File
Bartender says the strip is attracting a younger crowd.
By Wally Perez
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college has been a neighbor to gay and lesbian clubs for many years. These 21-and-over clubs are located on North Main Avenue, known as the “Strip,” and range from dance clubs to Irish pubs.
“Over the course of 20 years, the strip has expanded and become a home to gay bars, creating a ‘gay-borhood’ like other cities such as Austin or Dallas,” Pegasus bartender Jordan Sanchez said.
Sanchez has worked there 10 years.
“Since I started working here, the biggest change other than the development of the area, has been the crowd,” Sanchez said. “The bar seems to attract a younger crowd now.”
Nowadays phone applications like Grindr, a dating app for gay men, or similar websites have somewhat taken over the experience of meeting people at clubs, he said.
“People would rather talk to someone online than in person, which doesn’t just apply to the gay community,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said he hopes to start a college night in the next few weeks on Wednesdays.
The Silver Dollar Saloon, 1812 N. Main Ave., promotes itself as a gay cowboy club.
The club features line dancing, two-stepping and drag queens.
Country and Tejano music are played every night, with karaoke on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The saloon will host a talent night Oct. 13. The saloon is open 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Visit www.facebook.com/pages/silver-dollar-saloon/111759552196004.
The dance club Heat, 1500 N. Main Ave., is open 9 p.m.-3 a.m. — or later most nights — Wednesday-Saturday. The club features midnight shows that range from drag performances to strip shows and themed music nights.
Visit www.heatsa.com.
Sparky’s Pub is an old English-style pub, billed as a “gay-rish” pub on its website, with daily drink specials as well as a café and wine bar.
Pool tables and dartboards are also available. Located at 1416 N. Main Ave., the café is open daily for lunch at 11 a.m., while the pub is open from 3 p.m.-2 a.m. every day.
Visit www.sparkyspub.com.
Pegasus opened in 1994. The club offers seven areas and theme bars ranging from country to sports, as well as karaoke and video bars, where guests can request music.
Pegasus is at 1402 N. Main Ave. and is open from 2 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.
Visit www.pegasussanantonio.com.
