Star: Goodbye Gaytown

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I think there were quasi-gay bar/cafes at PC - I don't know whether they still exist, however.

Not sure about the viability of putting a "gay bar" in Sauga - there is no "criticial" mass of other institutions, and the drive downtown isn't that long. I can see gay friendly ones being successful, however (though isn't that your local Starbucks...or dare I say Home Depot?)

AoD

 

[andreapalladio]

Ah, the Homo Depot. Or, as I like to call them, the Big Gay Loblaws. It's like Woody's with better lighting at the Queen's Quay Loblaws on Saturday.

 

[Darkstar416]

The relative closeness of T.O. will be this new bar's biggest obstacle. However, I think the location does make some degree of sense if one had to locate a gay bar in the 'saug. It's close to MCC, close to the 403 and the QEW and could use Etobicoke, Brampton & Oakville as its catchment area.

A "neighbourhood pub" theme would probably work better than some mega-gay club that can't really compete with Toronto. Also, considering the more closetted nature of the 905, it also needs to be somewhat discreet at the same time.

I think Port Credit is the more natural location for this (especially with its all day GO Train service), although I do understand Port Credit real estate / rent isn't exactly cheap.

 

[interchange42]

Lakeshore in Port Credit used to sport a little gay hole-in-the-wall called Buttons. The couple of times I was there it never achieved a critical mass of patrons to become a really fun place.

42

 

[building babel]

interchange: You should have brought more friends along.

Are you responsible for the undoing of Buttons?

 

[esplanade guy]

The gay village will always be around, although maybe a smaller version, because gay men need to meet other gay men, (lesbians too) and as any internet user knows, the internet is a lousey way to meet gay men! Most serious gay men will always want that face-to-face cruising that gets instant results, without the bs of fake pics, fake stats and fake addresses. I have no doubt the village will still be around when I am the oldest queen in town.

 

[building babel]

Nonsense. The internet is a wonderful way to meet gay men. Last Saturday I spent four wonderful hours with nine gay men who I met through this forum. We sat on the patio at O'Gradys in the village, ate, drank and had a wonderful time. Join us next time, please!

 

[adma]

Re the internet, don't forget a certain reflexive factor--the gay village is the best place for billboards, posters etc. advertising said cruise sites...

 

[rdaner]

The village is also the best place to live if you are looking to get together quickly with people you have met online.

 

[esplanade guy]

A coffee is not what I meant Babel. Most men I know are looking for a little more then that. lol So which member did you end up going home with? Is love in the air? If the internet is such a great place to meet gay men, why are none of my friends on there getting laid online? lol I know from experience and from friends, that you have to go through so much BS, to meet one honest, decent guy, it's not even worth the effort. I can go to a bar right now in the village and meet a reasonably attrative man to take home within one hour. (and I know what I'm getting) If I go online, it could take months and the guy that shows up could be my worst nightmare.
All my favourite men I have met in bars. I have only met one good guy from the net, who I would consider boyfriend material. That's after meeting about 100 men in 6 years and chatting to thousands. For every 10 dates I make online, I am lucky if 2 guys actually call me and show up. With that kind of success ratio, it's not a very efficient use of my time, considering the results. Bars on the otherhand. work for me. I have met almost all my boyfriends in gay bars. Almost every time I have gone to a bar with the intention of getting some lovin' I got what I wanted, no games, no waiting and waiting for a nerd who is too chicken to show up. (probably 90% success) Not all gay men have the patience to put up with internet games. That is why I think the village will never disappear. We gay guys also like to socialize, meet friends and flirt, face-to-face. Babel, honestly, when's the last time you met a hot stud off the net that gave you some hot sex? lol (Be honest now lol)

 

[esplanade guy]

Shit, it's almost impossible to get a phone number, never mind get some dude to go out to Markham or Brampton for a date! lol It just doesn't work that way.

 

[building babel]

e.guy:

In answer to your question - never, because I've never looked for it online. "It" meets me out at the oddest times, in the most peculiar ways, in unpredictable locations. By nature I'm a free spirit, a window shopper, and I don't like set-ups - so going to a bar, a bath, or online, for that specific purpose isn't me at all.

But this forum has proved to be a great way to make friends, gay and straight. And, yes, lasting gay relationships have been formed for others who have met here.

We're mostly a community of interests, a pick-up joint less so.

When I came out 30 years ago, the gay scene - a proto-"village" of sorts - was centred around Yonge Street north of College to Bloor. It has all disappeared, as will the present village one day. Nothing lasts forever - ancient Egypt, Greece, the Raj - and the village is no different.

 

[gboykovekin]

E.guy:

Must be a generational divide of sorts, since I have no problem making dates with people I meet online, and I live out in the boonies.

 

[building babel]

The internet, if anything, appears to be setting people free from commercial scenes that seek to define one. How wonderful.

 

[esplanade guy]

Gboy, are you telling me that you can go on the internet tonight and get a hot man to your place within a few hours? And these guys are attractive, normal, look like their pics and everythings cool? If you have that on a regular basis, I find that hard to believe. (I might have to put you to the test, lol)I have a friend who is totally hot, very masculine and muscular, and has an HONEST 9". (I measured it, I know lol) He has the exact same problem as I, lots and lots of emails, some phone numbers but only a few dates here and there but way more NO SHOWS then dates. (and usually disappointing) I figure if this grade A stud has problems on the net, everyone does. I have a ton of friends who tried the net or are using the net and they are not having any luck, most just give up after a few months. Haven't you noticed it's the same disfunctional nerds on there all day, everyday. I see 90% of the same guys all the time on gay.com, m4m, men4sexnow, bear411, bigmuscle, gaydar, gay411, worldleathermen, mannet. I've tried them all. Is there a better site that maybe I haven't heard of? Fill me in boys!

The problem with the net is all the guys who send you email, pretending to be interested, just wasting your time. (I'm sure most are lonly, closeted, shy nerds who have no intention to meet, these dudes just like to fantasize) Hell, even my straight buds tell me the same thing. Meeting a woman on the net is like pulling teeth too, AND VERY COSTLY!!! Poor straight dudes can't even get a bit of head once in a while. lol
As for Babel, you kind of make my point. You don't go on the net looking for men but if you did, you would quickly learn that it's a very inefficient way to get laid or even make REAL friends. (I don't consider chat friends, real friends) People who are busy do not have the time to play online. Most serious players will seek out better options to meet men and the village is it. (bars/saunas) I know men, they will never tire of sex and cruising. Hell, with Viagra, 90 year old dudes are still trolling, as will I be. (Well, if I didn't have the sweetest boyfriend in the whole wide world) I go to the village more to say hello to friends and flirt. Some habits die hard! lol