by kevin h. on Hey all you drunk bachelorettes, this place is NOT for you. If you are straight and looking for another place to sex-in-the-city-ify another bar, please realize, this is a GAY bar. If you are going to be offended by this like the Stephanie T's of the world, you have hundreds of bars you can go to in this city. Across the street and down the block. We don't need your "slumming-it" dollar! It is not cute, and you are not welcome. This bar is amazing. Tonight I signed up with Rateclub to make it clear how amazing it is. Tonight, there was a march in response to what has been happening on Polk Street in reaction to how marginalized gays have become here... one of the streets that is one of the origins of the gay rights movements. The Cinch is the last bar on Polk Street that welcomes gay people. After the show, I was standing near the bar, and there was a tussle coming from the back of the bar. I looked, and the hostess of the bar, Anna Conda was being knocked down by some angry drunk straight girl, and while I was trying to figure out what happened, I saw this girl pull the DJ down too. Now the point of a bar is the selling of alcohol... I understand that. But when a straight white girl comes in with the intention of getting so drunk that she attacks not only the regular clientele, but also the hostess and the DJ, something is wrong. I told these people they had to leave--clearly they were too drunk to decide for themselves--and they kept fighting back. Eventually they had attacked the hostess, the DJ, regular patrons, and then they came at the manager of the bar. I poured my beer on the boyfriend's head, hoping he would calm his woman down who at this point was throwing her fists in all directions. He did, and took her out of the bar. Unfortunately, they came back, and he tried to attack another drag queen. Another friend of mine was choked by the guy, and then he tried to attack another queen as he came back in. They finally left, but only after so many people were jostled and upset. Why were they trying to spoil so many people's good time? They were lucky we did not call the police.
by Jenny T. on Morning. I walk to where I left the car. A particular pedestrian lane, their naked trees with leaves falling are crispy as I step through. I hear them crunch. I wait for my chest to loosen up, fill with fresh air. I had Parliaments last night-- and I do not smoke. I had started at 222. Where a fellow said, "I like your red cardigan." I said, "The lighting in here is red. It's an explosion of red-colors." It could have made me uncomfortable but I felt like dancing. And I do not usually like dancing or all the attention.
by Melvin Kelstrom on I will admit that I really can't eat here anymore due to my dietary choice, but it is so damned much fun! You get led into this giant room with a pirate ship in the middle, which reminds me of a tiny version of "The Goonies" set when they find the ship in a cave. I always stare at the little alligators and wonder if they ever get snacks thrown overboard... arrr. When I was a meat-eating kid I loved going here- my parents would bring folks from out of town to enjoy the Dante experience and I was always eager to go. The one thing that always fascinated me (besides the alligators) was the fact you can get the menu in 55 languages! This is definitely a great place to bring non-Atlantans to enjoy some fondue and atmosphere! And those who haven't been down the hatch yet! Final vote- vegetarians= you will love it-they have a vegetable plate for your dipping pleasure! Vegans= go with friends and eat beforehand!
