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By
Eddie Sanchez
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Click on the link for a handy PDF version of our August 2007 Texas travel feature!
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This is a city comfortable in its own skin. Beautiful, laid back, and with a famous live-music scene, Austin has it all here in the middle of beautiful Texas hill and lake country. Maybe it's the heat, but there's a dream-like quality to this place. Austin enjoys life. You'll find your inner
clock slowing down just a little, and your sleep deeper and more peaceful. Leave your wristwatch at home.
If anything can rouse you out of your trance it will be the festivities at the semiannual
Splash Day, a traditional sun-filled (clothing optional) lakeside party on the first Sunday in May and also over Labor Day. Expect Lake Travis and its rocky shores of Hippie Hollow to be a
pleasure realm. Most bars will host gala events through the weekend preceding Splash, and celebrated DJs will have the town pulsating with a holiday spirit.
In this bastion of liberaldom, there is really no one gay section; in fact, establishments catering to gay needs are spread throughout town.
Nightlife
Charlie's Austin (1301 Lavaca) has for 22 years been a focal point of fun for Austin's gay community. With the friendly bartenders and management committed to the community, Charlie's stands out by providing exceptional service, great drink specials, $5 Steak Night
on Tuesdays, sexy Manwatch dancers, and a great outdoor patio perfect for socializing and partying. Sister bar
'Bout Time (9601 Interstate 35 North) is a neighborhood watering hole with campy drag shows on Saturdays. Volleyball enthusiasts flock here.
Oilcan Harry's (211 West 4th Street) is a must-do in the gay scene. Upscale, this men's dance-bar showcases a large bar area, an uninhibited dance floor, an outdoor patio and bar, and a side bar with pool tables and video machines. Kick-ass parties, super after-hours,
and personable bartenders have contributed to its ongoing success. There is a wonderful sense of "controlled chaos" that is inclusive rather than exclusive. Make sure to ask them to play the Village People's "Go West"-- trust me, it's a scream!
A few doors away, Rain (217 B West 4th Street) is a popular watering hole on weekends.
Rainbow Cattle Company (305 West 5th Street) is home to the Texas Gay Rodeo Association, Austin Baptist Women, and United Court of Austin. This is Austin's only "country cruisin'" bar
Chain Drive (504 Willow) is the only leather-and-Levi hangout bar in town. Friday nights are usually packed, and there is live music (mostly punk and alternative) on Wednesday nights, which attract a pretty wild crowd.
Shopping
Forbidden Fruit (512 Neches Street and 108 E. North Loop Boulevard), now with two locations, continues to provide "useful items for a diverse world." The items traded include jewelry, fresh flowers, erotic literature, and myriad intimate accessories.
Tape Lenders Video (1114 West 5th Street) carries gay videos, plus gifts, cards, magazines, swim wear, and underwear.
Lodgings
San Jose Hotel (1316 South Congress; 512-693-9317) is a chic, renovated motel in the "in" neighborhood just south of the river from downtown known as South Congress. Rooms aren't cheap here, but the South Beachy/LA-ish vibe you get, as well as the happening
cafe/bar and attractive heated pool and patio, make it worth it. Next door you'll want to fuel your morning with a cup of java from
Jo's (1300 S. Congress), a hip coffee and sandwich/ bakery joint. Stop by the other Jo's / Downtown location at 242 West 2nd Street. Jo's is a place to see and be
seen, and is wi-fi ready.
Also in the vicinity is the famous Austin Motel (1220 S. Congress; 512-441-1157), with its neon phallic logo beckoning. They are also high in the "cool" quotient.
Getting physical
Midtowne Spa (5815 Airport Boulevard), located next to the Highland Mall, is a premier facility throbbing with pelvic tourism. All the recreations that are common to the chain of Midtowne Spas may be availed here, including complete workout facilities.
Gold's Gym (101 West 6th Street) is the gym to work muscles other than in the groin area. Though straight-owned, this gym is gay-popular and close to many gay establishments.
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