Another New York Times nod

I know, I should really be reading the philly.com, but the New York Times has such lovely pictures. Either way, they've been giving Philly the regular nod, first about the beer (see previous post) and now about the city in general. There's a great article detailing a 36 hour vacation in Philly. I feel exhausted just reading it, but must say that I endorse this article for two reasons. First, all the places listed here are worthwhile and fun. Secondly, I don't go to any of these places too often so I don't have to worry about lots of tourists getting in my way, ordering wrong and tipping lousily (is that a word?).

Stay tuned for a follow up 36 hours of how to hit Philly on the way cheep. Have any suggestions of where to go and how to not act like an asshole? Send 'em my way!

and Scene...

I am not much of a dancer. Really, I'm not at all a dancer. If forced, I can be dragged onto a dance floor and ridiculously attempt to move to the music, but truth be told, I would much rather park my ass on a bar stool than shake it on the dance floor. My lady, on the other hand, has recently remembered that she loves to dance. This started when we ended up at a queer dance party called Fuse for a friends birthday. I didn't hate it and she loved it. She is now on the quest for every possible Lesbian Dance Party she can find. Thus, when we were reading through our trusty South Philly Review last week and found a story about an upcoming party, she couldn't wait to try it. The party was held at Vesuvio, which is a bar located in the Italian Market/Bella Vista area. I'd been there before for a glass of wine with my parents, but I had never seen it like this. It was packed with queer folks from all walks of life. According to estimates, over 400 people came out. There were the Northeast Philly Dykes, the Cherry Hill Lesbians, the West Philly Queers and the list goes on and on. Ages ranged from 21 to 60. There were girls, boys and a few of us inbetween folks. At first it felt a little chaotic, but upon reflection I have to say that I just don't think they were prepared for this wave of party starved queer folk that rolled in that night. I know they had some music troubles and the bar was understaffed which left everyone there seeming a little on edge. I am sure it will thin out a bit as time goes on, and hopefully it won't be quite the crazy drunken booze fest it was since a lot of folks there were pretty angry drunks (I believe i got called a fat fuckin' homo by some girl who later tried to bum a smoke from me.) Still, I think the diversity was great and just goes to show how starved queer people are in this city for something to do. Although it was more of a jostle party than a dance party, I think I would definitely go back. The entertainment value of the people watching was definitely worth it. Also--props to the $2 PBR's.

Click here to see some photos from the event.

Pheeling the Pheaver for the Phlaver of the Phillies

To be a true phan, everything "F" must be replaced with a "PH." In the interest of public service I will now recommend places to watch the remainder of the world series.

Sidecar: 22nd and Christian

Good beer, good food but a little pricy for my tastes and not close to my house. When I was there they had the game on, but only a portion of the patrons were actually interested. No smoking (this isn't a value judgement, just a fact). Probably the best spot in the area, but not my favorite.

1601: 1601 south 10th street (at Tasker)

1601 opened a few years ago, probably as a part of the East Passyunk Crossing renaissance. It's a nice place with great beer--many deliciously on tap. Prices are reasonable and happy hour is a great deal. The food went downhill for a while, but the old chef is back and it's on the upswing. Highlights are 25 cent wings on Sunday--not only a great deal but the best wings I think I've ever had. It generally doesn't get too crowded, but if it does it can be a pain in the ass. It's not a very long bar and there is only one smallish TV. The seats are really uncomfortable. You can't smoke inside, which is good and bad, but you can see the TV from the door. All in all, decent if you want good beer and good food but can get a little annoying if you want a little dirt and a comfortable seat.

Rays Happy Birthday Bar: Passyunk and Federal (Near Geno's and Pats)

A depression-Era south philly tavern which got it's name from owner Ray Capozzoli always greeting patrons with "Happy Birthday" when the walked in the door. There's no food at the bar but plenty to eat in the neighborhood including not so good pizza at J&J's, expensive alright Mexican, and Racist cheese steaks at Gino's. All that within a 10 foot radius. If you want to extend to a 20 foot radius you can also hit Pats.

The bar itself is nice good. A sufficiently surly bartender who treats you right if you're not an asshole. The beer is decent--Philadelphia Brewing Company if you want to be a little fancy, PBR is $2.50 if you're on the cheep. You can smoke inside which is nice when you're drunk but you definitely leave smelling like an ashtray. The TV is big and loud and so are the patrons for the most part. The only complaint is the occasional crowd of hipsters that wonder in. Thankfully the Phillies Fans by far outnumbered them. All in all, a nice open room to watch the game with friends.

Bonnies Capistrano Bar: 13th and Dickenson

I'd have to say this was my favorite spot. $2-$3 draft pints of lager, highlife, bud light and miller light. Fancier beer in bottles if that's your preference. It was pretty empty but everyone there was friendly and excited. There's not generally food, but sometimes they make stuff. Even cooler--they have a whole stack of menus and allow you to just order your own meal from the wealth of take out options in the area. There's three TV's so you won't miss a play. You can smoke inside and in this instance we had the whole back room to ourselves. Excellent.

and finally...

My House: Tree Street

They ran out of beer, you have to make the food yourself, you can't smoke inside unless you're really drunk and don't want to get up and the Phillies lost. Although generally a lovely place for a gathering, in this instance it is not recommended.

The New Post...

I don't know how many of you ever made it to my dearly beloved and now departed gay bar The Post. It was a little dungeon of drunken iniquity in a dark alleyway just off Rittenhouse Square. You felt like you needed a password to get in, but once you were inside you were greeted by the nicest, most friendly bartender in the world--Jimmy, known in some circles as Mr. Northeast Leather. This man loved Anna and I from the minuted we entered. He even bought me dinner the night Anna left me to go visit her mom. It was the first time we'd been apart. We celebrated our 6month-aversary there. We celebrated birthdays there. I had an entire shrimp platter spilled on me one New Years Eve. It was an unlikely venue for me to feel so at home, but if you have ever gone to Sisters you will know exactly why I loved the Post. It was everything Sisters wasn't. The rafters were decorated with stuffed teddy bears sucking each other off, there were Drawing 101 gesture drawings of naked men on the wall, and in the back a second bar with the most disinterested male strippers I'd ever seen swaying back and forth to gay dance music. Still, i loved it. Then the owner was caught with a pile of Meth in the back room and The Post was no more.

Flash back to another dream of mine--to open a lesbian bar that doesn't suck. It would be just like The Post but without the strippers. It would have better beer on tap, a small dance floor and Patsy Cline in the jukebox and ladies could slow dance with their butches. I was really into Stone Butch Blues at the time. Well, it seems two lovely ladies have stolen my idea, not that i can really claim it that much. I'm sure it was a popular thought (again, visit Sisters and you'll know why) but still, it never seemed like it was going to happen, until now. Stir has just opened inside the former Post. It doesn't look at all like what i had envisioned for my lovely lesbian bar. In fact, from the pictures it's hard to tell that it was ever The Post. Still, I'm thrilled to know that the space is being used in a queer way and that there will at least be lesbians slow dancing somewhere in the building. Check it out. 1705 Chancellor St. (a dark ally just south of Walnut Street)