Event Dates
From: Saturday, December 5, 2026
To: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Have the most fun all month at the San Diego Bear Night, the Number one party for bears, lovers, cubs and more.
Have the most fun all month at the San Diego Bear Night, the Number one party for bears, lovers, cubs and more.
- Are you visiting San Diego? Stay close to the heart of gay life in Hillcrest, the city’s gay neighbourhood and home to the best bars, clubs and gay-friendly restaurants.
The Party
- Next Edition – Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Enjoy Music, men and mayhem on the first Saturday of each month!
- Join the hottest bears at EQ (Formerly The Merrow) for a nuts-to-butts night with DJ Jon Williams!
- Cruise, dance, and drink it up with the woofiest men, bears, cubs, and admirers.
- The parking lot lounge features outdoor bars, FimFims’s hot dogs, spring rolls & burgers! Coat check available.
- Bear Night starts at 9 pm and runs until 2 am.
- BOOK YOUR TICKETS
The Schedule
Month Date December Saturday, Dec 5 January Saturday, Jan 2 February Saturday, Feb 6 March Saturday, Mar 6 April Saturday, Apr 3 The Venue
- EQ (Formerly The Merrow) is on 1271 University Avenue, San Diego, a bar and live music venue in the heart of the Hillcrest community of San Diego.
- It’s within walking distance of many of the neighborhood’s popular gay bars, making it convenient for those who are looking to explore Hillcrest’s nightlife before heading to the party.
- Stay at WanderJaunt – North Park Apartments, rated Exceptional with spacious rooms, high-end amenities and superb decor, perfect for a weekend escape.
Where to Go Before the Party
- Hillcrest Brewing Company – An LGBTQ-owned brewery and pizzeria on University Avenue, great for beer, pizza and an fun start with friends. Its daily “Hoppy Hour” runs from 2 pm to 6 pm, useful if you are making an afternoon of it before Bear Night.
- R place Bar & Eatery – Social sports-bar stop, with draught beer, cocktails, American bar food and a heated patio. Daily happy hour runs from 3 pm to 7 pm; its location makes it a easy for one final drink before heading along University Avenue to EQ.
- insideOUT – Book this for a proper pre-party dinner. The LGBTQ-owned restaurant combines California-Mediterranean food with cocktails in an open-air atrium, complete with seating nooks and a water feature.
Pride Editions 2026
- Bear Night hosts two major circuit events during the San Diego Pride celebrations in July.
- Subwoofer and Furrageous
Where To Stay
- Uptown Inn by Vantaggio – Great location on University Avenue in Hillcrest, an easy walk to the gay bars and Bear Night. This is a limited-service aparthotel, so expect a simpler stay than a full-service hotel.
- Inn at the Park – A historic all-suite property beside Balboa Park, with spacious accommodation, kitchen facilities and a rooftop sundeck. Choose it for a longer visit combining nightlife with the park and museums; plan a car journey to EQ.
- The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows – A hotel experience built around pool time, distinctive rooms and several dining and cocktail venues. Taxi ride to the bars and clubs.
- The Guild Hotel San Diego – A stylish boutique hotel in a restored historic building in Downtown San Diego, with elegant rooms, a courtyard restaurant and a cocktail bar. A good base for exploring the waterfront and Little Italy, with Hillcrest’s gay bars and Bear Night at EQ a short taxi ride away.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 hotels with the best rates.
Solamar Hotel is a Kimpton, a great
gay-friendly chain perfect location
For further information and advice on
Bear Night San Diego Facebook
The gay scene in San Diego is located mostly in the trendy Hillcrest neighborhood, just northeast of Balboa Park and a short drive or cab ride from downtown. Several others are in the districts just to the east of Hillcrest: University Heights and Normal Heights.
Address: 550 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Address: 910 Broadway Circle, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Address: 520 E Street, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Address: 525 Spruce Street, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1642 University Ave, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1807 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Address: 929 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Address: 222 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1017 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1220 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1458 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 3845 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 3537 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1027 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1051 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 1403 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 3610 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 3796 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 308 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
Address: 2028 Hancock St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
Address: 2046 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, USA
Address: 4012 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104, USA
Address: 3040 N Park Way, San Diego, CA 92104, USA
Address: 1839 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116, USA
Address: 4545 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116, USA
Address: 2820 Lytton St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
Address: 1835 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
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We have chosen hotels in San Diego that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
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