Favorite Gay Bar Anywhere?
#406
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Pembroke Pines, FL
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#407
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Asheville, NC
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Not your average dank, dark bars
Agree that most gay bars in most places tend to be dark, closed in without much design sense, and not very comfortable - in other ways all the same.
Which is fine, if you like all that and they can be fun if you catch them with the right people (like Fubar in LA and Quetzal in Paris), but there are a few stand-outs that provide a nice space with a nice upscale vibe.
NYC
G Lounge - one of the first gay bars with large windows, light, nicely designed spaces and a upscale atmosphere with a good looking crowd
Therapy - A Helsea favorite with two levels, with a mix of different vibes from more bar to more lounge. Lots of entertainment and eye candy.
LA/WEHO
Abbey - Who can resist this theme park of a bar? I do not know who the owner did on the Weho City Council to get this thing built, but it is a monument to LA gayness. Part enclosed, part open, huge fireplace, branded bar area, and lots of LA prettyboys and some celebrity faghags.
Here - The LA version of G Lounge, from the same owners. Upscale, nicely appointed, that is sometimes empty, sometimes packed.
Which is fine, if you like all that and they can be fun if you catch them with the right people (like Fubar in LA and Quetzal in Paris), but there are a few stand-outs that provide a nice space with a nice upscale vibe.
NYC
G Lounge - one of the first gay bars with large windows, light, nicely designed spaces and a upscale atmosphere with a good looking crowd
Therapy - A Helsea favorite with two levels, with a mix of different vibes from more bar to more lounge. Lots of entertainment and eye candy.
LA/WEHO
Abbey - Who can resist this theme park of a bar? I do not know who the owner did on the Weho City Council to get this thing built, but it is a monument to LA gayness. Part enclosed, part open, huge fireplace, branded bar area, and lots of LA prettyboys and some celebrity faghags.
Here - The LA version of G Lounge, from the same owners. Upscale, nicely appointed, that is sometimes empty, sometimes packed.
#408
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#409
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It think it had less to do with "shame" than it was to protect the patrons from real danger, whether it be from the public or the police.
#410
Join Date: Feb 1999
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Dolphin Bar in Redondo Beach 5 miles South of LAX
I live near the Dophin Bar and frequent it often. It is not your average Gay/Lesbian bar because it is kind of a dive bar but it is laid back..they have a closed in outside patio for smokers, karaoke, pool table and everyone is so nice.
Check it out if you are in the area. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-dolphin-.../query:dolphin
Cheri
Check it out if you are in the area. http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-dolphin-.../query:dolphin
Cheri
Last edited by wingless; May 30, 2008 at 5:10 pm
#412
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8
As a long-timer admirer of older men (I edit GrayGay.com) I may have a slightly different top bar list to most of the others:
The Hideaway, Dallas
Boast an excellent piano bar and a neighbourhood bar separated by a deck where they have cook-outs (as in cooking) weekly. A nice place whatever your tastes.
The Quebec, London
Now that I've left London for Australia I really miss this place. Probably the best bar for older men and their admirers in Europe with a big lounge bar upstairs (where you can actually talk) and a darker crusier bar with a weekend dancefloor downstairs. They also have the best Karaoke sound system I've heard - even if the kit is old.
Alexander's, Paris
It may be small and narrow but the welcome from the inimitable Irish Steven and his French partner is unequalled - plus they do a huge selection of bar nibbles at cocktail hour and the place is packed as a result.
Tropics, Ft Lauderdale
A restaurant and piano bar that attracts a wide age range - mainly becasue the food if good. Excellent piano bar and a huge fishtank add to the ambiance.
Details for all the above on the GrayGay Guide at www.graygay.com
The RIP list
The Alta Plaza, San Francisco
Fantastic bar with "real" bartenders who could mix anything you asked for, live music playing most nights and a great restaurant on the mezzanine level - SFO has NOTHING like it now :-(
Napoleon Club, Boston
Not one but two piano bars and a dancefloor upstairs at weekends. Great piano-players (especially Maxine) and singers too.
Napoleon's, London
A great nightclub with a Restaurant, 3 bars (including the Horseshoe bar with Grace Jones on loop), a dancefloor and fruits in suits of all ages - what more could you ask for!
The Hideaway, Dallas
Boast an excellent piano bar and a neighbourhood bar separated by a deck where they have cook-outs (as in cooking) weekly. A nice place whatever your tastes.
The Quebec, London
Now that I've left London for Australia I really miss this place. Probably the best bar for older men and their admirers in Europe with a big lounge bar upstairs (where you can actually talk) and a darker crusier bar with a weekend dancefloor downstairs. They also have the best Karaoke sound system I've heard - even if the kit is old.
Alexander's, Paris
It may be small and narrow but the welcome from the inimitable Irish Steven and his French partner is unequalled - plus they do a huge selection of bar nibbles at cocktail hour and the place is packed as a result.
Tropics, Ft Lauderdale
A restaurant and piano bar that attracts a wide age range - mainly becasue the food if good. Excellent piano bar and a huge fishtank add to the ambiance.
Details for all the above on the GrayGay Guide at www.graygay.com
The RIP list
The Alta Plaza, San Francisco
Fantastic bar with "real" bartenders who could mix anything you asked for, live music playing most nights and a great restaurant on the mezzanine level - SFO has NOTHING like it now :-(
Napoleon Club, Boston
Not one but two piano bars and a dancefloor upstairs at weekends. Great piano-players (especially Maxine) and singers too.
Napoleon's, London
A great nightclub with a Restaurant, 3 bars (including the Horseshoe bar with Grace Jones on loop), a dancefloor and fruits in suits of all ages - what more could you ask for!
#413
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 8
Mine is the Portas Largas bar in Lisbon. Great (= strong ;-) caipirinhas and lots of people hanging around on the street in front of the bar. Definitely not one of the dark and hidden bars that had been mentioned in several postings here.
Last edited by swim; Jun 25, 2008 at 1:33 am Reason: dead link
#415
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(For whoever cares, I found out last night that New York's G on 19th Street somehow, sometime became .... if I recall correctly, "the G Lounge." I swear I'm getting so old. LOL)
#416
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I think it's officially been called that since the beginning, though they never stressed it. Maybe to differentiate it from nearby 'bars' like 'Gym Bar' and 'View Bar'. I remember asking the owner when it opened why the G in the logo was lowercase. His reply was that it was that it wasn't a "GAY" place, it was a 'gay' place, open to all. Cheers, darlings!
#418
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#419
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I think it's officially been called that since the beginning, though they never stressed it. Maybe to differentiate it from nearby 'bars' like 'Gym Bar' and 'View Bar'. I remember asking the owner when it opened why the G in the logo was lowercase. His reply was that it was that it wasn't a "GAY" place, it was a 'gay' place, open to all. Cheers, darlings!
#420
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Mannequins at Walt Disney World
I've been thinking about posting in this thread for a while now, but I've just received news that makes it very sad for me.
Although not an official "gay" club, every Thursday night at Mannequins on Pleasure Island is the unofficial gay night. Although I don't get there often enough, some of the best times I've ever had in a gay club have been on that rotating dance floor. Most of the patrons are Disney Cast members, which means they are super cute and super friendly.
Disney announced recently that Pleasure Island will close permanently by September 28, 2008. Very sad news indeed for this frequent WDW guest.
Although not an official "gay" club, every Thursday night at Mannequins on Pleasure Island is the unofficial gay night. Although I don't get there often enough, some of the best times I've ever had in a gay club have been on that rotating dance floor. Most of the patrons are Disney Cast members, which means they are super cute and super friendly.
Disney announced recently that Pleasure Island will close permanently by September 28, 2008. Very sad news indeed for this frequent WDW guest.