10 Great Neighborhoods with a Gay Vibe
By Andrew Collins

Over the years, a number of urban neighborhoods around the world have developed decidedly gay followings. GLBT visitors to San Francisco have long made a beeline for the Castro. Areas like Chelsea in New York City, Lakeview in Chicago, and Hillcrest in San Diego are also famous for having substantial concentrations of gay-popular businesses.

But so-called "gay ghettos" have gradually begun to diversify in recent years, as mainstream populations embrace these neighborhoods, and gays and lesbians feel increasingly comfortable shopping, dining, socializing, and living in other parts of town. A result of this trend has been the way in which many progressive, artsy neighborhoods have developed a slightly gay following, without necessarily possessing a core of gay businesses. Stroll some of these areas, such as Bay View in Milwaukee and Roosevelt Row in Phoenix, and you might not see dozens of rainbow flags, or an especially high number of same-sex couples milling around. Yet, it's easy to discern a certain queer sensibility.

If you're something of an urban adventurer, or you're simply longing to branch out in your travels and explore hip, distinctive urban districts with great energy, a liberal vibe, and a gay-welcoming attitude, check out some of these 10 particularly inviting neighborhoods.

Alberta Arts District (Portland, Oregon)
The media have been showering plenty of attention on Portland lately for its vaunted indie-music scene, rapidly rising culinary reputation, and overall cool factor. A handful of funky neighborhoods around the city have helped propel its bohemian image, with the Alberta Arts District one of the most intriguing. Extending along Alberta Street from about Martin Luther King Boulevard east to 33rd Avenue, there's a slew of art galleries, independently owned boutiques, and affordable restaurants. This highly diverse neighborhood stages numerous arts events, including a gallery hop the last Thursday of each month and an annual street fair in September. Among the many restaurants, Zaytoon's has a particularly queer following and serves superb Middle Eastern fare, but you'll find plenty of worthy spots along here to eat and drink.

Bay View (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
About 2 miles southeast of Walker's Point, the main gay-bar hub of Milwaukee, you'll find Bay View, a gracious neighborhood near Lake Michigan containing a bounty of beautifully restored Victorian and early 20th-century homes. Lesbians and gays have been steadily moving into the neighborhood in recent years, and a number of "family-friendly" businesses have opened along the main thoroughfare, Kinnickinnic Avenue, including festive Cafe Lulu and Broad Vocabulary feminist bookstore. These businesses have joined some of the area's longstanding ethnic restaurants, such as Three Brothers Serbian eatery and De Marinis Pizza. With much of Milwaukee experiencing an impressive resurgence of late, Bay View has become a particularly enjoyable area for exploration.
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