Levi's guide to Phoenix

My name: Levi
My age: 25
My profession: Server/Delivery Driver/Cosmetology Student
City/town: Phoenix, Arizona
Relationship status: Single 
Sexuality: Gay
Member Name: GaslightMemory

What was the last vacation you took and where did you go?

I took a cross country road trip from Phoenix, to Portland, to Washington, DC, to Little Rock, and back to Phoenix. It was awesome.

Are any famous people from Phoenix?

Stevie Nicks and Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter.

What are some of the things you love most about Phoenix?

The activities it has to offer. You can go hiking a mountain in the morning without leaving midtown,  get dinner at a 5-star restaurant, and go to some of the most fun bars in the country afterwards!

If someone came to your town for just four hours, what is the one thing he should do?

The Biltmore Fashion Center. Its a great place to browse some stores, grab some lunch at True Food Kitchen (SO GOOD), or grab a scoop or 2 at the ice cream shop.

What are some great restaurants for a night out with gay friends?

SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM! I would recommend Switch. Its a great little place that brushes against downtown along Central Avenue. The food is always delicious no matter what you order and the service is always superb. Plus they have an amazing patio!

What are some great restaurants for a romantic gay date?

I would say Harley's Italian Bistro on 7th Avenue. Its a cute little place that is swarmed with gays for staff and Italian food in Phoenix is a hard thing to find! So any boy will appreciate being able to get some spaghetti and meatballs.

What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs?

Can it be a tie? I love Charlies AND BS West. Charlies is a great casual place to go and kick it with a beer, watch the cowboys line dance, hang out in the Volley Ball Court off the patio and order the best Carne Asada currito of your LIFE! (yes.. they have food there). BS west is a great place to go and shake ur groove thang. They place all the hottest and latest songs and on Wednesday (which is the night to go) they also offer 2-4-1! If you go go to the upstairs bar and look for the dark skinned Italian man. Hes Mike, and in my opinion the best bartender in the world!

What are your favorite gay parties or events in your town? What is the crowd or scene like at those places?

We have so many events focused on our community here. Sway Events host things all over town and for all different purposes. Check out the website for them! Also we have 2 major pride functions every year. We have our Gay Pride Festival and Parade in April and we also have The Phoenix Rainbows Festival in October which is much more laid back and best of all FREE!

Where is the best public place for a gay person to make out there?

Denny's on 7th St and Camelback. Not that any of the other drunk queens will notice!

What is the gay community like there? Do you consider yourself to be part of any particular "scene?"

Its such a huge mix. Everyone knows everyone is sometimes is in everyones business! There's a lot of love, too. When one of us is down we can count on someone to help us back up to our feet. Our clubs and scene are a great mix of everyone Gay/Straight/Lesbian/Any Color/Any Size.

Where do you shop for clothes?

Buffalo Exchange, Urban Outfitters, or Nordstrom Rack at Camelback Collonade.

Where do you go for other forms of entertainment -- live theater, concerts, movies, art exhibits? Are there any local gay performance groups, bands, or artists that you're a fan of?

We have so many cool venues in this town. The Marquee theatre in Tempe is my favorite. Its a very intimate experience with the bands you see there. A lot of times the band is hanging at their merch booth between sets!

If you had gay friends visiting from out of town for the first time, what are some "must-dos" you'd recommend?

Armadillo Grill for lunch and a walk-thru of the Chinese Cultural Center followed by the Cactus Gardens.

Is there a local cocktail that's popular in Phoenix?

Anything strong. In Phoenix.. we're thirsty cuz its dry and we want it to be worth it! I would say a popular local thing to drink is an Adios Motherfucker. I've never had one cuz it looks like washer fluid. But people swear by it.

Where do the hot boys in your town tend to hang out?

Forbidden, Charlies, BS, or Amsterdam (Amsterdam has a HUGE martini list and karaoke on Sundays, btw)

If you had to describe the "average gay boy" style of your town in two words, what would they be?

Casual Preppy

Do you have any local celebs?

A ton! Mike Tyson, Wayne Gretzky,  Alice Cooper, and the fabulous Jenna Jameson! Thats just to name a few!

What bar has the cutest/hottest bartenders?

Forbidden in Scottsdale.

Do gay men and lesbians hang out together in your town or is that just unheard of?

All the time! We're like Gay Stew!

Do you have a hometown crush?

Can't say I do, but I have a weakness for east coast skater boys.

[Editor's Note: To find out how to submit a Reader's Guide about YOUR town, click here -- you'll be happy you did...].

Comments

[Me]

Well. I don't care much for Phoenix. But your cross country road trip sounds like fun dude! Love those photos from some of the places you visited posted in your profile. You need to upload them all to flickr or picassa and posted the link up here. I bet a lot of armchair travellers like me would love to check them out. Thanks!!

[Alexander]

OMG.. the food choices here are ridiculous.. are you even from Phoenix? Harley's for romance? OMG, that place is loud and busy.. Coronado Cafe has a much quieter and low key vibe..

Sorry, Im just shocked at your choices..

[patt]

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