An old school gay bar experience!!!!

[Michael Wayne]

I have fired all the APPS!! I have decided that I hate grindr , scruff and all the rest because they are so openly and overtly hostile to escorts. So , while in NYC on tour, I hit the bars for the first time in a while and what a great time!!! I had a good friend with me (James DC on the forum) and we did the Townhouse.....so classy!!! We did Boxers (friendliest bartenders ever...and hottest) and also the Monster. The piano bar on Saturday night there is amazing. It was old school and how it used to be before the rise of these damned APPS! We ran into the absolutely gorgeous and adorable Mike Cruise and several of my long term nyc clients who obviously have also eschewed the apps for the old fashioned way of actually meeting real people in the real world...........

[+ sync]

With the ever-increasing perils of electronic interactions and the impending political changes we all may be heading "back to the future."

[+ poolboy48220]

I remember my first copy of the Damron Guide, it had an icon to indicate a bar as a "hustler bar", and very few bars remaining that had that icon. I came out just a bit too late for that experience, I guess. Although I did meet one of my favorite long-time escorts in a bar around 2007/2008, he noticed that I kept looking at him and came over to chat, and things progressed from there. Is that how it used to work?

[+ glennnn]

Are there still such bars in LA, too? I went to one bar in the late 60's, but was so shy and scared that I spent the whole time looking at the floor. When a guy came over to talk, I fled. I would love to try again, if So Cal hasn't gone totally app! Any suggestions?

[Rudynate]

I don't ever go in them, but the bars in the Castro seem to always be full of people. I haven't seen a piano bar in years. They seem to have been features of the 60s - 80s. Young guys typically didn't go in them - they were frequented by older guys who drank a lot and enjoyed hanging out and singing show tunes.

[+ Truereview]

I've talked about my Uncle Carlos a few times in here. As an openly gay man, he made sure I got comfortable in my own skin regarding my orientation, but he also helped me be proud of my LGBT culture. He was a big entertainer with a piano at home and weekly social gatherings with an eclectic group of folks. Uncle Carlos introduced me to my first piano bar. After his passing, I promised myself that one day, I would own a bar that would welcome everyone, a bar that would celebrate diversity and joie de vivre. Today, I'm actively pursuing that promise and dream.

 

Below is what some might consider a kitschy video of the Monster's NYC Piano Bar. It is from 2012 - maybe some of you recognize some of the faces or places . Some might frown upon the out-tune singing or the camp. I find this video snippet nostalgic and inspiring. Nostalgic bc piano bars are disappearing as a social connection, but inspiring bc singing together is unifying, celebratory, and in, most instances, a great fun experience! We need a lot more of that these days. Salud!

 

[bigvalboy]

Are there still such bars in LA, too? I went to one bar in the late 60's, but was so shy and scared that I spent the whole time looking at the floor. When a guy came over to talk, I fled. I would love to try again, if So Cal hasn't gone totally app! Any suggestions?

 

My favs for meeting the locals: In this order. All on Santa Monica Blvd, all within a few blocks of each other.

 

Trunks (Happy Hour/early evening) http://www.trunksbar.com/

The Motherlode (Early evening) https://www.yelp.com/biz/mother-lode-west-hollywood

Revolver (Happy Hour/Late night ) http://www.revolverweho.com/

Mickey's (Saturday afternoon summertime....Almost Heaven) http://www.mickys.com/

 

Your mileage may vary...

[Rudynate]

In the 70s, there were bars that featured organists rather than pianists. I remember, on Polk Street, in San Francisco, there was an organ bar called the New Belle Saloon. The organist there was semi-famous, as I remember. The crowd was old guys who liked show tunes. I lived in Denver at the time, and we had an organ bar called the Central Park West. Nobody really cared for the organist, and when he went on break, somebody would pump the juke box full of quarters. When the organist came back off break, he was so determined to play that he would pull the plug on the juke box.

[+ sync]

I remember my first copy of the Damron Guide, it had an icon to indicate a bar as a "hustler bar", and very few bars remaining that had that icon. I came out just a bit too late for that experience, I guess. Although I did meet one of my favorite long-time escorts in a bar around 2007/2008, he noticed that I kept looking at him and came over to chat, and things progressed from there. Is that how it used to work?

 

That's the way I remember it. It was also a good practice to ask the bartender if he recognized the person as a regular, and sometimes the bartender would go so far as to say "he's a good guy," or "beware."

[caliguy]

I promised myself that one day, I would own a bar that would welcome everyone, a bar that would celebrate diversity and joie de vivre. Today, I'm actively pursuing that promise and dream.

]

[caliguy]

I have fired all the APPS!! I have decided that I hate grindr , scruff and all the rest because they are so openly and overtly hostile to escorts. So , while in NYC on tour, I hit the bars for the first time in a while and what a great time!!! I had a good friend with me (James DC on the forum) and we did the Townhouse.....so classy!!! We did Boxers (friendliest bartenders ever...and hottest) and also the Monster. The piano bar on Saturday night there is amazing. It was old school and how it used to be before the rise of these damned APPS! We ran into the absolutely gorgeous and adorable Mike Cruise and several of my long term nyc clients who obviously have also eschewed the apps for the old fashioned way of actually meeting real people in the real world...........

Nothing has really changed though. I'm sure guys were saying the same thing back in the 70's about the bath houses. The Grindr and Scruff of it's day.

[TopTierTop]

I have fired all the APPS!! I have decided that I hate grindr , scruff and all the rest because they are so openly and overtly hostile to escorts. So , while in NYC on tour, I hit the bars for the first time in a while and what a great time!!! I had a good friend with me (James DC on the forum) and we did the Townhouse.....so classy!!! We did Boxers (friendliest bartenders ever...and hottest) and also the Monster. The piano bar on Saturday night there is amazing. It was old school and how it used to be before the rise of these damned APPS! We ran into the absolutely gorgeous and adorable Mike Cruise and several of my long term nyc clients who obviously have also eschewed the apps for the old fashioned way of actually meeting real people in the real world...........

That is very good to know. I will be in NYC for 2 weeks starting tomorrow. I'm already booked up until Dec. 1, but will definitely check out these places. The only one I have been to so far is the Monster.

[Rudynate]

Are there still such bars in LA, too? I went to one bar in the late 60's, but was so shy and scared that I spent the whole time looking at the floor. When a guy came over to talk, I fled. I would love to try again, if So Cal hasn't gone totally app! Any suggestions?

 

Are you kidding? West Hollywood is full of bars. It's been awhile, but I seem to remember that there are also bars downtown, in Hollywood, in Studio City, etc. I always enjoyed LA. For some reason, LA really worked for me and I would always come home from a visit having had one great adventure after another.

[AdamSmith]

I've talked about my Uncle Carlos a few times in here. As an openly gay man, he made sure I got comfortable in my own skin regarding my orientation, but he also helped me be proud of my LGBT culture. He was a big entertainer with a piano at home and weekly social gatherings with an eclectic group of folks. Uncle Carlos introduced me to my first piano bar. After his passing, I promised myself that one day, I would own a bar that would welcome everyone, a bar that would celebrate diversity and joie de vivre. Today, I'm actively pursuing that promise and dream.

 

Below is what some might consider a kitschy video of the Monster's NYC Piano Bar. It is from 2012 - maybe some of you recognize some of the faces or places . Some might frown upon the out-tune singing or the camp. I find this video snippet nostalgic and inspiring. Nostalgic bc piano bars are disappearing as a social connection, but inspiring bc singing together is unifying, celebratory, and in, most instances, a great fun experience! We need a lot more of that these days. Salud!

 

Monster was my favorite of them all in NYC. Had far better (non-paid) pickup luck there than anywhere else. Way across the age spectrum too. Just the friendliest, most open happy place I found.

[+ José Soplanucas]

I've talked about my Uncle Carlos a few times in here. As an openly gay man, he made sure I got comfortable in my own skin regarding my orientation, but he also helped me be proud of my LGBT culture. He was a big entertainer with a piano at home and weekly social gatherings with an eclectic group of folks. Uncle Carlos introduced me to my first piano bar. After his passing, I promised myself that one day, I would own a bar that would welcome everyone, a bar that would celebrate diversity and joie de vivre. Today, I'm actively pursuing that promise and dream.

 

Below is what some might consider a kitschy video of the Monster's NYC Piano Bar. It is from 2012 - maybe some of you recognize some of the faces or places . Some might frown upon the out-tune singing or the camp. I find this video snippet nostalgic and inspiring. Nostalgic bc piano bars are disappearing as a social connection, but inspiring bc singing together is unifying, celebratory, and in, most instances, a great fun experience! We need a lot more of that these days. Salud!

 

 

Where are you opening your bar? Punta? Montevideo? Buenos Aires? I want to be there on the opening night!

[+ José Soplanucas]

Monster was my favorite of them all in NYC. Had far better (non-paid) pickup luck there than anywhere else. Way across the age spectrum too. Just the friendliest, most open happy place I found.

 

For me The Monster worked on tandem with The Hangar, a few blocks away on Cristopher Street. I was so successful hooking up in those two bars! A few times the hook up was in the street, when I was in between the two bars. I'm getting nostalgic of my golden years. Again.

[+ Truereview]

Where are you opening your bat? Punts? Montevideo? Buenos Aires? I want to be there on the opening night!

Punta! Targeting Summer 2017 (US winter) if the building and construction gods play in my favor!

[marylander1940]

With the ever-increasing perils of electronic interactions and the impending political changes we all may be heading "back to the future."

 

A 400lbs guy in a basement (or the Russian government) might be after some of yinz in the future because of your political aspirations, LOL

 

I'm sure that's correct in this city but here everybody is a somebody.

 

http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/_l9BV7pwhE6VdOootsIgg7CvPVc=/950x534/https%3A%2F%2Fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fcard%2Fimage%2F224655%2Fcomic-book-guy-computer.0.0.jpg

[+ Truereview]

A few times the hook up was in the street, when I was in between the two bars. I'm getting nostalgic of my golden years. Again.

So you are the guilty party for these new signs?!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CMhkcRtCnUA/TPFCvq2MBDI/AAAAAAAAAzo/XNl9969iCGI/s1600/funny_signs002_Funny_Signs-s599x349-29836.jpg

[+ José Soplanucas]

Punta! Targeting Summer 2017 (US winter) if the building and construction gods play in my favor!

 

That is so cool, man! I did not know you were close to achieve one of your dreams. I've never been to Punta, this is the perfect excuse.

[+ honcho]

In the 70s, there were bars that featured organists rather than pianists. I remember, on Polk Street, in San Francisco, there was an organ bar called the New Belle Saloon. The organist there was semi-famous, as I remember. The crowd was old guys who liked show tunes. I lived in Denver at the time, and we had an organ bar called the Central Park West. Nobody really cared for the organist, and when he went on break, somebody would pump the juke box full of quarters. When the organist came back off break, he was so determined to play that he would pull the plug on the juke box.

 

I seem to recall the organist was David Kelsey. He played percussion in , as was then called , the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps. (The musical group was named after the Pride event, and that is what it was called back in 1978.) Kelsey performed an Organ/Wind Ensemble arrangement of Saint Saens Symphony no. 3 finale in the groups 10th anniversary concert, but the plague claimed him not long after.

 

He also founded a dixieland ensemble from players in the group called "Pure Trash", which sometimes performed at the New Belle also.

[+ Truereview]

He also founded a dixieland ensemble from players in the group called "Pure Trash", which sometimes performed at the New Belle also.

@1:58 into the video

[+ honcho]

@1:58 into the video

 

 

That be them ... thanks for locating that bit of history on youTube!

[Rudynate]

I seem to recall the organist was David Kelsey. He played percussion in , as was then called , the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Marching Band and Twirling Corps. (The musical group was named after the Pride event, and that is what it was called back in 1978.) Kelsey performed an Organ/Wind Ensemble arrangement of Saint Saens Symphony no. 3 finale in the groups 10th anniversary concert, but the plague claimed him not long after.

 

He also founded a dixieland ensemble from players in the group called "Pure Trash", which sometimes performed at the New Belle also.

 

 

Great history lesson!! I think the marching band still existed when I finally moved to San Francisco in 1990. What happened to them?

 

There was also that tap dancing group. The ones who tapped all the way down Market Street from the Castro to the Ferry Building.

[+ honcho]

The band still exists. Since the pride parade has changed its name so has the band -

It's now the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Freedom band, and it still marches in the pride parade,

the Chinese new year's parade, veterans day parade, and does traditional wind-ensemble concerts.

 

You know how around the country there are sing-it-yourself versions of Handel's messiah? The band

has a dance-along nutcracker! December 10th & 11th at the Forum of the Yerba Buena Center for the

arts across from SF MOMA.

 

The tap troupe disbanded. One of the most skilled tappers was Terry Mahaffey, who eventually became

CFO of Falcon studios, but was claimed by cardiac problems about 10 years ago. A truly nice guy who would

have been totally in place in a major Busby-Berkeley number, but was handsome enough to have stepped right out of a Tom of Finland drawing.