The Abbey is a core part of LGBT culture in Los Angeles, and has expanded several times since its establishment in 1991.

[1] The Abbey is located at 686 North Robertson Boulevard in the Boystown gayborhood of West Hollywood, California.

[14] According to general manager Todd Barnes in 2020, "about 80 percent" of the Chapel's patrons are gay, while the clientele at the Abbey is "probably about 50/50".

[17][12] Since 2006, the Abbey has hosted "Christmas in September", a toy drive for Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

[19][14] In 1991, the Abbey was founded by investment banker David Cooley as a coffeehouse on the east side of Robertson Boulevard.

[23][14] In May 2012, the Abbey announced that it would not permit straight bachelorette parties until gay marriage was legalized.

In a statement, the Abbey said that straight bachelorette partygoers were "completely unaware that the people around them are legally prohibited from getting married.

"[24][25][26] The Abbey began allowing straight bachelorette parties after Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, was overturned.

[31] From 2016 to 2021, the Abbey was associated with the highest number of reported rapes and sexual assaults among establishments in West Hollywood.

Edward Ramirez, captain of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, attributed this to the Abbey's position as the most popular nightlife destination in the area.

"[39] Following the sale, Cooley also said that he was considering expanding The Abbey outside of California, such as to New York City, Miami, or Chicago.

[39] In 2016, Cooley bought the gay bar Here Lounge, located adjacent to the Abbey at 694 North Robertson Boulevard.

"[45] The Los Angeles Business Journal reported that The Abbey was listed for sale due to West Hollywood's new minimum wage law, which went into effect on July 1, 2023.