DukeCityMuscle's Profile

The Copper is a great cross-roads where you'll meet UNM students, downtown hipsters, long-time residents, new urbanites, and a noticeably higher percentage of gay people than at a typical not-explicitly-gay bar. That's because everyone is genuinely welcomed here. Extensive draft selection with $2.50 specials all the time, frequent cocktail specials for $3.50, and food specials most nights. The menu features deep-fried appetizers, monster burgers, hefty salads, and robust panini, and home-made cake for dessert-- definitely "guy food". Wednesdays highly recommended, all drafts $2.50 a pint, look for the bald guy drinking a Black & Tan and say "hello" to me.

Exhale is pleasant enough because it doesn't try to be all things to everyone-- it's a lesbian bar with friends welcome. The decor may be a tad closer to cheesy than glamorous but Goddess bless them for trying. The crowd is lesbians of all varieties, their blue-balled straight male coworkers, and insipid Twinkie boys. The managers make a genuine effort to include entertainment, nightly themes, and welcoming staff.

Sidewinders falls into the sad category of "Well, there are only 3 gay bars in town, so it'll have to do". Only one of the bartenders ever remembers the night's theme or discounts. The owner/manager is immune to suggestions, he'll cut you off mid-sentence to ask if you've seen his online sex profile. You can meet fun people and make new friends at Sidewinders, but it's only because the patrons make an effort. The owner certainly doesn't.

The harpies who manage Albuquerque Social Club treat guests like they're not worthy of the privilege of suffering through toxic drag queens (unless you're an ecstasy dealer or bubbly co-ed with a fake ID, then you get the red carpet). Patronized by UNM LUGs (lesbians until graduation), 40-something professional drunks, and chain-smoking prissy boys drinking far too many Red Bull and vodkas. Unsuitable for anyone with dignity or self-respect.

The 4th Street Pub is gay only a couple nights a week and I find that damn insulting. The $8 cover charge and $5 drafts just add injury to insult. The interior lacks any kind of decorating, the music is generic straight "klub muzic", the crowd is 30-something gay professionals with their straight female co-workers. Not worth the effort of looking for downtown parking.