www.ambiente.us MAY | MAYO 2010
Pensacola Pride | It’s a Wild Party When This Sleepy Beach
Town Wakes Up!
by Jon Fairbanks, gaytravel.com
Pensacola, Fl... White Sandy Beaches, Hot Military Men, What’s Not To Love?
Just a bridge away from Mobile, Alabama, there’s no question that Pensacola is part of
the South. The city is home to a US Naval Air Station, the first in the United States. So
whenever you come here for a gay getaway, you’re bound to meet gorgeous service
boys. With a population of less than 60 thousand residents, Pensacola is a small city
that explodes by the end of May. It’s just three hours from New Orleans, five and half
hours from Atlanta, so it’s a prime location for hot southern boys/girls looking for some
R&R and fresh meat during the Memorial Day holiday.
Memorial Day Weekend: Pensacola Becomes Gay South Central!
“The City of Five Flags” adds a sixth, gladly flying all the colors of the rainbow and
welcoming all of the dollars gay and lesbian tourists shell out. The main reason this
pride is so popular, of course, is the beach. Pensacola Beach Boulevard will take you
where you need to go. The first section of the beach is straight (even during Gay Pride)
but keep driving and less than a mile down you will start seeing rainbow flags and
“family members” parking. Most people park on the side of the road, which is fine but
you may get stuck in
the sand depending on what kind of vehicle you drive. If you do
plan on driving to the beach, get there early or plan to walk,
space quickly becomes an issue.
Pensacola Pride | It’s a Wild Party When This Sleepy Beach
Town Wakes Up!
by Jon Fairbanks, gaytravel.com
Pensacola, Fl... White Sandy Beaches, Hot Military Men, What’s Not To Love?
Just a bridge away from Mobile, Alabama, there’s no question that Pensacola is part of
the South. The city is home to a US Naval Air Station, the first in the United States. So
whenever you come here for a gay getaway, you’re bound to meet gorgeous service
boys. With a population of less than 60 thousand residents, Pensacola is a small city
that explodes by the end of May. It’s just three hours from New Orleans, five and half
hours from Atlanta, so it’s a prime location for hot southern boys/girls looking for some
R&R and fresh meat during the Memorial Day holiday.
Memorial Day Weekend: Pensacola Becomes Gay South Central!
“The City of Five Flags” adds a sixth, gladly flying all the colors of the rainbow and
welcoming all of the dollars gay and lesbian tourists shell out. The main reason this
pride is so popular, of course, is the beach. Pensacola Beach Boulevard will take you
where you need to go. The first section of the beach is straight (even during Gay Pride)
but keep driving and less than a mile down you will start seeing rainbow flags and
“family members” parking. Most people park on the side of the road, which is fine but
you may get stuck in
the sand depending on what kind of vehicle you drive. If you do
plan on driving to the beach, get there early or plan to walk,
space quickly becomes an issue.
| . |
| . |
| . AMBIENTE ONLINE STORE |
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
Fresh-Squeezed Paradise MIAMI RIVER INN miamiriverinn.com |
FLOWERS|ART ESSENTIALS flowerbardesign.com |
1-800-GAY-TRAVEL |
| . |
You’ll find the odd straight family that didn’t realize or care that it was Gay Pride, but for the
most part, LGBT tourists take over The Portofino during Memorial Day Weekend.
Wherever you end up, make sure you are close to the beach. Even if your hotel is
downtown, you still have to take the toll bridge to Pensacola Beach, which can be a pain in
the ass.
Beach Parties and Emerald City
Just because the sun sets, the party doesn’t end! After taking a rest or enjoying a great
seafood meal at one of Pensacola’s quaint dockside restaurants, get ready to head to
Emerald City. Located near the Convention Center downtown, Emerald City is the city’s
premier gay club. There’s a dance floor and three bars inside, plus a balcony area on the
roof.
If you don’t want to go downtown, you can head back to the beach for the legendary circuit
parties. Most are hosted by traveling DJs with massive sound systems and light shows.
These parties tend to start around 11pm and cover can cost near $100 for a ticket.
Mass Exodus
As you can imagine, the sun, booze and whatever trouble you find yourself in can take its
toll. By Memorial Day, everyone is usually worn out and most take off. So if you’re looking
for a respite from the craziness and want a quiet day on the beach, this may be the ideal
time to go.
On that Monday, when you start seeing people pack up, there’s always a feeling of
sadness. It’s time to go back home, back to reality. The comforting thought is that you
can come back and do it all over again next year!
Copyright © GayTravel.com & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
most part, LGBT tourists take over The Portofino during Memorial Day Weekend.
Wherever you end up, make sure you are close to the beach. Even if your hotel is
downtown, you still have to take the toll bridge to Pensacola Beach, which can be a pain in
the ass.
Beach Parties and Emerald City
Just because the sun sets, the party doesn’t end! After taking a rest or enjoying a great
seafood meal at one of Pensacola’s quaint dockside restaurants, get ready to head to
Emerald City. Located near the Convention Center downtown, Emerald City is the city’s
premier gay club. There’s a dance floor and three bars inside, plus a balcony area on the
roof.
If you don’t want to go downtown, you can head back to the beach for the legendary circuit
parties. Most are hosted by traveling DJs with massive sound systems and light shows.
These parties tend to start around 11pm and cover can cost near $100 for a ticket.
Mass Exodus
As you can imagine, the sun, booze and whatever trouble you find yourself in can take its
toll. By Memorial Day, everyone is usually worn out and most take off. So if you’re looking
for a respite from the craziness and want a quiet day on the beach, this may be the ideal
time to go.
On that Monday, when you start seeing people pack up, there’s always a feeling of
sadness. It’s time to go back home, back to reality. The comforting thought is that you
can come back and do it all over again next year!
Copyright © GayTravel.com & AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
The scene can be a bit overwhelming at first, thousands of sexy, half-
naked and bronzed guys and girls of all ages and types. Find a nice
spot for yourself on the beach and enjoy the scenery. The best part
of Pensacola Pride is meeting new people (alcohol and themed-
tents help to this end). From drag-queen to rehab stations, you’ll
find miles of entertainment.
One thing is for sure, you’re going to have a hard time sitting still,
there’s no reason to. The endless eye-candy walking by will keep
you stimulated. Also, you’ll need to take at least one stroll down the
beach soak up all of the sights. Don’t be surprised if half-naked
twinks offer you shots from a water-pistol, be prepared to strip down
in exchange.
There are bathrooms on the beach, but no concession stands, so
make sure you bring enough beverages and snacks to last you as
long as you’re going to be there.
Planning to Go? Plan Early!
Being a small resort town, there are limited places to stay in
Pensacola, and this is a HUGE event! So if you’re planning to go,
and you’re traveling with a group, plan early. For my money, The
Portofino is the ideal property! Five towers of luxury condos, it’s a
heavenly mirage that’s just a stone’s throw away from the beach.
After a day of soaking up the sun, go back to your condo and party
with the hundreds of other guys and girls from all over the country.
There are always parties going on in the condos and by the pools.
naked and bronzed guys and girls of all ages and types. Find a nice
spot for yourself on the beach and enjoy the scenery. The best part
of Pensacola Pride is meeting new people (alcohol and themed-
tents help to this end). From drag-queen to rehab stations, you’ll
find miles of entertainment.
One thing is for sure, you’re going to have a hard time sitting still,
there’s no reason to. The endless eye-candy walking by will keep
you stimulated. Also, you’ll need to take at least one stroll down the
beach soak up all of the sights. Don’t be surprised if half-naked
twinks offer you shots from a water-pistol, be prepared to strip down
in exchange.
There are bathrooms on the beach, but no concession stands, so
make sure you bring enough beverages and snacks to last you as
long as you’re going to be there.
Planning to Go? Plan Early!
Being a small resort town, there are limited places to stay in
Pensacola, and this is a HUGE event! So if you’re planning to go,
and you’re traveling with a group, plan early. For my money, The
Portofino is the ideal property! Five towers of luxury condos, it’s a
heavenly mirage that’s just a stone’s throw away from the beach.
After a day of soaking up the sun, go back to your condo and party
with the hundreds of other guys and girls from all over the country.
There are always parties going on in the condos and by the pools.
1-800-GAY-TRAVEL |