thePULSEIt’s Summertime in P-Town
…and as we all know, P-Town is the Town!
I have been charged with giving you the skinny on where to drag your fabulous Mystic-tanned behinds so that you can see and be seen during these warm months. Now I hope you already had the common sense to do South Beach ~ the diet that is, not the Florida city (although if you did both the diet and the city – and you know I did! – you get extra credit!).
So let’s travel down to New England’s Gay Beach Mecca, P’Town. Circuit promoter David Flower and the gang (www.davidflower.com) are kicking off July on Saturday the 2nd with a huge Pier Dance on Macmillan Wharf. They’re following that up with a week of boat cruises and other fun stuff including a special nighttime deck party at the Boatslip on Thursday, July 5 – this baby’ll last until at least 1am!
Speaking of the Boatslip, the Boatslip Beach Club (161 Commercial Street), home of the “World’s Most Famous Tea Dance,” is the number one place for summer afternoon tea-dancing by the sea. And if you’re not too keen on sand in your Speedo, grab a terry-cloth towel and MD Formulations SPF 30, head for a lounge chair by the Boatslip pool, and be prepared to become someone else’s cup of tea!
Now remember, P’Town has a few different beaches, but none compares to Herring Cove. A short bike ride or walk to the end of Bradford St. will take you to a pathway (which one of my friends calls a scenic hiking route, if you catch his drift!) that runs through the dunes. It’s about a 15 minute walk if you’re so inclined; if not, take the car or the trolley to the Herring Cove Beach parking lot. From the lot, start walking to the left – ladies, (females, that is), you’ll come upon your friends first and boys, keep walking, you’ll know when you’ve arrived.
It’s time to talk about nightlife, and P’Town definitely has the goods. As the town’s hottest destination, the A-House (Atlantic House) at 8 Masonic Place is packed every night all season long. One of the oldest gay bars in the country, it gives you lots of room to spread out, both inside and out. On Fridays, it’s all about the famous Best Buns Contest hosted by some outrageous drag queens. Don’t miss the men’s room where, while scanning the walls or ceiling, you may see a photo of a familiar face ~ or other body part!
Other don’t-miss party spots include The Gifford House (11 Carver) with its hoppin’ piano bar, its Dungeon ~ down deep in the cellar and perfect for those naughty times ~ and its verandah, one of the best places around for twilight cocktails, and The Pied Piper (193A Commercial St.), arguably the town’s best starting point for girls who like girls. For a list of more bars and clubs in P’Town, you can head to www.mygayweb.com/bars/city/?T=13769.
The Crown & Anchor is back and better than ever as a full service resort. It hosts a number of bars as well as the Crown Cabaret, a major showroom with a full season of first-class gay cabaret entertainment. Home to revivals of Boston’s hottest gay theatrical wizard Ryan Landry’s newest “queer musicals,” this summer the Crown gives us his “Cinderella the Rock Musical.”
No matter which indoor destination you choose, don’t you dare miss the outdoor fireworks during the week of the Fourth. This glorious week is when all the barechested beauties (I mean the men!) hit the town hard for the season and the stupendous sights in the sky are matched by those on the streets.
All summer long, P’Town and the adjoining National Seashore host world-class biking through the Dunes along paved trails that stretch for miles. Not especially difficult, the trails meander through magnificent scenery and, since the Cape is relatively narrow at this point, you’re never really far from Bradford or Commercial Streets. Bikes are for rent throughout the town and serve not only as a day’s recreation, but also as the preferred method of transportation.
Now, all of this planned entertainment truly can’t compare to the people-watching that’s available along Commercial St. Straight or gay or other, from Maine or Minneapolis, you can’t fail to be entertained by the sights that walk the streets 24/7 ~ it’s a veritable parade! The best vantage points are a bench in front of Town Hall, a table at Café’ Blasé or at Bubala’s, and of course a seat at Spiritus Pizza as the bars are closing. Ah yes, Spiritus after-hours… such a magical place, where the day’s tanning and the evening’s cocktails form an intoxicating haze that can envelop you and that handsome, dreamyeyed yummy you’ve had your eye on ever since the ferry ride (Note: Let this work to your advantage if you neglected to secure lodging before arriving).
So boys and girls, put down the weights, back slowly away from your desktops, grab the dogs (many accommodations welcome them) and head to the beach. It was a long, hard winter…and with no Spring, it’s only right that we get sprung! Enjoy!
