Welcome to this year's Besties, the Bay Area Reporter's readers' poll of favorite people, places, and things.

Best Beach Marshall's Beach After this winter's deluges, a day at the beach is certainly in order. And for San Francisco residents, the easiest way to sprawl out on the sand is to head to this formally hidden away gay seaside spot.

Best Dog Park Duboce Dog Park Duboce Dog Park in the Castro remains a favorite of Bay Area Reporter readers.

Best LGBT Nonprofit SF LGBT Community Center This year, the Besties made this category all about local LGBT centers. When the ballots were counted, the San Francisco LGBT Community Center topped the field.

You may have noticed a few new winners this year. In the tradition of multi-year winners who gracefully volunteered to move to 'emeritus' status, in order to give other talented folks a chance, we've omitted a few familiar favorites.

They love the nightlife, they love to boogie. And this year, our creatures of the night like to mix it up. We've got all new winners in the bartending category, a ladies rout in the comedy club, and a wake-up call in the gogo guys competition.

Our Bestie winner in Sex celebrate businesses that help you embrace your desires. We want you to embrace, engage with and utilize them while you still can.

"We are everywhere!" may be a queer community rallying cry, but once again, Bestie voters don't seem to eat anywhere but the Castro and the Mission.

We are pleased as punch to bring you the 2019 Besties Award winners in nine Arts & Culture categories. Along with sampling some press appreciations of the winners, we also list the second-place and third-place winners and runners-up. Congratulations, all!

Monday night is not a usual night to step out and see a show. Which means we'll all be free to meet up at the Oasis on Mon., April 8, to see Charles Busch in his brand-new cabaret act.

Balloting for the Bay Area Reporter's ninth readers' poll, the Besties, begins next week (Thursday, January 31).

Offering a special flavor of entertainment, your picks for best weekly, monthly and not-so-regularly events showcases the diverse aspects of Bay Area nightlife.

Here's a shout-out to the folks who tend to our nocturnal urges. Whether it's an evening's entertainment, a shot of booze, or a pinch of hip-swiveling pulchritude, we've got no shortage of winning personalities to celebrate.

The winners in the Besties Community category.