September Nightlife

Detroit, MI

Below are Andrew's September picks for Ann Arbor and Detroit

by Andrew

Drag Queen Boxing??

Yes that's right. Drag Queen Boxing is at Menjos is the third Saturday of the month (In September that's the 19th.) I don't know what you're visualizing but this is actually more fun and more hilarious than you can imagine. Menjos has recently expanded their site taking over the adjacent bookstore and their new owners are expanding their program as well. They're the happening site in Detroit on Thursday as well with amazing drink specials. Menjos is at 928 W. McNichols in Detroit.
http://menjoscomplex.com
http://www.myspace.com/menjos

Come out at Out fest

The aut bar in Ann Arbor is celebrating national coming out day on September 19th with their massive Out fest celebration. It takes over the entire area and is fun for the whole family. The aut bar is at 315 Braun Court just off Main and Catherine.
http://www.autbar.com/

The Goths are on the prowl come out and join them

Necto's renowned for their High energy day dance parties on Friday night (and the college kids that flock to them). But on Monday nights they attract a different crowd. It's the Goth, Industrial, Sythnpop night and the Goths are out in force. It's also Drum n Bass in the Red Room with DJ Joey P. While not strictly gay they goths have been known to be adventurous and it's a spectacle not to be missed. So put you gear and come on out. $1 cover befor 10pm $3 after.
http://www.necto.com/
http://www.facebook.com/necto
http://myspace.com/basslinemondays

It's your leather contest

Leather's the gay man's drag and the biggest leather contest in Michigan is at the Dunes in Saugatuck September 25-27th. They have kinky demos by the Chicago Hellfire Club, leather vendors, and an array of after hours parties to suit everyone's fetish. Go and meet the hunky Dave Watt outgoing Mr. Michigan Leather and watch a dazzling array of new contestants compete for the honor of representing Michigan at IML in Chicago in the Spring.
http://www.mmlweekend.com/
http://douglasdunes.com/

Drag never looked so good

Located just next door in the charming community of Ypsilanti, The Elbow Room has fabulous entertainment and drag the third Tuesday of the month. They're also now open on Mondays and have a number of other fun entertainment and events including dancing and a wide array of DJ's. It's typically $5 cover. For those into it there's an over the top version of karaoke every Thursday. The Elbow Room is located at 6 South Washington Street in Ypsilanti. Make sure you giggle at the water tower on your way in.
http://www.ypsielbow.com/
http://www.myspace.com/elbowroom

West Hollywood and Long Beach, CA

Below are Kim's September picks for West Hollywood and Long Beach, CA.

By Kim

Best Dinner

Eleven Restaurant and Nightclub

This two-story modern nightclub features an excellent restaurant which is the perfect way to start a night out on the town. Eleven Restaurant and Nightclub is situated in the heart of West Hollywood (8811 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood) and is walking distance to every other gay club you would want to explore after dining. If you don't mind cheating on your diet you must try the calamari and by far my favorite entrée there is the salmon dish. There are plenty of choices on their extensive menu which you will enjoy. In comparison to competing gay restaurants in West Hollywood Eleven has them all beat when it comes to the best bang for your buck. Don't forget to dress to impress because the clientele is sexy and stylish and so is the décor of this beautiful restaurant and nightclub.
http://www.eleven.la/

Best Brunch

Basix Café

Every time I visit Basix (8333 Santa Monica Blvd. L.A.) I receive great service and leave satisfied from the amazing food. The brunch menu includes mimosas, griddlecakes, omelettes, and "power" breakfasts for those who are watching their waste lines. The brunch is amazing but if you happen to go for lunch, try their pizza and key lime pie. Also, be sure to soak in the beautiful weather with their plentiful outdoor seating. I love this gay café!
http://www.basixcafe.com/index.php

Best Place For Drinks

Whiskey Blue at W Hotel

A few weeks back I was invited to Whiskey Blue (930 Hilgard Ave. L.A.) for drinks I was blown away by the experience. When entering the W hotel you see frosted glass and a water fall cascading down the wall. The open space layout of the bar at the W and modern design definitely gives the feeling that you are in a place to be seen. What's more, the staff and crowd at the Whisky Blue bar are cool and sexy in an unpretentious sort of way. The service was excellent and the bartender was more than willing to crush up fresh blueberries and raspberries for my friend's very particular drink requests. The service, ambience, and drinks make Whiskey Blue an excellent choice for meeting a business client or impressing a date.
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/explore/world/bars_restaurants.html

Best Girl Night

Platinum at East West Lounge

Platinum is held every Thursday at East West Lounge (8851 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood). The clientele is mostly professional women in their thirties and the occasional celesbian. Enter with no cover charge, sip cocktails, and relax in deep couches while listening to great music low enough for good conversation.
http://www.eastwestlounge.com/home.php

Best Restaurant in Long Beach

La Palapa

You can't get any better than a beachfront restaurant with live entertainment and fantastic food. La Palapa (4020 Olympic Plaza, Belmont Shore) specializes in seafood dishes, delights with their desserts, and drowns the hard work week away with their specialty drinks. The restaurant comes right up to the sand and gives the sense that you are on vacation even if you are a local. Most nights feature live entertainment with everything from jazz to reggae. With all La Palapa has to offer it's no wonder they have been attracting gay clientele!
http://www.lapalaparestaurant.com/

Denver, CO

Below are Jim's September picks for Denver, Colorado.

by Jim Guttau

Mountain Excursion

Crested Butte

The month of September is one of the most spectacular times in the Rocky Mountains due to the beautiful fall foliage of aspen trees. The vibrant gold leaves can be seen across the state, especially in Crested Butte.

Dubbed "the last great Colorado ski town," Crested Butte is a four hour drive from Denver. There are actually two towns-Crested Butte, the historic city, and Mt. Crested Butte, the new town built by the ski resort.

On a trip there in March, I was delighted to stumble upon Django's (www.djangos.us), a chic, modern restaurant featuring small plates. Created by Chef Kate Ladoulis, Django's menu is inventive; the stand-out dish for me was the crispy Brussels sprouts with apples, pistachios, crème fraîche, and apple cider reduction. If it wasn't for the mountain scene outside, I would have thought I was at a bistro in Manhattan.

While in town, also stop by Lobar, a subterranean sushi bar that turns into a nightclub late.
www.crestedbutte-co.gov
www.mtcrestedbuttecolorado.us

Festival

Oktoberfest Denver September 18-20, 25-27

At the 40th Annual Oktoberfest Denver, held in the Ballpark Neighborhood, you will find the typical German traditions- Hefe-Weizen, schnitzel, and lederhosen-but expect some unusual twists with the Long Dog Derby and Das Hustle Hoff.

Denver's fastest Dachshunds debut at the Long Dog Derby, a "wiener dog" race, with categories like "Little Links," "Bier Brats," and "Senior Schnitzels." Better yet, it's a benefit for the Colorado Dachshund Rescue.

Das Hustle Hoff, yes, you guessed it, is a tribute to Germany's favorite 80's television star. Participants don their best German, Knight Rider, or Baywatch costumes and run a 5k or 10k through downtown Denver's emerging neighborhoods.
www.oktoberfestdenver.com

Bar

JR's

A great night out in gay Denver should include a visit to JR's, a staple in the Uptown neighborhood. Tuesday nights showcase the city's best, or wannabe, crooners for karaoke, and Wednesday nights are a riot with Drag Queen Bingo. However, the most popular night by far is Thursday night, when the bar has "Half Price Night" on all wells, drafts, and bottles of beer.
www.myjrs.com

Dining

Z Cuisine

I think Denver's best restaurants are tucked away in the many quaint neighborhoods, like the Highlands. Z Cuisine, an authentic Parisian "bistrot," follows my belief-the smaller, the better-as it couldn't hold more than 50 patrons at one time. Their ColoRouge Cambembert cheese fondue is heavenly-served with house potato and chèvre curd gnocchi. If you're looking for a more casual scene, step next door to À Côté, Z Cuisine's "sibling wine bar." There, enjoy a traditional French onion soup while exploring the extensive list of Absinthe from around the world.
www.zcuisineonline.com

Hotel

Brown Palace Hotel

In 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel opened its doors and set the standard for luxury hotels in the Mile High City. In fact, every U.S. president has visited the hotel since Teddy Roosevelt with the exception of Calvin Coolidge. Designed in Italian Renaissance style, the hotel showcases a stunning atrium lobby with balconies rising eight floors. When it opened on August 12, 1892, rooms went for an expensive $3-$5 per night, and today, prices start around $169 and top out for $1400 for the presidential suite. Make reservations for the long standing tradition, afternoon tea at "The Brown," or indulge on prime rib at the Ship Tavern, a vintage pub.
www.brownpalace.com

Montreal, Canada

Below are Daniel's September picks for Montréal, Canada.

by Daniel Baylis

Party

Out at La Ronde September 4

Kick your heels back and start screaming… in public. The gays are gathering for a rollercoaster of an evening at La Ronde, Montreal's Six Flags Amusement Park. Out at La Ronde promises a great outdoor evening with rides, music and special entertainment. I recommend the Orbite for a bit of stomach churning. 6 PM - 3 AM. $45 in advance. $60 at the gate. Followed by an after-party at Parking Nightclub.
http://www.outinevents.com/index.php

Piknic Electronik September 6, 13, 20, 27

Piknic Électronik is an outdoor dance party like no other. It continues to make electronic music available to the masses, with an emphasis on highlighting the enormous talent found in Montréal's electronic music scene. It's a dance-a-licious weekly event that's both a great party and an opportunity to get musically educated. Perfectly located in the green space of Parc Jean-Drapeau, the historic location of Expo 67. $10.

Festival

1st Annual Burlesque Festival September 17 - 20

With the strippers being able to take off their bottoms in Montreal, things can get pretty sexually explicit… Sometimes we are in the mood for something milder; Burlesque is more focused on the "tease" in "striptease" than the "strip". But don't worry, you are still going to get titillated, performers will often strip down to pasties and g-strings. Check the website for various events and costs.
http://www.montrealburlesquefestival.ca/home.html

AIDS Walk

Ça Marche September 20

Don't want to kill your buzz here, but HIV/AIDS is an issue that continues to affect the queer community. Each year, over 10,000 people gather to lend their legs (and dollars) to walk the streets of downtown Montreal in honour of AIDS awareness. If you are in town, come join in. The post-walk party is always a blast, featuring various local acts. A true Montreal experience. The walk starts and ends in Émilie-Gamelin Park. 10:30 AM
http://www.farha.qc.ca/events.php?page=marche〈=en

Restaurant

Saloon

The "it" bistro in Montreal's Gay Village, Saloon serves up some dee-lish cocktails set to the funkiest ambience. If you make it before September 28, you'll be able to chill on the patio. 4 PM - 7 PM "Happy Hours" every day. DJs will be spinning. Try the Honey Brie Salad. Dinner with a drink - $30 plus tax & tip. 1333 St. Catherine Street East
http://www.lesaloon.ca/site.html