We have several great bar and nightclub options, many of them in our very own neck of the gay woods. But sometimes things just get routine. On a particular Friday night, my friend Adrian said, “Let’s go out.” Being the Barfly that I am, I couldn’t say no. As we were driving toward Bourbon Street, Adrian said he just wasn’t feeling it. He wanted to go somewhere he hadn’t been before. I agreed, and we decided to venture into unexplored territories and check out some of the gay watering holes around town that we have never before patronized. We called it “a night off the beaten path.’”

I flipped a bitch, and we ventured into unknown lands, places that this Barfly has never been (and I’ve been around). Our first stop was a bar I pass by almost every day, as I live just three blocks from it. I’ve always wondered what lies behind the door under the seedy blue lighting that dimly illuminates the front of the place. Known primarily around town as a leather bar, the Eagle may scare off those not involved in that scene. The stereotypes surrounding this bar certainly made us apprehensive about entering. When we finally walked in, we were quite surprised by the comfortable, neighborhood feeling inside. Army netting covered the ceiling, leather memorabilia covered the walls and the bar retained a general industrial look. There was even some sort of restraint contraption on one side of the bar, but we were afraid to ask any questions. The bar had its own “Boot Back,” who provided boot shining services in a corner. The crowd was very friendly, and handsome bartender Daniel was a total sweetheart (he only works Friday nights). He believes the Eagle is the only bar in town that has free pool! The drinks are cheap, the crowd is friendly and overall it’s a good time. Try something different and check out the Eagle. Visit them online at www.sandiegoeagle.com for more information.

Our next stop was just a few blocks away, also in North Park. The Redwing Bar & Grill doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s bustling with fun on the inside. The establishment gets quite crowded on the weekends and includes a mix of regulars and passers-by. The drinks are cheap and the crowd is friendly. I’ve heard that this bar has a “leather” reputation, but it really doesn’t cater to any one community. Certainly leather events are held here and our friends from the leather community patronize this bar (as they do every other bar in town), but it doesn’t have that gritty feel to it that we often associate with leather bars. The best part is the back patio. I never would have guessed that such a quaint little area would exist behind this simple bar. It has complete candlelit tables, Chinese lanterns and mini palm trees. It’s super cute! For more information, call Redwing at (619) 281-8700.

Adrian wasn’t satisfied yet. He wanted to see more. I couldn’t think of any others I hadn’t been to, so we agreed to hit places that he had never been to. I suggested The Caliph. This fun bar on Fifth Avenue always has something going on. We sat around the bar, enjoyed the crowd as they sang along to tunes, had some drinks and bought a bag of nuts. We shared our nuts with the out-of-town boys seated next to us. They really enjoyed our nuts. In the few times I have visited this bar throughout the years, there are a few faces that I remember seeing each time. It’s the place they go “where everybody knows your name.” The Caliph certainly has a “Cheers” feel and is a comfortable hangout any night of the week. Call The Caliph at (619) 298-9495 for more information.

Our last stop was just a few blocks up Fifth Avenue at The Loft. This bar also has a neighborhood feel and is quite small, but features a large wrap-around bar and a pool table area. On most evenings it is packed with regulars, and the atmosphere is lively. We enjoyed chatting with the smokers out on the sidewalk. They have all kinds of interesting stories (or at least you can feel flattered as they flirt and pinch your ass)! Call The Loft at (619) 296-6407.

This landmark bar at the corner of Fifth and Robinson is a legend in San Diego. The Brass Rail opened in 1960 and was Hillcrest’s first gay bar. Since then, the place has been reinvented and reinvigorated! When I walked into the club’s VIP Grand Opening Party on Jan. 24, I was in awe. The place looks nothing like the “dive bar” it once was. The Brass Rail is now a beautiful, swanky lounge, complete with a VIP area and bottle service. Everything from the bars to the bathrooms has been completely overhauled. This club now rivals many upscale establishments in downtown San Diego and has raised the bar for the other clubs in Hillcrest. The Brass Rail has a great lineup of theme nights and events. Visit www.brassrailsd.com for more information!