October Nightlife: Rio Grande Valley, TX

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Shannon's October picks for Rio Grande Valley, TX

by Shannon Simpson
gay.com Buckeye1972

EVENTS

Splash "White Party"

1st -4th ~ Global Groove & The Upper Deck bring you THE biggest pride event on South Padre Island, October 1st -4th. Where else can you can you catch Britney AND Madonna on the same weekend with a few thousand other hot guys ringing out the last days of summer in South Texas? Britney (performed by Derrick Barry) is back by popular demand at Mooncusser's on Friday the 2nd and Madonna (performed by Chris America) takes stage at Louie's on Saturday the 3rd. I've been told Saturday is the big night but this looks like two big nights. Get your reservations at the largest gay resort in South Texas - The Upper Deck, who we owe this bi-annual event to, get your shop on for some crazy whites and see you at the island the first weekend of October!
http://www.upperdeckhotel.com/sitepages/pid35.php and http://splashsouthpadre.com

October Nightlife: Denver, CO

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Jim's October picks for Denver, Colorado.

by Jim Guttau
gay.com Xavier_Jagger
www.guttaupr.com

Mountain Excursion

Manitou Springs

Located in a "box" canyon at the base of Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs became famous in the late 1800s for the health benefits of the famous waters that are contained deep underground. Several of the grand hotels built in that era still stand, like the regal Barker House.

On a recent visit, my family and I chose two bed and breakfast inns-The Avenue Hotel and Eastholme in the Rockies. The Avenue Hotel, a boarding house built in 1886, is located in the heart of Manitou's historic district. Recently renovated back to its Victorian splendor, the B&B offers seven guest rooms. Another former boarding house built in 1885, Eastholme is a short drive away in the miniscule town of Cascade.

Hit the Roof: Top 5 Rooftop Bars

Originally published on OutTraveler.com
by Aefa Mulholland

Make the most of those last rays of summer by eking out the evenings at these first-rate open-air bars.

Sometimes having your head in the clouds is a good thing. For overseas sky sipping, we adore 64th-floor Sky Bar at restaurant Sirocco, on top of the Lebua Hotel, Bangkok -- at 65 stories above the chaotic streets below, it’s the rooftop bar with the most altitude; London’s 1.5-acre, Alhambra, English Woodland, and Tudor-themed Roof Gardens on chic Kensington High Street; and Sky Lounge, Hotel Continentale, Florence, which perches atop of the Medieval Torre de Consorti and overlooks the Ponte Vecchio and the river Arno. Nearer home, as summer canters to a close, we’re planning on topping off our night at one of our five favorite North American rooftop bars.

October Nightlife: Montreal, Canada

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Daniel's October picks for Montréal, Canada.

by Daniel Baylis

Festival

Black & Blue October 7 - 13

Call it a circuit party. Call it a rave. Call it a festival. Call it a great reason to shake your booty and visit your fave French Canadian city. Call it what you want, but Montreal's Black & Blue is nothing short of a social, cultural, sports and party event that lasts for a big gay week (October 7-13, 2009). This year's main event features Sasha, John Digweed and Dave Seaman from the UK, as well as Montréalers Franco Fabi and Stéfane Lippé. This year's theme is electro-80's meets elegant opera house. Wear black and/or blue.

Urban Walkabout

Originally published on OutTraveler.com
by Jackie Dishner

Gay walking tours combine fresh air, exercise, and enlightenment.

Cruisin' the Castro
Gay activity in San Francisco's Castro District dates back to the Gold Rush days when gay cowhands, a.k.a. the Lavender Cowboys, arrived. These forefathers of Brokeback's Ennis and Jack created the bandana-in-back-pocket Hanky Code to send subtle messages about the kind of sex they sought. Crusin' the Castro owner Kathy Amendola -- a lesbian transplant from New York -- shares this history of her neighborhood and much more on her two hour, five-block tours. (Did you know many of the streets were named after women who were downtown prostitutes?) The insight starts under the rainbow flag at the Harvey Milk Plaza, which memorializes one of the country's first openly gay elected officials. Tours offered Monday through Saturday. Tickets: $35. Advance registration required. (415-255-1821; www.CruisinTheCastro.com)

August Nightlife: Rio Grande Valley, TX

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Shannon's August picks for Rio Grande Valley, TX

by Shannon Simpson
gay.com Buckeye1972

LET'S GO OUT!

Club 33

Call it trendy, industrial or upscale - it all leads to McAllen's newest alternative hotspot, Club 33 (located at 3300 N. McColl Road, McAllen), Club 33 boasts an elevated bass-response dance floor in the center of the first floor, a second floor terrace, 6 bars, something close to twenty 70-inch flat screens TV's, plenty of seating on both floors and a VIP area. The clientele is across the spectrum but seems to lean toward those looking to dress up a little for a night on the town. Wait-staff is friendly, the bar allows you to run tabs and cash out at the end of the night, lines go fairly fast and parking is safe, well-lit and plentiful in the McAllen District. 33 is hopping on Friday's but be there by 11:30 or you might be standing in a line to get in; if you get there between 9-10pm Wednesday thru Saturday there are drink specials to be had. Club 33 is a good time, with excellent lighting, awesome DJ's, good light shows and a clean/new environment we hope turns a trend in nightlife for the RGV. Step up, dress up and spin it right round - 33 is the newest place in town!

http://www.club33mcallen.com/home.htm
http://www.myspace.com/club33mcallen

August Nightlife: Denver, CO

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where gay.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Jim's August picks for Denver, Colorado.

by Jim Guttau
gay.com Xavier_Jagger
www.guttaupr.com

Mountain Excursion

Genuine Jazz & Wine Festival, Breckenridge August 14-16

A must-see Colorado mountain town is Breckenridge, where gold was discovered along the Blue River in the summer of 1859. The city has more than 350 historic buildings, making it the largest historic district in the state of Colorado.

The best of jazz comes together in this former mining town for the Genuine Jazz & Wine Festival. Amidst scenic grandeur, internationally renowned talent performs at free outdoor daytime concerts and ticketed indoor concerts. Visit www.genuinejazz.com.

While visiting, make sure to stop by Mary's Mountain Cookies (www.marysmountaincookies.com) for a White Out sandwich cookie (think two Snickerdoodle cookies with butter cream frosting) and have dinner at one of my favorite bistros in the state, Modis (www.modisbreck.com).

August Nightlife: Long Beach, CA

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Kim's August picks for Long Beach, CA.

By Kim

Best Restaurant

La Traviata

La Traviata (301 Cedar Ave., L.B.) was designed in the nineteenth century opera style and hosts an extensive lesbian clientele. The restaurant is described as Nouveau Italian and the entrees are delicious. Wine and dine a date here and enjoy the wonderful ambience, live entertainment, and entrees that will delight all of your senses. Although it is Italian and there are plenty of great pastas that satisfy, you can still watch your figure here. My favorite meals that don't hurt the waistline are the avocado tuna tartar and the Chilean sea bass. Delizioso!

http://latraviata301.com/main.htm

August Nightlife: Montréal, Canada

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Daniel's August picks for Montréal, Canada.

by Daniel Baylis

Party

Meow Mix (August 2)

A monthly, cabaret-style event for bent girls and their buddies, Meow Mix is known as "the" Montreal dyke event. Usually starting around 10pm, the evening always kicks off with a show (often a burlesque or drag king act), and then things heat up with a sweaty lesbian dance party. This month features Rollerderby girls, a Nina Simone tribute, a stand-up comedian and more. But if you can't make the August party, check out the website for the soon-to-be-announced 2009/2010 calendar. $10.

http://www.mimproductions.org/

August Nightlife: Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI

Welcome to Nightlife Insider, a new monthly feature where PlanetOut.com readers submit their Top 5 picks of cool things happening in their neck of the woods.  See bottom for details on how you can become an Nightlife Insider!

Below are Andrew's August picks for Ann Arbor and Detroit

by Andrew
gay.com a2andy

Summers still here and so is Pride

Check out Windsor Pride just across the river. They have a lot of interesting events and it's a fun time. It takes place August 5-9 and has something for everyone. You can see Sandra Bernhard put on a show, or enjoy the antics of Canadian Celebes Trevor Boris and fashion celebrity Ambrose Price. The Parade itself starts on Sunday at noon so try to get there early to find a good spot. Remember if you're coming from the US you need a passport or an enhanced drivers license to cross the border.

http://www.windsorpride.com/