Ride 'em Cowboy: Keith's Guide to Dallas

My name: Keith
My age: 29      
My profession: Accounts Manager
City/town: Dallas, TX
Relationship status:  Single, but looking
Sexuality: Gay and out
Member name: Keithataglance

What was the last vacation you took? Where did you go? Where do you most want to go?

It’s been a few years, but Las Vegas was the last NON-work vacation. I travel some for work, and go all over, but if I could go ANYWHERE for Vacation, it would probably be New York City, I have NEVER been, and would love to spend a week there, to check out the city I have always heard of!

Probably a dumb question, but are there any famous people from Dallas?

Dallas has a ton of famous folks! Most RECENTLY; Former President Bush, and his wife, Not sure if that’s a GOOD thing for our community, HAH! Jessica Simpson is a Dallas Native and still has a house here, and is seen at the Northpark Mall doing her shopping on occasions. I live in a NORTHERN suburb called Coppell; a small upscale community, and we have had rumors that Robert Dinero has bought a house here, too. The Jonas Brothers just bought a house here in a burb called Westlake…..DEAR LORD! Owen and Luke Wilson still have their house here in Dallas, and have been seen with Vince Vaughn at clubs!

What are some of the things you love most about the "Big D"?

Dallas is still a BOOMING town! Our downtown is getting a HUGE makeover, and more and more people are moving to downtown as they open new restaurants/bars/clubs. Dallas is incredibly eclectic in taste!

If someone came to Dallas for just four hours, what is the one thing he should do?

Should check out the W Hotel and the new development called Victory Park! We have the Ghostbar, on the 24th floor of the W. hotel and when celebrities COME to town, THAT’S the place to been seen, and see them!

What are some great restaurants for a night out with gay friends?

The ORIGINAL Black Eyed pea in the HEART of the Gay District of Oaklawn! There is also an array of local restraints in the area to meet every taste! Cyclone Anaya’s is a great dinner/drinks starter before heading out on the town for a Friday, or Saturday night! Buffalo Wild Wings on lemmon is the Sports CENTRAL of Oaklawn and fun to see who might me straight or gay there! haha

What about great restaurants for a romantic gay date? What about these restaurants appeals to you?

The Catalina Room is a staple just located off the “Strip.” They have great lamb, and a variety of other dishes to appeal to anyone’s taste for a nice date!

What are your favorite gay bars and/or dance clubs in Dallas?

Well I am a country guy; so the Round Up Saloon is my local and FAVORITE bar here in Dallas! It’s Motto “Home of Good times and Good People” has shined there since 1980! It’s VERY eclectic, even though it’s mostly Country and Western, it appeals to EVERY genre of culture, from just going to have a few beers with friends, to the “midnight dance hour” on the weekends for everyone to join in and shake their booty to the favorite club hits of the now!

What are your favorite gay parties or events in your town, if any? What is the crowd or scene like at those places?

Well I have to say the Dallas Gay Pride Week! We spread out the week for a 4 to 5 day event leading up to the Annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on the 3rd Sunday of Every September, followed by the Festival at Lee Park with live bands, and celebrity emcees & Grand Marshals! I have been a Parade Coordinator/Steering committee member for 4 years, and volunteering EVERY year to plan and execute this event is the MOST fun one can have and NOT get paid for it! We just celebrated 25 YEARS for the Parade, and 2008 crowds were estimated at more than 40,000 from all over the WORLD watched the parade lined up along the 2 mile stretch of Cedar Springs Rd.

Where is the best public place for a gay person to make out there (or isn't there one)?

HAHA! Well ANYWHERE along the Cedar Springs Rd. area of Oaklawn where the bars are, you see people making out; I have done it in the Parking lot after a hot dance date with a new hottie just before going home for the night!

What is the gay community like there? Do you consider yourself to be part of any particular "scene?"

The Gay community is very eclectic and VERY inviting! Us Dallas folks are very very diverse and If I HAD to put a LABEL on a scene, I would say I am in the “Country Boy/Cowboy” Scene.

Where do you shop for clothes?

Well Northpark Mall isn’t too far from The “Gayborhood,” but there is a variety of GREAT clothing & accessories to be found on the Strip! Union Jack is a great place to find some good going out jeans/shirts/underwear; there is also Skivvies (The underwear store) to find that perfect pair of undergarments to suit anyone’s taste!

Where do you go for other forms of entertainment -- live theater, concerts, movies, art exhibits? Are there any local gay performance groups, bands, or artists that you're a fan of?

Sue Ellen's, the Lesbian night club has an array of LOCAL bands that play EVERY Friday, Saturday and Sunday night! We also have our own version of American Idol called “Voice of Pride” Local singers compete at qualifying Rounds and elimination is done until they narrow to 3, and then have a final night each year where we “Crown” the new Voice of Pride Winner!

If you had gay friends visiting from out of town for the first time, what are some "must-dos" you'd recommend?

Of course go out to the Round Up for some Country/Western Dancing and drinks! I would show them around the town, Northpark Mall for any of their upscale shopping needs! I would also take them to our little Oaklawn “South” in the Bishop arts district of Oak Cliff – it’s a quaint “Old town feel” with art galleries and YES and ORIGINAL Soda/Ice cream shop!

Is there a local cocktail that's popular in your town?

GOD YES – The “Cherry Vodka Sour” is the drink here…….It’s a local joke amongst my friends and I that all the twinks order that at S4 the Dance club! haha

Where do the hot boys in your town tend to hang out?

Usually Uptown/Downtown: There are a lot of places where you can SEE and BE SEEN! Walking up and down McKinny Ave, whether they are Gay or Straight, ALL the hot guys running, and walking their dogs! haha

If you had to describe the "average gay boy" style of your town in two words, what would they be?

“Superstar Wannabe” and just “average!”

What Dallas bar has the cutest/hottest bartenders?

Round Up after 10pm, when the cowboys slinging beer take their shirts off!!!

Do gay men and lesbians hang out together in your town or is that just unheard of?

Its HEARD of, and Sue Ellen’s is THE Lesbian bar of Dallas, and you tend to see a good mix of guys and gals there……

Has your town ever had a "gay scandal?" If so, describe it -- but don't use names!

OMG YES…….It’s PUBLIC information, but George Michael and the Park incident is the FIRST thing that comes to mind!

Do you have a hometown crush?

Yea, he is a good friend, and I think I have told him on drunk occasions that I would SOO date him, as He and I both have had the “Lack of success” in the boyfriend department! Hah He is a country boy, as am I, and he is just the CUTEST guy EVER, and so sweet; and VERY likeable and social like me; it’s just we think of each other more as friends/brothers, so it SUX I can’t date him! Hahah I WANT TO THOUGH!

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