Gay life in Pittsburgh (Washington, California: housing, crime, suburbs)

[Geeo]

I would agree with guylocke that the highest concentrations of gay people and families is Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and Mexican War Streets. I'd add Lawrenceville to the list these days. There are also lots of gay people in East Allegheny and Allegheny West, also on the North Side. Just look for someone renovating in an older part of town and they're probably gay.

I also know many people in Regent Square, Highland Park, and South Side (Flats and Slopes). Truthfully, wherever I go in town, whether city or suburbs, I see gay people. I know we are in every neighborhood and suburb.

[alleghenyman]

Can anyone recommend a few mixed-crowd bars? I'm looking for something relaxed with an under-40 mix of sexualities and genders where a woman who is somewhat inhibited would feel comfortable (i.e. not a meat market).

Thx.

[guylocke]

Alleghenyman, I would say your best bet is 5801 and Spin, they are both on Ellsworth Ave in Shadyside. They are only one block away from one another. It is MOSTLY gay men from the ages of 21 to 40 but there are also quite a few women (more at 5801) and I've met quite a few straight couples who go just to enjoy themselves.

They ARE technically "gay" bars, but certainly not exclusively. I have straight friends with me every time I go. Ellsworth Ave is VERY busy on Friday nights.

[Geeo]

Some other mixed places (gay and straight) where you would feel welcome are red Room (corner of Highland and Penn Circle South across from Borders Books), Casbah (S. Highland near Borders), Kelly's Loung (Penn Circle South), and Elbow Room on Ellsworth. These places are all very nice and are mostly straight but get a good percentage of gay clientele, so it's not uncomfortable.

[fleetiebelle]

Brillobox on Penn Ave in Bloomfield might be good, too. It's kind of a hipster dive, but my gay friends and I end up there a lot, and we know that at least one of the bartenders is gay.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by guylocke

I have straight friends with me every time I go.

You have straight male friends? Man you're lucky! Most guys on my campus don't befriend me for fear that I'll hit on them or turn them gay or something. Then again, I suppose I'm lucky that I'm friends with 99.9% of the females on campus; I'm the envy of those very same heterosexual males! LOL!

[guylocke]

You have straight male friends? Man you're lucky! Most guys on my campus don't befriend me for fear that I'll hit on them or turn them gay or something. Then again, I suppose I'm lucky that I'm friends with 99.9% of the females on campus; I'm the envy of those very same heterosexual males! LOL!

LOL! Straight guys love me because I play so many video games with them and they respect me because I can usually kick their ***. My brother has gone with me, too! (He's straight and four years older).

[Geeo]

This is funny. I have straight couple friends that I go out with, and the husbands/boyfriends don't feel threatened if I go out with their wives/girlfriends without them. Double protection: they're out with men to "protect" them at night, and there's no chance of anything else happening. A perfect world.

[alleghenyman]

I can see it. Most girls like gay friends - they like having a man around who isn't desperate to get them undressed and loves shoes and handbags.

It's the other way around for me sort of. A female friend is semi-closeted but wants to meet more women like her. Is very reserved and I just think she needs to have more fun. I'm straight but I miss running with a more artsy crowd.

[fleetiebelle]

I think Cattivo in Lawrenceville is popular with the lesbitarian crowd these days.

Cattivo