The infamous tea dance from 4-7 always draw a fabulous crowd! Â What a great place to unwind and drink in the sun while overlooking the bay. Â Music is always fantastic - thank you DJ Mary Alice!
Todd, the bartender is always full of nice things to say and mixes cocktails to perfection!
Drinks are a little on the pricey side, but worth it for the experience.
I also enjoy going to the pool during the day before Tea Dance and baking in the sun!
Great place.
Tea dance the way it should be. Personally, my favorite dances were the 80s classic on Thursdays, but any afternoon is fun and friendly. Helpful hint for those who like their drinks strong - go find Maria the bartender. It should be easy; she is always pouring 3-5 drinks at a time and is the only one that always has a line waiting patiently for her. Don't feel the need to show up precisely when it starts, it really doesn't get seriously going on the dance floor until 5:30, sometimes even 6, even though it ends precisely at 7PM. Before then everyone is just visiting friends, cruising and drinking. Lots of fun all in all.
Review Source:Our second time to stay here- we requested the same room as before and we were gladly accommodated! Â Bathrooms have been freshened up, rooms are always clean and the service is friendly. Â Check-in and check-out were a breeze. Â Free tea dance admission is a bonus. Â The only complaint AI have is the "stomper" in the room above us who apparently never sits, just walks in circles around the room. Â Not Boatslip's fault for any reason, but I would love to know what he was doing.
Review Source:After going to The Boatslip for to many years that I care to admit to, I finally stayed there with a great ocean view room overlooking their T-Dance. I must say I was very happy with the rate I got, my room was clean, comfortable, great views and the staff was very helpful, kind and I enjoyed my two day stay there. The weather was great and the bartenders Josh at the Buoy Bar and John S and Steve Z at T-dance are three of the best bartenders in P-Town. I also must say Kudos to Bob who runs a very tight ship and has the best staff in town and is a very nice general manager. I can't wait for my next trip to P-Town so I can stay at The Boatslip again, who knows maybe I can return again this summer with some luck and the continental breakfast was very nice!! Thanks again for A+++ service.
Review Source:Did someone say daytime dance party? I'm so there. We read about the Tea Dance and had to check it out of course. After a fabulous late lunch at the Patio, we wandered over to the Boatslip.
Loved that there was a large outdoor space and bar, and tables if your feet got too tired. Our new friends introduced us to a new cocktail, but I can't remember what it was called. But I think it was raspberry vodka, sprite and two cherries. A little sweet for me but they loved them. The we made our way onto the dance floor and danced under the disco ball to Britney, Lady Gaga and Madonna. It was fierce. We'll definitely be back to the Tea Dance next time we're in P-town, that's for sure.
I have been coming to the Boatslip since 1985 & cannot ever remember being so RUDELY treated...From the douche bag at the door who grunted as he collected our money, to the goons that rustled us out like cattle at the 7pm close, it's obvious that this town has become "all about the money"....
Review Source:Ridiculously, this is the inexpensive place to stay in PTown.
For $175+ a night, I'd expect to be able to control and heat and air in my room, but it's shared with 2 other rooms. Now that was smart- wtf!
The location is good, tea dance is fun people watching and importantly means it's quiet at night.
The harbor side rooms are smaller, but the sunrise in my sliding doors and tiny, balcony- enough for 2 chairs and a table- was perfect: my own private sunrise!
Since last year, my first stay, wifi is now throughout the property- yeah!
Bathrooms are sorely in need of some love. who's bright idea was it to build a cabinet in FRONT of the toilet. Yes, when pooing, one needs to sit sideways- again wtf?!?
Bottom line: it's clean, but a dump. Upside: first coffee at 6a, when seems nothing else is open or awake, and as HQ for Swim for Life, they win a brownie point and my business, though I'd be willing go stay here more readily with a few upgrades
TEA DANCE!!!
My review is solely for tea dance. Huge outdoor drinking space. People from all walks of life just having a good time. Least judgmental dance floor I've ever seen. So, I don't really understand the need to charge a cover, but the cover isn't that bad. Expensive but strong drinks.
I'm not a huge scene queen and that made tea dance perfect for me.
Do not take your DSLR or regular SLR camera to the Tea Dance. They will make you check it upstairs in the hotel because, you might be "smuggling alcohol" in there. They wanted me to leave mine with them where they would place it on the floor, behind the counter, where the staff walks. $1000 of glass lenses on the floor next to their feet? I'm not that stupid. I even pulled my camera out to show them and the young woman said she didn't set the policy. Needless to say, I didn't give them my bag or my money. I left and won't be back. Â It should be zero stars.
Review Source:I would like to mention the good and the bad in my review, but I have nothing bad to say! Â From the moment we arrived at the Boatslip Resort, we were treated great. Â Every single employee from the front desk to the concierge to the guy who cleaned our room to the people who managed the "events" (like the afternoon tea dances) were warm and friendly. Â Great experience and I have to say it's pretty hard for me to give a 100% all expectations met, but the Boatslip did it.
The cleaning staff (and whoever manages it) is to be commended. Â As far as I could tell, they start about 9am. Â That is so GREAT! Â I absolutely detest getting woken up by noisy staff. Â The Boatslip does their jobs quietly and (miracle) they can read the sign I put out asking for privacy (I can not tell you how many times I have been awoken in other hotels by maids who chose to ignore those signs. Â One time I was awoken in New Orleans at 8am by a maid... who is up early in the French Quarter???).
The hotel is walking distance from the pier but we took one of the pedicabs from the ferry to the hotel. Â A bargain for $20.
The pool area is great, the guy who runs it and the man getting you your lounge chairs, are fun and efficient and have great personalities.
Our room had a beautiful view of the bay, I loved it.  The ocean breezes were cooling so I shut off the air most of the time.  Oh and  at night I left the sliding door open and the waves lapping against the shore lulled me to sleep.  Fantastic.
I could go on but all I can say is I will be there again next year. Â LOVED IT! Â It is a five star experience
My partner and I are in Provincetown for the July 4th week and bought the Boatslip's Tea Dance passes to get in easily if we want throughout the week rather than wait on the incredibly long lines that form.  on July 3rd, we got to the the Tea Dance at 5:00 and there was probably 1500 people already partying.  I waited 45 minutes in line for a drink!  45 minutes!  And it wasn't just the line I was in - it was the same everywhere.  Everyone in line was furious.  I was in one line on one side of the pool, my partner was on another.  He had the exact same experience.  I've been to a lot of parties like this over the years and this was by far the worst organized party event I've ever been to, hands down.  The Boatslip has been doing this party for years - what excuse could they possibly have for being so completely unprepared for this crowd?  They should have had 30 bartenders minimum set up in stations all around the pool.  I can't imagine how much money the must have lost by being so understaffed not to mention pissing off so many hundreds of patrons.  The crowd was fun, the music sounded awesome (though I never got  onto the dance floor, it was so jammed.  It you know you're not going to drink ANYTHING or go to the bathroom (the bathroom lines were just as bad!), no problem.  And when we left at 6:30, there was a long line of people trying to get in and they were no longer honoring their own Passes which were supposed to give priority entrance to their party!  They made the Pass holders get in line with everyone else!  Really, you guys?  The Boatslip owes a major apology to everyone how attended that party and who were duped into buying their bogus "Passes".  No excuse, guys.  Bad business.
Review Source:Well, I was pleasantly surprised!
I assumed from (well-deserved) Tea-Dance fame that the hotel experience at The Boatslip would be loud, dated and dirty - it was NONE of those three things. Pleasant staff, comfy large room with incredible view, balcony, a/c, and perfect location. If you consider that you get into Tea for FREE, (as well as FREE Yoga on the patio on MWF mornings) you can take that off the hotel price and it is a steal! If you are in the mood for a fun time, stay here! If you are in the mood for a super-classy hotel  - stay elsewhere - the plumbing is old, and the rooms are not super-trendy, but I will definitely stay again!
There is only one reason to go to the Boatslip. Tea Dance! You roll in around 4, get a Planter's Punch (Jeffrey is correct that the straw is full of rum. My advice? Drink it up and don't stir. Thanks for asking.) and then you retire to the deck to be smooshed among virtually everyone you've ever dated and 12% of the city of Boston. Repeat until 7, if you dare. And if you can handle the lines for the bars and bathrooms. The drinks are expensive for what you get, but you *need* them so bring cash.
Some people choose to dance in the little pit inside, but it's hot as shit in there and *always* packed beyond belief. I usually go on Memorial Day weekend, so it's almost all women. While not clothed in speedos, there are usually plenty of horrendous outfits on the girls who think they're the hottest thing in the room. Half on/off shirts seemed to be in among compensatory narcissists this season. The soundtrack is a boring mix of whatever is popular (I swear they played 'Till the World Ends and Blow 4 times each) and some old disco shit. But it's fucking fun and no one can deny that. I can only take an hour or so of the madness and Jersey Shore grossies that strut around, but maybe you like the hot (not figuratively) crowd situation more than I do. Still, it's a show worth seeing at least once during your weekend.
:'(
If you've ever had the urge to round up EVERY gay you've seen in your life (in person, on the internet, in the news, on an episode of COPS, etc.) this is your best chance.
Whether they live in Oregon, messaged you on Manhunt during that trip to Chicago, starred in a movie in 2006 taking way too many loads for 1 weekend, or is simply Bruce Vilanch (UGH!) ... Â the odds of bumping into ALL of them on the deck of the Boatslip are pretty good.
The Planters Punch tastes like any drink from ANY Chinese restaurant, a Vodka/Red Bull costs $400, and the DJ's soundtrack is devoted to Cha Cha heels. :'(
I guess it's better than sitting in a hotel room and doing meth.* :(
(*Don't go alone or you'll have more fun in the hotel room...)
The Unbearable Angle of Invisibility
So, I just got back from Bear Week in Provincetown. It's no big secret that I have been a fond follower of Bear Culture. I've been going to Bear Week a few days at a time for years, now. This year I decided to go for the whole week. Â It was, perhaps, a mistake. Â Memories that were evoked include: circuit parties and high school gym class.
I have to talk about the Boatslip for a minute, to make this all legit:
Pool. Â Big deck. Â Tea Dance has been great fun in years past. Â I like
drinking at 4 in the afternoon. Â I like sunshine and my friends. Â I like the end of the world. Â There is dancing. Â I don't do much of that, as you'll learn in a bit. Â But, I'm told the annoying disco music is fun. Â I wouldn't know. Â
I stayed at the Boatslip once. Â The room was hot and someone was doing a lot of clomping overhead. Â Air conditioning and an anti clomping rule might have made my stay better.
During the days of Bear Week, the pool filled up with men until it
appeared to be a stew. Â At 4pm everyday, Tea Dance starts. Â Tea Dance. Â 2,000 people, 45 minutes to get a drink, 30 minutes to piss, repeat until it's over.
This review isn't of the Boatslip per se. Â It's more of a general review of whatever the fuck it was that happened last week. Â This isn't supposed to be amusing, or vindictive. Â I would say if you want comedy, read some of my other reviews, or better yet, check out David Dancer's yelps. Â They never disappoint.
Moving on to more pressing matters.
A new species of bear has risen to prominence. Â I call them the Alpha
Bears. Â Now, pay attention because I don't want to alienate every bear who reads this. Â I like bears just fine. Â I'm still a fan of Bear Culture. Â I even like bear411, even though it looks like the code was written in
1992. Â Bears are like any group of people. Â Some are interesting, some are nice, some can kindly go away. Â
Alpha Bears are defined by the following characteristics. Â There is a plus or minus scale here of about 10% and only say, 6 out of the 8 criteria need apply.
-6 foot 2 or taller;
-Darkly tanned;
-Annual income of $150,000/year or more;
-Large, unimaginative tattoos, most likely ordered out of a catalog and/or given to the discretion of a tattooist who doubtless harbors resentment towards giant hairy rich guys;
-Large muscles suggesting steroid use;
-Bellies;
-35 to 55 years old;
-Beards.
And lastly, they seem to have problems with their vision. Â They simply
cannot see anything that isn't a clone of them. Â If that means shoving
me to get to the next Planter's Punch, that's what's going to happen. Â At least until next time.
And what is up with the Planter's Punch?
And I could look out and see these bears drinking that punch, twiddling with their brand new iPhone 4s, adjusting some stock options with a secure app, catcalling a fat guy in the pool, grabbing other Alpha's packages through Speedos, woofing. Â Woofing. Â Grrrrr. Â Woof.
John Waters said something the other day..."Being gay isn't enough. Â It's an OK start, but you have to do something more."
But now, ladies, more is less. Â
Some years ago, a boyfriend at the time took me to the Black and Blue circuit party in Montreal. Â He thought it might be good for us. Â After all, we were in a 3 year relationship that was hanging by a thread. Â How about a party with 20,000 gay muscle dudes and lots of drugs, to shore up a disaster? Strangers, dancing, grinding, in a trance. Â Hypnotized. Â Glitter mirror balls and only a dim reminder in the sparkling air, that circuit parties started out as AIDS fundraisers.
Circuit parties are like high school with money and muscles and ecstasy and coke. Â And once again I was last picked to play a game I have no interest in anyway. Â Â
Those years back, my boyfriend dumped me on the way home from Canada. Â Was it because I'm short and weird and I don't like dancing with strangers? Â
I'm too old to take drugs people manufacture in their basements, and I don't want to have sex with people I'm never going to actually speak to. Â What does that have to do with the Boatslip? Â Not much, except that Tea Dance has turned into a daily circuit party at Bear Week. Circuit boys eventually age. Â They have to grow up. Â You can't stop age, even with six figures. Â You grow a beard and let your tummy get a little bigger, buy that tattoo, and you've transplanted yourself into a new subculture without really doing anything new. Â Just like Lady Gaga or a scene-for-scene Hollywood remake that takes place in outer space this time around.
In the end there are things that will always disappoint because they are un-winnable. Â Even if I don't particularly like you, I don't want to be invisible to you. Â And if you think you can shove me out of the way to get to your next trick or drink or BMW, be careful. Â I'm watching a culture embrace class and vanity, and as you come towards me, looking over me or through me, I'll be sticking my foot out, and you're not paying attention.
Ok, the rooms suck. The beds are old and the carpets smell a bit. But the view from the balcony is wonderful, both over the water and of the deck where the Tea Dance takes place every afternoon (in the summer). It's THE location to be if you are gay in Provincetown. Book early for Carnival.
Review Source:The place to be seeing at T-dance from 4 to 7pm... Â the drinks are VERY Strong... so even you get to spend some $$$ on them, they are worth every penny. Â I had two drinks of something (whatever the bartender was making me) and I was a little drunk... Â did not even finish the third one.
There is a cover charge of $10 per person which I think it is a rip-off when paying top dollars for drinks as well. Â However, the parade of different characters, drag queens, macho men, body builders, underwear showing, plastic surgery ridden people among many others makes it worth it.
The dancing does not start until the last 30 minutes of the t-dance and it is fun to get in the crowded dance floor and sing and scream to all the gay favorite songs.... specially at 70's and 80's night.
Enjoy the people watching and fun to be had at this place...
The Boatslip is the place to see and be seen in Provincetown, especially during Bear Week, when I happened to be visiting Cape Cod. Â The pool area is always hopping, and even if you aren't a guest of the hotel you can rent a lounge chair for the day for $5. Â Waiters come around offering lunch special (such as a hot dog and Cape Cod chips for $7) or cocktails. Â The pool itself is usually too crowded to swim, but if you want to meet some new people, it's definitely a party scene.
Review Source:Tea dance at the Boatslip review. I don't even dance. Let's just say after 25 years of going to P-Town it's the same old, same old. It fulfills the need. Â I mean what else you gonna do with that tan you've been working on all day but show it off.
It's a great place to stand and model while everyone else is standing and modeling. The pretense. I stand and model, too. You probably saw me in my pink martini shorts, blue polo and brown suede Gucci loafers. I got lots of looks in that outfit - not sure if its because I looked cool or if because I wasn't in cheap flip-flops. Â I'm from Boston, so I don't interact much. Â I'll never know.
Been doing Tea for years (too many to be honest) but recently I was in P-Town for a week with my partner and we did attend tea several times (only cause he was paying the ridiculous cover charge). Order your drink smartly, otherwise you get a plastic cup with a teaspoon shot of booze. Tip and make sure the bartender remembers you. Â Hang in there, order a few more and tip well. Â The shots will finally reach a regulation pour.
Tea is an icon. Despite the cover and watery drinks, the men are still (fairly) hot and it's a great way to end the day at the beach and start your evening. Â A-OK.
A $10 cover to have watered-down drinks, cliquey Bostonians, and an over-methed bartender is not my idea of a good time.
This review is only for tea at The Boatslip. Â I don't know anything about the hotel part.
Why two stars? Â It's a great outdoor space, and the DJ kept the dance floor full by playing great happy music.
I am only reviewing the tea-dance, which seems to be a beloved P-town institution, and I can understand why. Â Having cocktails before dinner surrounded by the fashion show/gay pride parade while enjoying the ocean breezes is pretty hard to beat.
The only qualm I had was with the music, which could have been more imaginative. Â The 70's/80's dance relied a little too much on the obvious choices--if I never hear "It's Raining Men" again in my life it will be too soon--and "YMCA?" Yawn. Â We all grew up listening to more fabulous music than that. Â This is what straight people think gay people listen to, not what we actually do listen to.
I have never stayed here when I've visited Ptown, but I have been here countless times for the daily Tea Dance in the summer. Â The deck is ginormous, probably the largest one I've ever seen and by 4:30 PM it's so packed, you can barely move. Â Lots of characters come to Tea - the Hat Sisters and plenty of folks in drag...it's a lot of fun. Â Yeah, the music is kind of dated and the drinks are expensive, but no more so than anywhere else in Ptown. Â It's a great way to get your party started - have a few drinks before dinner, catch up with friends or make new ones and then head off to dinner before the REAL fun begins!
Review Source:The place to BE and to be SEEN between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 in Ptown.
Picture it, huge sun deck, gorgeous men, kick ASS dance music, alcohol drinks with straws, sun, mind bursting views of the sea, and views of hot men of all shapes and sizes.
They gather here to dance, drink, cruise, flirt, prance, and parade.
The come to celebrate and dance here only for a few hours until the music abruptly stops and the party ends.
Hundreds of shirtless men and a few heavy duty women exit hand- in -hand and empty into the street to prepare for a semi-civilized dinner; or continue on down the road for more partying at the Pied Bar, where the Heavy Duty's rule and the a new chapter for the evening dancing begins.
Party on!
This place is like something you'd see on an HBO mini-series - a bunch of gay men lounging around in bathing suits on a deck and basking in the sun from morning until early afternoon - there's even a tan and glazed man (almost turkey like) who runs around in tight jeans fetching $5 deck chairs and blowing a whistle when it's time to rotate chairs (let the cancer tan you evenly!)
If you have any insecurities about your body (like me), I'd suggest bringing three things with you:
1. A therapist
2. A snow suit
3. A razor blade
Cocktail boys roam the deck collecting drink orders - you always look sexier with a piña colada in your hand when flirting with boys. Drinker beware, there is a squirt of pure rum in the straw waiting for your first sip - OH HAY GURL!
Come 4 o'clock the pool and deck chairs are cleared for the afternoon Tea Dance. And by Tea Dance, of course they mean a bunch of homos drinking alcohol, cruisin' for that evening's prey, and watching boys in speedos dance on boxes - happy Tuesday afternoon everybody!
As evening comes, it's time to leave and make a costume change for that night's clubbing - gays are classy like that.
The boatslip is a "resort" located right on the Harbor in Ptown. Â
Accomodations - so so, but a very convenient location. Â A little noisy, especially during t-dance (4-7 EVERY DAY)
Boatslip deck and swimming pool - AHHHH! Â Laying on the deck at the Boatslip is my favorite Ptown passtime. Â Gorgeous ocean views, lots of semi-nude men, delicious frozen drinks delivered to your rented chaise lounge (just $3.00 a day) and a refreshing swimming pool for a quick dip when the sun gets a little to intense.
Boatslip T-Dance - daily 4-7 pm. Â This is fun with a group of friends. Â You can hang on the deck or try to secure a place on the tiny dance floor to bust a move. Â An essential stop for ptown vacationers. Â Music can be a little dated... reisent dj Maryalice has been around the block a few times, after all.
So let me give you some context as to why I give this place 4 stars. Â For me, when I go on vacation, I don't really care where I sleep... I care about the proximity to the bars/restaurants/beaches, etc... and as long as I can have a place to crash at the end of the night, I'm happy.
That being said, the boatslip is at the top of my list for places to stay in P-town. Â Why? Â It has 2 sides: one which faces Commercial St. (Perfect spot for people watching, my favorite passtime) and the other side faces the ocean... Last year, we had a small room with a balcony that overlooked the ocean. Â I could've slept on a matchbox and been happy!
And if you stay here, you get into Tea Dance (every afternoon from 4-7)
for free!! Â Additionally, you can take advantage of lounging by their pool for free. Â Every morning from 9-3, you can lie out on the deck by the pool, overlooking the ocean whilst being served frozen concoctions by hot, skantily clad waiters! Â
Overall, the rooms are a little run down, and are pretty basic, but there are a lot of positives to counteract those!
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