It had been a while since I've ran with the herds of fresas, fronchis, frat boys, and college freshmen of places like 1914, Vanilla, Brick and Mortar, Shadow. I like the overall class and style of these bars. It asserts my conviction that downtown El Paso has potential.
That night, we only hit up Republic and ONIHC. And I had fun at both. I love people-watching the foxy ladies and handsome guys that have better style than lots of gay men I know. The music wasn't always en-pointe but it was eclectic and shook my ass, which is all that really matters.
My straight friends weren't having as much fun though. They complained about Republic's gender ratio. There were too many guys just standing around watching the packed dance floor. (I personally don't mind sausage fests). They both stressed about how to dress for the night, the music wasn't right, and it proved generally hard for them to get into the evening.
As I ordered my cosmo at the bar at ONIHC (and admiring it's awesome Damask-engraved pink metallic wall panels), I realized that my straight buddies sounded familiar. They sounded like me. During some nights that we go out to the gay bars, I also sometimes have one of these off-nights.
At the bars in Pride Square, or at the Mining, sometimes I feel anxiety, scrutiny, or general discomfort while my straight friends throw back beers without a care in the world around them. I think that's why I like Union Plaza bars. As a gay guy, I'm not on the market here. I'm not into the girls, the guys are not into me, so there is no pressure. The way my straight friends feel no pressure at gay joints.
That night, I realized that straight bars are to me what gay bars are to them- an occasional nice break when you grow a little tired of your comfortable social scene.
