To get a thorough, up-to-date take on what's happening in gay and lesbian nightlife, pick up copies of HX (www.hx.com), Gay City News (www.gaycitynews.com), the New York Blade (www.nyblade.com), GONYC (www.gomag.com) or Next. They're available for free in bars and clubs all around town or at the Lesbian and Gay Community Center, at 208 W. 13th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues (tel. 212/620-7310; www.gaycenter.org). Time Out New York boasts a terrific gay and lesbian section for events, meetings and parties; another great source is the free weekly Village Voice. Or try Metro Source NY (www.metrosource.com) a bi-monthy magazine which features an extensive entertainment section. Always remember that asking people in one bar can lead you to discover another that fits your tastes.
These days, many bars, clubs, cabarets, and cocktail lounges are neither gay nor straight but a bit of both, either catering to a mixed crowd or to varying orientations on different nights. Most of the clubs listed as Dance Clubs, cater to a gay crowd, some predominantly so.
Cattyshack is a little ol' place where we can get together
Head over to Park Slope (aka "Dyke Slope") NYC's favorite lesbian bar, Cattyshack (249 Fourth Ave., between Carroll and President sts.; tel. 718/230-5740; www.cattyshackbklyn.com; Subway: R to Union St.; F to Fourth Ave./9th St.).
Brooke Webster, proprietor of the late, legendary Meow Mix, which succumbed to the rising rents and gentrification of the Lower East Side, took her party across the Manhattan Bridge to a much larger space that has quickly become a favorite hangout for NYC lesbians and their friends. The two-level club offers several kinds of ambience, ranging from casual pool playing, beer sipping, TV watching downstairs to upstairs dance parties where DJs play all genres of music, frequently featuring go-go girls.
Theme nights are popular, with regularly scheduled trivia contests, country nights, Guitar Hero competitions, and (of course) The L Word viewing parties and events.
On Sunday there's all-you-can-eat pizza and beer during football season (and after). And in good weather, everyone heads for the back patio, where a weekly barbecue/beer bust (with vegetarian selections!) draws crowds all summer long.
