Preservation Battle for LA's Oldest Latinx LGBTQ+ Bar Highlights Underrepresentation
The Silver Platter, a historic Latinx LGBTQ+ bar located in the Westlake District, has been designated as an Endangered Latinx Landmark for 2025 by the Los Angeles Conservancy. Since opening its doors in 1963, it has been a safe haven for queer and trans Latinx individuals for six decades. In 2020, the property owner announced plans to demolish the bar's 1922 building for a new mixed-use development, which patrons learned about through a demolition notice in 2024. The bar has relocated nearby, keeping its famous neon sign. The Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) launched the Endangered Latinx Landmarks program in 2025, aiming to highlight at-risk sites. A recent report showed that Latinx sites make up less than 1% of the National Register, a slight rise from 0.58% in 2014.
Key facts
- The Silver Platter opened in 1963 as a Latinx LGBTQ+ bar in LA's Westlake District.
- The Los Angeles Conservancy nominated it as an Endangered Latinx Landmark in 2025.
- The building owner submitted demolition plans in 2020; notice posted in 2024.
- The bar relocated nearby with its original neon sign.
- LHC launched the Endangered Latinx Landmarks program in 2025.
- Latinx sites are less than 1% of National Register listings (0.65% in 2025).
- 121 Latinx sites added to National Register since 2014.
- LHC's Latinx Equity Study Report—Phase 1 was released March 2025.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Los Angeles Times
- Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC)
- Los Angeles Conservancy
- Santa Clara University
- National Register of Historic Places
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Westlake District
- Austin
- Puerto Rico
- California
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Texas
- Florida
- San Francisco
- Mission District