Gay bar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- "Gay Bar" is also a 2003 song by Electric Six from the album Fire.
A gay bar is a drinking establishment which can vary in character as much as any other type of bar, but which caters exclusively or primarily to a gay and / or lesbian clientele. Other names include gay club or a gay pub, queer bar, lesbian bar, dyke bar, or boy bar.
Gay bars range in size from the tiny, five-seat bars of Tokyo to large, multi-story "super-clubs" with several distinct areas and often more than one dance floor. A large venue may be referred to as a nightclub, club, or bar, while smaller venues are typically called bars and sometimes pubs. The only defining characteristic of a gay bar is the nature of its clientele. While many gay bars target the gay and /or lesbian communities, some (usually older and firmly established) gay bars have become gay, as it were, through custom, over a long period of time.
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[edit] Types of gay bars and their characteristics
The serving of alcohol is the primary focus of many gay bars and pubs. Like non-gay establishments they serve as a meeting place and community focal point, in which conversation and relaxation is the primary focus of the clientele.
Music, either live or, more commonly, mixed by a DJ or DJs, is often a prominent feature of other gay bars. Music in gay bars, as in other bars, ranges in style from jazz and blues to disco, pop, drum and bass, punk, house, trance, and techno. In bars which have music and dancing as their primary focus, lighting design and video projection, fog machines and raised dancing platforms may feature, as they do in non-gay bars and clubs which also focus on music and dance. Hired dancers (called go-go boys or go-go girls) may also feature in decorative "cages" or on podiums.
Gay bars and their clientele are sometimes indiscriminate as to which restroom (men's or women's) they use, though this may be illegal in some jurisdictions; unisex toilets are common in gay bars.
Some gay bars and clubs also have "backrooms," which are dimly lit or darkened rooms in which same-sex sexual activity takes place, though this feature, once common, is now more unusual. However, a minority of gay bars and clubs still exist which are primarily sex clubs in nature. These are establishments where sex on the premises is acceptable, and is the main focus of the clientele. These bars and clubs may serve alcohol and have dance floors, but the main interest is in sex.
Gay bars and nightclubs are sometimes segregated by sex. In some establishments, people who are perceived to be of the "wrong" sex (for example, a man attempting to enter a women's club) may be unwelcome or even barred from entry. This may be more common in specialty bars, such as gay male leather fetish or BDSM bars, or bars or clubs which have a strict dress code. It is also common in bars and clubs where sex on the premisis is a primary focus of the establishment.
In the past lesbian-only bars were comparatively uncommon and tended to be concentrated in major urban conurbations. However of late they are experiencing something of a surge in popularity. Some gay bars and clubs which have a predominantly male clientele, as well as some gay bathhouses and other sex clubs, may offer women-only nights on a weekly or monthly basis.
Some gay bars attempt to restrict entry only to gays or lesbians, but in practice this is difficult to enforce. Gay bars are often welcoming of transgender and cross-dressed people, and drag shows are a common feature in many gay bars.
Like other clubs, gay clubs are often advertised by handing out eye-catching flyers on the street, in gay or gay-friendly shops and venues, and at other clubs and events. These flyers frequently feature provocative images.
[edit] History
One of the oldest gay bars was the White Swan, on Vere Street, in London, which in 1810 was raided (called the Vere Street Coterie), leading to two executions for the then crime of sodomy, and which was frequently the scene of gay marriages carried out by the Reverend John Church [1].
Stonewall Inn, located in Greenwich Village, New York City is the location of the notorious Stonewall Riots of 1969, considered to be a major turning point of the modern gay rights movement in America. Prior to then, it was illegal in New York for a place serving alcoholic beverages to allow homosexuals to gather. The place could lose its liquor license as a result. However, gay bars would often be tolerated--with strategic bribes given to the police.
[edit] Notable gay nightclubs
[edit] Australia
- Arq, Sydney - Australia's largest Gay Dance Club
- Stonewall Hotel, Sydney - A standard Sydney Gay Pub popular with the young crowd
- The Midnight Shift, Sydney - a popular nightclub on Oxford Street
- The Oxford Hotel, Sydney - more laid back pub catering more to the bears, older gay community
- Slide Bar, Sydney - New stylish gay club
- The Market, Melbourne - Melbourne's largest Gay Club
- Diva Bar, Melbourne - Small popular dance bar
- Xchange Hotel, Melbourne - Popular Melbourne gay club
- Edinburgh Castle Hotel, Adelaide - Adelaide's first and oldest gay bar
- The Beat Megaclub, Brisbane - Brisbane's oldest gay mega club
- La Cage, Hobart - Tasmania's only Gay Bar
[edit] Canada
- Club NRG in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Reflections Cabaret in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- SubRosa in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Club Montreal in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Bar Le Drague in the Gay Quarter of Quebec City in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Unity II, in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Bar Taboo in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Inferno Clubmix in Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Woody's & Sailor, is the largest and most popular gay bar(s) located in the Church and Wellesley gay village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Fly Nightclub, is a premier gay nightclub in the Church and Wellesley gay village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and also doubled as the fictional gay club Babylon in the American Showtime/Showcase television series Queer as Folk (US TV series).
- Pegasus Bar located in the Church and Wellesley gay village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Gio's Club & Bar, is a non-profit gay and lesbian club and bar in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Club Desire, is the only multi-level upscale straight-friendly gay & lesbian nightclub in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Happenings Social Club, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was North America's oldest gay & lesbian bar, opening in 1971. (closed in 2004)
- Club 200 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- The Twisted Element, is the most popular gay bar in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Buddy's, is the only public gay dance club in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- The Roost is a members only GLBT niteclub in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- The Odyssey, is the premier gay nightclub of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Celebrities, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Numbers, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Prism Lounge, is a gay and lesbian gay lounge and club in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
[edit] Czech Republic
- Friends, longest running and most famous gay bar in Prague, Czech Republic
[edit] Denmark
- Pan Club Copenhagen (often just referred to as Pan) is the biggest gay club in Denmark.
[edit] Germany
[edit] Ireland
- The George(aka The G), longest running and most famous gay bar/nightclub in Dublin, Ireland for its drag shows.
- The Kremlin bar/club in Belfast.
- Instinct bar/club in Cork.
[edit] Japan
- Arty Farty, Shinjuku ni-chome, Tokyo
[edit] Mexico
- El Taller, Mexico City, longest-running gay bar in Latin America.
[edit] New Zealand
- Family - Aucklands Main Scene Club, located on the K Road Clubbing strip
- SPQR - Popular Gay Cafe-come-Club in Aucklands Ponsonby
- Pound on Dixon Street in Wellington - Pound has recently closed down.
- Club Q in Palmerston North, upstairs at end of Jersey Lane
- Club Mystic in Palmerston North on Rangitikei Street http://www.clubmystic.co.nz
- The Next Door Bar, Frankton, Hamilton
[edit] Philippines
- Adonis, Timog Ave. Quezon City, Philippines
- CircuitAsia [2], Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- BED Bar and Club[3], Orosa Street, Malate, Manila, Philippines
- Biology, Malate, Manila, Philippines
- Fab, Orosa Street, Malate, Manila, Philippines
- Fahrenheit Café, Quezon City, Philippines
- Club Government [4], Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Beachcomber Bar & Disco, Boracay Island, Philippines
[edit] Spain
- Company Bar, Gay Bar Benidorm The Company Bar is one of Benidorm Old Towns best gay bars.
- Gay Benidorm Guide Benidorm some of the oldest gay bars in Spain many open since 1970
[edit] Taiwan, Republic of China
[edit] United Kingdom
- Poptastic, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Heaven, billing itself as "the world's most famous gay nightclub in the world," has been open for over 20 years. their website reviews of Heaven London, United Kingdom
- Reflex nightclub - South London, London's friendliest gay nightclub. www.reflexnightclub.com London, United Kingdom
- G-A-Y, based at the Astoria on Charing Cross Road. London, United Kingdom
- Love Muscle, London Infamous club at 'The Fridge' in Brixton, London, United Kingdom
- Rubyz, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
- Revenge, Old Steine, opposite the Palace Pier, Brighton, United Kingdom
- Black Cap, long-established gay pub in Camden Town, London, United Kingdom
- Popstarz, London (site). Long-running alternative night at various venues over the years.
- Club X, Cardiff, Wales
- Kings Cross, Cardiff, Wales
- Hush, Swansea, Wales
- Club 2-10, Swansea, Wales
- The Flamingo Blackpoo, Lancashire
[edit] United States
- Largest Online Gay Bar Portal- www.gaybarnetwork.com
- Best New York Gay Bars - About.com
- Bourbon Pub / Parade, located in New Orleans, it's the longest continuously-operating gay nightclub in the US.
- Pleasuredome, a trend-setting SOMA nightclub from the early 1990s till 2002 (known as Club Universe on Saturdays). San Francisco, California
- The Endup, a gay dance club open from 1973 to present. Mentioned in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City novels. San Francisco, California
- Dugan's Bistro Home of the Bearded Lady, Jumbo Janet and DJ extraordinaire: Lou Divito Chicago, Illinois
- Roscoe's Tavern, Chicago, Illinois
- Neighbours, Seattle, Washington
- Woody's is also the most well-known gay bar in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- South Beach is the most popular gay nightclub in the city of Houston, Texas
- El Jardin, affectionately known to locals as El Hard-on, was a gay bar in San Antonio, Texas, known for having a daily "nelly hour" instead of a happy hour.
- Club 216 located in hilly Charlottesville, Virginia, in the center of the University of Virginia in the downtown Charlottesville area. Owned and operated by the Piedmont Triangle Society.
- PhillyGayCalendar lists all the gay bars in Philadelphia as well as all the events held there. (PhillyGayCalendar also lists everything else in the gay community in Philadelphia as well).
- Planet Femme is part of the phenomenon of the rotating lipstick lesbian nightclub in the city of Los Angeles, California
[edit] Notable gay DJs (past and present)
- Andre Collins
- Bob Viteritti
- Bobby DJ Guttadaro
- Boy George
- Bob Mould
- David Harness
- David DePino
- David Rodriguez
- DJ Dan
- DJ Dr. Fish
- DJ Drew G.
- Erick Morillo
- Frank Lipomi Dugan's Bistro, Dingbats and Coconuts Chicago
- Frankie Knuckles
- Greg Ellsworth
- Ian Levine
- Jerry Bonham
- Jim Burgess
- Jimmy Stuard
- Johnny Dynell
- Junior Vasquez
- Kenny Carpenter
- Lady Bunny
- Larry Levan
- Marc Andrews
- Michael Fierman
- Michael Garrett
- Nicky Siano
- Neil Lewis
- Patrick Cowley
- Phil B.
- Porl Young
- Richard Morel
- Richie Kaczor
- Robbie Leslie
- Ron Hardy
- Roy Thode
- Sharon White
- Shep Pettibone
- Susan Morabito
- Tee Scott
- Tony De Vit
- Victor Rosado
- Walter Gibbons
- Wayne G
