The painted desert: Cliff's Tucson

My name: Cliff
My age: 29
My profession: Nursing Student
City/town: Tucson, Arizona
Relationship status: Single
Sexuality: Gay, gay, gay
Member name: Bender79

What was the last vacation you took? Where did you go -- and where do you most want to go next?

My last vacation was to New Zealand, loved it so much ended up staying for over a year. Next stop is a trip next summer to Italy and Greece.

Are any famous people from your town?

Linda Ronstadt, Barbara Eden and Kerri Strug.

What are some of the things you love most about your town?

#1 Of course would have to be the weather, the hotter it gets the less clothes the guys wear.

#2 The beautiful desert scenery, especially during the monsoon season. The desert comes alive and has many beautiful colors.

#3  The blend of American and Mexican heritage, the restaurants, the shops, etc.

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

Colors is our local gay restaurant, which has great food and has dancing on the weekends. El Charro has excellent Mexican food. And pretty much any little hole in the wall café or restaurant down on 4th Ave.

What are some great restaurants for a romantic gay date? What about these restaurants appeals to you?

My favorite would have to be Gavi's Italian food, which is on Pantano and Broadway. Very small, dimly lit Italian restaurant with amazing food and great service. I love the ambiance the dimmed lights and candles provide.

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

My favorite bar would have to be Woody's. They have a great patio area with Cabanas set up, and pool tables outside. They have a good DJ, and the atmosphere is great. On Sundays I go to IBTs for Karaoke, it is a fun bar, especially late at night on Friday and Saturday nights.

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

Every October there is OUTober fest which is a great fund raiser for the GLBT community, it is an all day event with tons of people, live entertainment, and of course hot guys!

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

The gay community is great, lots of great guys that get together and do things. I alternate between cocktail parties, and nights on the town. Sometimes we get together and go bowling or go to movies.

Where do you shop for clothes?

I hate to say it but I am an Abercrombie and Fitch boy. I can't get enough of their clothes.

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

Saguaro National Park is a great place to drive through. My favorite place to go is up to Mount Lemmon and hike around or out to Reddington Pass. Old Tucson, where so many old westerns were filmed, is a must see. Everyone who comes down to see me always gets taken to San Xavier, which is an old Father Keno mission, which is still in use. Then we head down to Tumacácori which is another mission but has not been renovated. Than after that we head to Tubac which is a nice little artsy town with some great shops and wonderful cafes.

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

Friday and Saturday nights at either bar is always filled with hot guys. Of course a walk around the University of Arizona campus is always filled with eye candy

What bar has the cutest/hottest bartenders?

Woody's has the hottest bartenders by far. Especially the ones that work Sunday afternoon, hehe.

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

Stranger things have happened, so I suppose they do!

Do you have a hometown crush?

Oh yes I have had this crush for quite awhile now, he has got to be one of the sexiest bartenders at Woody's I had ever seen, I don't believe he works there anymore. He was just dreamy. Tall, amazing body, great personality to boot. I hope to run into him again soon.

[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

[kilroyrogers]

Let's not forget the Congress Hotel, always fun and super gay friendly! The patio or the concert room both have their charms.

[Tim]

YAY!!! Bender from SanDiegoGayGuy

[BeebleBubble]

LOL, Congress has tried for years to make every one believe that they are a gay club. Their as str8 as str8 can get, they only want the "gay bucks". Nothing more.

[Musicwoman]

Tucson is a very glbt-friendly town, so pretty much most places are laid back, open-minded and truly could care less whether you're queer or not. It's an easy place to be out. We also have one of the best glbt community centers in the country, Wingspan (www.wingspan.org). We have so much more than bars and parties here for queer folks, we have a great city to experience that feels more like a friendly town!