The High Holidays of gay culture are generally Pride, with its jubilant parades; Halloween, with its skimpy costumes; and Fleet Week, with its deluge of sea men, er, sailors. In contrast, the beer-stained grunt fest that is Saint Patrick’s Day is decidedly a heterosexual holiday. Straight guys clad in unironic Boston Celtics jerseys descend en masse on local bars to chug PBRs and engage in Jaeger-bomb-fueled shoving matches.
For queer revelers looking for ABCDs (anyone but cis-het dudes), we’ve put together this list of St. Paddy’s Day party options in the US that are less drunk bro and more homo.
Electroluxx, San Francisco
Bay-area queers can seek refuge from St. Patrick’s Day anarchy at Electroluxx, SF’s weekly art-focused dance party hosted at Public Works in the Mission. The venue features live performances, face painting, video games for geek-chic gaymers, and an outdoor cuddle-puddle for those feeling affectionately euphoric. Heads up, although some tickets will be available at the door, purchasing in advance is highly recommended.
Elevation: Mammoth, Mammoth Lakes
If you really want to avoid St. Paddy’s Day douchebags, schlep out to the mountains for the Elevation: Mammoth queer ski weekend. Crush some powder during the day, and once the sun sets, stay warm with Glow Ho at Kitchen 53. Deck out you body with glow-in-the-dark paint while rocking out to the sounds of DJ Josh Peace and DJ Simon Harrison. And be sure to stick around for Sunday Drag Brunch hosted by Drag’s Baddest Bitch Rhea Litre.
Evita, Los Angeles
WeHo hos should avoid the hetero messes on Sunset Blvd and strut down to Nightengale for Evita. Hosted by notorious nightlife maestro and suave sartorialist Andres Rigal, this weekly dance party is a longtime staple of gay LA. If you are looking to get lucky in Los Angeles this St. Patrick’s Day, Evita is your best bet.
Haus Fridays, Washington DC
Queers in our nation’s capital can go down to Bunker for its weekly dance party Haus Fridays. This endorphin-fueled event consistently showcases gaydom’s hottest talents, such as DJ Conner Curnick, Joey with a Moustache, and this Friday’s featured sound smith DJ Matt Denton.
Warrior Fridays, Rebar
Gay Gothamites can saunter over to the iconic gayborhood of Chelsea for Frankie Sharp’s WARRIOR Fridays. Hosted at Rebar (the space formerly known as G Bar), this week’s party will feature the sounds of resident DJs Bare Naked and Velez & Parada, as well as “guest WARRIOR” Nate Stetson. Plus, a phalanx of go-go gladiators will be battling it out on the go-go boxes for our erotic amusement. Like love, lust is a battlefield. This week’s WARRIOR Fridays proves that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just basic green, it can be all the colors of the rainbow.
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