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While bars like Blue Moon and 5801 are more laid-back, the Strip District’s Cruze Bar is reputable for its particularly loud music that makes for thunderous nights of dancing. Just as certain sports bars are specialized for fans of specific teams, many gay bars are geared toward providing unique atmospheres.
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Pittsburgh’s total number of gay bars may not be particularly high, but each one caters to a very distinct environment. “But you can definitely find what you’re looking for.” “Do we not have as many options as other places? Yeah,” said Alex Slaughter, a 24-year-old regular customer of many of Pittsburgh’s gay bars. “People first come because it’s a gay bar,” said Henderson, “but the friendly and safe atmosphere keeps them coming back and bringing friends with them.”Ĭhris Caton, a 31-year-old frequent patron of many different gay bars throughout Pittsburgh, described gay bars as “places that can go to see familiar faces and just feel comfortable, in general.” It would be nice if it was, but you have to use your brain,” he said.Īndrew Henderson, who has been the manager of Lawrenceville’s Blue Moon bar since 2002, describes his bar as a “Gay Cheers,” saying that it’s a place that many people just see as their friendly neighborhood bar. “You have to be smart and practical about those sorts of things,” said Dustin Ferrero, a 32-year-old Pittsburgh native and member of the gay community, referring to LGBTQ PDA.
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PDA, or public displays of affection, can range from holding hands to kissing. “A lot of gay people feel like they can’t be themselves or show any sort of PDA in a lot of bars and other public places,” said Tricia Dougherty, a Pitt senior and president of Pitt’s Rainbow Alliance. To this end, the role that gay bars play are doubly important, serving as both hotspots for socialization and places that foster an environment in which people feel that they can be open and act as themselves. “As progressive as Pittsburgh is, it’s still backwards in a lot of ways,” Talerico said.ĭespite many public venues being open to individuals of any sexual orientation, that does not negate the fact that discrimination does still exist and can manifest itself in ways that make members of the LGBTQ community uncomfortable. Unfortunately, not all public places outside of this community are as accepting, as some restaurants and bars have patrons that take contention with LGBTQ individuals. “I think that gay bars in Pittsburgh serve their purpose well as … well, gay bars in Pittsburgh,” said Carter Talerico, a 31-year-old Pittsburgh native, patron of 5801 and member of the gay community. Though Pittsburgh doesn’t have quite as many or quite as varied gay bars as larger cities such as Philadelphia, they are still seen by gay Pittsburghers as an important part of the city’s culture. Although 5801 is a very popular gay bar and many Pitt students are familiar with it, it is only one of the city’s many gay bars.
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Less than a block away, others were doing the same at 5801 Video Lounge and Cafe, a well-known gay bar.ĥ801 advertises itself as a gay establishment that welcomes pretty much anyone and everyone. On one evening, Harris Grill, a popular Shadyside bar, was playing loud music as people drank, laughed and ate on the venue’s porch. But jumping to conclusions about what’s inside may seriously discredit the significance that some bars play in the social lives of some Pittsburghers. As seen in The Pitt News on April 19, 2013, which was the paper’s yearly “Beer Edition,” in which I was tasked with reporting on Pittsburgh’s gay bar scene.īetween the outside aesthetics of neon lights and boisterous pop music, it’s sometimes hard to differentiate between bars based on their appearance.