BARtab :: Nightlife

Return Engagements: Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Tina D'Elia bring back live cabaret, a solo show & a Haight history tour

Return Engagements: Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, Tina D'Elia bring back live cabaret, a solo show & a Haight history tour

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • May 25, 2021

Drag chanteuse Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, who will open a four-night engagement at Feinstein's at the Nikko, and Tina D'Elia performs her new solo and hosts the new Out of Site Haight walking tour; each in new 'sort of' post-pandemic performances.

Linda Simpson's retro drag scrapbook 'Drag Explosion' recalls NYC's nightlife yesteryears

Linda Simpson's retro drag scrapbook 'Drag Explosion' recalls NYC's nightlife yesteryears

  • by Jim Piechota
  • May 25, 2021

Linda Simpson's epic pictorial stroll down Drag Queen Memory Lane captures that golden age of nightclub culture occupying the 1980s and '90s where creativity and fierceness combined in kaleidoscopic ways.

Leigh Pankonin, known as Sister Phatima Rude, dies

Leigh Pankonin, known as Sister Phatima Rude, dies

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • May 20, 2021

Leigh Pankonin, best known as Phatima Rude, aka Sister Phatima la Dyke Van Dick/Sister Hateful Sow of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Inc., died May 18 while sleeping in their Portland, Oregon apartment.

50 years in 50 Weeks 1977; Drawn to It

50 years in 50 Weeks 1977; Drawn to It

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 19, 2021

The B.A.R.'s June 23, 1977 illustrated cover, an ad for The Balcony bar, took a macho cartoonish focus with art by Chuck Arnett, who was known more famously for his mural on the wall of the Tool Box bar.

Drive & Drag at Southland Mall — photos by Steven Underhill

Drive & Drag at Southland Mall — photos by Steven Underhill

  • by Steven Underhill
  • May 11, 2021

Drag fans enjoyed fun shows at Hayward's Southland Mall May 7-9, as 'RuPaul's Drag Race' stars and their hunky backup dancers put on a series of shows for fans in cars and at up-close outdoor VIP tables.

50 Years in 50 Weeks; 1975 - Empress and an elephant

50 Years in 50 Weeks; 1975 - Empress and an elephant

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 4, 2021

1975 was a great year for B.A.R. covers, but the most legendary image of the year is assuredly that of Empress Doris riding an elephant down Polk Street for the annual Gay Freedom Day Parade. How did it happen? And why?

Bare Chest Men 2022 Finals are May 8

Bare Chest Men 2022 Finals are May 8

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • May 2, 2021

Without fundraisers in bars for the past year, the annual Bare Chest Calendar men have faced challenges. But the finals for next year's calendar, an alumni edition, will go on, May 8, on Twitch.

50 Years in 50 Weeks: April 1974: Undies at The EndUp

50 Years in 50 Weeks: April 1974: Undies at The EndUp

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 29, 2021

As advertised in the April 17, 1974 'Bay Area Reporter,' the EndUp's Jockey Short Contest, immortalized by Armistead Maupin in his best-selling 'Tales of the City' series, took place frequently at the South of Market nightclub.

Popular SF Oscar party scrapped due to pandemic

Popular SF Oscar party scrapped due to pandemic

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Apr 16, 2021

The stylish crowd that usually enjoys watching the Oscars at the Academy of Friends gala in San Francisco won't be noshing on hors d'oeuvres or sipping bubbly this year.

Homing's In April 16-25, 2021

Homing's In April 16-25, 2021

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 15, 2021

Plenty of outdoor and distanced events are worth joining this, week. But you'll pardon our recusal from 4/20, the marijuana party. Now that's legal, it's not so radical, and more like Muffin Monday. Going to bars feels more speakeasy-esque these days.

Eagle building still for sale

Eagle building still for sale

  • by John Ferrannini
  • Apr 14, 2021

The building that houses The Eagle, a South of Market leather-themed LGBTQ bar, is still for sale, according to one of the real estate agents.

50 years in 50 Weeks: May 17, 1972 Chaotic Cowboy Contest

50 years in 50 Weeks: May 17, 1972 Chaotic Cowboy Contest

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Apr 9, 2021

The Covered Wagon bar hosted the 1972 Mr. Cowboy contest, but things didn't go well, as reported in the B.A.R.'s May 17 issue. Many in attendance were "stirred into a frenzy of accusations, charges and counter-charges of fraud, fake fix and cheat."

That's (adult) entertainment: veteran editor & columnist on the B.A.R.'s erotica true connection

That's (adult) entertainment: veteran editor & columnist on the B.A.R.'s erotica true connection

  • by John Karr
  • Mar 31, 2021

Our veteran erotica reviewer reminisces about the early glory days of gay porn on film, vintage B.A.R. coverage, and porn's rise, (ahem) in popularity before changes made into VHS and online formats.

Working for words: a B.A.R. writer reminisces

Working for words: a B.A.R. writer reminisces

  • by Mark William Norby
  • Mar 30, 2021

A former assistant editor and current freelance writer, Mark Norby recalls his first days working at the B.A.R.'s 9th & Harrison office.