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Travel Article	Travel Article Archive

By Michael J. Darton

Country dancers at the Cuff Complex Ho-down We Have 533 Photos From Seattle! View Thumbnails View Slideshow

Click on the link for a handy PDF version of our October 2008 Seattle travel feature!

Hip, cool, computerized, and caffeinated Seattle enlivens and enchants

Seattle is an optimist's idea of what a progressive future United States could be like. Whether it's Boeing or Microsoft, Nirvana, or Starbucks, the city's iconic offerings have changed the world. The landmark Space Needle is a symbol of Seattle's commitment to the cutting-edge.

Seattle's gay district is called Capitol Hill and is northeast of downtown. Getting around is easy on foot with most of the gay clubs and bars located within easy reach of one another. The eye candy is unique in Seattle, and with so many sidewalk patios and eateries, opportunities for people watching abound.

Bars and restaurants

Cuff Complex (1533 13th, at Pine) caters to a mixed Levi/leather crowd. They offer three distinct areas to keep you busy. The main bar is located at the entrance and has pool, darts, and a leather store with pinball. There is the main dance floor and bar at the back with a top-quality light and sound system. Outside is the massive patio and bar, open on the weekends. In the winter the patio is covered and heated. The patio and dance floor are connected to the main bar by "the dog-run," a narrow alley (and excellent cruising spot!). Food is half price from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.

CC Attles (1501 E. Madison) sports strong drinks at reasonable prices and an older neighborhood crowd. The helpful staff here is all smiles. There are two bars, video, pool, an outside deck, and decent pub food.

Neighbours (1509 Broadway; enter from the alley) remains one of Seattle's biggest dance floors. Boasting some of the city's best DJs, the underground bar and the main upstairs dance floor offer lots of options. They have amateur strip, and host regular CD release parties and events with plenty of hot young guys in a mixed male-and-female crowd. On the south end of Broadway, this is the place to dance until 4 a.m. on Saturdays.

Centrally-located R Place (619 E. Pine), boasting three levels, is open seven days a week with something to whet every appetite. Head over on a Wednesday for Get Wet, the all-male underwear contest, while Thursdays bring amateur strip with cash prizes.

Stop in at Martin's Off Madison (1413 14th Avenue) for a cocktail with friends, or come for a romantic dinner. The food is a cut above, and there's an extensive wine list.

Purr (1518 11th, between Pike and Pine) draws a sophisticated crowd for dining and drinks. Thursday nights are especially popular here, and Sundays get busy with Trivia. Enjoy a Mexican menu with tasty choices such as black-bean chili, steak torta, and a mouth-watering grande burger. There are always interesting drinks -- my favorite was the fruity American Beauty. There is a VIP room available with full bar service and DJs. Rotating art displays keep the space changing. Purr is a must for evening drinks before hitting the dance clubs.

Roland runs the show at Madison Pub (1315 E. Madison) and he knows how to keep the crowds happy and content. Open noon to 2 a.m. daily, this is a local watering hole always packed with a good mix of guys. This full-service pub has weekly drink specials, pool, darts, a juke box, and free wi-fi. Sundays offer free pool. Stop in for the happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m.

Crescent (1413 E. Olive) is a hot little local karaoke joint where everyone is welcome. Their list includes over 20,000 different songs. It's a tight fit so come early.

Re-Bar (1114 Howell, off Boren) is just down Capitol Hill in the northern part of downtown. This nightclub offers theater, weekly dance nights, and live music. Rock to house, hip-hop, and punk with a mixed, younger crowd.

Seattle Eagle (314 E. Pike) brings out an edgier leather crowd in a tight space ripe for cruising -- check out the patio for some raunchy action; underwear nights get busy here.

There are plenty of other gay and friendly choices for food and drink.

Rosebud Cafe (719 E. Pike) serves lunch, dinner, and cocktails. Manager Robert takes pride in the international menu.

Cafe Septieme (214 E. Broadway) is a popular gay hangout with a wide-ranging menu and good beer.

Strong coffee and sandwiches are on hand at Uncle Elizabeth's Cafe (1123 Pike Street), along with web surfing -- on their computers or yours. Prices are very reasonable -- for both the food and any printing you need to do! Seattleites being an industrious people, Uncle Elizabeth's is open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Friday and 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. This a nerve center for community happening -- local papers and flyers abound.

Mediterranean Express (1417 Broadway) is open for lunch and dinner, with large portions at great prices, goodies such as chicken and lamb shawarma, salads, hummus, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and babaganoosh. Honey Hole (703 E. Pike) is another good choice.

Accommodations

Renaissance (515 Madison Street; 206-583-0300) is 28-stories and centrally located, convenient to the harbor, downtown shopping, and the gay-village around Pike and Broadway. Rooms are well equipped (everything from irons to safes) offering all the services that a big hotel can. Internet is super-fast and costs $12 per day. On the 28th floor there's a bar and dining area with great views of the city. Their gym offers aerobic machines and free-weights. Enjoy a dip in the hot tub on the top floor, with amazing views of the sea and city.

Hotel Max (620 Stewart Street; 866-833-6299) is a unique property that welcomes gay clientele and showcases 39 local and international artists -- every floor has something different. The ultra-comfortable rooms are decked out with everything you need including iPod docking stations as well as erotic toys, batteries, and condoms for purchase beside the mini-bar. The choices don't end here -- there's a pillow menu, and instead of a stock Gideon Bible you can order the spiritual book you prefer! A small but well-equipped 24-hour fitness center is on-site. Their neighboring Red Fin restaurant offers a fusion of modern and traditional Asian food.

Vintage Park Hotel (1100 Fifth Avenue; 206-624-8000) is a boutique hotel with a classic European feel. Rooms have fridges, mini-bars, irons and internet. The adjoining Italian restaurant provides room service. I enjoyed the sumptuous garlic chicken in sage herb butter. Each day guests are invited to wine tasting in the reception area. They have a great concierge providing advice for trips in and around Seattle. Vintage Park is pet-friendly and will even walk your dog!

For a welcoming, homey feel try Gaslight Inn (1727 15th Avenue; 206-325-3654), a handsomely restored century-old house that's close to the gay area. They also offer apartments in and around Seattle; you can arrange check-in online and be given your access code to enter the apartment door. Large open-plan rooms provide kitchen area with microwave, sink, kettle, and coffeemaker. You also have a computer desk with access to internet and phone. Reserve well in advance; they book up fast.

In downtown's Belltown, the Ace Hotel (2423 First Avenue; 206-448-4721) has 28 stylish, modern, and informal rooms, with shared bath for economy; deluxe rooms with private bath are also available. Cable TV and free wi-fi are at hand. Just blocks from Pike Place Market and a host of galleries, restaurants, and stores, the Ace is a great starting point to explore Seattle -- and your pet is welcome, too!

Bathhouses

Basic Plumbing (1505 10th, between Pike and Pine) is a well-designed play-space where a variety of men get together privately or in groups. The twists and turns will keep you guessing. Explore and fulfill your fantasies here, or just relax and be entertained at this comfortable, attractive facility. BP is at the center of the gay neighborhood, so it's a great place to continue your night-out after the nearby bars close, and they're open all weekend from 5 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Mondays, weekdays each night from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. They have lockers, two video lounges (showing both male erotic, gay TV, and film presentations), a sling room, and new private rooms for rent. The basement area also has showers and rooms. Confidential HIV and STD testing is available, and they have internet access, too.

Club Z (1117 Pike) is a cruisy private men's club that draws Seattle's broadest cross-section of guys to their spacious three-floor complex. It's Seattle's largest bathhouse and can accommodate hundreds. Club Z has 54 rooms (deluxe ones have TV), two video theaters with eight channels of porn, 86 lockers, a sauna, a maze, private sling rooms, a public sling room, and glory-hole booths. A selection of toys is available at the counter, and the lounge area has video games, television, and internet access (with wi-fi throughout the club). Open 24 hours, they have in/out privileges, great deals on out-of-state guest memberships, and reasonable prices for rooms and lockers. Vending machines are well stocked with refreshments.

Steamworks Seattle (1520 Summit between Pine and Pike; Steamworksonline.com). Steamworks, with four clubs in North America, has come to Seattle, taking over the former Club Seattle. They have multi channel in-room porn, lockers, showers, wet area, douche facilities, private rooms in three sizes, and both public and private play areas for the hottest men in the northwest. There's a monthly play party for bears here, and their /Quick Trix/ daily special is just $6 for two hours between 9 am and 6 pm. Steamworks is always open, 24 hours/ 365 days a year.

Shopping

UnderU4Men (709 Broadway E.) stocks an extensive range of high quality underwear and swimwear -- names such as Aussie Bum, Hugo Boss, Speedo, DKNY, 2xist, and Calvin Klein. Plus there's shaving products, facials rejuvenators, and tinted moisturizers all competitively priced. Tight-fitting jogging pants, gifts, and other fashion lines will keep you busy in here for hours.

Activities and events

Explore Seattle's harbor, Puget Sound, and Lake Washington by boat with Argosy Cruises (206-642-7816).

For a decidedly gay boating experience, check out the annual Queen City Cruise , in August.

The 2009 Seattle Pride Parade and festival are set for Sunday June 28 in the Capitol Hill district.

Seattle Gay News offers news and up-to-date listings.