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Boston Gay Travel Guide
The redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming! Well, at least the pinkcoats, anyway. Boston is the city of American Independence, and after the British redcoats were driven out, it became a destination for liberals of all types, including gays. Boston hosted one of the first gay pride marches in history, in 1971. The state reconfirmed its commitment to equal rights when it became the first state in the U.S. to legalize gay marriage through a constitutional amendment, and shook the nation awake to the plight of gay and lesbian couples. But before you run off to the first chapel you see, spend some time on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile stroll through the city past the most famous Revolutionary War sites. Check out Old Ironsides, the oldest ship in the US Navy, undefeated in battle, or the Paul Revere house and the Old North Church, where the famous lanterns were hung. Boston has some of the best museums in the world, and the Museum of Science and the Museum of Fine Arts could easily take up a whole vacation. As hokey as it sounds, Boston Duck Tours are insanely popular. Following a route past the city’s most famous attractions, the bizarre-looking WWII-era amphibious vehicle ends with a splash into the Charles River for a short cruise. When you need to get your shop on, try Faneuil Hall Marketplace in downtown, or Harvard Square, adjacent to America’s most prestigious university. Boston’s subway, The T, will get you anywhere you need to go. Boston’s gay scene is split between the South End (a few blocks south of Copley Square), the Theatre District (just south of the Boston Common, the massive city park), and Cambridge, across the river. Lesbians should be aware that Northampton, two hours west of Boston, might as well be called Lesbianville with its two all-girl colleges and plethora of girlie bars.
Gay Boston Bars, Restaurants and Clubs
In South End, check out Fritz, a cozy neighborhood bar drawing a mature following. Club Café, attracts a mixed gay crowd to its bar, the Moonshine. The Boston Eagle is the same here as it is anywhere. Hardcore leather junkies head out to the more remote Ramrod. In the theatre district, Jacques is a dichotomy, with its ground-level drag club Jacques Cabaret and its basement live alternative rock scene Jacques Underground. One cover gets you into both places, though the crowds are markedly different. The Luxor/JOX complex is also quite mismatched, with its Egyptian-themed bar upstairs and the uber-butch sports bar beneath. Vapor, formerly called Chaps, attracts an attractive, mixed crowd, and usually allows 19 and up. In Cambridge, the Hideaway Pub attracts a gay crowd on Thursdays and Sundays.
Buzz is what Saturday night is all about in Boston. If you’re not headed to the Cambridge clubs, you’ll be at this Theatre District haunt, dancing your legs off. Out near Harvard, a series of big dance clubs attract lots of students, and usually admit 19 and up. Manray is perhaps the most popular, but isn’t exclusively gay. Paradise is, and is justly popular for its cute college-boy go-gos (though something tells us they’re probably not Harvard boys!) Sunday night is huge, and the cavernous Club Avalon attracts gays from all over New England. The leather crowd dances at Machine, out in the boonies next to Ramrod.
Boston is fantastic for gay dining. Sunday brunch at On the Park is a gay institution. Geoffrey’s Café is the “gayest restaurant in Beantown.” A few blocks down, Mildred’s offers more humble fare for boys with leaner pockets. The Club Café is wildly popular, with live jazz and an eclectic menu. Gay-owned Icarus, at the Chandler Inn Hotel, is normally ranked one of Boston’s best (and most expensive). Out in Jamaica Plain, Centre Street Café attracts lesbians and vegetarians, alike.
Gay Friendly and Gay Boston Hotels
South End’s gay-owned Chandler Inn Hotel offers basic rooms at great rates (for Boston). The Gay Pride block party takes place right in front of the hotel, so book early. 463 Beacon Street Guest House is primarily gay, and one of the cheapest places in popular Back Bay. The gay-friendly Newbury Guest House is in the same area, but with less of a gay patronage. Oasis Guest House, a little closer to downtown, is popular with the gay crowd. The Amsterdammertje Euro-American Bed and Breakfast also draws a primarily gay following, though it is out in the boonies (but near the beach!)
Call an edirp.com gay travel specialist at 1-888-EDIRP-EZ (1-888-334-7739) or (214) 520-0345 (U.S.) to book any of the hotels mentioned above. Any hotels with links may be booked via our secure online booking system.
Boston Gay Pride and other Gay Events
Boston Pride is New England’s largest Pride celebration. Usually the first full week in June, this monstrous event includes concerts, parades, and block parties.
Travel guide by Benjamin Starr, a travel writer who claims the entire world as his home. When he's not at home, he can sometimes be found at a residence in Dallas, Texas. To contact Ben, email him at benjaminstarr@sbcglobal.net. |
