Some people tell me that they believe the nightlife options here in gay San Diego are stale. I tend to disagree with this assessment because I’ve been here long enough (my entire life to be exact) to have witnessed how dynamic and exciting it can be. Over time, clubs and bars come and go, special events come and go, and “the hot place to be” can seem to change with the wind. Going out in San Diego for the last nine years or so, I’ve seen things like the “hot” Friday night spot go from Rich’s to the Flame and back to Rich’s; Monday nights transforming from a “dead night” to one of the hottest nights of the week with the addition Brass Rail’s Manic Monday event; and the arrival of Universal and the end of Club Montage.

I got to thinking about all of the changes that have occurred “on the scene” in just this decade alone, when Michael Mack announced a very special event that is happening this weekend, “Return to Club Montage: The Reunion.” The event will be held this Saturday, Sept. 19 at the former Club Montage, which is now called “Spin Nightclub.” Doors will open at 9 p.m. with after hours until 4 a.m. (just like in the good old days!). Club Montage DJ’s Brett Henrichsen and Taj will spin, bringing back some of the old Montage magic. Many of the original bartenders will be brought back in and the legendary Dreamgirls Revue will return to their old stomping grounds to perform in the video bar at 10 p.m.

Cover charge will be $15 before 11 p.m. and $20 after that, with a portion of the proceeds going to the John McCusker Deca Scholarship Fund. Plus, the first 100 people in the door who present an old Club Montage VIP Card, Montage T-Shirt, Montage match book, trick card, or photo from “back in the day” will receive Masterbeat’s White Party 20th Anniversary CD. This will be an amazing night for the old Montage crowd to come together and party it up one more time like we used to from the late 1990’s through the first half of this decade (although I was not old enough to start going there until 2001).

For me, it was always so exciting to head down to Club Montage on a Saturday night after partying it up at Rich’s, Numbers, or Brass Rail. The 2 a.m. closure of those clubs was just too early and Montage provided a place to go and keep the party going until 4 or 5 a.m. Going and dancing at Montage was always a much healthier option for 2 a.m. then stuffing my face La Fuente (yes, La Fuente has been around forever, although they recently “renovated” the place). Being much younger and much gayer at that time, I would always be awestruck by the all of the shirtless, beautiful men that would grace the massive dance floor. To this day, whenever my friends and I go to a club or bar and see a lot of buff men with their shirts off we joke and say “what do they think this is, Montage?” Being able to experience Montage in its’ heyday was a treat, and I am looking forward to re-living a few of those memories this Saturday night. Whether or not you experienced Montage in the past, come check it out! More information is available on Facebook at http://bit.ly/4rvK4y.

Next Saturday, Sept. 26, I am heading to Rich’s for SDPix’s “Glitter Party”. I have a thing for boys and glitter so I am really excited to see all of the hot bodies that will be covered in glitter and body paint as DJ Nikno rocks the house. Free body and glitter painting will be available at the club. I have mentioned time and time again what a fan I am of theme parties and really encourage people to participate. I have really enjoyed seeing what seems to be much bigger participation by customers at these theme parties in recent years. Gays love to dress up so here’s an excuse… and this one actually encourages you to take it off, dress down, and cover your sexy body with paint and glitter. Glitter it up, and then look for me!

Be safe this weekend and I hope to see you around town!