinks are priced right and you get the guy next doors going there. don't expect to meet your next boyfriend there, but you can have a good time read more

Motherloade is a small bar/club on snat monica, not very noticeable... it it looks small from the outside, wait until you go in... no good news here it is smaller from the inside... you walk in into a croder bar to your left and some a little higher area to the left with pool tables i know what is the point of having pool tables in such a small place.. people everywhere, people playing kept hitting people there just drinking... an absolute mess...why play pool in such a crowded place i think they have a patio, well the size of a closet but its there... ther drinks are ok, and the prices too, they have screens (like 17in screens) playing old age porn (yeah from the 70s-80s) no dancing space or moving space available ...once inside you will feel like a sardine in a can read more

Came here with some Weho veterans. Of course, started at The Abbey, or as they refer to it, "the straightest of the gay bars." After this, they suggested we check out "the dive bar" in Weho, so why not? I love dive bars, and I had no idea what a dive gay bar would be. Sadly, this place disappointed me. It was a Saturday night, there was a DJ, nice lighting, reasonably clean. They were willing to mix a drink, and the bartenders were polite. Not very divey. It had that wood, almost Irish pub look. Drinks were okay, but the typical Weho high price. For the straight guests, like me, the bathroom's decor will leave you wishing for the dark, roach infested water closet at a true dive bar. read more

As my drinking companion commented, it felt like the needle screeched off the record when we walked in and all eyes were on us. In addition to the drinks we ordered, the bartender gave us some shots - I think he thought we were all visiting from out of town. It was nice to be the center of attention, and the drinks were big, but I could have used better music (really? you're playing songs from "Wicked"?) and some more hygienic patrons. read more

For me this will always be the bar of my early days. The movie Making Love (1982) bar scenes where filmed here. Nothing has changed. Love it! I can still hear Roberta Flake. Always friendly people and long pours. read more

Mother Lode - Gay Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

Dark, Dank, Dim count me IN Mary! I love an ole nasty sketchy hole in the wall kinda bar! Unless I didn't get the memo, I'd say all this place needs is a swing and a few glory holes, and a leather daddy to smack you on the ass after checking your ID The entire staff here is so sweet and friendly even when they are busy. This place gets pretty crazy with the right playlist on weekends. This is also a cool dim lit place to meet some trade. Haaayyyyyy! read more

You can always expect a good time in this long-standing joint, the original S&M (stand and model) club since it's usually jam packed with all types. The music is up to date and the libations are affordable, I guess to attract those that are more inclined to the nearby trendier bars. Come here, get full, then hit the other places to dance. read more

I like this place because of one thing and one thing only...their drinks! Not only are they HUGE and STIFF but they're also FREAKING CHEAP! We got a beer cup (like the big glass kinds at restaurants) FULL of VODKA with a spalsh of Red Bull and it only cost us $8.00. My friend got a Tequila Sunrise, and it was only $6 and that thing was mostly tequila and juice was added for the coloring. The music, I don't remember too much because I was already really drunk at this point, but I remember there being music. The crowd is much different with older people and a quieter crowd compared to Rage, but none-the-less it was a great place to stop by. Plus its really close to a taco place that has....wait for it....wait for it...$0.79 tacos (chicken or beef) and they're huge and AMAZING!!! WOOHOO! Can't get any better then that! =) oh oh, and no cover charge. =) read more

Use to frequent this bar in the late 80's. Had fun there mingling with other patrons of The Mother Lode. Saturdays night were my favorite time to go. read more

Went to this place last year for a friend's b-day, had too many Long Beach Iced Teas and ended up singing to Madonna's " Like a Virgin " Drinks are cheap and strong. Crowd is mellow and not crazy like the other bars around there from the couple of times I have been there. There is karaoke all night and a pool table in the middle of the bar that takes up the karaoke area but its not a huge deal. read more

At some point after passing this place so many times with guys out on the patio having a ball and hootin at you like its a construction site (gay one of course!), you just gotta go in. And in the end what you find in this place is a laid back bar thats small in size but packs a punch with the high energy, the two leveled bar, and the fun music you can sway to. I'd say its pretty standard in the whole scheme of bars not too crazy but not boring at the same time. read more

Definitely a dive bar... but the drinks are among the strongest I have had in West Hollywood, and We always go here first! It's almost always crowded due to the cheap drinks and their strength. The atmosphere is very casual, laid back. They have TV's that are usually playing music videos, and some days during the week they play porn. All in all, a fun bar, we have enjoyed our time there, for sure! They have a pool table and two bars, I haven't had any problems with a long wait for drinks here, unlike some other overpriced bars in the area. read more

Kyle is the rudest employee ( he needs to be reminded that he's just an employee) that I've ever met. He single handedly provided the worst customer service experience that I've ever had in my life . Thumbs down read more

I'm not even sure how you can mess up a coke and whiskey, but Mother Lode found a way. I then asked another bartender to add more coke, and it was slightly better but still pretty undrinkable. A combination of really cheap alcohol and watered down coke maybe? read more

Remodeling and s little confused on how to get in to bar. Bartender nice on a Monday.

I have been coming to Mother Lode since it first opened. I used to live it. Lately, not so much. Just before the lockdown, I was starting to go often once more. The dreadful women "security" people must not care for men or gay men. The bug girl at the door is beyond rude. There was a little butch girl sta ding between the bathrooms that looked like she was born pissed off. This bar is just so dark and dank, it is not likely that I will be back. It will be Trunks and Gold Coast. read more

Oh, the Motherlode... Hilarious how many dirty looks I get from my young friends when I say that, next to Fubar, this is the only other place I enjoy in the entirety of WeHo. They call it the "oldie bar" but I don't care -- shockingly, there are people who go to bars to, I don't know, enjoy a drink perhaps? Let's emphasize a point: I like BARS, people... Not clubs, not places where I'm inundated with fifty plasma screens, not places with particularly bad remixes of 102.7's entire playlist. And I like bar people... Not club kids, not those morons who order Skinny Bitches (vodka and Diet Coke? You are disgusting), not people who are getting a degree in interior design, not people who list their occupation in multiples (i.e. actor/model/musician/performer/artist -- riiight). This is the place where the patrons can actually hold a conversation and actually drink a drink. Hence why I like it. This is a bar. It has pool tables. Beer. Whiskey. Dark wood. Brass rails. If you could whip out a cigar anywhere in California, this would be the place to do it and feel comfortable. TVs? Sure, there's a few but it doesn't overpower the place. My only gripe is that it could be a tad more darker... 'cause that's how I like my bars. But hey, if you're not into the canned-sardine-aura of Fubar (the best bar in WeHo, by the way), then I highly suggest the Motherlode for a more kick back kinda night. read more

Seemed decent, I was only here a second. Its nice they have a pool table but it was soo packed I dont think you could even play. It had an even mix of young gays and old gays. itswas decent, id come on a weekday to shoot pool. read more

Awesome bar to hit up in WeHo! Definitely more of a grungy dive type of place than some of the other gay bars on the strip, but they pour their drinks epicly strong! A great place to hit up before the Troubadour! read more

One of the most overlooked and must go to places in WE-HO! Before I started bar tending Sunday nights my friend and I made it a point to always start off with this place. After club 11 it was nice to be around people! (who cares about 2 for 1 Sundays if you feel you are sitting at a reception desk for a law firm in Bel-Air!) Andy and his staff are great; every time Brian and I come in it's always shots first and drinks second. Also, even when Brian shows up without me Andy ALWAYS asks...."where's Michael?" I enjoyed seeing bartenders who were in their 40's and were comfortable with being there! I will ALWAYS come back to this bar; it reminds me of the fun I used to have at The Rusty nail (now Rafters), Greg's Blue Dot Lounge & The Hub (which became the Eagle & then moved) As for the bathrooms? Well, I still think they are for more than just taking your willy for a stroll in the urinal! read more

I'm a strict dive bar homo, and usually avoid places like West Hollywood, Chelsea, Castro, and Boystown like the plague, but I went to Motherlode a few days ago with an old friend, and really enjoyed myself! Maybe I should re-evaulate my stance towards the gay ghettos... Or maybe I'm getting old! read more

This bar is the death of me. The bartenders have heavy hands, and it's super sketch. Do you want to have a good night? Then start the night here. The drinks are worth the price and it makes WeHo worth while. Always the first stop for the night. Mother Lode is the only place to get your drank on before your night begins. read more

Hands down the most ratchet establishment I have ever been to. The people who go here looked like they belonged in a Ying Yang Twins Video. Drinks were strong and cheap just like everyone in there. Filled with creepers. After my friends and I got hit on too many times by weirdos and then got in a fight with a gogo who wouldn't accept no for an answer we took our talents to Abbey, but hell I got drunk. So I would recommend this place if you have no morals. read more

Without Charlie, Mickeys would be nothing. He makes you feel like home and he's seriously amazing. Honestly, I wouldn't go to any other bar unless he was there. He makes great drinks and has an amazing personality. Please be good to him and keep him there forever. read more

Motherlode was a very interesting experience that I would love to share.. So walked in and immediately looked up at the screens and saw porn I thought hmmm this is a first. Grabbed a drink which was pretty strong thanks bartender!! Had to use the restroom. When I got to the restroom there was a girl standing next to me waiting to go as well.. suddenly a dancer walks out from the back and puts his face in between her boobs and between her legs... I say to the girl do you know this guy?? She said nooo and I don't think he speaks English either which I verified and he did not lol.. So after watching live porn in front of me and after leaving the restroom I come back to see other dancers humping each other... had enough after that. This is more of a drink and run type place.... No offense Mother lode, thanks but no thanks read more

A happy place to hit before or after other bars in the area. A place where you can relax and no need to put up defenses. The bartenders are cool and unpretentious! read more

Friendly bar staff and laid back atmosphere, this dive bar reminds me of the 9th Avenue Saloon at home in Manhattan. I had a gin and tonic that could have killed an elephant it was so strong. This is the antidote to the pretentious WeHo attitude who seemingly considers anyone over 100 pounds and 25 years old to be an ancient hippopotamus. All kinds of people will fit in here. read more

Not my favorite place but the drinks are strong. Make this place your first stop and then make your way to fesita or the abbey

Divey? Yes! Thats what I Liked about the place! Strong no really strong drinks and good prices. You can smoke on the narrow Smoking area by the street and watch the walkers by on Santa Monica. I can't find anything wrong with the place. It isn't Chic but its a bar not a club or a lounge but a bar. read more

Racist bartenders. Legit saw me arrive for a drink at the bar and just laughed and joked around with the dishwasher but that made him too busy to serve me and my friends. Not a friendly environment. Disgusting drinks, two different bartenders and legit nasty drinks! read more

Strongest drink in weho hands down. If you wanna watch some great music videos and get plowed before you hit up the abbey, this is the place to go!!!!!! read more

I went on a Monday night (which happened to be my 21 birthday) with some friends. There were a couple people in the bar, but it was pretty empty. The bar was a little too dark and the music was a little too loud, but it was a fun place to be. The bartender was beyond amazing. Go and ask if Charlie is working, he'll make you a hell of a drink! I asked for the bartender's favorite drink to make, and I got an amazing result. The drinks are really strong but not that expensive. I would definitely advise waiting between drinks or taking it easy. I had one drink and Charlie gave us a free shot, which was also amazing! I stumbled out of that place drunk. I'd say check this place out. read more

Gets awful crowded but the drinks are strong and not very expensive. The smoking area is out back which is a little scary but not so much with a big group of people. Overall I like the motherload a bit. : ) read more

Go here before you go out anywhere in WeHo, or just stay here. The drinks are strong and the bar is a bit seedy, and most everyone likes a little bit of that in their bar! read more

I went last night and was given the strongest Long Island Ice Tea I've ever had and a birthday shot on the house. I believe Doug served me, and he was so sweet! The rest of my night was a mess after that drink. read more

I liked this place a lot actually. The music was definately to my taste and Jon the bartender was a really nice guy. I drank and hung out with friends. It was a great time had by all. read more

This is yet another of my 'it is what it is' places, and I love what it is! This tends to be where I begin a WeHo evening, and seems to be where most of them end. They make fantastic drinks so they are a great start down the road to drunkenness. The location is close enough to several other fun places to stumble around and come back for last call before they close the joint. This place, however, is NOT where you want to be when they turn the lights on. read more

I am a fan of this place, I would've liked it more if it were busier, but I think I just started my night out too early! the bartender was a bit snarky and I thought to myself "mind your own business" more times than once but I'll go back fo sho. read more

Bartender we met was really nice and good looking. Music was just okay. Pretty crowded. Bathrooms were gross though. I get they mighy be going for the old new york look but i think they could still keep up the cleanliness. read more