Las Vegas has long been a gay-friendly city, and has become
even more so since the election of liberal-minded mayor Oscar Goodman in
1999.
There's a scattering of gay bars and clubs throughout
the city, but the main concentrations are in what's known as the "Fruit
Loop," around the intersection of Paradise Road and Naples Drive, a mile
east of the Strip and just south of the
Hard Rock Casino, and in the Commercial Center on Sahara Avenue, not
far east of the Strip. None of the bars is exclusively devoted to women.
In addition, of course, most gay and lesbian travelers
are likely to find something to suit their tastes amid the bustle, glamor,
and kitsch of the Strip.
For up-to-date information on events and happenings in
Las Vegas's gay community, be sure to get hold of the two free newspapers,
the weekly Las Vegas Bugle and the monthly Out Las Vegas.
Both are available at the gay and lesbian bookstore Get Booked, 4640
Paradise Rd. (tel. 737-7780), one block north of Tropicana Avenue, and
also at the lively Mariposa Café, across the street at 4643 Paradise Rd.
(tel. 650-9009).
The Gay and Lesbian Center of Las Vegas, 912 E. Sahara
Ave. (Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.), is a drop-in center that provides
information on community resources, social clubs, and health-related
issues.
Although Nevada state law does not recognize gay or
lesbian weddings , many of Las Vegas's wedding chapels, both independent
and in the major casinos, offer commitment ceremonies. Few publicize such
services, but the chapels at Paris, Bellagio , and Mandalay Bay are all
known to have hosted them, while the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, 1205
Las Vegas Blvd. S. (384-0771 or 1-800/574-4450), is sympathetic and
gay-owned.
Gay bars
Angles/Club Lace 4633 Paradise Rd. 791-0100. Daily 24hr.
Two distinct bars - Angles is predominantly for men, Club Lace
is more mixed but has women-only nights on Thurs and Fri - devoted more
to drinking and cruising than dancing. Between 10.30pm and 2am on
several nights of the week, $5 buys all the beer you can drink.
Back Door Lounge 1415 E Charleston Blvd. 385-2018.
Daily 24hr.
Neighborhood bar, on the fringes of downtown, that's popular with older
gay men. Free barbecue on Sat nights and holidays, and nightly
early-evening happy hours.
Backstreet Saloon & Dancehall 5012 S Arville St.
876-1844. Daily 24hr.
Very friendly country bar, catering to both men and women, a mile west
of the Strip between Flamingo and Tropicana. Square dancing on Tues
evenings, line dancing on Thurs (beginners welcome), country dancing on
Fri and Sat, and an almighty beer bust on Sun afternoons.
The Buffalo 4640 Paradise Rd. 733-8355. Daily 24hr.
Lively Levi's-and-leathers club in the heart of the main gay district
that's the base for the Satyricons and Desert Brotherhood motorcycle
clubs. Beer busts (especially on Fri evenings and Sun afternoons) are a
bigger deal than music or dancing.
Flex 4371 W. Charleston Blvd. 385-3539. Daily 24hr.
Cover varies.
Flamboyant gay club, several miles west of the Strip toward Red Rocks,
with an emphasis on music and dancing, and occasional strip shows. Beer
flows freely all week, and the whole place goes Latin on Sun nights.
