From: Elena Vogt (elena@net56.net)
Date: Wed Aug 25 2004 - 00:28:19 CDT
Last Thursday I did a "field trip" with my GG friend Dina to some
possible Thursday night destinations. Here is what we found:
Dinner at Winberie's: Cafe Winberie is one block north of the Oak Park
stop on the CTA green line. It is about an eight mile drive from
downtown on the Eisenhower. There is sufficient street parking. We got
there about 8:30 on Thursday and it was about two thirds filled. It has
an elegant decor with soft jazz background music. They have a full bar
and a good wine and beer selection. There is not much room to hang out
by the bar. The staff was very friendly and service was excellent.
Entrees ranged from $10-$20. They have a good selection of steaks,
seafood and pasta. My orange roughy (sp?) special was very good. Dina
said her Risotto was excellent.
Nutbush: An LGBT bar 0.6 miles from Winberies. About 15 people were
there. They were quite friendly. Entertainment consisted of Bingo, but
I have never seen Bingo like this. Bingo games included Helen Keller
Bingo (no I's) and Penis Bingo (use your imagination on this one).
Prizes were kind of corny. Dina won a Pope John Paul Candle and a
Rainbow Slinky. A MTF TG was calling out the numbers. Bingo is only on
some Thursday nights, not sure about Pinkfest. Nutbush consisted of a
semi-circular bar in one room and a dance floor in another room which is
open on Friday's and Saturday's. Decor typical of neighborhood bar.
Hideaway: A gay bar about 2 miles from Winberies. About 12 guys
downstairs were OK but not friendly. They have a pool table and jukebox
downstairs. Upstairs is a dance floor and louder music. Thursday
nights they have male dancers upstairs. Decor nicer than Nutbush.
Temptations: Large lesbian nightclub about 15 minutes from Winberies in
Franklin Park. It was really dead there at about 10:30-11:00 pm. About
a dozen girls scattered around. Deserted dance floor. Nice decor with
plenty of pool tables, pinball games, air hockey games but few people
playing them.
Hunters: Large gay nightclub 20-25 minutes from Windberies. Good crowd
of about 50 guys and a few GG's. Hunters is large so there were still
plenty of room. I did not see any t-girls. They had male dancers who
circulated around in g-strings after dancing. Later couples hit the
dance floor. Dina and I hung out at end of bar near pool tables (area
where t-girls usually hang out). Music was loud but we still could talk
without yelling. We left about 1:15 with Hunter's still rocking (I had
to work next day). They are open until 3 or 4 on Thursday's.
Commentary: I think Winberies is a good place to meet on Thursday. It
is easy to get to and closer to Hunters than likely Chicago restaurants.
Oak Park has good shopping around Winberies for anyone getting there
early. I think Hunter's should remain the ultimate party destination,
it was the liveliest place Thursday. Nutbush is a possible place to
stop and get a drink before Hunter's. It is friendly and close to
Winberies.
Last year Thursday night consisted of dinner at Hard Rock Cafe then
going to Hunters. I have never been to Hard Rock Cafe, I tend to avoid
touristy type restaurants. However, if rock and roll is your thing, we
can do that then do a 30-40 minute drive to Hunters.
Questions?
Feed back please!
hugs,
Elena
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