According to Frommer’s, Boston is a gay-friendly city and the capitol of the first state in the Union to grant full marriage equality to same-sex couples. The "gayborhood" or gay village in Boston is the South End, although the city’s live-and-let-live attitude means you can find comfortable clubs throughout Boston, with many mainstream clubs offering a gay night once a week. Free weekly papers like Bay Windows and The Boston Phoenix list weekly events in the night clubs.
Located in the South End, Club Café is a restaurant, cabaret and nightclub in one. Opened in 1983, the restaurant has nightly piano and vocal entertainment during the dinner hours. DJs spin every night starting at 9 p.m., with different themes on different nights of the week. Seasonal outdoor seating is available. Brunch is served year round. Reservations for dinner are a good idea. Club Café also hosts special events. Check with local papers or the club for nightly details.
Club Café
209 Columbus Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
617-536-0966
clubcafe.com
The Alley, located near the Government Center in downtown Boston, is completely dedicated to Bear culture. Every Thursday is a pool tournament, and Sundays are Karaoke nights. Several local and New England Bear clubs hold meetings and events at The Alley. Check with the club or local weekly newspapers for details.
The Alley Bar
14 Pi Alley
Boston, MA 01830
617-263-1449
thealleybar.com
Fritz Bar is the South End’s gay sports bar. Locate at the corner of Chandler and Berkeley, Fritz has flat-screen plasma televisions throughout the bar, so no matter where you sit or stand, you will get a good look at the Red Sox and New England Patriots' games that play regularly. Fritz also has a popular Sunday brunch.
Fritz Bar
26 Chandler St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-482-4428
fritzboston.com
Located in the Back Bay district, Ramrod is the Boston-area leather bar. According to The Edge, a local LGBT weekly, Ramrod is tame by leather culture standards. There is a back room where men enter only if they are wearing leather or are shirtless. DJs spin every night of the week, and the bar hosts regularly scheduled events for the leather community. Check local weekly papers or call the bar for nightly details.
Ramrod
1254 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02215
617-266-2986
ramrod-boston.com
On the first Friday of every month, Boston Guerrilla sponsors “Guerrilla Queer Bar,” a flash-mob takeover of a straight bar. The group meets at a previously chosen straight bar for a night outside the gay circuit. Check with Boston Guerrilla for details of upcoming locations.
Boston Guerrilla
bostonguerrilla.com
In addition, some mainstream clubs in Boston sponsor gay-themed nights.
