If you’re like me and crave a little fun once in a while but the average age of the patrons at the various nightclubs downtown is over a half-decade younger than you, then you need something with a little more variation.
In recent years, I’ve been going out to nightclubs less and less, favouring more of a bar setting, where I can sit down and actually hear my friends talk over a good meal, instead of having them yell in my ear over the same 2010’s top-10 pop mix over and over again.
This is where the local 2SLGBTQ+ bar and restaurant scene comes in.
As someone who identifies as queer and non-binary, I often feel unsafe and even get harassed when I try going to the more straight-oriented clubs and bars around town. At places like Friends of Dorothy and The Vicious Poodle, I’ve never been insulted because of the way I look or who I’ve chosen to go out with that night.
The Vicious Poodle, my favourite, has nightly entertainment, free cover to all of their shows, and reasonably priced drinks and food, which are really good. Whenever I go to other bars, I just get underwhelming food and overpriced cocktails, but here it’s as if they actually care about their customers (shocking concept, I know).
Friends of Dorothy was also one of my go-tos in Victoria for fun and interactive drag shows, and especially—with a good group of friends—their Sunday karaoke. In recent times, however, I’ve found that their food quality has gone down while their drink prices have gone up. I hope that the owner can figure out a better balance so that more people like myself can come back and enjoy the beautifully painted and ornate interior as well as the fabulous shows put on by local drag performers.
You may have realized by now that I’ve only mentioned two bars that are specifically 2SLGBTQ+ oriented. This is because there are only two. That’s right, you have a 50/50 chance of ending up at one of these places if you’re here, queer, and out for a night on the town.
Sure, Paparazzi used to be the premiere gay nightclub of Victoria, but in recent years has become fratboy city, where people are often unsafe and listen to the same old music every weekend. They even took the label “gay bar” out of their social media.
With so little choice in where to go out these days, I would honestly rather stay home and watch some crap on Netflix. The 2SLGBTQ+ bar and restaurant industry is dying here, and we need more support to bring it back to life. This means attending local drag shows, enjoying a brunch or two on the weekend, singing your heart out at karaoke, or participating in the ubiquitous music bingo nights.
Whether you’re part of the community or consider yourself an ally, please help keep our spaces alive, fun, and safe.
For everyone.