MiniBAR

Let's say you're looking for a Gay bar in Huntington, West Virginia, but you'd prefer an unpretentious little neighborhood hangout rather than a big twinkified dance club. Right off the bat I'd point you in the direction of MiniBAR, located downtown on the west side of 9th Street betwee 6th and 7th Avenue; look for the rainbow flag hanging out front. Although MiniBAR is relatively new, the location is classic old-school DIVE: A long, narrow room with the bar on the left, tables and video slot machines to the right, a pool table and restrooms in back. Go through a door to your left, and you'll find a nicely-sheltered open-air patio in case you'd like to smoke. Drink prices are quite reasonable, and during Happy Hour you can get a nice plastic cup of draft for a buck. Musically it veers toward the kind of dance music that is depressingly ubiquitous in Gay bars, though when I was there it wasn't too loud. But get THIS: The place has a phone booth in front ... and not JUST a phone booth, but one of those vintage wooden models with a stool and a ceiling light that turns on as soon as you pull the door shut! I never thought I'd see one of THOSE ever again in MY lifetime. MiniBAR opens at 5:00pm, there's never a cover charge, and if you are a more mature, bearish sort, this is the place you'll probably want to find.