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Show 4 Thursday, twitch January 12, 199S XffiltlllM r . . II II RY DAVE THOMFT7 . In the 90s, gay bars - 5.-- X V- Kv 7 VJ? t- - iiiei- - im --- seedy. dimly-li- t dive a few rat ing points below a dark alley, gay bars and clubs are for the most part no different than a non-ga- y club. In fact, according to Boyer, "If the men weren't dancing with gays any- - . women, you'd never know the difference." EL ave you heard the one about the straight guy who walked into a gay barf Ah, you probably have. But have you ever been in one You might be surprised at how many people have. These days, gay bars aren't just for gays and lesbians anymore. To a lesbian or gay man, the gay bar plays the same role that a heterosexual bar or club holds for it is a shopping mall for lust. It can be a place to hunt for the perfect sale, or it can just be a place to stay on the sidelines and fantasize. It can also be a place for a gay man or lesbian who is just coming to terms with his or her sexuality to meet others in the same boat But if you think this is all a gay bar offers, then you've been watching too many 70s Al Pacino movies. The preconceptions manyion-ga- y people hold about gay bars are as varied as the people who frequent the bars. Each bar has its own set of unique characteristics that draws m a particular crowd. These attributes draw nearly, as many heterosexuals as gays, lesbians and non-gay- s; . are a great place to ize or just unwind. the best, most hilari ous entertainment I high- ly recommend anybody and everybody go see at " least one drag show." Money raised at drag shows is donated to various charities, and much of it is used to help peopie with AIDS. In 1994 alone, over $10,000 was donat-ed in drag show proceeds. Most gay bars in Salt Lake City have live DJs. Bricks boasts the recent "Gay bars are good places to dance," Redburn said. "They always have great music, and the atmosphere is very accepting of every- ' one." Tina Nelson, a heterosexual woman, agrees. "The gay bar atmosphere is a lot more relaxed. It's more fun because there isn't that tension when you go into a straight bar. It's obvious everybody's there for one thing in straight bars everybody's there to get picked the At on. gay bars, you've got a variety of up on." things going A common misconception, Redburn said, is that "gay men are seen as effeminate and in dresses." This image makes some heterosexu als uneasy, especially men. Consequendy, a common fear is being hit on by someone of the same sex. I if : Trim 579 W 200 Soutk (Private Cluk) Tke Deer Hunter 636 S. 300 West (Private Cluk) Bricks uQx mi j (Private Cluk) Radio City (RQ 147 S. State Street (Bar) Hie Sun 702 : IEJliiiliiilliilliii This is due in large part to increased awareness of gay and ie 5S lesbian issues, accord- ing to Nikki Boyer, one Far from the old- fashioned image of a 108 S. 500 West Kings general are crumbling. 200 South. 111 lit v-V- of the owners of The Sun Tavern at 702 W. I ' Many of the stereotypes of gay bars and of gays and lesbians in ' I Jonathan Bartk same as being hit on in a straight bar by someone I'm not interested ,.; I v. interested. It's the ; i taste, too. I'm flattered, but not TOo ! addition of Claudette, ested. I've actually had more straight men hit on me at the gay bars than lesbians. If I'm hit on, I just explain that o I whom Redburn describes as "the sexy DJ from LA" There's a gay bar for just about every musical "That doesn't happen," Nelson said. "I've been told that I am attractive by other women, but mosdy a gay or lesbian person can tell if you are straight, or not inter- - in." I social- "The drag shows are fabulous," Nelson said. It's . I V bisexuals. Joe Redburn, owner of both Bricks at 579 W. 200 South and The Trapp at 102 S. 600 West, said that it has always drawn clients of all sexualities. Redburn has owned and managed gay bars since 1973, and said that during that time he has noticed an increasing number of heterosexual men and women who prefer the social atmosphere of gay bars to non-ga- y bars . "I've been here for 22 years," Boyer said. The Sun has always been a progressive bar, and it's always been very mixed with gays, we've had it all straights, lesbians, bisexuals at The Sun Tavern. Generally, it's a place where anyone can feel welcome, comfortable and safe." Jt the men and the women weren't dancing with the Jonathan Bank d non-gay- f Perhaps the only significant difference is the variety of entertainment. From dance floors to drag shows, music video monitors to outdoor patios, gay clubs best-mixe- music anywhere," Nelson said. "It's always the newest music You're lucky if you hear the same music twice in one night" In addition to a wide variety of entertainment, most gay bars feature a weekly beer bust night when prices hit rock bottom. Both Redburn and Boyer agreed that these nights s. always draw big crowds of both gays and Im , v f i "The music is probably the gay bar as a Irapp Sslss: mmmmm 200 Soutk (Private Cluk) 102 S. 600 West (Private Cluk) OGM row . -- e urass Kail in LV3 Zltii street rnvate Ulub , |
