In September 2006, I wrote a news story for the Gay & Lesbian Times about the acquisition of the property at University Avenue and Vermont Street to build the upscale nightclub/lounge Universal and its accompanying restaurant, Dish (www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=8195&issue=979). In the article, James Brennan, one of the owners of the group developing the venue, EnDev, LLC, said “We are excited to get down to Hillcrest and set the bar for other establishments ...” Whether the various clubs in Hillcrest geared up to stand alongside Universal or were invested in keeping up with the time, 2007 was an exciting year on the barstool!

Several bars and clubs livened up their interiors, many of them moving toward a lounge-y atmosphere. The most impressive was the complete renovation of Hillcrest’s oldest gay bar, The Brass Rail. The club hosted a grand opening party on Jan. 24, 2007, to unveil the new look. The Brass Rail, once a run-down dive bar, now rivals many of the upscale lounges in Downtown. Rich’s also cleaned-up its interior with a fresh paint job, new lighting systems, and lounge booths where the old “bleacher style seating” used to be.

In 2007, we also saw a number of establishments celebrating anniversaries. Elaborate parties were thrown for many of these milestones. Celebrating one-year in April was the beautiful Lei Lounge in University Heights and the “new” Club Montage at the end of June. Also, North Park’s Redwing Bar & Grill celebrated one-year on June 23. Club Papi celebrated five-years of Papi Parties in San Diego on Nov. 10 with a party that included a live performance by Amber, and the Brass Rail celebrated its 47th year just a week earlier. One of the biggest anniversary parties, of the year, though, was Bourbon Streets week-long series of events in September honoring the bar’s 20th anniversary! It was the biggest birthday bash San Diego had seen in a long time!

Sadly, one of Southern California’s oldest gay bars closed Labor Day weekend. Laguna Beach’s The Boom Boom Room closed after new developers purchased the building the bar was housed in. Partiers from all over the country came to “dance the last dance” in September.

Things were a bit brighter in San Diego, at least for those from 18 to 20 years old. Nightlife options have always been limited for our friends under 21– Choices included a trip south to Tijuana, or a gas-guzzling trip north to Los Angeles. Things are a bit easier now, as downtown’s Static Lounge introduced “Undressed Sundaze,” an 18+ gay Sunday night event. The event, under the new name “Club Shock,” has become quite popular, and continues to draw in the crowds. Maystar, who hosts the popular Fashion Whore events, created “Club Pop Noir!” in April, which is also an 18+ event held monthly at Static.

A number of other events and venues opened up across town last year. Bite Modern California Bistro and Wine Bar, which opened shop next door to Baja Betty’s, held its grand opening celebration on June 28. Club Papi expanded its enterprise last June by opening up the weekly Pan Dulce San Diego event every Friday at Bacchus House. The crowds continue to flock to Pan Dulce, which is one of the hottest parties around! That same weekend, Club Fusion debuted in Tijuana. Club Extasis “fused” with Bar Caguamamas to create one of the best events south of the border! Rich’s re-invented Saturday nights with the addition of the Saturday night Voltage party, and it has become one of the most popular parties in town. Bacchus House added a couple of fun parties, including the occasional “MegaFoam” foam party, and the first Saturday Bear Night. Lei Lounge introduced a Sunday afternoon event in September called “Remedy.” Lei has become a hot spot to relax and recover after a heavy weekend of partying.

As we begin 2008, we are still anticipating the opening of Universal. The new upscale restaurant and lounge certainly teased us during the past year, with a contingent in the Pride Parade, sexy dancers on top of its construction site on Halloween weekend, and a number of preview/tasting parties at venues such as House.Boi, Top of the Park, and Bloomingdales. The venue is expected to open this year.

Also unveiling soon will be Hawthorne’s Restaurant inside the Birch North Park Theater.

Finally, 2008 will kick off with an exciting new night at The Brass Rail! Hotch, along with my friend AJRoy, will host “Manic Mondays” at the Brass Rail starting this Monday, Jan. 14.