The last time I was in a gay bar was several years ago when I was living in Detroit. A summer fling took me to some of his favorite spots. I didn't much personally care for the dance club he took me to. But it sure looked like a lot of fun for the younger set. Everybody seemed to know everybody, and dance/drag competitions were loudly cheered. Some contestants sure did seem to have their hearts sunk into it. I did not mind The erotic dancing competition on stage. Lol. It wasn't a full strip show, but those guys were sure having fun getting down to their g-strings.

But the place I liked the best was this little neighborhood gay bar he took me to. It was so out of the way, I'd never even heard of it. Just a neighborhood place with a quiz competition on Wednesday nights, and a lovely outdoor garden with flickering lights for nicer weather.

I never saw more than 20 or 30 people there at one time, and it was a nice mix of queer people, not just gay men. If I had lived anywhere near that neighborhood, I might have made it a hangout. But at about a 40-minute drive, it didn't seem like a sensible choice, especially if I wanted to have a cocktail or three.

That's the kind of space I really enjoy these days, but they're not easy to find.