What is Guerilla Gay Bar?

What the heck is Guerilla Gay Bar?

It is an idea that was started in San Francisco in 2000 and has spread around the US and the world. Here are the basics: we pick a straight bar, invite a WHOLE BUNCH of gays to show up unannounced (meaning the bar doesn't know we're coming), push play and see what happens.

Ok, where is it?

We tell you the date, time and theme a couple of weeks before, but the location is kept a secret until ONE DAY BEFORE. The location is announced just a day before and we all show up and have a beer or two...easy and it's a blast. This isn't about being militant or shocking people or getting up in straight people's grills. It's just about showing folks that we exist outside of the ghetto, being adventurous and seeing new places to hang out, and making new friends outside of the regular "gay bar" setting.

Why keep the location a secret?

Well, most of all to be different. Also, to avoid having the bars we attend do something unwelcoming like charging us a cover when they don't normally do so. But, it's mostly to keep it fresh and interesting. We're no different from any other group of friends coming to party together, why should we have to announce ourselves. We sometimes call ahead and let them know "Hey, you're going to have an abnormally large group of fabulous people that like to drink and tip well this Friday. Staff up!"

Why should I be interested in coming?

Great for those of you new to town.
Easy way to make new friends in a very cool setting.
Great for singles looking to meet that special someone and are tired of the same old places.
Good place to catch up with friends you haven't seen because they don't go out to the gay bars.
See bars and clubs that you wouldn't normally bother to check out.
The atmosphere is very energetic and fun...there's a thrilling aspect to each takeover and every one is different. No two months are the same.

This sounds political, is it?

We are NOT a political organization. We are NOT crusaders. We are NOT representatives of the entire gay world. We just want a beer! If, as a by-product, some straights get the idea that gays are nothing to be scared of, then so much the better.

The words "takeover," "revolution," and "guerrilla" are used ONLY for fun. GGB Dallas is above all just a chance for gays and lesbians in the metroplex to go out and have fun at different venues while being around other gay folks...we wouldn't do anything more in-your-face at straight bars other than buying beer and playing pool. Everyone is responsible for their own behavior, and we ask that you behave like an adult! Do that and no one should have any problems.

It sounds like you hate the Dallas Gay Bars?

No, not at all, we love the bars in Dallas and you will see us and many of our participants in them quite often (sometimes too often). But, the options are limited. This is an opportunity not to be ghettoized and have to go to a gay bar to be around gay pals (old and new). GGB Dallas does not condone any confrontational behavior. Remember it's about fun and mixing. Make at least one new friend while you're at it and it's worth it.Sound fun? Of course it does. Let us know if you're interested and we'll add you to the list. Feel free to invite other GLBT folks.

How is this different from the "Gay Happy Hour" I've heard about?

Well, for one, this will be random, Gay Happy Hour is every 4 months. Two, we are trying to make this more interesting, fun and creative by doing themes. Three, we are hitting a much wider variety of bars and clubs and avoiding the trendy and hip locales which can be hard to get in, stuffy and expensive, let's be different! Four, we want all walks of life to come (not just the "A-Listers"), and that means YOU GIRLS are welcome! And, maybe the most important difference of all, we don't close the bar down for a private "gays only" event. We are visible and intermingle with the regulars and make our gay presence known to the straight community.

Do you make any money from these events?

We do NOT. We never have and we never will. No kickbacks, free drinks, NOTHING. We are also very protective of your information and will never sell that either. We are doing this primarily for our own entertainment and to contribute something to the local scene. If we tried to commercialize these events by cutting deals with the bars we visit, we would ruin the spontaneity of the party/ GGB concept which is to show up unannounced. We may at times use the events to raise money or canned goods for a local GLBT charity but that would only be suggested, not mandatory. We also encourage attendees to tip the bartenders, wait staff and entertainers (if any), but this is also voluntary.

So what do I have to do to come?

First of all, you'll have to be at least 21 years old to get into the bars! If you are, sign up here and you'll automatically be on the the list to receive all email announcements. A couple of weeks before each event, we'll send out a general invitation announcing the theme and the date, NOT the location, that's still secret. The day before the event, you will get an updated email with the location and all related details revealed. It's not about where we go...it's the concept. Participants are individually responsible for their behavior during attendance and their transportation. Guerilla Gay Bar Dallas reminds all participants to drink responsibly and not drive under the influence of alcohol.

Each location announcement will also be posted on the home page of this site, so check back the day before for all the details and feel free to invite other GLBT or gay-friendly folks.

Hey, you're spelling it wrong!

NO, both spellings (guerrilla and guerilla) are correct. Look it up. :)

Can we make suggestions or requests for bars we think you should take over?

Sure, why not? We are always looking for the next place to "Guerilla" and rely heavily on suggestions and your opinions. We have grown to be a pretty large group, so unfortunately, the tiny places are a bit harder to hit these days, we need bars and clubs with space for lots of folks! On certain nights we will even be taking over multiple bars in the same location!

I don't live in Dallas, can I copy your website and start one in my home town?

While the Guerilla Gay Bar concept was not our idea, the work, logo and copywriting put into this site is. We would LOVE the idea to continue to spread to other cities around the world, but if you want to use our site and our words as a go-by, please at least ask first and give us credit. We put a lot of voluntary personal time into this to make it successful. Our logo, however, is our brand and we would prefer it not be copied. We do have many experiences that we would love to share with you and advice gained from our successes and mistakes. We are more than willing to share and have shared with many cities that have started after us.

What bars have you been to so far?

2008: Martini Ranch, Stout, Idle Rich Pub, M Street Bar, Frankie's Sports Bar, Thoth's Lounge, The Amsterdam, and The Gingerman.

2009: The Lizard Lounge, Barcadia, Slip Inn, Blue Collar Bar, LIFT Lounge, Hooters West End, Flying Saucer (Addison), Liar's Den/Madison Ave Bar, The Boardroom, Wine Therapist, Cosmos, The Pour House, Texan Station at The Gaylord Hotel, and The Gingerman.

2010: The House of Blues, Bryan Street Tavern, Lee Harvey's, Meridian Room, Pizza Lounge, Fallout Lounge, Amsterdam Bar, M Street Bar...

We'll pick hot spots, cool digs, sports bars, and dingy dives. Every month it'll be something new. Word of mouth will be our greatest ally.

Sound fun? Sure it does. Join our group page on Facebook or at our Join Us page.

Cheers Queers!!