Mix It Up

Best done during daylight hours, bar hopping on Broadway between Armour Boulevard and 39th Street can be a crapshoot. But the scene is looking up. After an eight-month vacancy, 3611 Broadway is occupied by Varieties, a gay-friendly spot that serves cocktails and smiles from 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. The scrubbed-up, brightened-up bar (formerly known as the Hangout) has replaced its dark façade with stained-glass windows and has put a strong emphasis on friendliness — an oft-neglected facet of the gay-bar setting. “Our main goal is to make customers happy. Customer service is key,” says bartender Greg Hetzlar. With happy hour running from opening until 7 p.m., and with karaoke, Texas hold ’em and 120 parking spaces behind the building, Varieties is ready to please just about anyone — gay, straight, bi or just thirsty.

Mondays-Saturdays, 10-1:30 a.m., 2009