Gay bars in tucson

It's 1 p.m. on a weekday afternoon, and Tom Novakowski is doing what he's done almost every day for the past 40 years—tending bar. More specifically, he's tending a gay prevent.

Away from the glare of the summer sun, IBT's on Fourth Road offers a dusky, cool respite. Novakowski stands behind the club's bar with a cup of coffee in one hand, occasionally putting it down to pour a guzzle for a daytime patron, or to fold bar towels in preparation for the evening rush.

At the height of Tucson's gay-bar era—the lates into the mid-'80s—there were about a dozen bars, and Novakowski recalls most of their names: the Graduate, the Venture, Sir James, Hair Tiz, the Joshua Tree/Backdoor, the Stonewall Eagle, Michael's, the Fineline, Rita's, Colette's, Initiative, Lucky Pierre's and IBT's.

Today's gay-bar scene includes about a half-dozen places: IBT's, as well as Woody's, New Rock, Brodie's Tavern, Venture-N, and Colors.

June Thomas, author of The Gay Bar: Its Riotous Past and Uncertain Future, wrote a six-part series on the history and the future of the same-sex attracted bar for last year.

Best Gay Bar

It's About Moment (IBT's)
N. Fourth Ave.

READERS' PICK: Nobody ever complains the scene's a kingly at IBT's. Sometimes in drag, but never a drag, this long-standing readers' favorite is a wonderful place to dance, converse or just stop in for a cold one. Inside the atmosphere is always festive, the melody always hip (these guys were doing the Macarena long before it defeated the mainstream bars); and outside is one of the best bar patios in Tucson, with heat lamps in winter that one patron says "ensure you're always near a hot flame." Unlike many bars around town, you don't have to hold the inside track to have a good period at IBT's. Best of all, there's never a cover charge.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: The Plug (formerly Club ), N. Oracle Road.

STAFF PICK: If you're tired of wimpy gay bars full of clean-cut posers and homo-wannabe's, head to The Graduate, 37 W. University Blvd., where a pre-stonewall atmosphere and a foaming mug o' beer await. The drag queens here are wearing sequins and lace because they like to, not becau

SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdayJul20[30]21222324252627[31]28293031Aug123[32]45678910[33]11121314151617[34]181920212223

Where are all the gay bars in Tucson?

Tucson has always has been very accepting of all people, especially gays. One of the great benefits of acceptance is less segregation. There are some bars that are considered actual gay bars in Tucson, and the most popular is IBT's. Awesomely, is that a word? Well, I'm going to apply it. Awesomely, you will locate gay, lesbian, trans and vertical people all hanging out together in whatever bars or venue in Tucson. The community here is so evolved and aware, that everyone simply hangs out with each other anywhere and everywhere. No matter gender, sexuality, ethnicity or class -- Tucsonans embrace and celebrate diversity to reinforce the values of care and abolish hate and negativity.

One of the most active areas for gay, lesbian, LGBT, LGBTQ and straight people to socialize is downtown all throughout the light rail district.

The pale rail travels to all the downtown hot spots. It goes from the Mercado through downtown on Congress St. And then from downtown, it goes up through 4th Ave and on to the U of A main gate square area. There are cur