One of San Diego’s most beloved lesbian bars, The Flame lit up Park Boulevard in Hillcrest from 1984 until its closing in 2004, becoming a central social hub for LGBTQ+ women in Southern California. Named for a fire that once destroyed the restaurant previously on that site, The Flame was built with intention and pride: a space owned and operated for women at a time when lesbian bars were still rare and deeply needed.
For two decades, under its distinctive neon sign, The Flame offered a place to dance, drink, laugh, and build community in a neighborhood that was itself a cornerstone of queer life. It wasn’t just about nightlife—it was about visibility, connection, and creating a room where women could feel comfortable, welcomed, and seen.
