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Your A-List: Best Gay Bar
Some places in Austin are simply the standard-bearers in their respective industries. BookPeople for books; Amy’s Ice Cream for, um, ice cream; Waterloo Records for music. The same can be said of Oilcan Harry’s, with 60 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Gay Bar.
There may be a gay bar or two that has been around longer than the Warehouse District stalwart, but none draws the crowds or the number of mentions as does Oilcan’s. As a testimony to its popularity, I would venture to guess that any visitor inquiring about local gay bars would first be directed to the bar on 4th Street, a distinction any establishment of any stripe would be proud.
The bar is generally home to a mid-to-upscale crowd who enjoy the bar as much as a place to hangout with friends as any kind of pick-up locale. On weekend nights, which now include Thursdays in case you didn’t know, the bar gets bumping with a dance crowd the likes of which you would be likely to find at any other dance club in town, gay or straight.
While other gay bars have come and gone, or slowly seen patronage taper off, over the past two decades, Oilcan’s seems to be as strong as ever.
Oil Can Harry’s
211 W. 4th St. [map]
Others receiving votes
- Charlie’s: 13 percent
- Rain: 11 percent
- Chain Drive: 9 percent
- Rainbow Cattle Company: 3 percent
- Cockpit: 2 percent
- ‘Bout Time: 2 percent
Write-in: The Rusty Spur
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: Your A-List
Comments
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By Stephen
September 11, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
As far as dancing, I can personally vouch that the consistent quality in dance music attracts non-gays as well.
By Jason Fox
September 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Oilcan Harry’s is unlike any other gay/bi/str8 bar in Texas, and is listed as one of the Best Gay Bars In the World. The customers and Staff are hot and friendly with excellent dance music and good drinks.
By svfrenchy
September 17, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
OCH is good, but “one of the best in the world”? absolutely not!!
By Drox
September 17, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
I have to agree about the dancing. The Can crosses orientation, this is the best place to sweat it out on the floor with a straight stock broker from Hyde Park or a gay gardner from South Austin. I love it!