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By
Jeff Balk
Modern and cosmopolitan, Pittsburgh is an international city for business and pleasure, with a tempo that's 21st-century and a temperament that's small-town friendly. From the first wave
of Scottish-Irish in the mid-18th century, Pittsburgh has made a tradition of welcoming visitors. The gay community is thriving too, pulling 'em in from the tri-state area. Pittsburgh is also
uncommonly blessed with under-21 nightspots, gay and otherwise. But don't be thinking you'll find the exact Babylon portrayed in "Queer as Folk"; though the US version of the British series is set
here, the filming took place in Toronto.
For a map to real-life Pittsburgh, look in the local gay paper
Planet Q, which, along with Pittsburgh's OUT, will update you on current events. For general listings,
In Pittsburgh, a weekly alternative paper, is also useful.
Accommodations
The Inn On Mexican War Streets (604 West North Street; 412-231-6544) is the place to stay in Pittsburgh. Just across the Allegheny from downtown, this comfortable Victorian
mansion on the North Side is minutes from everything. Enjoy the verandah view, sit fireside, or watch a movie-- each room has a VCR. Jeff and Karl are great hosts and have continental breakfast ready
each morning.
Bars, clubs, and cafes
Pittsburgh has a gay strip downtown and many of its clubs and restaurants are in this three-block area. Pegasus (818 Liberty Avenue) is an eclectic dance club in the heart of the theater
district, with cocktail hour from 5:30 weekdays. On Wednesdays, see female impersonations, Tuesdays and Thursdays are 18-plus, when all dance to house music and over 21s can drink. Fridays,
dance some more, and Saturdays, too (and see the sexy "Side Stage Dancers"). Move to the music, mingle, or watch it all from above.
Images (965 Liberty Avenue) now features 18-plus Sundays. During the week they offer karaoke on Mondays, "Boy oh Boy" go-go dancers on Tuesdays, a mid-week "Crisis Night"
on Wednesdays featuring drafts for just 75 cents. Then on Thursdays karaoke returns and so do the go-go boys on Fridays. Saturday nights feature a retro dance party till 2am. Their sister bar, Holiday Bar (4620 Forbes Avenue) offers go-go boys on Wednesdays and weekly drink and pizza specials. The Holiday bar is a university-area favorite and Steelers HQ, with shows, parties, and drink specials.
Donny's Place (1226 Herron Avenue) has been a fun neighborhood bar for 30 years, with daily specials, parties, prizes, and bar games. They're open till 2am every day, and food is served
daily, with a full kitchen open Fridays through Sundays.
Leather Central is the leather, SM, and fetish bar in the basement below Donny's. Founded by leathermen, this bar has a real
community camaraderie. Open 9pm to 2am Friday and Saturday nights, with dress code. Sundays from 4pm to 11pm is relaxed and wide-open, with beer blasts and other events.
Other bars include New York, New York (5801 Ellsworth Avenue), Tilden's (941 Liberty Avenue),
Tuscany Cafe (1501 East Carson), and the
Eagle (1740 Eckert Street) .
Sidekicks (931 Liberty) is Pittsburgh's downtown dining and cocktail bar. It's a quiet place for men and women. Every Wednesday night is a rib dinner for $12.95 (my favorite!), Monday
and Tuesday nights are sandwich nights, and Thursdays offer a seafood special.
Steaming up
Club Pittsburgh (1139 Penn Avenue) plans its grand opening this month. At press time they were hoping for a grand opening party on August 10th,. Pittsburgh has never seen a bath house like this. This multi-leveled facility will feature the best-of-the-best, with weekly specials. Lockers, rooms, and VIP suites will
be available. Club Pittsburgh knows that they will draw from surrounding states, bringing fresh men and boys to Pittsburgh. Club Pittsburgh is open 24 hours with four social areas, video
lounge, private changing rooms, steam room, whirlpool, sauna, roof-top tanning deck and a fully equipped gym.
Other baths include Arena Health
Club (2025 Forbes Avenue).
Shopping
A Pleasant Present (2218 & 2301 Murray Avenue; 412-421-7104.) has Pittsburgh's largest selection of GLBT merchandise and specialty gifts for every occasion. Two great locations
with video and DVD collections, dance mix CDs, t-shirts and tank tops, pride jewelry, and much more. Stop by and see them, or order online.
The ER Room (5151 Butler Street) has everything rubber from rubber PVC clothing to anything different and hard to get. They also feature leather and suede hides, hardware, leather
vests, chaps, harnesses, whips restraints, gas masks, jocks and a huge assortment of bondage equipment. They are now in their new and expanded location.
Mark your calendars for the Mr. and Ms. Upper Ohio Valley leather 2002 Contest to be held on September 1, 2001, at Club 2000, just 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, in Steubenville, Ohio.
For more information contact Maxx at wvmrdrummer@aol.com.
| Author Profile: Jeff Balk |
|
Jeff Balk is publisher of EXP, a gay/les/bi/trans bar and
entertainment magazine serving
Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. Jeff
hails from St. Louis, Missouri, where
he lives when not travelling for The
Guide.
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| Email: |
expmag@aol.com |
| Website: |
www.expmagazine.com |
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