The biggest birthday party to hit town is coming to Bourbon Street, and you’re invited! Sept 24-30, Bourbon will celebrate 20 years in San Diego. The New Orleans-style bar has been a favorite gathering and drinking place for San Diegans and visitors for two decades now, and a week of events has been planned around the special anniversary.

Bourbon Street has always been at the top of my BarFly favorites list, so I popped in for a few drinks this past weekend to chat with other patrons to hear their thoughts on the place. Of course, it was a busy Saturday night, with the front bar, outdoor patio, stable bar, and second level bar all packed with an attractive crowd. After downing a Maker’s and diet, I ran into a sexy young (looking) lesbian named Cat. She told me that she lived in San Francisco, but has visited San Diego at least twice a year for the last 10 years. Every time she has visited, she has made at least one trip to Bourbon Street. Cat said that there is just something “chill” about the bar’s ambience that keeps her coming back.

I also talked to a 22-year-old “scene queen” named Joey. With his collar popped, hair faux hawked to the ceiling, and sunglasses (who wears sunglasses at night anymore?), Joey told me that Bourbon is his bar of choice. He said he visits Bourbon Street every Saturday night before heading over to Numbers to “dance [his] ass off.” Joey thinks Bourbon attracts the hottest guys in town, and added, “A lot of them have money and good jobs and stuff, too.”

Then I had the opportunity to meet an absolutely amazing woman, all decked out in a red boa, and her son, who had quite a funny story to tell. Mom works in a department store, and has had a number of gay male co-workers whom she befriended. “I just get along better with gay men,” said mom. Occasionally, the gay co-workers would grab drinks after work, and invited mom along to Bourbon Street. On one occasion, Mom called her son, who wasn’t out to her yet and told him she would be home late. Son, who had just turned 21, thought this would be the perfect opportunity to sneak away, and head over to a gay bar he had read about called Bourbon Street. Well, let’s just say that son ended up coming out to mom that evening! They now joke about how, when he ran into her, he stumbled to make-up a wild story about how he met some girl online and she told him to meet her there, and he couldn’t find her, and he had no idea it was a gay bar. They go out together to Bourbon Street every so often, and always laugh about that night.

Those are just a few of the stories that the thousands of people who have visited Bourbon Street have to share. It’s the kind of place where everyone feels welcome and is comfortable in the beautiful environment. Bourbon has also donated countless dollars to local organizations, and continues to support good causes. I even participated in a charity wet underwear contest at Bourbon Street a few years ago, and have a picture of myself in just my tight underwear onstage! Bourbon Street should be proud of all it has done in 20 years.

The birthday celebration begins on Monday Sept. 24 with Wacky Showtunes, and Monday Night Football. Tuesday night is ’80s night with DJJUNIORtheDISCOpunk at 9 p.m. Also, the Karaoke with Tom finals will take place, and the winner will go home with $500 cash! The now legendary Fabulous Bingo with the Outrageous Nicole will take place Wednesday, followed Thursday by a special night of SDPix’s WET at 9 p.m. Bourbon Street has become popular with the ladies, especially on Friday nights, and Flawles will present Ladies Happy Hour on Friday Sept. 28 with DJs LV and Talonya. There will be go-go girls from 4-7 p.m. Boys Boys Boys with DJ Kenny begins at 9 p.m.

Saturday Sept. 29 is the main event! Bourbon Street’s official birthday celebration will include a private party with hors d’oeuvres by Lei Lounge from 4-7 p.m., followed by a huge Mardi Gras style celebration that evening! There will be a bead toss, go-go boys, and the first 500 people will receive a limited edition 20-Year Anniversary CD by DJ Dallas. This will be a party not to miss – I know I’ll be there!

Request your invitation online at www.bourbonstreetsd.com.

Bourbon Street will close out the weeklong celebration with a tailgate party, including free hot dogs, while the screens show the San Diego Chargers versus Kansas City Chiefs game. Lavender Lens will present live pudding wrestling with Danni at 6 p.m.