[Sigequinox]

What do you see when you look at this image?



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How does that make you feeeeel?

[JayCT]

We need to return to the topic of the OP. JayCT, Moderator

[Wordsmith11]

Returning to the original topic, Triangles is not closed, contrary to what the original poster said. And yes...websites, then apps, took the wind out of the sails of a lot of bars in non major metro areas.

[NewHavensFinest]

As someone said, there is Partners, and also theres York Street Cafe.

[katnip kid]

Originally Posted by nep321

As a gay person however, I don't see the point in going to straight bars. I mean, what's the point? Might as well take out the guess work and go to a gay bar so that you know that the other men there are also interested in men.

But yeah, I guess times have changed.

The times sure have changed, have they ever. Straight people have discovered our local gay bar. So, no, you don't know if the men there are into other men. Straight women started going to the ones near us because they wouldn't be harassed by guys. Word got out about this, and that a good place to meet women was at the local gay bar. I have no problem with all this! Rest assured, they still hold drag shows. One local leather biker group is now open to any adult and has female members.

One holiday the local AIDS education group held a party open to the public. I saw very few gay folk from town. It was like, wow! Lots of friendly guys, but they weren't gay, at least not the ones I talked to. They were there with their gals.

I dunno, shouldn't we be glad that this type of inclusion, intermingling is happening? Isn't this what we have been fighting for all these years?

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by katnip kid

I dunno, shouldn't we be glad that this type of inclusion, intermingling is happening? Isn't this what we have been fighting for all these years?

I agree. I think the answer is yes.

This is precisely the point. We go to two "townie" bars where we live. We sit together as a couple-- and do what everyone else does. Have a beer. Greet neighbors and acquaintances. Relax. No one cares.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by katnip kid

Straight people have discovered our local gay bar. So, no, you don't know if the men there are into other men. Straight women started going to the ones near us because they wouldn't be harassed by guys. Word got out about this, and that a good place to meet women was at the local gay bar.

LOL. I know someone smart(and desperate) who tried this technique years ago. Epic failure. He spent a couple hours dodging the graba*s game before throwing in the towel. It seemed like a good idea on paper.

[katnip kid]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

LOL. I know someone smart(and desperate) who tried this technique years ago. Epic failure. He spent a couple hours dodging the graba*s game before throwing in the towel. It seemed like a good idea on paper.

He was years ahead of his time. How the times have changed! I'm sure glad they did!
I never,ever thought I'd live to see the day that gay marriage would be legalized.

We've come a long way!

[CTYank]

As with most things, the reasons for gay bar closures in CT and elsewhere are varied. Indeed the internet has hurt,as has the 21 year old drinking age, and the ability to be more open has widened the opportunities to include other establishments. And we cannot discount the effect of drinking/driving enforcement along with the adoption of a .08 standard for violation.

It must also be said that predatory pricing policies served to drive away potential customers. I came out in the late 1960s, and one of the most used descriptions of the business of running a gay bar was "having a gold mine".Personally I refused to pay $5 just to enter a club and buy way overpriced drinks. I know there are a lot of others who agreed.

I recall an establishment in Brewster, NY, that opened about 15 years ago selling drinks at reasonable prices with no cover charges. It was packed on weekends. Food for thought for some would be entrepreneurs.