22 June 22nd–June 28th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | dance nights and karaoke are some of its most popular activities. It’s also famous for its after-hours weekend dance parties. Karamba 1724 E. MCDOWELL ROAD 602-254-0231 The expansive, colorfully-lit dance floor at this gay dance club is almost always packed with bodies, whether it’s boys dancing with boys, gals getting down with other gals, or various other combinations. Although the crowd and the music at Karamba leans Latino, the welcoming space is home to a diverse crowd during frenzied weekend events, when folks dance until dawn. Monday night karaoke, rotating theme nights and drag shows keep the party going throughout the week. Kobalt 3110 N. CENTRAL AVE., #175 602-264-5307 The current Kobalt is the second location of this Park Central gay bar. In the former spot, about 100 yards north in the same plaza, patrons spent years singing show tunes and ‘80s hits during its many karaoke nights, howling at the big screen during a watch party of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” prepping their singles for the next drag show number or happily ordering another drink. The new location offers all this with a bigger stage, i.e. more opportunities for performers and customers, or both, to ham it up during a wild night at Kobalt. This socially responsible watering hole also hosts national debate viewing parties and fundraisers and staff members can often be seen around town at protests. Nu Towne Saloon 5002 E. VAN BUREN ST. 602-267-9959 Open since 1971, Nu Towne Saloon has earned landmark status as the Valley’s oldest gay bar still in oper- ation. Located in east Phoenix across Van Buren Street from the equally historic Tovrea Castle, it’s survived a lot over five decades: recessions, the fickleness of LGBTQ+ crowds and a massive fire in 2010 that completely gutted its interior. After the rebuild, the owners haven’t changed much, keeping the narrow, rectangular building kitschy (there’s a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower on the roof) and its interior teeming with a seven-foot plaster rooster statue (insert jokes here, if you must) and antiques and memorabilia straight outta grandma’s attic. The decor extends to the back patio, which was upgraded during the pandemic with a canvas roof and other amenities to handle Nu Towne’s crowds during its popular weekly beer deal on Sunday (where 16-ounce cups of Budweiser or Bud Lite are $2). Regulars visit for a drink or two at the lengthy indoor bar, a game of pool on either of its two tables, or to drop quarters into the Merlin fortune-telling machine. You don’t need to be psychic to know this is a fun place, though. Pat O’s Bunkhouse Saloon 4428 N. SEVENTH AVE. 602-200-9154 Pat O’s puts the “G” in the Melrose District’s LGBTQ+ scene — its clientele is largely gay men, many of whom are unabashedly members or fans of the bear or leathermen subcultures. Former owner and namesake Pat Olivo (a fixture in the local gay scene for decades) died in March 2022, but this bar continues his legacy. Here, you might stumble into discussions of Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ history or trans rights, games of bingo or poker, or parties out on the ample, fenced-in outdoor patio to go along with Sunday darts tournaments and daily drinks specials. Within its roomy interior (it’s a former home converted decades ago), a large bar, various tables and countertops, relics from now-defunct local gay bars and plenty of playful banter and flickering laughter are waiting. Pat O’s is a local institution. There’s always a party at Charlie’s. Matt Hennie Photo by Sophie Emeny on Unsplash socially responsible watering hole also hosts national debate viewing members can often be seen around Open since 1971, Nu Towne Saloon ation. Located in east Phoenix across historic Tovrea Castle, it’s survived a lot over five decades: recessions, the fickleness of LGBTQ+ crowds and a massive fire in 2010 that completely gutted its interior. After the rebuild, specials. Within its roomy interior (it’s a former home converted decades ago), a large bar, various tables and countertops, relics from now-defunct local gay bars and plenty of playful banter and flickering laughter are waiting. Pat O’s is a local institution. Photo by Sophie Emeny on Unsplash Fly your rainbow fl ags high during Pride Month. Pride Crawl from p21
