Splashes hangs right over the sand and is a bit more on the social side. Surf & Sand Resort in South Laguna has two option Splashes Bar and 15FiftyFive to enjoy the sunsets with the latter having couches and comfy chairs around a massive fireplace, to lounge in. It’s a great place to start the evening with happy hour or even daytime drinks, as it’s open from 12 p.m. The bar celebrates diversity and inclusion and is a bar for everyone, with a really special history for the LGBTQ community.
For many years, it operated as a secret watering hole for the local gay community until it was eventually turned back to retail as Laguna Auto Parts…and now it’s back to its original roots. In 1926, a liquor store and a hardware store opened on the corner of Pearl Street and Pacific Coast Highway, and in 1946 it became its current namesake The Seahorse, which was actually Laguna Beach’s first gay bar. There was a time when Laguna Beach had its staple gay bars, which were a much needed presence during their reign of the beach city, and its very possible that in the future, more will make their way back to Laguna Beach, but until then, the city is filled with options galore, and don’t worry, there’s still one pretty amazing gay bar, celebrating it’s 60th anniversary this year, which we’ll get to, as we want to save the best for last. Thankfully the world has evolved and although gay bars will always be needed, wanted and loved, it’s now not unconscionable for everyone, no matter of who they love, to party, drink and enjoy the night together, under the same roof.