It’s Summertime in P-Town
By BEAU TAYLOR
June 2005 - All right gentlemen and ladies, and gentlemen that
look like ladies and ladies that look like gentlemen, it’s time
for all y’all to shake off the horrors of this past New England
winter ~ and the spring that wasn’t ~ and head to the beach…or
to near the beach, whichever tickles your fancy.
I have been charged with giving you the skinny on where to drag your fabulous
Mystic-tanned behinds so that you can see and be seen during these warm
months. Now I hope you already had the common sense to do South Beach
~ the diet that is, not the Florida city (although if you did both the
diet and the city – and you know I did! – you get extra credit!).
So let’s travel down to New England’s Gay Beach Mecca, P’Town.
Circuit promoter David Flower and the gang (www.davidflower.com)
are kicking off July on Saturday the 2nd with a huge Pier Dance on Macmillan
Wharf. They’re following that up with a week of boat cruises and
other fun stuff including a special nighttime deck party at the Boatslip
on Thursday, July 5 – this baby’ll last until at least 1am!
Speaking of the Boatslip, the Boatslip Beach Club (161 Commercial Street),
home of the “World’s Most Famous Tea Dance,” is the
number one place for summer afternoon tea-dancing by the sea. And if you’re
not too keen on sand in your Speedo, grab a terry-cloth towel and MD Formulations
SPF 30, head for a lounge chair by the Boatslip pool, and be prepared
to become someone else’s cup of tea!
Now remember, P’Town has a few different beaches, but none compares
to Herring Cove. A short bike ride or walk to the end of Bradford St.
will take you to a pathway (which one of my friends calls a scenic hiking
route, if you catch his drift!) that runs through the dunes. It’s
about a 15 minute walk if you’re so inclined; if not, take the car
or the trolley to the Herring Cove Beach parking lot. From the lot, start
walking to the left – ladies, (females, that is), you’ll come
upon your friends first and boys, keep walking, you’ll know when
you’ve arrived.
It’s time to talk about nightlife, and P’Town definitely has
the goods. As the town’s hottest destination, the A-House (Atlantic
House) at 8 Masonic Place is packed every night all season long. One of
the oldest gay bars in the country, it gives you lots of room to spread
out, both inside and out. On Fridays, it’s all about the famous
Best Buns Contest hosted by some outrageous drag queens. Don’t miss
the men’s room where, while scanning the walls or ceiling, you may
see a photo of a familiar face ~ or other body part!
Other don’t-miss party spots include The Gifford House (11 Carver)
with its hoppin’ piano bar, its Dungeon ~ down deep in the cellar
and perfect for those naughty times ~ and its verandah, one of the best
places around for twilight cocktails, and The Pied Piper (193A Commercial
St.), arguably the town’s best starting point for girls who like
girls. For a list of more bars and clubs in P’Town, you can head
to www.mygayweb.com/bars/city/?T=13769.
The Crown & Anchor is back and better than ever as a full service
resort. It hosts a number of bars as well as the Crown Cabaret, a major
showroom with a full season of first-class gay cabaret entertainment.
Home to revivals of Boston’s hottest gay theatrical wizard Ryan
Landry’s newest “queer musicals,” this summer the Crown
gives us his “Cinderella the Rock Musical.”
No matter which indoor destination you choose, don’t you dare miss
the outdoor fireworks during the week of the Fourth. This glorious week
is when all the barechested beauties (I mean the men!) hit the town hard
for the season and the stupendous sights in the sky are matched by those
on the streets.
All summer long, P’Town and the adjoining National Seashore host
world-class biking through the Dunes along paved trails that stretch for
miles. Not especially difficult, the trails meander through magnificent
scenery and, since the Cape is relatively narrow at this point, you’re
never really far from Bradford or Commercial Streets. Bikes are for rent
throughout the town and serve not only as a day’s recreation, but
also as the preferred method of transportation.
Now, all of this planned entertainment truly can’t compare to the
people-watching that’s available along Commercial St. Straight or
gay or other, from Maine or Minneapolis, you can’t fail to be entertained
by the sights that walk the streets 24/7 ~ it’s a veritable parade!
The best vantage points are a bench in front of Town Hall, a table at
Café’ Blasé or at Bubala’s, and of course a
seat at Spiritus Pizza as the bars are closing. Ah yes, Spiritus after-hours…
such a magical place, where the day’s tanning and the evening’s
cocktails form an intoxicating haze that can envelop you and that handsome,
dreamyeyed yummy you’ve had your eye on ever since the ferry ride
(Note: Let this work to your advantage if you neglected to secure lodging
before arriving).
So boys and girls, put down the weights, back slowly away from your desktops,
grab the dogs (many accommodations welcome them) and head to the beach.
It was a long, hard winter…and with no Spring, it’s only right
that we get sprung! Enjoy!
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