It's spring and that means it's time for LGBTQs to dust off their winter blahs and get ready for summer. It's also time for the Bay Area Reporter's annual Besties readers' poll, featuring the community's favorite people, places, and things.
This year we retired some perpetual winners so that others could bask in the limelight. But there are also plenty of time-worn traditions that our readers just love. Need a quick snack late at night? Head on over to Orphan Andy's. Need your bike repaired? There's no place quite like Valencia Cyclery.
We also have some surprising new winners this year. Check out readers' preferences for groceries and vintage clothing, or a variety of other categories. In nightlife, always a voter favorite, Heklina and Peaches Christ were running neck and neck in the best host/MC category. (You'll have to read the article to find out the winner.) Longtime musician Joe Wicht took the honors in the best band/musician category.
So whether it's arts and culture, community, nightlife, dining, services and shopping, sex, or weddings and destinations, the Besties have something for everyone. Readers will find write-ups about this year's honorees throughout all three sections of the paper - news, arts and culture, and BARtab.
We'd also like to acknowledge this year's Besties sponsors Live Nation, Oasis, "Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon," the Cliff House, Cliff's Variety, and Stanford Court Hotel.
Finally, plan to attend the B.A.R.'s free party celebrating Besties winners. It is Friday, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Oasis, 289 11th Street. DJs are Juanita MORE!, the B.A.R.'s new society columnist, and Steve Fabus of Go Bang. (Attendees must be 21 or over.)
Don't miss it.