A short 30 minutes east of Tampa is Lakeland. On a Monday afternoon we didn’t expect much but WOW were we wrong! Our first stop was a late lunch early dinner at The Texas Longhorn just off the Florida Ave exit on I-4. 6 tables of blue hairs and 3 tables of Gays. Of course we knew the Gay guys LOL. Next we were eager to check out Karma Bar & Lounge https://www.facebook.com/KarmaBarAndLounge . Located inside the Regal Grand Hotel on Memorial Blvd. This club is full of great surprises inside! We were greeted by new owner Jay and given a full tour. The club is located just off the private outside pool and adjacent to a very large convention room that has a gigantic stage perfect for pageants!  The club has an upbeat atmosphere and great energy. At 5 in the afternoon on a Monday there was actually DJ Travis spinning!!! Rooms start at just $39.00!!! So why drink & drive??? No trip to Lakeland is complete without paying homage to the Green Parrot now called Pulse Lakeland https://www.facebook.com/lakeland.pulse Quick history lesson here…. The Green Parrot is the 2nd oldest Gay Bar in Florida, the oldest Gay Bar in Florida is the KIKIKI but it has moved 3 times. The Oldest Gay bar in the same location with the same name is The Pro Shop in Clearwater.

Anyway it is always a treat to stop at Pulse Lakeland. We were greeted by Bartenders Extraordinare  Dustin & Shaelah and friend Matt. With very little cooing we got Dustin & Matt to show off their new UNICO Underwear. Which they purchased from MC Film.  Hmmm… I wonder where the suggestion for road trip came from LOL???? The club was sparkling clean. The Lounge area, stage & outdoor patio had all been updated. With a great staff & club house feel it’s easy to why Pulse is so very popular. Both stops told us we should also check out the Tuesday GLBT Night at Alligator Alley. If your looking for fun friendly people we suggest you definitely check out Lakeland. On our next trip we will try staying at the Regal Grand.

(See more Photos below)

Every week the crowds are getting bigger and bigger. This past Sunday the crowds were several thousand!!! It is like a Big progressive Party every Sunday. Starting out with Gospel Drag Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s. The first show is at 1PM. After brunch it’s a lazy start for the afternoon with drinks at Centro Canteen, Cigars at King Corona, a movie at Centro Muvico 20 and shopping for the latest in swim wear at MC Film. Cocktails at Liquid Tampa, Bradley’s on 7th and the Judy B. Goode show at Liquid Ultra Lounge. The BIG GaYBOR T-DANCE kicks off at Barbarella’s with $1.00 drinks the first hours then $2 then$3. You’ll just never know what to expect…. Concert, Water Slide, Bucking Bulls, Gladiators… Always a great Time & Fun Hot People!!! After T-Dance the crowd moves to the roof top of RISE Sundays @ Tabu, Liquid Tampa, Bradley’s on 7th. One last stop the must do stop every night in GaYBOR/Ybor City New York New York Pizza!!!  See you all in GaYBOR!!!

Looking for a club with Great Energy???  Then Bradley’s on 7th is the place for you! Opening daily at 4PM this is the Happy Hour of choice for many of the locales. Many of the fun club events are the brainchild of the regulars. From cook offs, game night, Easter Egg decorating contest and more. Miss Joey Brooks is the cast director here. Miss Brooks who is also Miss Ybor City & Miss MC Film, is also former cast member of La Cage in Las Vegas. Using those connections & years of entertaining Miss Brooks brings local & Super Stars in to perform. Working together with Hamburger Mary’s it is now possible to give a Big Star 2 bookings in the same night, on the same block. This makes the booking fees affordable and the local fans all win! This is how Miss Gigi Monroe https://www.facebook.com/GigiMonroe was booked. Gigi is famous for her Dolly Parton & Liza Minnelli impressions. Can you tell who the real Dolly Parton is in these photos?