Gay Travel Buddy

Gay Salt Lake City

A hermaphroditic, golden angel blows his/her trumpet towards the imposing mountains, offering reassurance and religious guidance to the worker bees residing in the suburban sprawl below her/him. This is Salt Lake City, once declared “the place” a couple hundred years ago, and now instills feelings of trepidation and curiosity in gays the world over.

You may ask yourself, “Can I drink there?” or, “Do gay people live there” and “Are there places for me?”  These can be tough and confusing questions, but I’m here to answer them.

Though you may willingly travel to Salt Lake for a fabulous ski vacation a la Wham’s “Last Christmas” music video, you will probably find yourself here because of a strange layover or business conference. Never fear, the gays are here. There are plenty of gay bars to tide you over until you are back in whichever megalopolis you come from, and has enough lisping to confuse Marcus Bachmann and alcohol to heavens. In fact, Salt Lake City was recently ranked “The Gayest City in America” by The Advocate magazine.

From a sociological standpoint, gay bars in Salt Lake are interesting and unique insofar as every type of gay mixes together. The city has a large enough gay population to support a number of different gay bars but unlike other cities, you won’t find the segregated “muscle bars,” “bear bars,” “hipster bars,” etc. Everyone gets down together in Salt Lake! But just remember to bring your scannable ID because it’s strictly 18 to come, 21 to swallow.

Club Jam  – The hippest of the hip, the coolest of the cool. This is the place for the young and the beautiful A-Gays of Salt Lake. From the minute this bar-turned-nightclub opened to the public, its been in the headlines. First, for protesting the city’s refusal to administer a liquor license (that has since been handed out – there is a full bar) and then, for being one of very few nightclubs to be eco-friendly, with recycling, composting and even a bamboo dance floor. But none of that really matters with music this good. There is no Top-40 here, only the best from the undergrowth of dance and electronic music to make you shake your skivvies off. If you go anywhere in Salt Lake, go to Jam.

Located in the Marmalade District at 751 North 300 West (That’s “Seven Fifty-One North, Third West”)

The Tavernacle Social Club – No, this is not the Tabernacle, the famous Mormon-owned music hall whose choir tours the world. This is the Tavernacle, a dueling pianos and karaoke bar that lets anyone in, but has a particularly strong following from the gays on Saturday nights. The pianists take any requests, as long as someone is up there to play their best Jessica Rabbit. Other than the martinis, the best part about this place is the secret requests where friends can have others from their group brought up on stage to sing their terrible rendition of whatever evil song you choose, from “Poker Face” to “Love Shack.” And trust me, the embarrassment of not getting on stage is much more than the embarrassment waiting in the spotlight.

Located downtown on 201 East 300 South (That’s “Two-Oh-One East Three-Hundred South”)

Club TryAngels – Not so much club as bar, but there is a small dance floor nonetheless. You may go here if you feel like going out in the simple jeans-and-t-shirt frock so you can “hang.” The people are friendly, if older, and the drinks are big. If a relaxed atmosphere where you can “be yourself” is your thing, then this is your place.

Located south of Downtown at 251 West 900 South.

Püre – Let’s keep this simple: if you like underaged, drunken, skinny youths whose bodies are ripe with the smell of “Fierce” from Abercrombie and Fitch and whose polo from the same retailer was taken off and stuffed under the gogo-boy’s cage when they entered, then go here.

Located Downtown at 579 West 200 South

Pago – One needs food to absorb alcohol, either before, during or after. Pago is the best place for a morning after brunch. The restaurant is part of the farm-to-plate trend going on across America and has an evolving and revolving menu. Some of the mainstays to try are the Croque Monsieur or Madam or the chicken hash (as you please) preferably with a locally-brewed St. Provo Girl Pilsner. Hair of the dog.

Located in the 9th and 9th district on 878 South 900 East

Coffee Garden – Hang-out spot of yours truly, circa 16 years old, this place has been where the gays get caffeinated for years. The locally-roasted coffee and the playlist of Brahms and Vivaldi makes the Coffee Garden a step up from Starbucks.

Located in the 9th and 9th district on 878 East 900 South

Filter Coffee Shop – Hillcrest

One of my all time favorite coffee shops located in the heart of Las Vegas is Filter, previously I was in love with a place called the Living Room which is now gone.  Filter has tons of seating, which commonly is fairly packed and they are open 24 hours a day.

The crowd is commonly students, however you will find some older folks as well, but for the most part 20 something’s.  Filter has free wifi and serves some of the best coffee in San Diego, weather you are looking for an espresso or just a drip coffee.  Watch out, some of the coffee is so powerful you could be up for days if you are not a caffeine addict like myself.

Beyond great coffee, and tea, they also have a nice selection of Panini sandwiches.  Lot’s of very decadent pastries and deserts as well as a very friendly staff.  As I only visit San Diego half a dozen times a year, it is great to be able to go back to this shop and unwind and enjoy some great food and strong coffee.

Filter has some unusual seating, tables and chairs that are so miss-matched but are fun to look at.  They also have a few large sliding glass doors that open up to some outside tables.

Unfortunately they have only one bathroom which is usually occupied, but not that big of a hassle.  An unexpected feature that most places in Hillcrest lack is a few parking spots but you need to go into the covered garage behind the coffee shop and make sure to only park in the designated spaces.  Otherwise you could wind up circling for a long time to find a space.

If you where out drinking and drove, this is a great place to get some late night food into you and let the alcohol work its way out before risking the nasty police who are on commission regarding how many DUI convictions they get in one calendar year.  DUI’s are a huge money maker for the city and they heavily patrol the Hillcrest area.

Cafe La Boheme

Since 1075, Cafe La Boheme has been bringing it’s world flavor to the Mission. They offer delicious coffee, teas, wine and even sangria. In addition, their menu includes both American and Mediterranean cuisine options. Vegetarian or vegan? They have menu items to both accommodate and thrill you. Sandwiches, paninis, salads and variety plates dominate the menu.

The coffee is wonderful here. Just as important, the atmosphere is delightful. I felt quite welcome there and noticed quite a few people reading or working on their laptops. In addition, the owner is often here and is quick with a smile and a kind word. There are even a few older gentlemen who reminded me of  Statler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show, minus the grumpiness.

There is live music from time to time in the evenings, usually of the “World” variety. That makes this sort of an all around coffee shop. It is a place to grab a bite, get caffeinated, relax, get some work done and be entertained. A great variety of experiences to be had in one location.

Located at 3318 24th Street -San Francisco -Mission

It is right near the 24 street BART station.

Gay Friendly Cities

I and many of our amazing contributors have been all over the US and over the world.  I am adding this page to try and help you determine if a city is friendly enough to visit.  Some places can be down right dangerous, for example its illegal to be gay in Jamaica, I have heard many horror stories.

But Moving on to my current home to start.

Austin - Is a very gay friendly town, a very large selection of Gay Bars, very gay friendly hotels like the W.  The new W is actually just around the block from Oil Can Harry’s.  Great restaurants as well, Santa Rita, Kerbey Lane Café and South Congress Cafe too name a few.  It’s sorta like San Francisco in a strange way, and a big music town.

Denver – Is an amazing, mostly gay friendly city. This city also has its share of religious nut cases who cause some trouble from time to time. From what I know of, there isn’t a specific gay hotel in Denver. However you have many options
downtown, including the Westin and Sheraton, which are both gay friendly. The mile high city also gets more sunny days than any other major city in the US. The Westin actually has this fairly strange indoor-outdoor pool, its rather unique as well as a gym. The famous Palms steak house is attached and is very good. Personally I prefer to patronize gay owned restaurants, so I wind up at Hamburger Marry’s a very large gay bar/restaurant/drag show.  You can find a good selection of Denver’s Gay Bars.

Las Vegas – This one is really on the fence for a full recommendation. If you have other options, I think you should consider them. Even with such a huge service industry, overall Las Vegas is not all that gay friendly. Promoters like J.Son are
trying to change that; he was able to convince the Luxor to host the only weekly gay pool party throughout the summer season. In the 90’s their spa became a little hot spot for gay men, however the Luxor had security in they’re at all hours throwing them out. This is a big change in direction. On the other hand you have hotels like the Encore who have pages promoted online about being gay friendly. They forgot to tell their staff about that. Even the high priced hookers wouldn’t leave me alone; she couldn’t believe I was gay.

Las Vegas has only 1 all gay hotel that is clothing optional called Blue Moon Resort, located just West of the North end of the strip. On the strip there is one gay nightclub called Krave. It is not open every night, there is always a high priced
cover and the drinks though strong are very expensive. It’s on the south side of Planet Hollywood off Harmon. Just east on Harmon a few blocks and a right turn on Paradise will get you into what’s known as the fruit loop. You have multiple
bar options here, 8 ½ and Piranha are connected, and this is a higher end bar/dance club. As well as Gipsy, which is just next-door. Across the street you will find Buffalo, a mixed crowd with pool tables. Just to the right of Buffalo is an adult video and toy store. Across from The Buffalo is Free Zone, make sure you check out their calendar before going, they host many ladies nights as well.  There are quite a few more gay bars, my personal favorite is Charlies which is located West of the strip off Tropicana and on Arville in what looks like an industrial business building.  Starwood has one hotel just east of the strip on Flamingo, its a Westin, has a small casino as well.

San Diego - My home town, most of the gay activity is centralized in one area called Hillcrest.  You will find a nice selection of gay bars, restaurants of all types, gay gyms like 24 hour fitness, and shopping galore.  However, like San Francisco there are few hotel options.  There are tons of gay friendly hotels in down town San Diego near the Gas Lamp District that has great restaurants, shopping and gay bars.  San Diego offers lots of beach options, however I believe all of the beaches are now alcohol free and the police will check coolers.  San Diego does not have a very user friendly public transportation system, so consider renting a car.

San Francisco - Ok yeah, duh San Francisco is a very gay friendly town.  You might be surprised to know that its not the highest population of Gay people, Dallas I believe is number 1 then Los Angeles and then NYC.  San Francisco is very diverse, although the Castro is the heart of anything Gay, you can find gay establishments all over the city.  The city is broken into many districts, The Castro, The Haight, Lower Haight, Nob Hill, Lower Nob Hill, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf is a huge tourist trap, avoid at all cost.  The older gayborhood was on Polk St. so you can find a few bars in that area as well.  I can’t think of any major hotel in the city not being friendly, now some of the smaller cheap “weekly” rate type places.  The largest concentration of Gay Bars is in The Castro, then in SOMA there are some of the more leather, daddy type places.  My current favorite bar in The Castro is Blackbird, a laid back gay bar with an awesome staff.  My other favorite is a wine bar called Blush, amazing wine, food and people!  San Francisco also throws and incredible pride event every year, you just missed it this year but if you have the chance you must see it.  The Castro has very few options when it comes to lodging, I would suggest trying Union Square.  Most of the best shopping is in Union Square.  There are also several options for gay gyms in The Castro, 24 Hour Fitness and Gold’s Gym to name a few.

Seattle – Other than the lack of warm days, Seattle is extremely gay friendly with the majority of activities, including bars and restaurants are located in Capitol Hill. Very close to down town, it’s a bit of a hike if you choose to walk it. The hills are nowhere as steep as San Francisco but if its cold enough you will regret not taking a cab or driving. Be very mindful of the parking signs, they have some of the strangest parking restrictions I have ever seen in the US. They do not color the curbs either, my first visit I wound up getting a nice fine, nowhere near a fire hydrant.

Like Portland, there is a large hipster community, however not as intrusive. Washington State also has the highest taxes on alcohol so when you walk into a dive bar and get charged $10 for something most other places would be $4-5.  Gay Bars and Night Clubs list.

As any big city, Seattle has tons of hotel options. My personal favorites are Starwood properties. The Westin is one of the largest and is not owned by Starwood, it is a franchise. They are undergoing renovations; their new rooms are very nice if you can get one. Some of their older rooms do show their age, ask if you can get a remodeled room.  We have a short list of gay friendly hotels in Seattle.

This article is a work in progress and not close to being done.

Common Grounds Portland

Common Grounds is a gay-friendly local café located near the Mt. Tabor neighborhood, on SE Hawthorne.  They carry the local queer newspaper, “Just Out,” and it’s the kind of place where you can sit down with a cup of coffee and a pastry, and actually read the local gay newspaper without anyone even blinking about it.  It’s not explicitly a gay hangout, just a cool neighborhood hangout.  Their coffee and pastries are worth a visit.  Not the most spectacular you’ll find in Portland, but consistently good.  The couches provide inviting, comfortable seating.

4321 SE Hawthorne Blvd  (503) 236-4835

Coffee Time Portland

Coffee Time is one of the few places in NW Portland where you can stop in for coffee just about any time of day or night.  They’re open 20 hours/day, from 6:30 AM to 2:30 AM.  They offer free Wi-Fi, and have a large selection of board games and card games.  This is a café that encourages you to hang out and spend time with your friends.  The coffee is acceptable, but definitely not the best that Portland has to offer.  In addition to the standard café fare of espresso beverages and pastries, their panini press is ready to crank out hot sandwiches at just about any time.  I’ve been to Coffee Time several times, and always with gay friends – never an issue.  The bathrooms are, however, what you’d expect to find in a dive bar – functional, but not anywhere you’d want to spend any amount of time.  So if you’re out watching an independent film at Cinema 21 and want to grab some coffee after the show, this place is probably your best close bet.

712 NW 21st Ave  (503) 497-1090

Barista – Portland

In a city known for fine coffee, Barista is known for excellence.  This is the only café I’ve ever encountered that will prepare a cup of coffee on a vacuum pot if you order it.  At $9 a cup for vacuum, you pay for the unique experience, however their espresso drinks are priced competitively with other cafés.  While they don’t roast their own coffee, they serve coffees from exceptional roasters from Portland, San Francisco, and other west coast locations.  The indoor seating is necessary for Portland’s temperamental weather, but I found their outdoor seating on a converted shipping dock to be a lovely place to enjoy an iced beverage in the summer.  Additionally, they serve a small but delicious selection of local pastries.

539 NW 13th Ave (503) 579-6678

Buli Cafe Dallas

If you can handle your latte with a extra dose of sugar, then you’ll have a gay old time at Buli Cafe. In fact, you’ll have a gay old time regardless of what you order. The campy cafe is gay-owned and has a menu full of tongue-in-cheek references and innuendos. A very popular spot in Cedar Springs, Buli is a great place to start off your gay adventures in Dallas. The vibrant coffeehouse carries all the local queer publications and the lively locals will be happy to guide you in whatever your looking for. While you’re here though, order a panini. The food is not to be joked about. The cafe also has free wi-fi.

3908 Cedar Springs Rd., (214) 528-5410

Halcyon Coffee, Bar and Lounge Austin

So you like your warm panini’s, your exquisite cocktail and people-watching? Why not go to a place that can get you all three under the same roof. Halcyon is a hipster hangout (and with that name, of course it is!) with a clientele as diverse as their menu. The décor screams hip and the place turns it up a notch after dinner, with more of a lounge feel. And those who want to indulge in the sweeter things in life, make sure to try their s’mores. Made like no other in the city – probably in the whole state of Texas.

218 W 4th St., (512) 472-9637

Hotel Diva San Francisco

I have been recommending Starwood hotels, they are great and are very gay friendly.  In San Francisco there are obviously far more selections available, not all are totally gay friendly.  But for the most part this city is very accepting, the exceptions typically are foreigners that have moved to SF to start a business.

I have personally stayed at the Hotel Diva at least 5 times and have had a great experience every single time.  The rooms are small and simple, the photo above is their suite.  The suite looks like a normal room, the normal rooms are very small, so don’t try to stuff 4 people in one.  You will be sorry.  The beds are a little more firm than I typically like, but not that bad.  The elevators sorta feel hokey and un-safe, but I never had an issue with them.

They have valet parking available, its just a partnership with one of the garages around the corner.  My advice if you are driving your own car, park it yourself in one of the large garages.  A close garage is on Mason and Ofarrell St. you park your own car, which keeps your mirrors and bumpers intact.  Union Square is a very difficult place to have a car, street parking is enforced very aggressively and the ticket prices now start at $75.  If you are in a spot long enough you can get multiple tickets in a single day.  When you hit 6 they just boot the car and you have to pay a huge fine to get the boot off.  It’s just not worth the hassle.

In the lobby you have access to a Starbucks, which is attached and on the oposite side of the lobby you can go to Collbri a nice Mexican Restaurant with a huge collection of Tequila.  I thought the food was good, but growing up in San Diego my perception of what Mexican food should taste like is extremely jaded.

I have always found the front desk staff to be pleasant, helpful and quick.  But its been a few years since I stayed there, I did attend a party in one of the suites just a few years ago.  Again its small but a nice room.  The Diva tends to be one of the most affordable hotels in Union Square and is not a dump or a place where you will be treated like just another reservation.  I also see they have a gym, I can’t recall ever seeing it myself.  But there is a 24 hour fitness not too far away, a 10 minute walk.

It’s location is just a block from Union Square and is a short walk to the Powell St. MUNI/BART train station, MUNI underground is the fastest way to The Castro especially during heavy traffic periods.  During rush hour they actually have a “Castro Express” train, it only makes one or two stops past Powell and then straight to the Castro or gayley forward as I am often corrected for.  The F train, which are those well kept antique trains take a very long time.  You may be able to walk faster the whole way.

If you are looking for an amazing restaurant that will not brake the savings, just a block up Geary is Grand Cafe.  It’s a French restaurant with amazing service, amazing food and a great bar.  It’s connected to the Hotel Monaco.

Click here to book at the best rates for Hotel Diva on hotels.com

440 Geary St. (415) 885-0200