Move over Woody's - you've been shafted. There's a new kid on the block in the Gayborhood, packed nightly with more beautiful men than the front row of a Cher concert. For just over a year, Bump has been filling a major void in the downtown boy-bar scene. Restaurant by day and luxe martini lounge by night, Bump caters to a trendier, classier crowd than its older, more established neighbors in the rainbow flag district. Everything at Bump screams chic, from the dim orange lighting to the extremely attractive staff - picture the cast of Queer as Folk mixing a mean dirty martini.
| Bump 1234 Locust Street (215) 732-1800 |
Being a girl at a gay bar has its obvious perks. For instance, here a man will buy you a Cosmopolitan and not expect you to put out at the end of the night. While Bump bills itself as a gay and lesbian bar, girls and guys of all orientations are welcome, according to amiable manager Ricky. "We're very accepting of all people," he says. "I love it here - it's a crazy, mixed crowd, but everyone's a trendsetter."
Indeed, fashionistas will feel right at home at Bump. According to one patron, six-foot tall drag queen Ciania, "There's a very New York feel here. It's a very stylish crowd. By the way, your shoes are fabulous, darling."
The martini menu at Bump is just as tempting and inviting as the collection of black and white photos of nude men that adorn the walls. According to Ricky, the sour apple martini is a crowd favorite, but if you're feeling adventurous, try the Windex (vodka, blue curacao and sour mix with a lemon twist) or the bright red Astro Pop, which my friend described as "amazing, out of control, but strong as hell." There's no better accolade for a drink than that.
While I admittedly expected to hear some Kylie or Britney at Bump, DJ Matt spun progressive house all night. While he couldn't be coerced to play Justin to satisfy my teenybopper tendencies, his trendy club music seemed to appeal to the clientele, who happily mingled inside the comfortable lounge and outside in the beer garden - an oasis of fairy lights, potted plants and beach umbrellas. Head down to Bump for the best boys' night out the Gayborhood has to offer.
