The Top 3 Gay Bars in Baltimore

As a young, out, and proud gay man living in the Baltimore suburbs, I am constantly on the look-out for cool places to meet other gay men. While there are lots of cool coffee shops and theatres that are ''gay friendly" in Baltimore, the fact remains that the best place to meet other men is at a gay bar. But not all gay bars are created equal--in this article, I'll provide you with my list of the 3 best gay bars in the city of Baltimore.

1. Grand Central Station (1001 N. Charles Street, Baltimore - http://www.centralstationpub.com) - Probably the most popular gay bar in Baltimore is Grand Central Station, conveniently located in the heart of the city's Mount Vernon section. Grand Central is very busy on most nights, and offers 3 separate indoor bar areas, a dance floor, and outdoor seating along the sidewalk. If you stop by early in the evening, you can usually get "Happy Hour'' drink specials, and on Monday & Tuesday nights, Grand Central offers some of Baltimore's best karaoke. The only downside to Grand Central station is the noise--the techno music is usually turned up full blast, so it can be hard to carry on a conversation at times. But if you're looking for a bar with a fun atmosphere and lots of hot guys, Grand Central Station on North Charles Street might just be the place for you!

2. The Hippo (1 West Eager Street, Baltimore - http://www.clubhippo.com) - Right across the street from Grand Central is The Hippo, one of Baltimore's oldest and best known gay bars. The Hippo tends to be not quite as busy as Grand Central, but it does draw a sizeable crowd on some nights (especially Friday and Saturday). The Hippo has two bar areas and a dance floor, as well as some table seating and a couple of pool tables. If you are looking for a laid back gay bar where you can actually hear yourself think, be sure to check out The Hippo on Read Street in Baltimore.

3. Club Phoenix (1 West Biddle Street, Baltimore) - A few blocks away, the newly relocated Club Phoenix offers a completely different kind of gay bar experience. Club Phoenix offers two bars on separate levels. You'll find a Leather/Levi scene going on in the basement while upstairs offers a more relaxed, "anything goes" atmosphere. Club Phoenix offers great prices on drinks and has Happy Hour all day on Wednesdays. Sometimes, though, Club Phoenix can be downright dead and I've been the sole patron at the bar on a few occasions. However, more people are finding out about the new location of "The Phoenix," and these nights are becoming increasingly rare. If you're looking for a testosterone-charged atmosphere with a slightly older crowd, you should consider stopping by Baltimore's Club Phoenix.

Gay bars are obviously great places to meet other gay men, and you'll find lots of great gay bars in the City of Baltimore. If you're still having a hard time finding Mr. Right, be sure to read my review of the 3 best dating sites for gay men, right here on Associated Content.