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Oil Can Harry's

1968 2021
11502 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Long-running Studio City-based nightclub renowned for its gay country-line, latin & salsa, and 70's & 80's disco dancing and dancing lessons. The venue has hosted or partnered with numerous LGBTQ organizations, such as: the Wranglers, LA Rodeo, LA Band of Brothers, Silverstreak Softball, Los Angeles Leather Coalition, Gay Men’s Choir, Christopher St. West/LA Pride, and Valley Pride.

Oil Can Harry's was known for its large wooden dance floor, where LGBTQ+ patrons would line-dance and even receive free classes during the early hours of the evening. (No cocktails were allowed on the floor.) The upstairs lounge hosted karaoke. Over the years, its famous dancing patrons included RuPaul, k.d. lang, and Geena Davis.

In 1999, a scene from the movie Happy, Texas was filmed here, and featured regulars from the club as extras. The bar was also the setting of the Haim music video, "Little of Your Love."

The owners announced the nightclub's closure via the Oil Can Harry’s website (oilcanharrysla.com) on 4 Jan 2021:

“Happy New Year to all!

2021 has not brought great news to Oil Can Harry’s: The property sold in December, thanks to Monty [sic] [Overstreet] and Jon just needing to shut down another establishment. It was purchased on December 9th by a new buyer, who wants to have their own venue with jazz music.

So, at this time I have to vacate the property--nothing bad or ugly, just something I have to do.

I fought hard to keep it, but just had to give up... Not sure where it will lead down the road.

Thank you all for this beautiful gift that we shared for 52 years.

Please, no negative posts on social media! It only hurts. Only positive would help!

Any help would be wonderful... 🌈🌈🌈😥😥😥”

Gay Guide '71: (P) (D) (YC) *; Barfly West '73: C. D. E. L. Y.

Bob Damron: (YC) (Disco) (D) (Closed Mon. & Tues.) (Liquor)

Attr — Advocate, Gay Guide '71; Barfly West '73; Bob Damron '81-83
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