I know it’s cool to be in a place where you’re not objectified, but that goes both ways. This post from Zack Rosen advising straight women on appropriate gay-bar etiquette, made me wince at several points: “Don’t talk about your boobs.
A comment on the article I linked above recalls an encounter between the writer and a bachelorette who grinded against his crotch, demanded he kiss his partner in front of her and used homophobic slurs shortly before getting thrown out of the bar. Of course, those are all theories that assume a level of politeness it seems many straight women in gay bars don’t honor.
(I like dancing in queer clubs for just this reason – and sometimes drag my computer or a book to happy hour at the gay bar in my neighborhood, partly because they have really good drink specials and partly because I know no one will tap my shoulder and ask me what I’m reading or working on.) Perhaps seeing a drag show, or dancing with gay men, or watching male strippers might provide straight women with a means to act out sexually without running a real risk of zero-hour infidelity (the likelihood of which is the running joke in pretty much all plans and narratives around bachelor/ette parties). Part of it at least stems from a perception of gay bars as safe spaces for straight women – where they can drink or dance without likelihood of being hit on or groped the way they might be in straight clubs. Why precisely dancing at a gay bar, or seeing a drag show, evolved as the counterpart to male bachelor-party traditions (mostly, if Hollywood is telling me the truth, going to Vegas and either accidentally marrying strippers or accidentally killing them is another question.) Just how long brides-to-be have been crashing the gates of gay bars for pre-nuptial fun, I can’t say: the bachelorette party itself is a relatively new phenomenon (historical info online is spotty, but the first how-to-plan-a-bachelorette-party guide was published in 1998, and etiquette and bridal books only started referencing this alternative to the bridal shower in the 1960s). Here in Portland, a gay bar called CC Slaughters announced it would permit bachelorettes and their parties to celebrate there provided they didn’t “flaunt it.” That is to say, bridal veils, tiaras, penis hats – and, presumably, sequined “Bride” T-shirts – now have to be checked at the door. We are open 365 days a year from 11:30 am-2:30 am.This summer, a Los Angeles gay bar called the Abbey banned bachelorette parties from its establishment until marriage equality is achieved, which sparked discussion in LGBTQ communities elsewhere about the tradition of straight bachelorettes celebrating impending nuptials in queer spaces. Our previous location was 129 SW Broadway, Portland, OR You must be at least 21 years of age to enter.
regulations are required, you must have one of the following: a valid driver's license with a photo, a valid state issued ID card, valid military ID, or a valid passport. We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and have an ATM machine for your convenience. On Friday and Saturday nights only there is a cover charge ($5) at the door. Mary's Club has a one drink minimum ($3) policy. Come find out for yourself!įeeling lucky? Mary's has Oregon Lottery machines for your enjoyment. We have a new kitchen! Our amazing new menu of nachos, tacos, flatbread, smothered burritos, stacked enchiladas and more will leave your belly satisfied. We also have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. Mary's is a great place to take someone for their first strip-club experience.įeeling thirsty? Mary's has a full-service cocktail bar and is proud to offer over 25 different varieties of beer and wine. We have a variety of friendly, arty, classy, engaging exotic dancers- no matter what your ideal type is you're sure to find her at Mary's! We work hard to make sure everyone at Mary's Club feels welcome and leaves happy: couples, bachelor or bachelorette parties, women and, of course, men. We have one of the best jukeboxes in town, a friendly all-female bar staff, a very low-key comfortable environment, and great dancers. We have over 35 beautiful dancers working throughout the week on stage and in our designated table dancing area. For more than 60 years we have featured some of the best exotic entertainment the Rose City has to offer.