Twenty-one is a magical number in this country. It signifies a milestone in one’s life: the age one is able to legally purchase and consume alcohol. Certainly, I can think of other significant points in life more worthy of celebration, like turning 16 and receiving a driver’s license, turning 18 and being able to vote, college graduation, retirement, even turning 25 and getting lower rates on car rentals. Nope, it’s 21, the year of alcohol, that is the most anticipated.

Since I turned 21 (more years ago than I wish to admit), I have tried to figure out what it is that causes such a stir about turning this much-anticipated age. It’s not like turning 21 is the first day one gets to have their first taste of alcohol. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. I spent enough time around the freshmen dorms at San Diego State University to see that those under 21 certainly were indulging in their share of alcohol (and then some).

What I’ve found out from speaking to friends who’ve recently crossed over is that it’s the thrill of this whole new world that is opening up to them. This “whole new world” for these young San Diego gay boys is Rich’s, Numbers, Bourbon Street, Club Montage and Flicks, to name but a few. It’s as if they think they are going to walk into a club and the gods will descend from the heavens and lift them up to this magical world called “Club Land” (although many people who choose to ingest certain club drugs have probably experienced this before). Certainly, no trip to Rich’s or Club Montage will ever be that wonderful, but I must agree there is something special or unique or different about being in a club.

People who have become jaded and bitter might say that certain clubs “suck” or that “the clubs in San Diego can’t compare to the clubs in such-and-such city,” but, in all honesty, going out to a club or bar is a fairly universal experience. It’s about people getting together, listening to music, looking at the pretty lights (and people) and having a good time.

So after this entire rant, I have come to the realization that it is the excited 21-year-olds that add to this fantastic experience called “going out.” Their fresh energy and enthusiasm about the experience, and the fact that they have yet to become bitter, old queens, adds to the fun. So keep turning 21, boys!

A close friend recently turned 21 and, of course, it was an all-out weekend of craziness! He started out his Friday birthday with dinner on Thursday night at Lei Lounge in University Heights. As I mentioned in a previous column, my job forces me to get to work at the ungodly hour of 7 a.m., so after dinner I headed home (although I gave my two-week’s notice the day I wrote this column, as I have accepted another job opportunity that has a later start time, so I’ll be back on the weeknight scene!). My friends headed over to Numbers at the stroke of midnight, and I hear they partied it up and found a nice older gentleman who paid for drinks all night. Kudos!

Friday night was the official birthday, and we started the night at Bourbon Street, followed by a stop at Bacchus House for its new Friday-night party hosted by Club Papi Productions, ¡Pan Dulce! I still have a yummy taste in my mouth from those sexy Papi Dancers. After that, my friend wanted to check out the usual Friday night hot spot, The Flame. The place was packed as usual, and it was a great night.

My friend continued his 21st birthday party for the next week or so. He went out Saturday and Sunday night, took a night off on Monday, and was back on the scene Tuesday night and well into the next weekend. You’ll most definitely recognize him for the next couple of weeks: He’ll be the one that you see at every bar in town, every night of the week. But that’s all part of the excitement of turning this fabulous age. Other than getting those discounted car rental rates at age 25, the next milestone age is retirement (which I must say sounds quite inviting to me).

Bars, clubs and restaurants, especially in our community, are known for their support of charitable organizations and causes. It’s nice to know that many of our business owners give so much in support of the community. On June 30, Club Montage celebrated its one-year anniversary, which was also a benefit for the Youth Housing Project. Montage is to be congratulated for reinventing one of San Diego’s premier nightclubs. Bite, the new restaurant and lounge (with a great champagne hour on weekdays), celebrated its grand opening on June 28, which served as a fund-raiser for the Stonewall Citizens Patrol. Bourbon Street recently hosted a fund-raiser for Danni Pomplun, a bright young man in our community who was recently diagnosed with cancer. And Urban Mo’s recently hosted a fund-raiser for Pucker Up!, a local women’s softball team. Be sure to check out Urban Mo’s on Saturday, July 7, as it will be hosting a fund-raiser for the San Diego State University LGBT Student Union.

When you are out and about and see these fund-raisers happening, make it a point to support them. You might as well make your alcohol dollars go toward a good cause.

San Diego Pride is coming! We are just a few short weeks away! Look for San Diego Pride’s table out and about at Rich’s, Bacchus House and Urban Mo’s in the next couple of weeks, where you can get information about the festivities and purchase tickets to the Pride festival (avoid those long lines). And be sure to check out the next edition of Rocket, which hits the street on July 19, just before Pride, to find out about Pride weekend bar and club happenings! What an exciting weekend it will be! Until next time, play safe!