The Final Spin: What Happened To Club Ripples, Long Beach's Iconic Gay Dance Club?
Club Ripples, a legendary fixture in the Southern California LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, permanently closed its doors on December 1, 2019, marking the end of a remarkable 47-year run as Long Beach's first and longest-running gay dance club. The closure, while anticipated for years due to the owners' desire to retire and the venue’s financial struggles, sent a ripple of sadness through the community that considered the club a vital social and political center for nearly five decades. The location at 5101 E. Ocean Blvd is now transitioning into a completely different concept, bringing a definitive end to the era of one of the most historically significant queer spaces in the region.
As of late 2025, the legacy of Club Ripples is being preserved not in a new dance floor, but in the memories of countless patrons and the cultural significance of its iconic oceanfront address. The story of its final years is one of resilience, struggle, and a heartfelt farewell, including a famous intervention by a reality TV star, all leading up to the final sale and the planned development of a new "Burgers and Beer" establishment at the historic site. This article dives into the full history, the owners' journey, the dramatic final chapter, and the current status of the former nightlife institution.
The Owners and The Legacy: A Brief Biography of John Garcia and Larry Hebert
The heart and soul of Club Ripples for over four decades were its owners, life partners John Garcia and Larry Hebert. Their commitment to the club and the Long Beach LGBTQ+ community is central to its history.
- Names: John Garcia and Larry Hebert.
- Relationship: Life Partners and Business Partners.
- Club Opening: Opened Club Ripples in 1972.
- Club Significance: Established the first gay dance club in Long Beach, California.
- Years of Operation: 47 years (1972–2019).
- Community Role: Under their stewardship, Ripples became a critical social hub and political gathering place for the local queer community, especially in the decades following the Stonewall Uprising.
- Retirement: The decision to sell the club and retire was driven by their age and the increasing difficulty of operating the business in a changing nightlife landscape.
- Other Businesses: The property also included Granada Street Liquor, which was part of the final sale.
Garcia and Hebert were known for their cautious, hands-on management style, though in the final decade, they faced mounting financial and operational challenges that ultimately led to the club’s closure. Their dedication, however, ensured that Ripples remained a safe and vibrant space for generations of LGBTQ+ individuals in Southern California.
From 1972 to 2019: The Club Ripples Story and Cultural Significance
Club Ripples was more than just a bar; it was a cultural landmark and a pillar of the Long Beach queer community. Its history spans a transformative period for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
A Pioneer in Long Beach LGBTQ+ Nightlife
Opening in 1972, just a few years after the pivotal Stonewall events of 1969, Ripples provided a much-needed, visible, and dedicated space for the gay community. Before it became Ripples, the location at 5101 E. Ocean Blvd had a history of various establishments, including a restaurant and a venue named Skamppies in the late 1960s. However, it was Garcia and Hebert’s vision that cemented its identity as a premier gay dance club.
The Community Hub and Political Center
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ripples served as a crucial meeting ground, especially during the height of the AIDS crisis, providing a space for support, fundraising, and political organizing. It was a consistent destination for major city events, including the annual Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade and Festival. Its longevity made it a generational touchstone, with patrons often recalling it as the first gay bar they ever visited.
The "Tabatha Takes Over" Intervention
In 2013, the club's struggles were thrust into the national spotlight when it was featured on the Bravo reality series, Tabatha Takes Over. The episode highlighted the club's dire financial straits, outdated rules, poor management, and the owners' exhaustion. Host Tabatha Coffey’s intervention was a dramatic, though ultimately temporary, attempt to modernize the business and improve its operations. While the show provided a brief boost in publicity and a renovation, it could not reverse the long-term trends of declining patronage and the owners' desire for retirement.
The Final Chapter and The Future of 5101 E. Ocean Blvd
The official closure of Club Ripples on December 1, 2019, followed years of speculation and attempts to sell or lease the property. The owners, John Garcia and Larry Hebert, finally achieved their goal of retirement, but the end of Ripples left a significant void in the Long Beach nightlife scene.
The December 2019 Closure
Despite previous rumors of closure in 2017, the club’s final night came at the end of 2019. The closure was widely reported as the end of an era, signifying the loss of a historic space that had survived decades of cultural and economic shifts. The adjacent Granada Street Liquor store, also owned by the partners, closed around the same time.
The New Development: Burgers and Beer
The most current information regarding the 5101 E. Ocean Blvd location points to a complete adaptive re-use of the building. The new project is slated to be a restaurant/bar concept, explicitly referred to as "5101 Ocean, Long Beach Ripples - Burgers and Beer." While the name is a nod to the location’s history, the venue will be a modern, non-LGBTQ+ specific establishment, designed to cater to a broader local audience near the beach. This transition underscores the changing real estate and business landscape in the area, replacing a historic nightlife venue with a contemporary dining concept.
The developers involved in the project have acknowledged the site’s "amazing cultural significance," suggesting that while the new business will be different, the historical importance of the building is recognized. The shift from a dedicated queer dance club to a casual dining spot highlights the evolution of LGBTQ+ social spaces, many of which have moved to more centralized districts or have been replaced by mainstream venues.
Ripples’ Undeniable Impact on Long Beach
The closure of Club Ripples is a poignant reminder of the diminishing number of historic, dedicated gay bars in major metropolitan areas. For 47 years, Ripples offered a sanctuary—a place where the community could celebrate, mourn, organize, and simply be themselves. Its location, slightly removed from the main downtown area, gave it a unique identity and a loyal following.
While the physical building is transforming, the memory of Club Ripples lives on. It remains a key entity in the history of Long Beach, a symbol of perseverance, and a foundational element of the city's vibrant LGBTQ+ identity. Though the music has stopped and the dance floor is quiet, the cultural "ripple" effect of John Garcia and Larry Hebert's pioneering establishment continues to influence the city's social fabric.
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