Fall 2008 | Beyond the Core Part Two

THE BRONX
Gayest Enclave: Hunts Point
Gay life in the Bronx tends to be further underground than almost anywhere else in the city, but friendly bohomo pockets like Hunts Point in the South Bronx (SoBro) are emerging, and the borough?s been home to the city?s (nay, the world?s) longest-running cable access transgender soap opera: wild ?n? wacky Fruta Extra?a.

DAY: BAAD!/Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance (841 Barretto St. btwn Garrison and Lafayette Aves., Hunts Point; 718-842-5223)
This 70-seat performance space and workshop in still-evolving Hunts Point has become a de facto center for Bronx gay life, nurturing local artists.

NIGHT: Conceited (Mi Gente Caf?, 1306 Unionport Rd. at Westchester Ave., Castle Hill; 718-822-9274)
Secretive DL (down-low) parties notwithstanding, currently the only above-ground Bronx gay nightlife option is this Tuesday night, which rather tellingly calls itself ?Da Bronx best kept secret!?

QUEENS
Gayest Enclaves: Jackson Heights & Astoria
A planned district developed less than a century ago, Jackson Heights is home to a heavily Latin populace from Central and South America who form the backbone of its strong gay community; South Asians are also key. Greeks, Arabs, Brazilians, and a hefty dose of Manhattan expats are strongly represented in Astoria, whose quickly coalescing gay community has led some locals to dub it ?Little Chelsea.?

DAY: Queens Museum of Art (Meridian Road, Flushing Meadows Park, Flushing; 718-592-9700)
Just a few stops past Jackson Heights, the Queens Museum is best known for its enthralling Panorama (a scale-model version of NYC showing the city?s nearly 900,000 structures, a hit at the 1964 World?s Fair), and also hosts Cinemarosa, a monthly gay film series.

DAY: P.S.1 (22-25 Jackson Ave. at 46th Ave., Long Island City; 718-784-2084) MoMA?s most contemporary arm, P.S.1 is revered as one of the world?s most cutting-edge art institutions for emerging talent. Saturday evenings (July to Sept.) the exceedingly hip P.S.1 Warm Up brings in DJs and music acts like Scissor Sisters.

NIGHT: Club Atlantis (76-19 Roosevelt Ave. btwn 76th and 77th Sts., Jackson Heights; 718-457-3939)
The reigning king of dance halls for Queens queens, lively and Latin Atlantis hosts theme parties nightly.

NIGHT: Albatross (36-19 24th Ave. btwn 36th and 37th Sts., Astoria; 718-204-9045)
Neighborhoody Albatross is like a grungy Cheers for queers, with a diverse crowd, karaoke nights, and a daily happy hour.

Adapted from The Out Traveler: New York by Dan Allen, Alyson Books, 2008. Visit Alyson.com to purchase.

Part One | Part Two