On this episode of Metrosource Minis, we chat about the realities of dating as a gay man in the modern world, coming out, the evolution of LGBTQ actors, missed connections, the fundamentals of being a good storyteller, finding love later in life, returning to the stage post-COVID, knowing when to walk away, and how to find the humor in everything…with host Alexander Rodriguez. If you have ever had the privilege of seeing David tell a story, you may need to bring an extra pair of pants as his signature humor, unique outlook on life, and almost too crazy to believe real-life experiences take the stage with finesse and hilarity that only a craftsman like David can pull off.
This season, he plays his most colorful character yet…himself.Īfter a decade, David Dean Bottrell Makes Love: A One-Man Show, featuring tales of missed connections, random hook-ups, and poor decisions, returns with new stories and an update to include dating from a gay man’s perspective in the digital age.
His credits span a list of iconic TV shows that is longer than a CVS receipt and include True Blood, iCarly, Modern Family, Justified, Ugly Betty, NCIS, Castle, Law and Order: SVU, and of course his deliciously villainous turn in Boston Legal. Throughout character actor David Dean Bottrell’s multi-decade career, he has played just about every kind of character you can think of. Why is it so hard for a gay man to find love? New York City's best gay bars, dance clubs, gay-rated hotels, gay bathhouses, gay culture, gay pride and gay cruise clubs. Read Next | Our List of the Top Gay Bars in New York City Read Next | LGBT Friendly Gyms and Fitness Classes in NYC Want Metrosource LGBTQ content notifications? Sign up for MetroEspresso. During Pride, you could move that time up to when the doors open.Īcross town in the East Village, The Cock likes to live up to its dive bar reputation, which has everything to do with the mass groping and more downstairs and absolutely nothing to do with poultry, other than the occasional glimpses of the chicken and chicken hawks referenced in cheap ’70s porn. Generally, the guys get frisky on the weekends after midnight. The Seattle Eagle has a dance floor where random acts of kink can break out in the twinkling of an eye, and NYC’s Eagle is three floors and a rooftop patio of shirtless men wearing harnesses and chaps. LA’s Eagle is laid-back and about as threatening as the set of Cheers. You could say there’s only one Eagle, and gay men around the world would know precisely what you mean: hairy, burly, more mature leather-clad men on the prowl and likely more on the kinky and promiscuous side. But these baths do schedule men-only hours Thursday (12pm-5pm) and Sunday (8am-2pm) and the clientele is known to get quite busy. In fact, they’re typically co-ed European style venues. Turkish and Russian baths are not at all gay. Don’t let the “kid friendly” Yelp reviews scare you off.
Northern Men’s Sauna & Health Club (3361 Farrington St.) in Queens. It also has a reputation for a “more diverse” crowd. West Side Club (27 West 20th St.) is another two-star facility on the edge of Chelsea, with facilities and options nearly identical to its cousin across town. Lockers, showers, steam and sauna are the amenities. The East Side Club (227 E 56th St.) on the east side of midtown carries a rating of two stars. You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty, "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type - we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.Les Hommes (217B W 80th St) Located on the Upper West Side, a $10 admission sends you through a turnstile, and then the rest is up to you. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all.
New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history, and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades.