Best of the Gays 2012

The

’s 2nd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards

{ SECOND OF THREE SECTIONS }

Photo: Rick Gerharter

22 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 5-11, 2012

The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

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Here are the Best! compiled by Matthew S. Bajko and Cynthia Laird

I

t’s time to unveil the winners in of the Bay Area Reporter’s second annual Best of the Gays readers’ poll. And judging by the results, there are some people, places, and things that our readers really enjoy – to the point that some of the winners are taking home the honor for the second consecutive year. But there are also new entries, proving that there are a lot of great things to enjoy in San Francisco when it comes to food and drink, sex and romance, arts

and nightlife, shopping, city life, and outdoors and sports.

We’d also like to acknowledge our appreciation for this year’s survey sponsors Maui Sunseeker, Academy of Friends, Body, Citizen, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Hard Rock Café, Gallery of Jewels, and Good Vibrations for providing our readers a chance to win some fabulous prizes. (A couple even won the survey as well.)

Enjoy perusing this year’s Best of the Gays.

www.ebar.com

FOOD AND DRINK Best Wine Bar

Blush Wine Bar Best Bartenders, Best Overall Bar

440 Once again the staff at 440 Castro has proven it knows how to keep customers happy and ensure they are repeat visitors. The bar, whose name doubles as its address, was named two years in a row as the city’s gay watering hole with the best bartenders in the Best of the Gays poll.

With its infamous Monday underwear nights and Wooden Nickel Wednesdays, featuring two-for-one drink specials, as well as a bevy of hot go-go boys arousing patrons, the bar also edged out its competitors to be named best overall bar this year.

440 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 621-8732. www.the440.com

Best Happy Hour

Best Dive Bar

Hole in the Wall Those wanting a grittier atmosphere to get their drink on feel most at home at a hole in the wall, literally. Celebrating 18 years this month of serving clientele South of Market, the Hole in the Wall Saloon continues to maintain a working stiff attitude. Voted the city’s best dive bar two years running by B.A.R. readers, the saloon promotes itself as “a nice little queer bar for filthy bikers and loudmouth punks.”

Hole in the Wall Saloon, 1369 Folsom Street, San Francisco, (415) 431-4695. www.holeinthewallsaloon.com

Best Swanky Bar

Martuni’s

When it comes to cheap drinks after a hard day at the office, however, gays flock to the Castro’s video bar the Midnight Sun. It isn’t unusual to find a line of thirsty patrons outside the 18th Street hangout Friday nights. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the cheap drinks flow until 9 p.m. most nights and never end Monday nights when every hour through 2 a.m. is “happy.”

The ascot-wearing set will feel most at home at Martuni’s, advise B.A.R. readers. This piano bar near the nexus of Hayes Valley and the Valencia Street Corridor serves up pool-sized martinis and other elixir concoctions at the semi-circular bar. Chanteuses and ivory ticklers – some famous, others less well known – hold court in the back room. Pull up a seat at one of the tables or slide into a banquette for a boozy evening of cocktailing à la Mad Men’s Don Draper.

Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street, San Francisco, (415) 861-4186. www.midnightsunsf.com

Martuni’s, 4 Valencia Street, San Francisco, (415) 241-0205. www.martunis.ypguides.net

Midnight Sun

The enoteca craze is alive and well in San Francisco but B.A.R. readers are still enraptured with the Castro’s Blush Wine Bar. Bringing a taste of European flare to the heart of the gayborhood, Blush serves up 50 different wines by the glass and a tasting menu along with live music Tuesday and Thursday nights.

On weekends patrons can enjoy brunch starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

Blush Wine Bar, 476 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 5580893. www.blushwinebar.com

Best Farmers’ Market

Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market It seems as though every neighborhood plays host to a farmers’ market, but B.A.R. readers continue to head down to the Ferry Plaza to forage for organic greens and vegetables from an array of local harvesters. Nearby office workers mingle with tourists at the Tuesday and Thursday markets, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while weekend shoppers make a beeline for the outdoor bazaar Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Operated by the Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture, the bayside stands attract up to 25,000 shoppers weekly, so those in the know set their alarm clocks early in order to purchase the cream of the crop.

Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market, One Ferry Building, San Francisco, (415) 291-3276. www.cuesa.org/markets

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Food and Drink

From page 22

Best Grocery Store

Trader Joe’s No wonder Trader Joe’s has been a serial courter of the Castro as it expands its presence in San Francisco.

The national grocer once again is where B.A.R. readers love to shop.

Twice now plans for a TJ’s in the gayborhood have fallen through, as nearby residents fully aware of the store’s popularity raised concerns about increased traffic. One day the company’s Castro courtship may check out, but until then area denizens will have to make their way to its other San Francisco locations.

Trader Joe’s. www.traderjoes.com

Edge bartender Gavin Thompson joins a toast with a group of customers.

Rick Gerharter

Bartender has an Edge with customers

by Matthew S. Bajko

P Hostess Birdie Courtesy Cafe Flore

Best Cafe

Cafe Flore

ebar.com

One could say that Cafe Flore owner J.D. Petras was the inspiration for the city’s recent parklet boomlet. Years ago he caused a minor stir when he expanded the sidewalk tables at the eatery located on the corner of Market and Noe streets. One of the few Castro places to offer al fresco dining, the cafe’s patio is packed on sunny days and extra space was sorely needed. Since then parklets offering outdoor seating in the city’s merchant corridors have popped up all over. Yet Cafe Flore See page 26 >>

erhaps it is his Irish brogue, having grown up in the midlands of Ireland in Athlone.

Maybe it has something to do with his unattainability as a straight man working in a gay bar.

Or it could just be that he pours a mean drink.

For whatever reason, Gavin Thompson had a clear edge with Bay Area Reporter readers who named him the best bartender for 2012.

“He is hot as hell and we just love him,” one patron cooed when the B.A.R. popped into the Edge, where Thompson has worked since 2010, on a recent Saturday afternoon to talk with the barman.

As for why he has become a customer favorite, Thompson, 23, thinks he knows.

“I do flirt. I am not going to lie,” said the single Thompson with a sheepish grin.

He is upfront about his sexual orientation when asked. The inquiries happen “constantly,” admitted Thompson. “People are always coming up to the bar and saying ‘My friend thinks you’re cute.’”

Asked how many hearts he has broken since joining the staff of the 21-year-old neighborhood pub at the corner of Collingwood and 18th streets, Thompson smiled and said “a couple.”

He doesn’t mind the attention, however, nor would he want to work in a straight bar.

“I love it,” he said. “I wouldn’t work at an Irish pub.”

Born in Boston, his family moved back to Ireland when Thompson was a young age.

Across the pond, Thompson’s formative years were spent inside bars.

His family not only owned various pubs back in Ireland but also called the taverns home.

“I grew up in a bar,” said Thompson. “My family owned four bars and we always lived upstairs.”

Since he has dual AmericanIrish citizenship, Thompson decided to move back to the United States several years ago after he landed a job in Santa Cruz working with people with special needs. He then moved to the city to study to become an EMT. “I want to be a paramedic,” said Thompson.

In tending bar, he keeps to a simple rule on how to treat his customers.

“I know how I like to be treated,” said Thompson.

He also credits his bar skills to the tutelage of Mike McHale, an Edge bartender who passed away earlier this year.

“Mike took me under his wing.

He taught me to be a smart ass,” said Thompson.

Thompson can be found manning the bar at the Edge most Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from noon to 7 p.m. or Tuesdays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Edge, 4149 18th Street, San Francisco, (415) 8634027. www.edgesf.com.

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Food and Drink

From page 24

remains a favorite spot for sunning, dining, and sipping on drinks with B.A.R. readers, who named it the best cafe two years in a row.

Cafe Flore, 2298 Market St., San Francisco, (415) 621-8579. www.cafeflore.com

eatery is open until 10 p.m. most nights, 11 p.m. Saturdays.

Zapata Mexican Grill, 4150 18th Street, San Francisco, (415) 861-4470.

Best Asian Restaurant

Brandy Ho’s

Readers’ taste buds did switch this year when it came to picking the town’s best slice. Castro mainstay Marcello’s bills itself as the “best pizza in the universe.” While the B.A.R. didn’t poll galactically, respondents did name the restaurant the best in San Francisco. Not only satiating hungry bar patrons before they head home, Marcello’s also provides “fast, fresh, free,” delivery for orders more than $10. Their drivers can be just as appetizing as the pizza.

Hot and spicy is the name of the game at Brandy Ho’s, hence the local family-owned restaurant’s pepper motif. Cooked Hunan style and served “country style,” the eatery’s peasant-inspired southern Chinese dishes use very little oil and no MSG. Instead the food is simple, substantial, and down-to-earth.

Operated by the Ho brothers – Brandy, Jack, and Sedgwick – the trio chose to play off of the heat and humidity the ancient Hunan region is known for. Their menu takes inspiration – and a bit of perspiration – from the Hunan saying, “when you eat pepper you sweat and cleanse yourself.”

Marcello’s Pizza, 420 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 8633900. marcellospizzasf.com

Brandy Ho’s, 4068 18th Street, San Francisco, (415)-252-8000. www.brandyhos.com

Best Pizza

Marcello’s Pizza

Best Brunch

Lime It has been quite the year for Lime, the Castro small-plates eatery on Market Street. Its bottomless Mimosa brunches have attracted negative press and complaints from residents about inebriated patrons.

Then a tax payment hiccup led state regulators to briefly close the place.

But as the maxim goes, even bad publicity is good press and word has gotten out about the weekend bacchanals (though recent Yelp reviews suggest the free-flowing booze may have dried out.) The crowd is decidedly 20-something and the music can be deafening, so a polite postchurch brunch spot this is not.

Lime, 2247 Market Street, San Francisco, (415-621-5256). www.lime-sf.com

www.ebar.com

Best Burger and Fries

Best Restaurant with a View

Cliff House Someday the powerful waves ceaselessly crashing into Ocean Beach will eventually erode the sandy shoreline inward. Until that day of reckoning comes, the best spot to view Mother Nature’s stunning power with drink in hand is the Cliff House. Perched atop Point Lobos at the mouth of the Golden Gate, the restaurant has been wowing guests with its menu and the stunning marine scenery since 1863. Known for its Sunday Champagne brunches and nightly sunset dining, the Cliff House has three dining rooms and two cocktail lounges that all provide breathtakingly beautiful views.

Cliff House, 1090 Point Lobos, San Francisco, 415-386-3330. www.Cliffhouse.com

Super Duper Burgers DIYers will find this Castro burger flipper aptly named. For at Super Duper Burgers you can choose a dozen different toppings to add atop the mouthwatering Niman Ranch beef patties. Those who can’t decide can just tell them to throw everything in between the two buns. The restaurant, which this year secured a solo win in this category after sharing the honor last year, also offers ice cream lovers soft cones and milk shakes made with organic products from the local Straus Family Creamery.

Super Duper Burgers, 2304 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 558-8123. www.superdupersf.com

Best Burrito

Zapata Mexican Grill Forget about the numerous taquerias in the Mission, when B.A.R. readers are craving a burrito they head to the Castro’s Zapata Mexican Grill. The family-owned and -operated eatery has been packing them into its 18th Street location since 1993. Conveniently located near three of the gayborhood’s bars, the

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Best Dessert

Sweet Inspiration Your sweet tooth needs some attention? Then there is no better place to head for a sugar fix than Sweet Inspiration. The Market Street bakery has been offering confections to its Castro patrons for three decades and is well known for its array of sumptuous birthday cakes. Last June business partners Michael Colter and Wendy Mogg, who is bisexual, took over the shop.

Both parents of out, queer kids, they have maintained close ties to the LGBT community as they have upgraded the space into a modern-day soda shop.

Sweet Inspiration, 2239 Market Street, San Francisco, (415)-621-8664. www.sweetinspirationbakery.com

Best Vegetarian Vegan Restaurant

Greens Housed inside a former marine warehouse at Fort Mason, Greens Restaurant has been a pioneer in vegetarian cooking since the 1960s.

Opened by the LGBT-friendly San Francisco Zen Center, the eatery’s menu is now overseen by celebrated chef Annie Somerville. Much of the organic produce comes from the Zen center’s Green Gulch Farm located in the Marin Headlands. The foodie favorite is a sensory overload, from the delectable dishes to the eye-popping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marina.

Greens, Fort Mason, Building A, San Francisco, (415) 771-6222. www.greensrestaurant.com

Best Splurge Restaurant (more than $20 per person)

Gary Danko At minimum it is a two-month wait for a table at the 65-seat Gary Danko, and the bill is sure to be a wallet drainer. But the patience and cost continue to be time and money well spent, say B.A.R. readers, when looking to splurge on a night out on the town. Danko’s namesake restaurant – awarded one star this year by the Michelin Guide – is also one of the few reasons many locals will venture into the tourist-soaked Ghirardelli Square section of San Francisco.

Gary Danko, 800 North Point, San Francisco, (415) 749-2060. www.garydanko.com

Best Cheap Restaurant (less than $6 per person)

Dinosaurs Best Late-Night Restaurant

Orphan Andy’s Once again Orphan Andy’s has been named the place for night owls

by B.A.R. readers. A go-to spot to sober out once the bars close, this diner at the corner of Castro and 17th streets doesn’t look like it has changed much since it opened its doors more than three decades ago. Owned by a gay couple that lives nearby, the restaurant is one of the few places open 24 hours, seven days a week. It is also a great place to grab a meal and people watch while seated at one of the tables in Jane Warner Plaza.

Orphan Andy’s Restaurant, 3991 A 17th Street, San Francisco, (415) 864-9795.

While saving up to pay for your tab at Danko’s, the best place to grab a cheap meal is at the Castro’s Dinosaurs, a Vietnamese sandwich shop on 16th Street. Overlooked by the crowds at nearby sandwich purveyor Ike’s Place, whose location struggles and devoted followers have been detailed to death by the media, this tiny shop on the other hand has barely registered among the food cognoscenti. Not true for B.A.R. readers, who have discovered this gem of a quick lunch place to grab tasty Banh mi sandwiches not far off Market Street.

Dinosaurs, 3518 16th Street at Prosper, San Francisco.

(415) 503-1421.

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The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

T

HA

NK YOU BAY AREA FOR VOT I N G U S B E S T PLACE TO BUY EYEWEAR! V E O

O P T I C S

C A S T R O

VEO CASTRO

VEO MARINA

VEO UNION SQUARE

(corner of Market & Church St.)

(corner of Union & Octavia St.)

(at Stockton St.)

San Francisco, CA 94114 Phone: 415-861-2020

San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone: 415-921-2020

San Francisco, CA 94108 Phone: 415-434-2020

2101 Market Street

1799 Union Street

VEO THEATRE DISTRICT 454 Geary Street (at Mason St.)

San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone:415-885-2020

393 Sutter Street

VEO DESIGN CENTER 450 Geary Street (at Mason St.)

San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415-885-2020

http://www.veooptics.com

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The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

sex & romance

rently illegal in California, LGBT couples can still book domestic partnership ceremonies in the landing outside of the Board of Supervisors’ chambers by contacting the city clerk’s office.

San Francisco City Hall, Office of the County Clerk, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place Rm. 168, San Francisco, (415) 5544950. www.sfgov2.org/index. aspx?page=13

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tulips to brighten a loved one’s day are always welcome, or schedule a delivery to perk up a sullen friend’s mood.

Church Street Flowers, 212 Church Street, San Francisco, (415) 553-7762. www.churchstreetflowers.com

Best Place to Get Married

San Francisco City Hall

ebar.com

Municipal buildings rarely, if ever, play a role in the wedding day fantasies of little brides (or grooms).

Most are often associated with quickie marriages among couples needing to wed on the fly. But San Francisco’s ornate City Hall, with its soaring gold-leafed dome, continues to hold special significance for LGBT people.

Back in 2004 it was the location for a monthlong bonanza of samesex marriages during what became known as the “Winter of Love.”

While those nuptials did not survive the legal wrangling they caused, the images of ecstatic gay and lesbian couples exchanging vows left an indelible imprint. For the second year B.A.R. readers named the building’s marbled Rotunda as the best wedding spot in San Francisco.

While same-sex marriage is cur-

Best Flower Shop

Best Place to Buy Sex Toys

Church Street Flowers

Good Vibrations

Looking for a florist to handle your wedding day arrangements?

Then B.A.R. readers suggest checking out Church Street Flowers.

Tucked into a small brick storefront on the major thoroughfare near the corner of Market Street, the floral shop has been putting together bouquets for nearly two decades. Walkins looking to pick up some roses or

The Castro may be most associated with sex shops in the minds of many anti-gay critics, but locals know the best place to browse for adult items is a few blocks east in the Mission. B.A.R. readers once again named Good Vibrations as their favorite seller of dildos, lubes, condoms and all other products that can add a bit of spice to bedroom goings-on. The sex-positive store has been catering to the libidinous needs of Bay Area shoppers since 1977, and its online site offers a plethora of anal sex toys, masturbation aides and vibrators to a worldwide market. Locations are also on Polk Street and a new store recently opened in Oakland.

Good Vibrations, 899 Mission Street, San Francisco, (415) 5131635. www.goodvibes.com

Best Place to Buy Fetish Gear

Mr. S Leather Those involved in kinkier exploits head South of Market to Mr. S Leather. There, a cornucopia of products awaits fetishists into the leather scene, uniforms, rubber, wrestling singlets, jockstraps, or nasty pig gear. The store also caters to female clientele with its Madame S boutique showcasing women’s fetish clothing.

Mr. S Leather, 385 8th Street, San Francisco, (415) 863-7764. www.mr-s-leather.com

Best Adult Video Store

Folsom Gulch For 40-plus years men in search of the latest porn titles have sought out SOMA’s Folsom Gulch. Bay Area residents have named it the city’s best adult video store on various readers’ polls for years. This marks its first time winning a B.A.R. Best of the Gays award. Its all-male arcade, open 24 hours Fridays and Saturdays, is a particular draw for gay, bisexual, or straight men on the prowl. The store also opened across the street a member’s only, clothing optional sex club called the Gulch’s Playspace.

Folsom Gulch, 947 Folsom Street, San Francisco, (415) 4956402. Facebook.com/thegulch

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DINING OUT FOR LIFE.COM/SANFRANCISCO

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Sex and Romance

From page 28

Best Sex Club

Blow Buddies When looking to hookup offline for sex the preferred place to go for B.A.R. readers is SOMA’s Blow Buddies. The sex club won this category outright this year after sharing the award in 2011. Also a members-only establishment, the club has provided a clean space for men to have sex where condom use is encouraged for the last 24 years.

With 6,000 square feet of play space, including a heated backyard area, Blow Buddies boasts it is the largest sex club in San Francisco.

More than 250,000 men are members and enjoy its theme nights, such as Naked Buddies, Golden Shower Buddies, Underwear Buddies, and Bear Buddies.

Blow Buddies, 933 Harrison Street, San Francisco, (415) 7774323. www.blowbuddies.com

The National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park is one of several quieter spots for heart-to-heart conversations.

Best Place for a First Date, Best Place to Breakup

Where romance begins and ends

Best Cruising Spot

Buena Vista Park Not as popular as it once was during the pre-Internet and smartphone app era, cruising for sex outdoors nonetheless has never gone out of style for some men. And in San Francisco those looking for a natural setting to locate a hookup should head over to Buena Vista Park, advise B.A.R. readers. For the second year in a row, this wooded hillside bordering the Haight and Corona Heights has garnered the Best of the Gays award for best cruising spot. But be forewarned, it could land you in jail on indecency charges, even in liberal San Francisco, and was the site of a gruesome death of a gay man last year.

ebar.com

Buena Vista Park. sfrecpark.org/Parks.aspx

by Matthew S. Bajko

T

he heart can be a fickle thing. It can beat wildly over a special someone at first glance and turn even the sourest puss into a lovesick puppy dog.

Then, just like that, the pounding stops and one’s heart grows cold. The once-hot romance has suddenly fizzled and burnt out.

There may be no telling when love will strike or Cupid’s powers will dwindle. But B.A.R. readers are sure of two things when it comes to matters of romance – where to start a courtship and where to end it.

The best place for a first date is the Castro’s Cafe Flore, also named the best cafe in the 2012 Best of the Gays readers’ poll.

The Parisian-inspired coffeehouse, restaurant, and sunnyday hangout has been a favorite spot in the gayborhood since it opened its doors at the corner of Market and Noe streets in the early 1970s.

The relaxed setting, with its garden patio or greenhouse-like indoor area, is ideal for getting to know someone on a first date.

The atmosphere lends itself to having a nice chat, and the cafe’s full bar also helps lubricate the conversation.

Should a romantic spark be ignited, Cafe Flore is a good jumping off point for destinations elsewhere. Or a couple can settle in there for dinner and dessert.

Even better, should the date turn out to be a dud, the Castro’s bars and clubs are steps away filled with other lonely hearts.

Or a stranger at a nearby table may just turn out to be a better match.

“Since 1973, Cafe Flore is the bohemian crown jewel of the Castro where locals and tour-

ists get cozy over American bistro fare and full bar service,” restaurant spokesman Gary Virginia told the B.A.R. “The bustling, romantic setting is as famous for its cruising as it is for its popular carafe and nightly drink specials.”

Once in a relationship whose time has come to say adieu, then B.A.R. readers find the best place to break the news to one’s paramour is in Golden Gate Park.

The vast green space is hardly ever warm, with winds whipping off the Pacific Ocean cooling down the air temperature – fitting surroundings for a love gone cold.

Advantages include many locales filled with fellow parkgoers to act as potential eyewitnesses should one’s soon-to-be ex become distraught. Rain-free Sundays see a flood of walkers, bikers, skateboarders, dancers, and museumgoers traverse down the green space’s JFK Drive, which is closed to vehicular traffic.

For those looking to have a more deep-seated, heart-toheart about the breakup, quieter spots like the Rose Garden, John McLaren Memorial Rhododendron Dell, or the National AIDS Memorial Grove offer contemplative places to talk.

Best to avoid giving the bad news, though, inside the Victorian-styled wood and glass greenhouses of the Conservatory of Flowers or onboard a paddle boat at Stow Lake lest one’s lover zbecomes so distraught their anger turns to rage.

Cafe Flore, 2298 Market Street, San Francisco. (415) 621-8579. www.cafeflore.com Golden Gate Park. www.golden-gate-park.com

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The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

NCTC is a place where the queer and allied community can gather to share its stories.” Look for this year’s Pride Season plays.

New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, (415) 861-8972. www.nctcsf.org

arts and nightlife

In the coming year, the de Young will feature such exhibitions as the internationally acclaimed “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” (now through August) and a magnificent display of modern and contemporary photography in “Real to Real: Photographs from the Traina Collection” to “Nureyev: A Life in Dance” and the West Coast’s long awaited arrival of “Girl with a Pearl earring: Dutch Paintings from Mauritshuis.” de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, (415) 7503600. deyoung.famsf.org

Best Dance Club

Badlands Erik Tomasson

Al Pacino at the Castro last month Rick Gertarter

Best Movie Theatre, Best Rep Film House

Castro Theatre Nothing says classic movie palace like the grand art deco facade of the Castro Theatre. It is a symbol of San Francisco’s gay neighborhood, with the sign and marquee appearing as supporting roles in many a protest photo or gay rights celebration.

More than just a backdrop, however, the theater today shows classic films and special first run presentations.

The popular mighty Wurlitzer is played nightly, signaling the program will soon start.

A registered landmark with the city of San Francisco (number 100), the theater was built in 1922 and is currently owned by the Nasser family. This year the Castro Theatre celebrates its 90th anniversary.

Sing-a-longs, film premieres, and special shows are part of the magic.

The Castro Theatre is known for its diverse programming, including classic movies, foreign films, and unusual art house releases. It also plays host to various film festivals, such as Frameline, the LGBT film fest in June. Gays and their friends go all out for special runs, like the recent Sing Along Wizard of Oz, wearing elaborate costumes as they belt out “Over the Rainbow,” made famous in the film by Judy Garland, herself a gay icon.

Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 6216120. www.castrotheatre.com

Maria Kochetkova and Taras Domitro in Tomasson/Possokhov’s new Don Quixote

Best Dance Company

San Francsico Ballet The bodies are beautiful and so is the dancing. As America’s oldest professional ballet company and one of the three largest ballet companies in the U.S., San Francisco Ballet has enjoyed a long and rich tradition of artistic “firsts” since its founding in 1933. It performed the first American productions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker, as well as the first production of Coppelia choreographed by an American choreographer. SF Ballet currently presents more than 100 performances a year locally, nationally, and abroad. Under the direction of Helgi Tomasson for 25 years, the company has achieved an international reputation as one of the preeminent ballet companies in the world.

Coming up: April 12-18 the SF Ballet will present Balanchine Masterworks, showcasing three of George Balanchine’s greatest works, plus a full range of lectures and events (www.sfballet.org/balanchine). April 27-May 6 the company will present the classic story ballet Don Quixote, featuring all-new scenery and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Martin Pakledinaz.

San Francisco Ballet, 455 Franklin Street, San Francisco, (415) 865-2000. www.sfballet.org

Best Art Gallery

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Sunrise Kiss, from NCTC’s Maurice Courtesy NCTC

Best Theater Company

New Conservatory Theatre Center This theater company is on the cutting edge as it champions innovative, high quality productions and educational theater experiences for youth, artists, and the queer and allied communities to effect personal and societal growth, enlightenment and change. Artistic Director Ed Decker was ecstatic to win this category for the second consecutive year. “A terrific honor,” he said.

“Perhaps this means that our vision of theater is a community event and a way to build community is actually succeeding! I am also proud that

Founded in 1935, SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast devoted to modern and contemporary art. The museum’s current home, a dynamic, iconic building, opened in 1995. SFMOMA is currently developing a major expansion to accommodate the ongoing growth of the museum’s programs and to showcase the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection of contemporary art. The museum always has thought-provoking exhibitions on view.

SFMOMA, 151 3rd Street, San Francisco, (415) 357-4000. www.sfmoma.org

Best Museum

de Young Museum A new entry in the Best of the Gays, the de Young, designed by Herzog and de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, is part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and among the nation’s most visited art museums. The museum showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa.

The dance club in the heart of the Castro is the gayborhood’s most popular video/music entertainment and dancing. The dance floor features a state-of-the-art EAW-powered sound system and colorful dance floor lighting with, of course, the mirrored disco ball. The front lounge area is a great place to meet people, hang out, or enjoy music videos.

Badlands, 4121 18th Street, San Francisco, (415) 626-9320. www.sfbadlands.com

Best After Hours Club

The EndUp Long a favorite stop after the bars have closed, the dancing never stops on the weekends at the EndUp. Friday nights start with Fever and keep going Sundays with the T Dance in the mornings, Sunday School in the afternoons, and Sunday Sessions at night. The club boasts a great outdoor patio for when you need to take a break from the dance floor.

The EndUp, 401 6th Street (at Harrison), San Francisco, (415) 646-0999. www.theendup.com

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Arts and Nightlife

From page 31

Best Club for Men

Powerhouse This South of Market bar is a favorite among the leather crowd and hosts the popular Bare Chest Calendar contests, as well as other regular events.

Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street, San Francisco, (415) 5528689. www.powerhouse-sf.com

Best Club for Women

The Lexington Club Established in 1997, the Lexington Club is celebrating its 15th year in 2012. A new entry to Best of the Gays, the Lexington bills itself as “your friendly neighborhood dyke bar.” Fridays feature Bad Girl Cocktail Hour from 9 to 10 p.m.

Courtesy Robbie Martin

San Francisco DJ Robbie Martin

Best DJ

Robbie Martin has seen it all

The Lexington Club, 3464 19th Street, San Francisco, (415) 8632052. www.lexingtonclub.com

by Cynthia Laird

Best Club for Transgender People

Diva’s This nightclub and bar caters to transgender people and their allies, and was the first to do so. Owner Steve Berkey and manager Alexis Miranda have the longest-running drag show in California. The club started as the Motherlode in 1988 on Larkin Street and has been operating as Diva’s for 13 years.

Diva’s, 1081 Post Street, San Francisco, (415) 474-3482. www.divassf.com

Best Drag Act

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Donna Sachet What can we say? The iconic Donna Sachet is everywhere, often lending her considerable talents to help raise funds for numerous

G

reat DJs either command or serve, said Robbie Martin, voted Best DJ in the Bay Area Reporter’s Best of the Gays poll for the second consecutive year.

“I try to do both,” he said. “The ideal is to play great music at the perfect times, mixed seamlessly.”

He said that can be challenging, as crowds and tastes are often unpredictable.

Martin, 37, is going to slow things down for himself, he said, and will be cutting back on his gigs, though it won’t be a retirement, as he alluded to in a Folsom Street Events email last month.

“But then to get word of this award just three days after my retirement performance, I decided to hold off and continue to share my gift with the SF club community,” Martin told the B.A.R. in an email.

Martin, who is gay, has been DJing for 22 years.

“I started DJing at WBRH in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of 15,” he said. “I played big band and classic rock.”

He became self-taught on the art of beatmatching in the production studio of the station, he added.

“I took on a few small clubs in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but got my big break at the Bourbon Pub/Parade Dance Club on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in 1995.”

Martin was the resident DJ there on and off for six years when he wasn’t at Louisiana State University pursuing his bachelor’s degree.

He moved to San Francisco in 2005 and the party scene hasn’t been the same. Martin has DJed all over the Bay Area, often for nonprofit fundraisers. Gigs have included the Pride main state in 2010, Beatbox, Industry, Ruby Skye, Club Universe Reunion, the EndUp, 1015 Folsom, the Look-

out, Stallion, the White Horse, Club Eight, and Steamworks.

Technology has made it easy for the average person to become an overnight DJ, Martin said, but there’s more to it than that.

“When someone can mix the music without the technology you have a DJ who is a master at his/ her craft,” he said.

Asked to name a favorite DJ, Martin demurred.

“I could list a dozen DJs whom I admire, both alive and passed on, but in doing so I would fail to mention others who I love just as much but for different reasons,” he said. “I will say I have been most influenced by DJ Max Rodriguez, resident DJ at Splash NYC. He was the first pro to take me seriously and acknowledge my potential.”

As for his favorite gig? Martin said two stand out.

“I have two all-time favorite performances. The first was Lundi-Gras at the Bourbon Pub/ Parade Dance Club in 1995,” he said. “It was the first time I played for a packed house and really got to shine.”

Equally memorable, he said, was the recent Red Meat party.

“It fell on St. Patrick’s Day and I announced it as my retirement performance the week prior. I sometimes struggle to stay competitive, and this is a very competitive industry. And when I am competing against people whom I love it can be quite challenging to stay fired up, as I am not extremely competitive by nature.”

Martin thanked voters for the award.

“I am humbled by all who have voted for me,” he said. “Although I will remain resident for Folsom Street Events’ quarterly Red Meat parties at Beatbox and Steamworks Baths in Berkeley, I am clearing space for the universe to reveal my next passion.”

LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations. She always has a smile and a friendly “hello” for her legions of fans. For the last several years, Sachet has been the society columnist for the B.A.R.; her Out on the Town column appears every other week. She is in her ninth year as a co-announcer for the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade and in her sixth year doing “Sunday’s A Drag,” her popular show at Harry Denton’s Starlight Room that attracts locals and tourists alike. In 2009 she was the first drag performer to sing the national anthem for the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.

This San Francisco original got her gay comedy start in the city years ago and has been a mainstay ever since.

She has been featured on Logo, HBO, and Showtime. Gomez currently produces and hosts the queer-friendly “Comedy Bodega” every Thursday at Esta Noche in the Mission.

www.donnasachet.com

www.margagomez.com

Best Comedian

Marga Gomez

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The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

shopping

Best Bookstore, Best Magazine Collection

Best Vintage Clothing Store (Tie)

Books Inc.

Buffalo Exchange, Sui Generis

It’s harder to find bookstores in the age of e-readers and tablets. But Books Inc. continues to offer an outstanding selection of books and magazines. It won in these categories last year. The Market Street store has been at its current location for 15 years; the 11-store chain was founded in 1851.

The Castro store has the largest stock of gay and lesbian titles and has current author readings regularly.

Books Inc., 2275 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 864-6777. www.booksinc.net/sfcastro

Buffalo Exchange is new to Best of the Gays. It offers new and recycled fashions for men and women at bargain prices. Bring in your former favorites for trade or cash on the spot. The store’s ever-changing inventory includes designer labels, vintage, jeans, leather, current basics, and one-of-a-kind items. You’ll also find new merchandise and accessories. Buffalo is a sustainable, privately held company that helps protect the environment by reusing clothing. The clothing is by the community, for the community.

Three stores in the Bay Area.

Buffalo Exchange, 1555 Haight Street, San Francisco, (415) 4317733. www.buffaloexchange.com

Best Jewelry Store (Tie)

Gallery of Jewels, Tiffany and Co. Both winners are new to Best of the Gays. Gallery of Jewels, with three San Francisco locations, specializes in representing finely handcrafted jewelry by local, regional, and international artisans. Bill Hoover, who owns the store with his wife, Dona, said that they have over 100 designer collections.

“Our styles are unusual; jewelry that offers something unique and unexpected,” he said.

Gallery of Jewels, 4089 24th Street, San Francisco, (415) 2850626. www.galleryofjewels.com

Tiffany’s exudes glamour. The heritage of the long-standing brand is richly reflected in the signature Tiffany blue. One glance at this well-known hue evokes not only excitement, but also appreciation for a legendary style that was crafted by artisans working in a tradition established 175 years ago. The company supports the communities in which it operates through its corporate giving program locally and its foundation’s global philanthropic activities.

Tiffany and Co., 350 Post Street, San Francisco, (415) 781-7000. www.tiffany.com

Best Place to Buy Vinyl, Best Place to Buy CDs

Amoeba Music This longtime music store consistently wins in readers’ polls around the Bay Area. Vinyl is making a comeback and in the age of iPods and CDs, you can find vinyl at Amoeba. It also sells CDs, and movies, new and used.

It is the largest and best independent record store in the world.

Amoeba Music, 1855 Haight Street, San Francisco, (415) 8311200. www.amoeba.com

Best Place to Rent Movies

Superstar Located in the heart of the Castro, Superstar is the home of the finest selection of independent, gay-themed and top Hollywood releases, as well as the curator of the world’s best collection of gay adult films. Some titles are only available at Superstar, which also has many of its gay films available for purchase.

Superstar, 474 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 863-3333. www.catromoviestore.com

Sui Generis, located in the Castro, specializes in men’s and women’s new and second-hand consignment items.

First opened on 2006 on Church Street, the store is coming up on its fourth anniversary at its Market Street location. Staff noted that they love being in the Castro and appreciate customers’ support.

Sui Generis, 2231 Market Street, (415) 437-2231 (men’s); 2265 Market Street, (415) 4372265 (women’s). www.suigenerisconsignment.com

Best Place to Buy Eyewear

Veo Optics New to Best of the Gays, Veo is San Francisco’s hottest optical boutique with 6,000 frames, knowledgeable stylists, and great prices. The company has several San Francisco locations and is known for its customer service.

Veo Optics, 2101 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 861-2020. www.veooptics.com

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Shopping

From page 33

Best Thrift Store

Out of the Closet This well-known thrift store has several Bay Area locations. Owned and operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, 96 cents of every $1 generated at Out of the Closet goes directly back to providing lifesaving care and treatment for those affected

by HIV/AIDS. Some locations offer free, confidential HIV testing. Locations offer a variety of clothing, furniture, and other items. Free pick-up of large items is available. Out of the Closet has an active online presence: follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Out of the Closet, 100 Church Street, San Francisco, (415)252-1101). www.outofthecloset.org

Courtesy Macy’s

Macy’s in Union Square is a hit with LGBT shoppers.

Best Clothing Store for Men and Women; Best Place to Buy Wedding Wear

Shop til you drop

by Cynthia Laird

W

Best Shoe Store

De La Sole Owner Joe Costa knows what it means to find the perfect shoe and he also knows that LGBTs love them. De La Sole, the Castro’s “Official Shoe Store,” offers fashion footwear for men and women. The store also has lots of accessories and its buyers are always looking for upand-coming merchandise. It’s highbrow style without the pomp.

De La Sole, 549 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 255-3140. www.delasole.com

Best Pet Shop

Best in Show It’s slogan is “Only the Best for your Pets” and this Castro mainstay is a hit with people and their fourlegged companions alike. Specializing in dogs, it stocks a wide assortment of food, supplies, toys, and apparel for canines, and also has food and other items for cats. The neighborhood shop opened about 10 years ago and quickly became a local favorite.

Best in Show, 545 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 864-7387. www.bestinshowsf.com

hen Bay Area Reporter readers think of clothing stores for men and women, one destination stands out: Macy’s at Union Square. The flagship store was the winner this year, and Macy’s officials couldn’t be happier.

Betsy Nelson, vice president of media relations and cause marketing for the Northwest and Southwest regions, told the B.A.R. that Macy’s has something for everyone.

“Macy’s is honored to be chosen best men’s and women’s clothing store by your readers,” Nelson said in an email.

In particular, the stand-alone men’s has been newly expanded and almost completely renovated. It includes a large collection of contemporary sportswear (Impulse) and an expanded assortment of premium denim, as well as expanded tailored clothing, shoes, and active wear.

For the women, the Union Square store has it all: contemporary merchandise in sportswear (Impulse), dresses, handbags, and shoes. There’s also Macy’s Woman for larger sizes.

Best Quirky Specialty Store

Cliff’s Variety For the second consecutive year, Cliff’s Varity is the winner in this category, and really, how could it not?

Cliff’s has proudly served the Castro for 76 years, supplying its customers with everything they need for their

Its shoe department boasts the largest selection in the city.

Nelson added that the Beauty and Fragrance Department has a brow bar. And the Home Store has everything necessary to furnish every room in your house.

When it comes to shopping for wedding fashions, Macy’s tied with Nordstrom.

Macy’s has the Wedding Shop, where you can find clothing, jewelry, and gifts. Nelson pointed out that Macy’s has a genderneutral bridal registry, making it easy to select gifts.

At Nordstrom, the Wedding Suite offers wedding stylists, as well as clothing and gifts.

While same-sex marriage isn’t legal in California right now, several other states such as New York allow gay and lesbian couples to wed.

Macy’s, 120 Stockton Street, San Francisco, (415) 3973333. www.macys.com Nordstrom, San Francisco Centre, 865 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 2438500. www.nordstrom.com

home improvement projects, crafts and hobbies, gift ideas, costumes, Burning Man supplies, seasonal decor, and zombie attack kits. Terry Asten Bennett runs the show, and Cliff’s also gives back to the community.

One thing Asten Bennett wanted readers to know: Cliff never worked there. The store was named after the founder’s son, Cliff, who was a musician, in hopes that he would take it over and “get a real job.” The store was taken over by Cliff’s older brother, Ernie.

Cliff’s Variety, 479 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 4315365. www.cliffsvariety.com

Best Pharmacy

Walgreens Walgreens continues to be the readers’ choice in this category. With its specially trained HIV pharmacists, personal medication consultation, immunizations, and a range of other services. It also gives back to the community through its window display on 18th Street, in which area nonprofits get to use the space to publicize themselves and events.

Store manager Sharon Woo and her staff are ready to meet your needs.

Walgreens, 498 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 861-3136. www.walgreens.com

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April 5-11, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 35

The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

Best Pet Groomer Best Politician, Best Politician You Love to Hate

Mudpuppy's city living

Best Tattoo Studio

Bulldog Tattoo Owner Gauge Strongarm’s shop is once again the favorite among B.A.R. readers, and tats are as popular as ever for men and women. Located in the Castro, Bulldog is open “from the time we get in until the time we close, everyday,” Strongarm said.

He added that the shop has been expanded to include piercing and jewelry. Veteran piercer Sharrin Spector is available by appointment only.

So when you’re ready to get your body art, check it out. Bulldog has all the resources to develop your idea into a design that works for you.

Bulldog Tattoo, 2275 Market Street, Suite 6 (behind Active Nutrition, next to Books Inc.), San Francisco, (415) 431-8900. www.bulldogtattoosf.com

Technically, Mudpuppy’s isn’t a pet groomer, but don’t tell that to the happy dogs that get the royal treatment when they come in for a bath. This dog-washing service opened in the Castro in December 2011 and quickly became a hit; the original has been in operation at Point Isabel Dog Park in Richmond since 1995. Gay-owned and -operated, Mudpuppy’s is run by Daniel Bergerac, Eddie Lundeen, and Todd Ahlberg.

In addition to bathing, the shop offers de-shedding, coat-conditioning, flea dips, and mani-pedis to keep your pet’s paws feeling good.

“We love what we do, we love dogs, and we treat yours as our own,” Ahlberg said.

Mudpuppy’s, 536 Castro Street, San Francisco, (415) 431-8899. www.mudpuppys.com

Best Dentist

Garret S. Madderra, DDS, LP A new entry to Best of the Gays, Dr. Garret S. Madderra offers complete dental care, whether it be regular cleanings or more advanced work. He also offers cosmetic dentistry and periodontal care. He is very community oriented and volunteers once a year in Bolivia, offering his skills.

Madderra Dental Spa, 2370 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 552-9200. www.madderradentistry.com

Best Doctor (Tie)

Mark Illeman, FNP, Dr. Shawn Hassler Folsom Street Fair 2011 Rick Gerharter

Best Street Fair

Folsom Street Fair The leather and fetish extravaganza that rocks South of Market every September is once again our readers’ favorite. The nonprofit Folsom Street Events that produces the fair – and several affiliated events – was established in 1984. Hundreds of thousands of people descend on SOMA during the fair to revel in what can be described as an “only in San Francisco experience,” noted Demetri Moshoyannis, FSE executive director. And FSE also helps out various LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations as all money raised goes back to the community. Last year a whopping $330,745 was returned to the beneficiaries.

Moshoyannis said the fair is important for many reasons. “First, it is a uniquely unabashed expression of queer sexuality that many of us engage in and appreciate. The fair is largely erotic and sensual, extremely entertaining, distinctly diverse, and sometimes just off-the-wall,” he said. “I’ve been to just about every major leather/fetish event in the world, and there really isn’t anything like it.”

Plans for this year’s fair include shaking up the entertainment, and consolidating the two live stages into one main stage and putting it on 10th Street between Howard and Folsom (where the dance area used to be), Moshoyannis said.

“And, we are featuring two dance areas, the Magnitude Dance Area on Folsom at 12th Street and the Deviants Dance Area on Folsom at 7th Street,” he added.

This year, as the B.A.R. reported in December, the Folsom Street Fair will be held a week earlier than usual, Sunday, September 23, so keep that in mind when making plans.

Folsom Street Fair, (415) 777-3247. www.folsomstreetfair.com

Mark Illeman, a family nurse practitioner, has been practicing with the Feldman Medical Group since 1983. He does primary care, internal medicine, and specializes in HIV medicine and dermatology.

A longtime community activist, Illeman is on the board of Project Inform and is a strong advocate for universal testing for HIV and hepatitis C. “Know your status and get on treatment,” he said.

Feldman Medical Group, Mark Illeman, FNP, 2300 California Street, Suite 306, San Francisco, (415) 202-1550.

Dr. Shawn Hassler has been with the Optimus Medical Group since 1997. He practices internal medicine with an emphasis on HIV and gay men’s health. His mission is to heal and empower people through a combination of medical knowledge and expertise, love and compassion, and a support and nourishment of the spirit.

Optimus Medical Group, Dr. Shawn Hassler, 870 Market Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, (415) 397-0700.

Best Attorney

Roger S. Gross A new winner this year, Roger S. Gross is a sensitive and compassionate attorney specializing in personal and small business transactions. He handles wills and trusts and probate law. Gross has been supportive of many community members and organizations over the years.

Roger S. Gross, 317 Noe Street, San Francisco, (415) 861-5225.

Best Mechanic

Cowden Automative Owner Paul Cowden started his business in 1978 because he was always fixing his neighbors’ cars in his

Oh, those politicians

by Cynthia Laird

G

avin Newsom may not be mayor of San Francisco anymore, but he remains – for the second year – the favorite politician among Bay Area Reporter readers.

Newsom, of course, started the national debate on same-sex marriage when he boldly ordered city officials to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples in 2004.

Now, eight years later, same-sex marriage is legal in eight states (two, Maryland and Washington, have yet to begin the nuptials and could face referendums) plus the District of Columbia.

Today, Newsom is California’s lieutenant governor. While the office doesn’t come with many official duties, Newsom has continued to be involved in green tech and energy issues. He is a regent of the UC system and has used that position to forcefully argue against further tuition increases in the university system.

It also seems that readers long for the City Hall fights between Newsom and his nemesis, former Supervisor Chris Daly. For the second year, the fiery ex-legislator has received the Best Politician You Love

garage. They asked him because they complained that they couldn’t find anybody trustworthy to repair their vehicles. He figured if being trustworthy was all it took he could make a go of it, and 34 years later it seems he was right. Cowden specializes in foreign cars, including Toyota, Scion, Subaru, Honda, Lexus, and more, including hybrids.

Cowden Automotive Foreign Car Repair, 875 Folsom Street, San Francisco, (415) 777-9858. www.cowdenautomotive.com

Lydia Gonzales

Gavin Newsom

Rick Gerharter

Former Supervisor Chris Daly

to Hate “honor.” No word on what either man thinks of these distinctions, neither returned messages seeking comment. Since leaving office, Daly bought The Buck, a Market Street watering hole, where

Best Tax Preparer (Tie)

Johnston Tax Group, H&R Block These competitors want your business, and both offer professional services to the LGBT community. Samesex couples often have complicated tax needs that can’t be met by tax software programs.

Jeff Johnston, owner of Johnston Tax Group, is known for his “Tax Daddy” ads. A member of the SF gay community for 12 years, he is active in the SF Gay

he and other members of the city’s progressive faction can be found plotting their next ballot measure or recruiting candidates.

But Daly wasn’t alone this year, as readers also named current Mayor Ed Lee and suspended Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi as politicians for which they have love-hate feelings. Lee, who was sworn into a full-year term in January, has generally received high marks from LGBT residents, though he did ruffle some with his recent decision to kick two gay men off the Health Commission, leaving the seven-member panel without LGBT representation for the first time in nearly 20 years.

As for Mirkarimi, his rapid fall has been chronicled in the media since before he took office in January. Following an alleged domestic incident with his wife, Mirkarimi pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment and was ordered to attend domestic violence counseling. The mayor promptly suspended Mirkarimi and appointed Vicki Hennessy as interim sheriff. Mirkarimi, meanwhile, is fighting his suspension and hopes to be reinstated. Stay tuned.

Men’s Chorus, Sundance Saloon, and the Homoto Motorcycle Club, among others. He specializes in registered domestic partners and same-sex married couples; advises distressed property owners on the tax consequences of foreclosures, short sales, and loan modifications; and advises small business owners on maximizing tax benefits.

Johnston Tax Group, 2327 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 294-1040. www.johnstontaxgroup.com

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City Living

From page 35

H&R Block offers a full range of tax services and has offices throughout the Bay Area.

H&R Block, 2370 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 241-0318. www.hrblock.com

an inviting Pan-Asian setting. Men’s days: Monday, Thursday, Saturday; women’s Sunday, Wednesday, Friday.

Tuesday is co-ed.

Kabuki Springs and Spa, 1750 Geary Boulevard (at Fillmore), (415) 922-6000. www.kabukisprings.com

Best Massage Therapist

Joel Banuelos A massage therapist since 2003, Joel Banuelos, CMT, does therapeutic and clinical work. He specializes in athletes and chiropractic patients and does more active work with clients versus relaxing spa massage.

On Fridays he is at Diakadi Body, 290 Division Street, Suite 200 in SF. Joel Banuelos, 582 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 2716545. www.sanfranciscobodywork.com

Best Day Spa

Kabuki Springs and Spa In the great tradition of Japanese public baths, Kabuki Springs and Spa is a peaceful sanctuary devoted to nurturing harmony and relaxation through the healing powers of water and therapeutic touch. Located in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown, Kabuki Springs and Spa features a traditional Japanese-style communal bath and offers an extensive menu of wellness-focused spa services in

Best Medical Marijuana Dispensary (Tie)

The Apothecarium, The Vapor Room

▼

Best Non-Professional Sports Team

San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club Also standing in the winner’s circle a second time is the San Francisco Fog, the city’s gay rugby team. There are both women’s and men’s teams, and both are open to heterosexual players as well as newbies to a rugby pitch.

While the Fog has found success on the field, it will be forever stitched into the national memory due to one of its players, Mark Bingham, who was onboard hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He and his fellow passengers helped crash the plane in a field outside of Pittsburgh rather than its intended target in Washington, D.C. San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, San Francisco. www.sffog.org

Medical cannabis is under siege by the feds, but dispensaries continue to provide a vital need to patients who rely on the drug to help alleviate various illnesses, such as wasting in people living with HIV/AIDS. Two dispensaries were voted Best of the Gays.

The Apothecarium opened last year and provides medical marijuana at a “compassionate” price and also supports the local community via charitable giving. Recently the dispensary provided funds for an awning at Maitri Hospice so that patients could smoke their medicine in a more convenient setting.

Looking to work off that growing waistline or tone up your muscles?

Then head over to Gold’s Gym. For the second year B.A.R. readers named it the best gym in the city. Its Castro location is just a block away from the heart of the gayborhood, while its second locale is in the gay section of South of Market. The popularity of the Castro Gold’s has led the family that owns the local franchise to look at expanding the Market Street property.

The Apothecarium, 2095 Market Street, San Francisco (415) 5002620. www.apothecariumsf.com

Gold’s Gym, 2301 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 626-4488. www.ggsf.com

The Vapor Room Cooperative operates as a nonprofit and is committed to serving member-patient needs with the highest level of compassion and professionalism. Established in 2004, the dispensary offers a variety of free health and wellness services to members and the general public, including counseling, veteran’s support group, massage, peer counseling, and yoga three times weekly at the Harvey Milk Center for the Recreational Arts.

A calendar of services is online.

The Vapor Room, 607A Haight Street (at Steiner), San Francisco, (415) 626-2100. www.vaporroom.com

outdoors and sports

Best Gym

Gold’s Gym

Best Yoga Studio

Yoga Tree Started in 1999 by Tim and Tara Dale, whose family backgrounds include circus acrobatics and gymnastics, the Yoga Tree earned top honors this year as the best yoga studio. In addition to its five San Francisco locations and one in Berkeley, the Yoga Tree also runs a teachertraining center and a retreat center in Sonoma. It employs a number of LGBT and straight teachers offering classes in meditation and a variety of yoga practices, from Baptiste and Forrest to Hatha and Vinyasa.

Yoga Tree, 97 Collingwood Street at 18th Street, San Francisco, (415) 701-9642. www.yogatreesf.com

Best Professional Sports Team

San Francisco Giants They may not have repeated their thrilling 2010 World Series win last year, but the San Francisco Giants did make their hometown gay fans just as proud in 2011 by becoming the first major professional sports team to film a video for the It Gets Better project aimed at LGBT youth. The Giants have a long history supporting the LGBT community; in 1994 they were the first professional sports team to dedicate a game toward raising money for AIDS. Now they are repeat winners in this Best of the Gays category.

San Francisco Giants, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, (415) 972-2000. sanfrancisco. tinyurl.com/6v9fn59

Best Place to Buy Bikes and Gear

Valencia Cyclery Valencia Cyclery pedaled past its competitors this year to be named the best bike shop in the city by B.A.R. readers. For 27 years this family bike shop has been outfitting cyclists of all ages and abilities. It boasts that it has the most competitive prices in town and provides the best customer-friendly service.

Valencia Cyclery, 1065 and 1077 Valencia Street, San Francisco, (415) 550-6600. www.valenciacyclery.com

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Outdoors and Sports

From page 36

Best Personal Trainer

Christopher Watros This year Christopher Watros, part of the team of personal trainers at Alex Fitness in the Castro,

flexed his muscles to be named the city’s best personal trainer by B.A.R. readers. A marathon runner, Watros started out eight years ago showing other runners the ropes. Now a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, he has his own business called Phoenix Training and Fitness. Watros provides in-home sessions where he brings the weight equipment to you or works out of

The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

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the Market Street gym. You can also sign up for his morning Boot Camps.

Christopher Watros, (408) 710-2670. www.phoenixtrainingandfitness.com

Best Public Park

Golden Gate Park When it comes to urban green spaces, nothing beats Golden Gate Park say B.A.R. readers, who once again named it the best public park.

From world-class museums like the de Young and Academy of Sciences to scenic windmills and specialty gardens, it is no wonder this windswept, man-made landscape is the third most visited park in the United States. Nothing beats heading over to grab an organic hotdog at the stand behind the band shell and eating lunch al fresco on a bench in the Music Concourse.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, (415) 831-5500. www.golden-gate-park.com

Best Dog Park

Duboce Park Pooches of all sizes and breeds have the run of a majority of Duboce Park, and that is just fine with B.A.R. readers, who once again named this smaller-sized public open space in Duboce Triangle the best dog park in the city. Here canines run and frolic off-leash in their own grassy lawn. In April they strut their stuff to win prizes at Dogfest, an annual fundraiser for McKinley Elementary School, a public K-5 school in the Castro, held at the park.

Duboce Park, 500 Duboce Street, San Francisco, (415) 8312700. www.sfrecpark.org

Best City Vista

Twin Peaks Yes, it is overrun with tourists from sunup to sundown. Yes, even on the sunniest days you still freeze atop these identical hills due to the ocean breezes. Yes, locals often only visit when carting guests around town. But there is a reason why no trip to San Francisco is complete without a drive or hike up to the lookout at Twin Peaks. From there you get sweeping views of the Pacific, downtown’s skyline, several bridges and the East Bay hills. It’s where many leave their hearts.

Twin Peaks, Twin Peaks Boulevard, San Francisco, (415) 831-2700. www.sfrecpark.org

Rick Gerharter

Baker Beach offers stunning views for gay men who like to experience the beach in the buff.

Best Nude Beach

The views can't be beat

by Matthew S. Bajko

T

he shoreline is less than ideal, particularly at high tide, and the waters frigid and dangerous year-round, but Baker Beach remains top notch among Bay Area Reporter readers as the go-to place to sunbath in the buff.

For the second year the scraggy coastline on the northwestern edge of the Presidio has been named the best nude beach in the Best of the Gays awards. While the southern edge of Baker Beach is a family-friendly place to picnic and frolic by the Pacific, it is the northern most reaches gay men have staked claim to for decades.

Those in the know scramble over the rock outcroppings at the northern end of Baker Beach to make their way to what is commonly called Marshall Beach.

It also has been designated Bad Boy’s Beach due to the hordes of clothing-less men who make a beeline there whenever the city’s fog bank retreats.

The views are stunning, and not just of the chiseled flesh stretched out on blankets. Rising nearby are the International Orange Art Deco towers of the Golden Gate Bridge and across the way are the Marin Headlands.

On certain cloudless days the Farallon Islands can be gleaned on the horizon.

Its location had long been a secret hidden spot gay men whispered about among themselves.

But the free-for-all days when a hike down a precarious, cliffhanging, unofficial trail along the bluffs led to a seaside gay fantasia are no more.

Six years ago the Presidio Trust, which oversees the area for the National Park Service, undertook a major restoration project that saw a new staircase built along a safer and less environmentally damaging route.

The now publicly accessible pathway has brought more tourists, joggers, beachcombers, and straight families face-to-face with the nudists.

From time to time that has led to complaints being lodged with park rangers and some beachgoers being ticketed for various violations. So keep in mind these rules next time the sun shines down on San Francisco and you head over to catch some rays on your bare behind.

While nudity is tolerated, engaging in sexual activity is not.

Park rangers will cite people they discover cavorting on the beach or in the rock grottos people have built at the bottom of the bluffs.

Due to the shoreline being federal land, California’s allowance of medical marijuana use does not apply there. Any drug use on the beach is illegal.

As for dogs, sadly they are not allowed on Marshall Beach or on the Battery to Bluffs trail that leads down to the beach. They can only be at Baker Beach north of Lobos Creek, according to the current rules posted on the Golden Gate Recreational Area’s website listing where canines are welcome.

The one exception is service animals, who when accompanying a person with a disability, as defined by federal law, are allowed anywhere on the beach.

Those looking for less populated coastal hideaways to go nude may want to cross the Golden Gate and head instead to Black Sand Beach off Conzelman Road in the Marin Headlands or Hagmaier Pond further north on Highway 1 near Olema.

Baker Beach, Battery Chamberlin Road, San Francisco, (415) 561-4323. tinyurl.com/2ey3pn5

The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012

April 5-11, 2012 • BAY AREA REPORTER • 39

40 • BAY AREA REPORTER • April 5-11, 2012

The BEST OF THE GAYS • 2012