Gay New York CIty Travel Advice
Active Vacation – Join a Gay Swim Team in New York City
It’s a dreary day in late January, and I’m dreading my assignment. It’s cold, and I’m not feeling 100%, and I have to cover a gay swim team. While that might sound sexy, at first thought – I was on swim team in high school, and I know how sexy a swim meet isn’t. Compared to a sport like football or soccer, where teams of people battle it out in real time against each other, a solitary sport like swimming can seem, well… kinda boring. I mean, once you get over the tight suits…
But the atmosphere is anything but boring at John Jay College’s pool. People are all smiles, and it seems I’ve walked into a party. Everyone is social – beaming at one another and encouraging each other to do well with the day’s task. I’ve come on a very special day. I’ve stumbled into the 22nd annual One Hour Swim, in which teams from all over the country put swimmers in the water for a full hour, pushing them to swim as hard as they can. The goal is to see who can swim the farthest.
Liz Gately, who is registering the swimmers, tells me that Team New York Aquatic (TNYA) takes this annual meet one step further. They use it as a charity fundraiser every year – sort of like the AIDS Walk or other such events. The first time they did it was a few decades ago and it was for one of their own team mates. He was stricken with the AIDS virus and needed help with his medical bills. TNYA stepped in and helped him out. Since that first year they’ve picked different charities to donate to. This year they’re donating to The AIDS Service Center NYC, and Immigration Equality – the only national organization devoted to the intersection of immigration rights with the lives of LGBT and HIV-positive people.
I know, I’m not making it sound like a big party, but somehow it was! The timers were talking and laughing with one another. The registration people were all cheerful and buoyant – chatting each other up between registering athletes to compete. There was even a massage table, and a snack bar – donated by local businesses.
Most of the lanes contain people swimming as far as they can for the hour. However, in the far left lane is a particularly high spirited (and attractive) group of swimmers taking turns swimming two laps each. “We’re doing our hour swim as a relay,” explains the very fetching Kent Lau. “In the last 10 years, the number of LGBT competitive sports teams have exploded. We’re doing this event partly for fun, and partly to ease some of the newer swimmers into the idea of the One Hour Swim.” Kent goes on to explain that TNYA even has a social events coordinator, who hosts a huge swim meet that draws athletes from across the country. It’s an all day event, with swimming, diving, dinner and even dancing afterward. “We have 200 people participate. It’s a real community.”
Indeed, they employ a full-time head coach, a hearty man named Conrad Johnson, who claims he fell into coaching by accident. While that might be the case, he’s been with TNYA since 2005 – overseeing 4 pools with overlapping practices, and 400 swimmers on the mailing list.
“It’s like being the head of a diverse country,” he says, “all walks of life, all ages, all nationalities – all sexual orientations.” Sexual orientations? Yes. Apparently Conrad took some of his female swimmers with him when he left his all lady team to coach TNYA. “Some how, the girls swim team’s energy meshes well with the gay team, and we’re one happy family.”
So it would seem. I got a chance to talk to one of the older swimmers about the social aspects of being on the team. Danny Rosemarin, 57, speaks very highly of his ten years on the team.
“It’s done a significant amount for my self esteem. I can out-swim other swimmers in their 30s and 40s and that’s a clear indication that I’ve made this commitment and benefited from it.”
Danny’s been on the team for 10 years, and says that it accounts for a big chunk of his social life, too.
TNYA offers the first week of practices free to new members, which is perfect for people visiting New York on a short trip. They also have scholarships for swimmers that show promise that might not otherwise be able to afford to join the team. They frequently swim in worldwide events like the Gay Games.
The time clock has gotten down to the final minute. Suddenly everyone jumps to their feet. They are shouting joyfully at the people in the pool – trying to lend support and give them that final push to end the contest strong. There’s a charge in the air – everything seems fun, exciting.
When the clock shows ten seconds to go, everyone counts down the last few seconds in unison. It sounds like New Years Eve in here, and why not?
These gays have managed to take a run of the mill swim meet and turn it into a party.
The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in New York City
The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in New York City
By Michael Martin
Once upon a time in 2009, Douglas Quint was on the couch browsing Facebook, alongside his boyfriend, Brian Petroff. Douglas remarked on a friend’s post about an ice cream truck that wasn’t in use. “Should I drive an ice cream truck all summer?” he said, rather cavalierly, to his boyfriend Brian.
“Yes,” replied his boyfriend. “That sounds exactly like what you should be doing!”
Thus, The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck was born. Soon, amid growing customer demand and media accolades the couple found themselves thrust into foodie stardom. Brian quit his job as a corporate HR specialist, and Doug put his career as a freelance concert bassoonist on hold. They had a thriving, booming business.
So much so, in fact, that they were able to open The Big Gay Ice Cream Store on Labor Day weekend of 2011. On opening day they drew a line around the block. Hoards of New Yorkers clamored for access to their colorfully Spartan sweet shop, and the tasty confections within.
“The East Village is the only neighborhood left in Manhattan where you can DIY your own small business,” says Doug, right before he pauses to flirt with a 72 year old woman. The woman
is full of compliments. She ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ over a dish she’s selected called the Bea Arthur (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, rolled in crushed Nilla wafers). “Careful,” he says “I might be hitting on you.”
“I’m 72 years old!” the blushing woman announces proudly. Douglas winks and shrugs.
Indeed, the day that I visited them at 125 E. 7th st. in Manhattan’s East Village there was no lack of customers, even though I dropped by in the middle of the afternoon in late January. I could see, too, that there was more to their business philosophy than just soft serve ice cream with foodie-type toppings. Doug and Brian find themselves working behind their own counter most days, and Doug makes a concerted, chipper effort to be friendly and social with his customers. “Ultimately, we’re dishing up soft serve, just like the next guy – so we’re being extremely personable and friendly about it.”
Douglas goes on to explain that he wants his customers to be able to take the kids for ice cream for less than ten bucks. “It’s important to us to be able to offer our customers a product that a five year old can afford.”
Douglas is being humble. BGICS is hardly the same soft serve you can get at any ice cream truck. True, the base flavors are simple – chocolate and vanilla with special made flavors like coffee and beet (yes, beet!!) on weekends. But, like so much of the gay lifestyle – it’s all about how you top it. And these two gays have mastered the art of topping. Er… toppings. You can get your soft serve upgraded with extra goodies like Key Lime Curd, Siracha, Wasabi Pea Dust, Olive Oil and Sea Salt – just to name a few.
There are also toppings and ingredients manufactured solely for BGICS – including a Bacon Marmalade (best with chocolate ice cream) and an ice cream sandwich called Rue McClanahan – bourbon ice cream with praline pecan cookies.
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop achieves quite an accomplishment in the world of New York foodie restaurants. They manage to maintain a complex, interesting menu that is both unique and down to earth at the same time.
So yeah, if you want a beet ice cream cone with pumpkin butter and a dusting of cardamom, you can have it. But if your date is more vanilla – and just wants a cone with a chocolate dip?
Well, then – you can both leave with your bellies full.
125 East 7th Street New York, NY 10009
(212) 533-9333
Posh Gay Bar – Hell’s Kitchen NYC
Posh Gay Bar – Hell’s Kitchen NYC
405 West 51st, Hells Kitchen NYC. Click for Google Map
Fire Island Gay Beach – Pines Beach
Fire Island Gay Beach – Pines Beach
We have all heard of Fire Island – the parties, the boys – and the beach that best represents that is definitely Pines Beach. Or The Pines as some New Yorker refer to it sounding like it’s the new destination of a location-based reality show with gorgeous people. Pines Beach has become somewhat of a historical destination for gay New Yorkers and travelers wanting to experience the stories they’ve read and heard about. And they may not be disappointed. Pines continues to be the stuff that reality shows are made of – drunken escapades, frolicking in the beach half-naked, running into ex-lovers and, even worse, ex-friends. Although it’s not as crowded as some other more family-friendly beaches along Fire Island.
The biggest, most rambunctious nightclubs are located near Pines Beach, as well as some of the best restaurants and hottest fashion boutiques. Though clothing is the last thing on anyone’s mind. Nudity is allowed here, but only if you are close to the shore. Meaning no free-balling near any innocent pedestrians. Although getting close to the water and skinny dipping? No one will bat an eye. Not that they would want to miss any of the live skin show.
New York Gay Beach – Jones Beach
New York Gay Beach – Jones Beach
When you think gay New York beach, it’s difficult to think beyond Fire Island. And there’s a good reason – Fire Island is the largest, wildest summer spot for gays, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only option. Jones Beach is a more family-friendly alternative if you want your beach time to be more laid-back lounging rather than nonstop partying. Jones Beach has been the little known secret of New Yorkers for decades.
The gay area of Jones Beach is a 30-minute walk east of Field Six, so make sure to be ready to do the hike. The 30-minute walk is worth it though. Unfortunately, the gay area of Jones Beach does not get one bit of radio signal so don’t expect to turn it up to your favorite station and dance around in the sand. I guess that’s why we have invented iPods. Jones Beach, especially the more east you go off Field Six, tends to attract a number of naturalists even though nudity is technically illegal in the area. And if a cop spots anyone baring it all, don’t think they’ll hesitate in citing you.
Jones Beach State Park
Eastern Bloc NYC
Eastern Bloc NYC – Gay Bar
This hole-in-the-wall was the first gay bar in NYC I ever set foot in. At the time, it wasn’t that crowded so there was room for a tiny pole in the middle of the space for a hunky dancer to show us his private moves. The bar is located right in the East Village, so it’s a convenient place to check out after the other bars in the area get crowded with NYU freshmen. The crowd is a mix of media professionals, scene-y Bowery Boys and muscled men just looking to have a good time. They all bump shoulder pretty frequently, as this is one of the smallest gay bars I’ve ever been to. Eastern Bloc has a reputation of being a raunchy, “anything-goes” sort of place where you can bed a stranger, but it’s also a good bar for friends to catch up and goggle the sleeveless eye candy. And ever since the owner started dating Anderson Cooper, expect the place to continue being an “it” spot.
505 East 6th Street (212) 777-2555
Industry Bar NYC
Industry Bar NYC – Gay Bar
This year a new bar across the street from Therapy opened with a bang! The owners of Elmo and Barracuda in Chelsea certainly know what boys like, and they used all that experience in creating Industry Bar, a stylish lounge in Hell’s Kitchen without the attitude. Start the night with a 2-4-1 happy hour, or should I say hours – since it lasts from 4pm to 9pm. Feeling hazy after that? No worries, this new hotspot keeps the light low all night, giving it a perfect ambiance to meet and mingle. Different DJs spin here each night of the week; so don’t feel bad if you start to become a regular. The plushy décor keeps you settled and comfortable until the entertainment (usually in the form of drag queens) take the stage.
355 West 52nd Street (646) 476-2747
Gym NYC – Gay Bar
Gym NYC – Gay Bar
Of course, a “sports bar” in Chelsea has to come with quotation marks. Unlike most bars of its kind with rowdy straight men guzzling beer and rooting wildly as they watch testosterone-fueled competition on large television screens, Gym is a little more relaxed. The men here appreciate sports in a more interesting way to say the least. When I first came here, there was not any particularly important game match going on, so the screens played vintage ESPN. And more delicate sports like figure skating and tennis get played on the screens as well. With a patio in the front that let’s the west side sun and breeze through the brick-exposed, high-ceiling bar, Gym is also not as dungeon-y as other sports bars. And with cheap drink specials every night of the week, expect it to get loud, regardless of who’s winning.
167 8th Av. (212) 337-2439
B Bar NYC
B Bar NYC – Gay Bar
Yes, gays in New York go out every night of the week – at least to make an appearance. Whereas we’re more spread when it comes to which spots in town to hit up on the weekends, it seems like there’s only one place to be on Tuesday nights: Beige at B Bar. Located right between the East and West Village, off Bowery, this converted gas station has one of the best patio bar in the city, definitely the most gaytastic one. Pretty Chelsea boys mingle and flirt with fashionistas, media types and other professionals under the twinkle-lighted trees. There’s also a room where those eager to dance (certainly after a couple of cocktails) can get their groove on, but it never really gets crowded. The real action is happening under the stars. Make sure to get here in the early evening, immediately after dinner, unless you want to wait in-line. Or you can always pull an it-boy and make friends with the door guy, assuming he’ll remember you…
40 East 4th St. (212) 475-2220
VYNL Hell’s Kitchen NYC
VYNL Hell’s Kitchen NYC Restaurant & Gay Bar
If you are either bar hopping or just looking for a great place to eat in Hell’s Kitchen, VYNL is a great place to check out. The staff is very friendly, not a normal NYC trait. The bar tenders have always been responsive and nice. I have only had the burger, but I have been back 5 times now and love the same dish. So you can either make this your only stop of the night or just come through after heavy drinking at Posh, just around the corner.
754 9th Ave, 212-974-2003