Neighborhood Spotlight: The Gayborhood

With so many new neighborhoods cropping up in Philly, it can be hard to keep them all straight. Wait. Whoa! Not that we’re trying to keep anyone straight! Our office is proudly located just steps off of 13th Street, so, of course, we love and respect all people regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, religion or favorite football team. But, to be honest, we might be operating under a slightly unfair bias. The Gayborhood (also known as Midtown Village) is our home base, so, obviously, we consider it one of the BEST neighborhoods in Philly.

To get started, let’s talk about the geographical distinctions. This is where it can get confusing…

The area between 7th and Broad and Chestnut and South is called Washington Square West. Because it’s West of Washington Square. Get it?  The Gayborhood is a slightly smaller area within Washington Square West; roughly from Chestnut to Pine and 11th to Broad.

Everyone is welcome in the Gayborhood.  Over the years, some of the best businesses in the city have witnessed the growth of this area and made the (intelligent) decision to call the Gayborhood “home.”

Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran own eight businesses on 13th Street, including Barbuzzo, Lolita, Jamonera, Little Nonna’s, Grocery, Open House, Verde, and Marcie Blaine Chocolates. Good news for us: They’ve got a new restaurant set to open any day now.

Bud and Marilyn: Named after Turney’s grandparents, Bud and Marilyn Briese, this long-awaited addition to the 13th Street corridor couldn’t come sooner. The original Bud and Marilyn ran their own restaurant out in Ripon, Wisconsin, so Turney isn’t taking the responsibility at all lightly.  The retro-inspired diner features 1960’s classics like a Sloe Gin Fizz, The Long Goodbye (typically made with mezcal, fresh lime juice, and mint syrup), and what we hope to be the best Old Fashioned’s in the city!

If you’re watching your waistline, plan ahead for a meal here. The Fat Elvis alone – a bacon peanut brittle, caramelized banana ice cream sundae – requires at least three extra gym sessions. They do have a salad on the menu: The B&M wedge. But we’re pretty sure the hot bacon dressing and fried onion rings edge it out of the low cal category.

Drury Beer Garden: Having just won Best of Philly, this local hangout is the basking in the sunshine of recognition. If you want to catch some rays of your own, head over after work for a drink in their perfect outdoor spot. Tucked right behind Opa, Drury Beer Garden has a great selection of  beers, delicious Mediterranean snacks, and a relaxed, casual ambiance.

Time: Whether you consider yourself to be more of a late night jazz clubber or a refined bourbon connoisseur, Time has something for everyone. Part whiskey bar, part taproom, and part music venue, this place has truly become a Philly hotspot. A gourmet menu featuring dishes like duck rillette with cranberry preserves and pickled red onion or their bone marrow gratin with capers, parmesan, bread crumbs, and arugula will have you transformed into a new weekend regular. Meanwhile, their absinthe offerings might make creating memories just a bit more difficult. Inside scoop: Tim Heuisler – the handsome young manager who looks a bit like Justin Timberlake – certainly helps draw in the crowds of women that can be spotted (staring) here.

Philly AIDS Thrift@Giovanni’s Room: Last year, Philly AIDS Thrift took over a historic LGBT landmark: Giovanni’s Room. Known as the oldest gay and lesbian bookstore in America, the shelves are stocked with more than 7,000 hard-to-find titles. While they have continued to sell the books that put them on the map, they now also carry clothing, accessories, jewelry, furniture, and home decor. Proceeds are donated to local HIV/AIDS organizations such as the administrative cost free AIDS Fund organization! To date, they’ve raised $1,203,000!

Nomad Pizza: With two downtown locations AND a food truck, Philly seems to have already shown a lot of love and even more demand for the classic, Neapolitan-style pies at Nomad Pizza. Their menu features local, organic produce whenever available and all-natural meats for a meal you can feel great about eating. They’ve even teamed up with Plowshare Farms of Bucks County for a special farm-to-table event on September 8th. (The first seating is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the late session if you hurry.) Plus, if you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter, try their roasted root salad, a 2014 Best of Philly winner.

Philly Dance Fitness: Hellooooooo!? Did someone say Dance Party Boot Camp? Now, that’s the kind of cardio Philly PR Girl can get down with! Classes are only $12, and PDF’s high-interval intensity training means that you will blast calories while jamming to the latest hits. Check out their full class list – they have ballet, barre, cardio belly dancing, hip hop, piloxing, bollywood blast, and even a sexy striptease class.

Tabu: There are a number of awesome gay bars in the area, but we love Tabu for its atmosphere and the production value of its amazing shows! Tabu parties are both frequent and legendary; in fact, their venue plays host to over 50 fundraiser events per year. Their whole calendar is filled with fun, themed events, including Quizzo and karaoke. But our favorite part is every Sunday morning/afternoon, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when drag brunch takes place!

Charlie was a sinner.: WhenHipCityVeg founder Nicole Marquis opened this vegan bar and restaurant, she made vegan very sexy. The cozy venue is small, dark, and candlelit making it the perfect date night rendezvous. Take a seat on the turquoise tufted velvet banquette, and people watch while sipping the “Escape Velocity,” a favorite. This killer cocktail mixes a tobacco-infused Johnnie Walker Black with sweet vermouth, an aged cherry liqueur, and a dash of  orange bitters – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

From their boozy libations, tasty small plates, and even their kitschy, book-like menu, every detail here was carefully crafted to create the perfect atmosphere for your next great story… because “Every good story begins at a bar.”

What’s your go-to spot in the Gayborhood? What ‘hoods are you dying to check out? Share your thoughts in the comments!