Opened in 1978, Bench & Bar became one of the most important and long-running LGBTQ+ bars in Oakland and the greater East Bay. Founded at a time when queer nightlife east of San Francisco was still limited, it quickly established itself as a dependable social anchor—serving locals who wanted community without crossing the bay.
Over the decades, Bench & Bar evolved with the city. Later known as Club BNB, it grew into the largest gay and lesbian nightclub in the East Bay, hosting drag shows, dance nights, fundraisers, and community events that reflected Oakland’s diversity and creative spirit. It was a space where generations mixed—regulars, newcomers, performers, and chosen family—under one roof.
After more than 40 years in operation, Bench & Bar closed in January 2020, a casualty of rising rents and the ongoing displacement of queer spaces from urban centers.
