Albuquerque's Gay Scene
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Hang out
among UNM students and other local hipsters at Il Vicino, which serves
out-of-this-world wood-fired pizzas and filling calzones, plus a nice
array of leafy dinner-size salads. Try El Patio for some of the most
authentic (and fiery) New Mexican cooking in town - be sure to sit on the
tree-shaded patio. The no-frills Frontier Restaurant is a 24/7 institution
famed for its breakfast burritos and heavenly cinnamon buns - it's a real
scene after the clubs close. Another must-do in Albuquerque is coffee and
dessert at Flying Star, a bakery, restaurant, coffeehouse, and wine bar
all rolled into one, with five locations around town, the gayest and
coolest in Nob Hill and downtown.
Among Albuquerque's six gay nightspots, Pulse draws the youngest and
wildest bunch for cruising and dancing on the festive patio and compact
but fierce dance floor. Fans of line-dancing and two-stepping head to
sprawling Sidewinders Ranch, which is owned by the same folks as
Sidewinders in Palm Springs. Low-keyed Exhale (formerly Renea's) is the
only lesbian bar in the state, although it pulls in plenty of guys, too.
The expansive Albuquerque Mining Co. caters to a diverse crowd with its
several bars, small dance area, and full volleyball court. The Albuquerque
Social Club, a garden-variety video bar across the street from Pulse,
attracts a fairly local following; guests are permitted in this private
club but must purchase a "membership" (for $5 - it's good for one year).
The parking lot at Foxes Lounge brims with beat-up pickup trucks, giving
hints of the rugged, bearish, and horny guys inside. Exotic dancers are
the main entertainment.
Although Albuquerque's lodging landscape is dominated by generic chain
hotels, you'll find some distinctive historic properties and art-filled
B&Bs, too. Among the latter, the beautifully restored Mauger Estate B&B
sits within easy walking distance of downtown and Old Town. This gay-owned
1897 Queen Anne Victorian has an ornate redbrick exterior, period
antiques, wallpapers, and fabrics. Another excellent gay-owned property is
Hacienda Antigua, a fascinating 200-year-old adobe hacienda northwest of
downtown, filled with claw-foot tubs, wood carvings and Indian art, and
beehive-shape kiva-style fireplaces.
Among larger mainstream properties, the historic La Posada de Albuquerque
is the city's true grand dame, opened in 1939 by Conrad Hilton (who
honeymooned here with Zsa Zsa Gabor). It's a stunning 10-story hotel in
the heart of downtown. A few blocks west, the art deco Hotel Blue has
simple but affordable rooms and a great location, making it one of the
city's best bargains.
Of the city's chain properties, the 17-story Albuquerque Marriott is a
commendable, upscale choice with great views of the mountains. It's close
to two shopping malls and a short drive from gay nightlife. And a
20-minute drive north of Albuquerque in the town of Bernalillo, the posh
Hyatt Regency Tamaya offers the most lavish accommodations in the region.
Amenities at this 500-acre resort on the Santa Ana Pueblo include a
world-class spa, horseback riding, tennis, golf, superb restaurants, and
casino gaming. If you're looking for sumptuous Palm Springs-style glamour
in the laid-back Duke City, look no further than this stunning resort, the
perfect place to celebrate an ultra-romantic Southwest getaway.
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The Hunk
