My first trip to the gayborhood in Fort Lauderdale
really made me feel as though I was in the USA. George’s Alibi was buzzing with
the sounds of country a room of cabaret, men in stetzens and huge beefy bears
serving casks of beer.
There’s quite a difference to British gay villages;
America seems to like to butch it up a bit. A bar in most cities I’ve been to
would be amiss without a grumpy drunk propping up a bar, a camp cheerleader
behind the bar, a music selection full of rock and country and some form of
macho sport presentation or a pool table. Good luck finding all that in the UK.
George’s Alibi is a popular meeting haunt all week
and where Wilton Manors all began when a gay resident bought the complex and
began rejuvenating it – this whole area in fact was once run down. Adopted by
gays and becomes a sought-after area.
It’s worth stopping by Rosie’s Bar & Grill,
Gelati Martini Lounge, New Moon Bar, and the Manor Complex.
Bill’s Sport Bar is a must-stop – I was totally in
awe of such a concept – a gay sports bar. It’s full of men in shorts and vests;
fit guys behind the bar mixing cocktails; it’s draped in paraphernalia of
American Football, Baseball, and Basketball. There was an excellent atmosphere
here; very lively and a great hangout. www.billsfillingstation.com
The Manor is the after-part. Head to this multi-club
post-midnight (at least) and get on the dance floor. The weekend is a Friday –
Sunday affair, with the odd Thursday thrown in; several rooms to relax, get on
the dance floor, play or drink to local and international DJs. It’s a rather
fancy place – and worth it’s weight in Wilton Manors: www.themanorcomplex.com 2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors.
