Vaseline Alley

Vaseline Alley is the narrow service alley running behind the gay bars on the 8800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, between San Vicente Boulevard and Larrabee Street. It is one of Los Angeles' most storied historical cruising spots, name-checked in gay guides to the city for decades because of its position directly behind the Rainbow District's busiest bars. Today it functions mostly as a legacy landmark and a shortcut between venues rather than an active meeting point. West Hollywood is a welcoming, openly LGBTQ+ city, but the alley is a public right-of-way used by deliveries and pedestrians; be discreet, respect local law, and keep to the well-trafficked, lit stretches near the bars.