It is truly hit or miss. As with most clubs/bars the amount of enjoyment can be attributed to your groups ability to have fun. Being said, my friends and I can have fun almost anywhere.
Pro's:
Big designated dance floor.
Mirrors
Dance cage
Smoking/chatting area separate from dancing area
Cons:
Cover charge is annoying
Mixed drinks aren't great
Interior could use a good cleaning
Overall, it's not bad. Not great by any means. But with what Bakersfield has to offer, one can't be too picky.
It's been several years since I was in here, but  after reading the recent postings, I feel an obligation to check in. True, this is the only gay club in Bakersfield, and THAT's why the bullying, arrogance, tacky atmosphere, overpriced diluted drinks, and usurious cover charges. And any place that still allows smoking is not only putting their victims at risk, they are also violating state law and should be reported to the proper authorities. Â
Will the predator who owns this financial sinkhole ever change? Sure - if he ever gets some serious competition.
In the meantime, here's a Black Eye on Bakersfield, California. The best thing the gay community can do is boycott this toilet until the owner cleans it up or shutters it.
Remember, just because he caters to a gay clientele doesn't mean he's gay friendly - and this cesspool is anything but gay friendly.
My 1st gay club in "Bako'. Dated decor inside,it was spacious, drinks where decent. They have TV's over the bar area with videos, fashion shows. Went on a Friday night, they had an okay Drag show. Dance floor/area is pretty large. They also have a back room lounge with smoking inside? Fun times.
Review Source:If you're going to compare this bar to, say, The Abbey in Los Angeles then you'll be sorely disappointed. Â Most of the previous reviews are pretty accurate, but my buddy and I had a fun night, so 4 stars are in order.
Upon approaching the bar, the bartender was spitting some mad c#nty attitude which I was prepared for. Â My friend fired right back while I laughed it off and tried to break down his pretentious shell. Â Within a minute, just as Grace R. described, he was pouring us GIANT beers for $4 a piece and insisted that we come back for a free shot. Ruben gets my seal of approval. Oh, and If this bar is overpriced I want to know what "reasonable" prices are... Â
It wasn't a terribly dancy crowd but the music was decent. Â I will say, avoid the jukebox in the second room - $1 per song is a ripoff.
As the only game in town for the Friends of Dorothy set, my advice is just go with low expectations, drink early and often, and you might just have a blast.
I came here last night and although it wasn't the worst club I've been to, it definitely goes in my files of top 10 places that I will never go back to lol.
I am not gay, I love my men lol but I drove up to bako to visit friends and family. So my friend who is gay took me to this place and even she said it was pretty dead. I can't believe they charge $5 to get in! But I guess they have to find a way to pay the light bill since they don't have actual customers! I figured since I wasn't gonna get any action or meet any straight men and I never get to hang with my friend that I'll just make the best of this dump.
I went to the bar and ordered a Corona and a vodka tonic and the bartender first told me "$10" and as he started walking away he then said "No, $12" WTF?? I wanted to say something but I figured I wasn't going to make a big deal over $2. Im sure if i was a gay man it would've been $8 with a free shot but whatever. The dance floor was empty pretty much all night so we decided to move to the other room and it was no better. Dark, dead and I'm pretty sure that's where washed up drag queens go to die. So sad.
I went to use the restroom and was so horrified at the fact that they have shower freaking curtains as doors for the stalls!!! How mortifying!! I vowed to hold my pee after that.
We ended up leaving for a bit trying to find a better bar to go to but there was nothing great happening in downtown so we treaded back to Casa. It was still partially empty but since everyone was intoxicated everyone had the liquid courage to go on the dance floor, even us.
So it was last call and when they say last call they mean it! Music off, bright lights on! Â Like having sex with an ugly person, NEVER TURN THE LIGHTS ON! Casa looked better in the dark and that doesn't say much.
I only gave it two stars because the drinks were strong (thank god!) and I had fun with my friend.
This place sucks! Too many people with an identity problem. Bad service and a cover charge that has been played out for years. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE! It's a shame that this is the only gay bar in town. Drinks over priced and weak! I gave this shit hole one star cause I had to.
I hate this place
Unfortunately this is the only openly gay bar/nightclub in Bakersfield. Â That is the only reason they are still in business.
I'm pretty sure they're only open on Fri.-Sun. nights, usually at 9:00 PM but sometimes whenever the bartender shows up.
The cover charge is way overpriced and starts at 10:00 PM. Â The drinks are also way overpriced and pretty weak. Â Some of the bartenders are rude and pushy.
Another reason I can't stand this place is most of the customers are "attitude queens". I have actually met a few cool people there so I don't mean all are bad, but most are unfriendly.
Overall: Â Stay away from this place! Â Send a message to the owners that they need to do something with their prices and staff.
Too bad this is what it's come down to... Â Bakersfield's last gay bar is on my blacklist. Â :(
Someone needs to open a new place.
I suggest going down the street to The Mint Bar. Â It is pretty gay friendly, but be warned: sometimes it's a rougher type crowd and they get the occasional jerk that wants to cause trouble for the 'flamers'.
The premier gay bar between the Bay Area and L.A. Â Sounds pretty lofty until you consider what bars Casablanca is up against. Â The gay bars in Fresno? Â Ok, Â so that's not saying much. Â But this is the place to go in town when you're looking for some homo entertainment.
DJs spin hip-hop on weekends and the dancefloor is predictably packed with the gays and a smattering of slummin-it straight girls.  The layout of the place is a bit odd with a huge main dancefloor off to the left and a huge expanse of cheap tables and leopard print chairs (!).  There's a long hallway that leads to a cabaret stage / smoking club  - where you can sometimes catch drag shows (bad drag shows at that too). Â
I def make a stop here when I can, and while it's good for Bakersfield it can be culture shock for someone not used to this - on either the gay/straight level or the big-city/smaller-city level.
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