mikecpi

Green Bay's gay "Cheers"

Of you're looking for the gay version of "Cheers" in Packerland, Naps (as the regulars call it) is the place to go in Green Bay. It is the longest-running gay bar in northeast Wisconsin. The decor is classic Wisconsin tavern style with a decidedly gay twist. Pool, darts and video games are available. You'll hear everything from today's pop and country hits to jazz greats and classic diva disco on the Internet-connected jukebox. The clientele is mixed and truly LGBT, much more so than the area dance bars. Patron ages typically range from mid-20s to seasoned citizens. Straight allies also feel welcome. Daily drink specials bring in a sizable after-work happy hour crowd Monday thru Friday. The bar offers a grill and pub style menu that also includes pizzas. As for food specials: buck burgers on Cheap Meat Mondays & Wednesdays, authentic Catina-style carne asada tacos on Taco Tuesday, cook-your-own steak on Thursdays and a traditional Wisconsin fish fry on Fridays all have their fans. Weekend nights feature Deejays David and Troy, a monthly drag show plus special events and benefit shows. There's a privacy fenced outdoor patio open year round (now required for the smokers since Wisconsin is a smoke-free public space state). It's heated in winter, unique to the area gay bars that offer outdoor spaces. Large screen TVs in the bar area carry the Packer games during the season, music videos on weekends and gay-friendly broadcast & cable TV. Free WiFi also is available for smartphone and tablet users. Napalese is the most community-connected of all the local gay bars, as the Argonauts leather men, the Bear Club of Northeast Wisconsin and the area charitable foundation Rainbow Over Wisconsin regularly hold meetings in the bar's community room and sponsor special events. The local office of ARCW (Wisconsin's largest AIDS service organization) regularly offers rapid HIV testing nights at the bar. So if you're looking for a truly "family friendly" atmosphere, check out the Napalese Lounge. Once visited, it truly is the place where "everybody knows your name."