Boston's Best Gay and Lesbian Bar

One of the gay and lesbian scene’s favorite dining spots, where the Back Bay meets the South End.

Reviews:

• “Horrible Service and Tasteless Food”
• “Tasty apps and entrees, Good cocktails, Service needs some work”
• “PLEASE Change Restaurant Description”
• “Started out so promising….”
• “Avoid NEw Year’s Eve dinner package special”

Tips: Stop in any evening before 7:30pm, order any entree and receive any sandwich, burger or designated entree for $2.09.

209

Closed — reopening as House of Blues in late 2008.

Reviews:

• “Dont ever use your Credit Card at Avalon”
• “Avoid if the show is sold out”
• “DO NOT see a concert here”
• “FANTASTIC NIGHTCLUB”
• “Avalon is one of the best clubs in New England!”

Tips: A short walk to El Pelon Taqueria (and its mighty burritos) is perfect for pre- or post-concert snacking.

Avalon

One of Cambridge’s smartest, most stylish hangouts resides smack dab between Harvard and Porter Squares.

Reviews:

• “Great people, space and food”
• “still the best!!”
• “Fans of the WSL”
• “Best it’s EVER been!”
• “eewww!!!!!”

Tips: Not much of a late-owl? Come by instead for their Sunday brunch, weekly from 10am to 2pm.

West Side Lounge

Dancing, billiards, leather and mingling opportunities are all packed into this sprawling two-story gay hot spot.

Reviews:

• “Hot time!”
• “The best Boston has to offer”

Tips: The staff forbids those without tickets to access Machine from inside Ramrod. If you plan to hit the Machine dance floor, buy your ticket when you arrive to avoid getting stuck in the longer late-night line.

The Ramrod

Closed 7/05 —

Where Central Square’s eccentric gather, all in black, black, black.

Reviews:

• “Thursdays @ Campus”
• “if you’re not a square”
• “Nights in Black Leathers”
• “not just goth!”
• “Awesome”

Tips: No baseball caps, sneakers, flannel, khakis or jeans.

ManRay Night Club

One of Boston’s most popular spots to “strike a pose” caters mainly to alternative crowds.

Reviews:

• “Beware Out-of-Towners”
• “I’d go back”
• “Severe”
• “the 90’s are over!”
• “Not feeling the BUZZ”

Buzz Boston

One of the area’s most popular gay bars, located just off the M.I.T. campus.

Reviews:

• “No Attitude the Men Actually Speak If you’re into Cloned out Drugged Out This is NOT the place”
• “A little too mellow for me…”
• “Certainly not Paradise….”
• “Nice to be yourself”
• “GO IF YOUR INTO FUN!”

Paradise Cafe

A timeless piece of the JP underground: live music, a relaxed atmosphere and an unpretentious mixed crowd.

Reviews:

• “No frills FUN”
• “babaliscious”
• “10”
• “hot”
• “No Pretense Good Fun”

Midway Cafe

Allston’s beloved dive serves as a second home for locals in need of cheap drink and a relaxed hangout.

Reviews:

• “allston, ma is the rippenest town.”
• “Dive at it’s BEST!”
• “PUNK ROCK JUKEBOX”

Tips: The bar’s cash only, so come prepared.

Model Cafe